As the Grindhouse show drew near, all the newbies from Rising Impact University seriously prepared themselves. Arnold spent most of his time training in the gym, and the training ring, and even went for a valley run somewhere in the countryside.
Surprisingly, Lila and Mark followed him everywhere he went and also trained with him until he, himself, was exhausted. Since he performed the "unbelievable" in the gym the other day, they had begun to see him as a little, newbie idol.
Around never disagreed on their opinion to work out with him. After all, he was already feeling some good attitudes in them. Especially Lila who was always wanting to hang around with him in her free time.
Although, there were no strings attached... There wouldn't be, Arnold thought.
It went on until the very day when the show would be held. Just when it was morning, some fans had begun to arrive at Capside Centre. Most of these people came from distant places and had arrived early to prevent missing exciting moments.
It was a night show, however, the whole arena was already becoming crowded in the morning. It wasn't really strange, though, Arnold came to discover that it happened like this often.
However, it was clear that today's show would be slightly different... This was because of the debut of the new Grindhouse stars!
As of noon, the arena already received over 3000 fans, however, more were still coming.
******
Arnold had visited the training ring just early in the morning and was on his way back. Although the boarding area was different and separated from the arena, Arnold could still hear and feel the pressure from the distance.
Of course, the voice of large crowds could travel really far.
"Today is gonna have some heat. Especially the main event," Arnold gasped as he spoke.
"I just hope I could take down both of them or get lucky somehow."
Slowly, Arnold tried to erase the nervousness in his mind, not wanting to make it ruin his motivation.
"Fear is humanity's fastest killer, I shouldn't let it ruin my career," Arnold motivated himself.
If he kept pressuring his heart, he could lose it. He didn't want to slide down, and wouldn't be able to take the shame if he ended up being the miserable victim in the match.
'At least, even if I wouldn't win... I will give my all.'
Not only by winning can one gain fans' love, but the efforts could play a huge role.
Although... Was he just fighting for fans' love?
What about the rate of the effectiveness of the contract deal?
What happens to the "pay" if he doesn't win?
Would he even earn enough to enroll his sisters in the university?
Would he afford to stop his mother from selling seafood?
With all this in mind, Arnold knew one thing he had to do.
He had to win...
... No matter what.
Gaining 2 points to his Attack Power and Endurance after a long training, Arnold gave them an additional one point from his status points each. He also gained one point for his Agility and two for his Strength.
His attributes were growing... And so was his fitness. Gaining one more point to his Intelligence, it appeared this way.
[Skill Level (Intelligence): 6.]
[Strength: 10.]
[Agility: 11.]
[Endurance: 9.]
[Attack Power: 9.]
[Host, this might be quite confidential.]
The system also tried inflicting some motivation on him, making Arnold's mind feel at rest a bit. The word "might" didn't clarify or ensure confidentiality, so why should he relax?
He had to prepare hard.
Walking back to his room, Arnold was obstructed by a man with a huge bodybuild. It wasn't as if he was fat, he was sturdy and tall, possessing muscled fair skin.
His dark eyes seem to be burning with dark flames, a terrifying glare appearing on his face.
"Axel Stone, is it now a Falls Count Anywhere match? Why are you blocking my way?" Arnold asked, slightly exasperated.
He had already seen his picture on social media and even in the Grindhouse Wrestling superstars' images chart, so he didn't find it hard to recognize him.
Axel chuckled at Arnold's challenge.
"The fact that you are not afraid of what you see takes my anger to another level, Fury!" Axel shouted.
Arnold only chuckled and called back the seriousness in his face.
"Trust me, Fury. This is gonna make me crush your skull with my fist, I wouldn't care if you visit extinction through it!" Axel threatened.
However, Arnold found this more funny than serious. First, one of the rules in professional wrestling of this generation was that the superior opponent mustn't kill the other. The penalty was either imprisonment or an absolute sack, depending on how it happened.
Although professional wrestling was not scripted anymore, it still had satisfying rules that protected one's safety.
Arnold knew that Axel wouldn't dare to cross the red line.
"I also can't wait to get your neck broken. It will be really fun to debut my wrestling career that way," Arnold cast a smile that could make Axel Stone go crazy.
"It's clear... Oh, it's clear! You are having this boldness because you managed to beat Rowan Pierce in your last exam match. But trust me, you are only having a bad idea, boy. I'm not Rowan Pierce... I'm far stronger, more skillful, and faster than him. If you think you can use that weak intelligence you used against him on me, then sorry... I'll destroy you!" Axel bellowed.
"Of course, I know you are different from Rowan Pierce. That doesn't mean I can't take you down, Axel..."
"After all, there are many ways to catch a fish."
Arnold mused with a strange smile and followed another way out, leaving Axel behind, almost exploding from rage.
"Be ready, Fury! You are gonna feel my wrath!"
"You'd better don't show up!" Axel's anger made him shout at the top of his lungs, whispering to Arnold from the distance.
"I will kick your ass, Axel!"
Arnold didn't say any more words and quickly made his way back to his room. After entering his room, he slammed the door shut and bounced his butts on the bed in the next room. There were actually two rooms given to him... The first room was holding a wardrobe of his clothes, while the one in the living room was holding his wrestling custom attires.
"Pheww... Axel really has anger issues. Jeez! Lila and Mark are right!" Arnold shrugged.
He had done researches and had also asked questions about Axel from his friends, so he had learned a lot about him in recent days.
Axel Stone's nickname was The Iron-fisted Predator because of his devastating Knockout Punch finisher that had sent many to absolute unconsciousness. With this, he even earned himself a No. 1 Contender ticket for the Grindhouse Alpha Championship, the top title in the show, but unfortunately lost. Many said that the champion won by a narrow defeat, and Lila was part of these people.
So Arnold believed.
Someone like him needed to be faced with utter intelligence and carefulness, not just power.
If he really had almost won the Grindhouse Alpha Championship before, then he was undoubtedly going to be a crazy opponent.
To Arnold, he would be the main problem.
He was the main threat.