As per the rules of the competition, the contestants were only supposed to wear standard issue sports wear. This included a t-shirt and track pants. Equipment such as mouth, shin and groin guards could also be used, but that was about it.
For the first round of the competition, weapons or equipment of any kind was not permitted. This was supposed to be a battle of wit and physical power. A competition of experts in their basic level.
Therefore, to enforce fairness and the rules, the sports wear was carefully analyzed to prevent any competitors from sneaking in illegal weapons or equipment. Any form of cheating during the competition would lead to disqualification, the harshest punishment that could be given.
The various competitions who had managed to get this far would not want to lose out when they were so close, so in very rare cases was cheating even detected.
All this meant was, for Haiser and his group of fighters, they did not have any form of, weaponry, armor, or protection as they advanced. Luckily, neither did their opponents. To the audience, this was built to produce a spectacular showdown of experts going bare-knuckle against one another.
As they watched, two groups prepared to assault each other. The defending team was comprised of five teams, which added up to a little over a hundred and fifty people. While they had the lesser numbers, every single person in their line-up was a top notch expert.
Word had gotten around about the coalition of teams. As such, even those that did not have allies had hurriedly come to join the fun. This had blown up the team to a whooping three hundred plus members, more than double the opposing team.
As for their arrangement, everyone agreed that Haiser's task, which was to break through the enemy defenses, was the truly difficult one. Therefore, he was leading a team of a hundred people. With these, they hoped he could puncture a hole in their defenses.
For this operation, Haiser had a few Iresal members helping him, as well as members from other teams. He did not add Carlos and Joel into the group. He too knew exactly the sort of danger he would be putting himself. While he trusted himself to deal with any threat, he could not say the same for his good friends.
Soon, Haiser had finished organizing his people. He formed impressive battle arrays, shocking the viewers. At the front, he had handpicked the most burly looking men in the team. These were the ones in charge of the initial charge. They formed three lines of twenty men each. They would also prevent the team from being overrun.
Behind them, there were the leaner, more agile members. These were lined up behind the burly men. Once the shock of the charge dissipated, they would jump into the fray, pinning down the opposition and preventing them from gathering their strength once more.
Then came the experts in the back row, where Haiser would also be. They were to deal with any person that stood out in the enemy's side. This also included most of the commanders in the various teams. They would be perfectly placed to assist their teammates, while preventing the other teams from betraying the charging team.
With Haiser's team so well arranged, the others got into place. Since they had numerical advantage, the other teams would crash from the sides, boxing the various opponents in and restricting their movements. Hopefully, this would be enough to give them a chance.
Watching from the sidelines, Phanas closely monitored Haiser, hoping the man had a plan to get past the blockade. Looking at the impressive arrays the latter had formed, the former was inclined to believe in his prowess, just enough to get him to hope again.
As for Alma, she had a relaxed expression. This did not stem of underestimating Haiser's opponents, but the deep understanding she had of her husband's prowess and fighting style. When she saw him retrieve the flag, to her, it was done and dusted. No one could stop the juggernaut that was Haiser when he set his mind to do something.
Due to the high profile nature of his appearance, many people were observing Haiser. So far, all they had heard were rumors, and as impressive as they might be, rumors were still rumors. Only when they saw the man in action would they judge for themselves.
Much like Dallas, many experts wanted to see if he was one of those famed pugilists, hidden martial artists who could do incredible things. Many had rumored that he was one of those, but without seeing it for themselves, all they had was hearsay.
One man in particular had his sharp eyes on Haiser. If Haiser was who he thought he was, logic would suggest that such a man would keep a low profile, yet here he was, in full view of everyone.
Kai Tres was very wary of Haiser. He still did not understand the man's identity, but he knew, anyone who would be pursued by such high profile dignitaries to what was almost literally the ends of the world, someone like that must either be too high profile, or carrying a massive secret. Either way, he still had not determined whether it was wise to make contact.
In a different corner of the globe, a man observed Haiser. Unlike the Laventine corporation, the White Oak corporation was grander and had deeper information, especially in the fighting world. They knew much about martial arts and pugilists.
"You think you're people will be able handle him," The man asked the lithe figure behind him, "judging from his conduct, he has some military background as well."
"Handle him?" The woman laughed slightly, "Don't you think you're looking down on us too much?" To her, there was no one worthy of competition in such a place. However, since the man had dared to stand out, especially with their plans, he would make a perfect stepping stone for their organization.