Vernon was covered in blood only five minutes into the fight. Throughout the match, Oliver never stopped attacking him with a combination of boxing, Muay Thai, and Judo. His speed made Vernon's position even worse, giving him no chance to strike back.
When Vernon threw a punch, Oliver caught his arm and slammed him to the ground before Vernon could even blink. His movements were so fast that Vernon didn't realize Oliver was already sitting on his stomach, raining down punches.
If Vernon hadn't put up his guard, his face would have been completely shattered.
Luckily, Vernon managed to break free from Oliver's hold before getting beaten to death.
"You're tough. I didn't expect you to still be standing after all that. Am I not hitting hard enough?" Oliver taunted.
Vernon ignored the sarcasm. He tried to stay upright even though blood was dripping from his eyes, nose, lips, and ears. His eyes and lips were swollen, as if stung by thousands of bees.
Vernon's mind raced, searching for a way to take Oliver down.
'I can't rely on Muay Thai to hit him because he's too fast! If I try Muay Thai and miss, he'll be on guard, and I won't get another chance to use it!'
The only way was to trap Oliver in a position where he couldn't escape, then use Muay Thai at the right moment.
But how could he corner Oliver? He was outmatched in speed, strength, and technique.
Vernon studied Oliver's feet, trying to figure out how to use Muay Thai to weaken his legs and slow him down.
His punches were useless because Oliver mastered Judo, so he couldn't push him into a corner.
"Hurry up and fight me! I'm tired of watching you think!" Oliver sneered, pleased with Vernon's helplessness. His eyes showed clear signs of defeat.
Vernon was annoyed seeing the red-haired man completely unscathed, still grinning. Even his hair was dry without a drop of sweat. Although his clothes were soaked in blood, it wasn't his—it was Vernon's.
'Shit! And he's so young. Maybe only 22, but he's mastered martial arts. Where did he learn all these techniques?'
Oliver knew all the martial arts that would block every attack. Muay Thai would hurt Vernon before his punches even reached Oliver's body, and Judo would trap him if he carelessly threw punches.
Vernon's breathing became heavier, realizing there was no opening to attack Oliver. He had failed to make Oliver budge.
But it was still too early to give up. He was sure Oliver had a weakness.
But what was it?
Vernon strengthened his resolve, doing quick footwork, moving back and forth as if preparing for an attack.
BAM!
Vernon threw a kick like those used in Kickboxing, aiming for Oliver's thigh, but Oliver easily deflected it.
'His reflexes are off the charts!' Vernon cursed, frustrated.
"Boring!" Oliver groaned. "Let me finish this!"
'Fu*k!' Vernon thought. If Oliver decided to go all out, his life would soon be over.
'Think fast, Vernon!' he urged himself.
Oliver stepped toward Vernon, launching a Teep—a straight kick—into Vernon's chest, sending him flying into the ropes.
The sound of bones cracking echoed with Vernon's groans. Before he could move, Oliver's elbow slammed into his jaw, knocking out his teeth. Thick blood poured like a river from his mouth, dripping onto the floor. His once-white teeth were now smeared with blood.
Vernon's head spun. The shouts of the crowd grew louder, pounding in his ears.
He looked up just in time to see Oliver's fist fly toward his left jaw, breaking more teeth.
The crowd cheered even louder as Oliver completely overwhelmed Vernon.
"This still isn't enough!" Oliver grabbed Vernon's head, forcing his body to bend forward, then smashed his face with his knee repeatedly until Vernon's face was unrecognizable.
In less than a minute, Vernon lay helpless in a pool of his own blood.
Tony and Antonio closed their eyes, unable to watch the brutality anymore.
The referee quickly stepped in, separating them as Oliver continued to lose control.
Vernon stared up at the lights above him. His heart felt like it was being torn apart, realizing he was lying there, completely defeated.
He had tried everything, but it wasn't enough. He couldn't even bear to look at Mico, Tony, and Antonio watching from outside the ring. They must be so disappointed in him.
'I swear, I will defeat him no matter what!'
Vernon chuckled bitterly as he remembered the promise he made to Tony and Antonio. Now it felt like a joke. That dream seemed further away than ever.
He couldn't imagine how much stronger Xander was compared to Oliver. Could he even defeat his former friend? The path to revenge felt more difficult.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
Vernon tried to move his body, but it suddenly went stiff. Even though he refused to give up, his body was exhausted.
"Vernon! Stop! Don't push yourself or you'll die!" Mico shouted anxiously from outside the ring.
Oliver smiled wickedly, watching Vernon helpless. He looked like prey, dead in the wilderness, devoured by a lion.
'It's too early to give up!' Vernon told himself, gathering his resolve as he struggled to his feet, swaying as he stood.
No matter what, he had promised Tian and his friends that he would defeat Oliver and humiliate him!
He raised his fists confidently, spreading his feet shoulder-width apart, trying to keep his balance. The mix of blood and sweat tasted salty in his mouth.
'I will keep my promise as a man!'
The referee stepped back as Vernon managed to stand upright again.
"I'll give you a choice. Kneel at my feet and admit your defeat! I'll give you the chance to live!"
Vernon glared at Oliver. "You're not a god who decides human lives."
Oliver growled in rage as Vernon chose to keep fighting rather than accept his offer. Didn't his beatings make it clear that they weren't equals?
"You…" Oliver charged at Vernon, fist raised. "MUST DIE, YOU BASTARD!"
BUM!
A loud crash echoed through the room. The cheers instantly died down, and the crowd stared in shock. Tension filled the air.
"What happened?" Marino whispered, stunned. Colin was frozen in place. "How did he take Oliver down with a single Teep?"
Oliver coughed, pain stabbing through his chest as if he had just been hit by a car.
'Damn! How does he still have so much strength when he's barely hanging on?!'
Oliver quickly stood, embarrassed that the Vagon fighters had expected him to win.
But Vernon suddenly appeared in front of him and kicked him in the face, jerking his head to the side with force.
The kick left Oliver dizzy, his vision blurred, and he couldn't move for a few moments. He sat slumped in the corner of the ring.
Seizing the opportunity, Vernon prepared to finish it with a high kick aimed at Oliver's head.
But Oliver blocked the attack, grabbed Vernon's leg, and shoved him to the ground. Oliver quickly reversed their positions, sitting on Vernon's chest and pounding him again.
"You bastard! I gave you the chance to surrender, and you threw it away!" Oliver snarled, continuing to pummel Vernon's face. "Now you have to die!"
Vernon was trapped in Oliver's hold, unable to break free.
"Vernon!" Mico yelled. "Fight back!"
Hearing someone cheer him on reignited Vernon's spirit. He shoved Oliver off with all his strength, sending him flying. Vernon mounted Oliver and started punching him with the last of his energy, but Oliver easily flipped him over and regained control, sitting on him again.
"It'll take you a thousand years to beat me, idiot!"
"I won't lose!" Vernon choked Oliver, making him struggle to breathe, then tossed him to the side. He used those few seconds to stand up and put some distance between them, raising his fists and preparing for another attack.
Oliver was furious. "I didn't expect you to know Muay Thai! Why didn't you show it earlier? Were you saving it as your final weapon?" Oliver laughed darkly. "Too bad my Muay Thai is way better than yours!"
Oliver twisted his hips and swung his leg, aiming for Vernon's thigh, but Vernon dodged it.
Oliver pretended to kick Vernon's head, but Vernon blocked it, then Oliver switched to his left leg for another kick, which Vernon managed to deflect.
'Damn! He can read all my moves!'