The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the arena as Kailash stepped into the ring for his final preliminary match.
His body ached from the last few battles, his Qi reserves felt like they were running on fumes, and even his Qi-Infused Gloves seemed to move with less vigor.
But this was it one more victory, and he'd qualify for the second round.
The crowd was louder now, buzzing with energy as the overseer stepped forward to announce the match.
"Kailash Varuna of Kalith Village versus Darak of the Boulder Sect!"
A hush fell over the arena as his opponent entered the ring.
Darak was a hulking figure, easily twice Kailash's size, with arms as thick as tree trunks.
His bald head gleamed under the fading light, and his dark eyes locked onto Kailash with an great intensity.
Kailash exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. "Big guy, huh? Guess I'll have to aim low."
Darak grinned, his voice deep and mocking. "You're the one they've been talking about, right? The 'village kid with gloves'? Let's see how long those fancy accessories keep you alive."
Kailash smirked, trying to mask his nerves. "Careful, big guy. You might end up punching your reflection."
The overseer raised his hand, signaling the start of the match.
Darak wasted no time. He charged forward like a bull, his fists glowing faintly with Qi as he swung at Kailash with incredible speed for someone his size.
Kailash barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of air as Darak's punch missed his face by inches.
"Okay, okay," Kailash muttered, darting to the side. "So, you're big and fast. Great combo."
Darak didn't let up, throwing another series of punches that forced Kailash to backpedal.
Each strike hit the ground with a thunderous impact, sending dust and debris flying.
The crowd roared with every near-miss, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Kailash knew he couldn't keep dodging forever.
He needed to test Darak's defenses. Waiting for an opening, he stepped in and launched a quick, Qi-infused punch aimed at Darak's ribs.
The gloves amplified the strike, but Darak barely flinched.
The massive fighter grinned. "That all you've got? Feels like a mosquito bite."
Kailash stepped back, shaking his hand. "Mosquito? Oh, you'll feel the itch soon enough."
Darak's grin widened as he slammed his fists together, creating a faint shockwave of Qi that rippled through the arena. "Let's end this quickly. I don't have time to play with kids."
He charged again, this time raising both fists above his head for a devastating downward strike.
Kailash rolled to the side just in time, but the impact left a crater in the ground where he had been standing.
Kailash used the opening to strike again, this time aiming for Darak's knees.
He landed a clean hit, and Darak stumbled slightly, but it wasn't enough to bring him down.
Darak swung his massive arm in a wide arc, forcing Kailash to duck.
The momentum carried Darak forward, leaving him momentarily off balance.
Kailash capitalized on this, delivering a quick series of punches to Darak's side.
The gloves hummed with power, and Darak grunted, clearly feeling the impact this time.
"Not bad, kid," Darak admitted, stepping back. "But you'll need more than fancy tricks to take me down."
Kailash wiped sweat from his brow, keeping his breathing steady.
He couldn't outmuscle Darak, but maybe he could outthink him.
"You know," Kailash said, his voice loud enough for the crowd to hear, "for someone who talks so much, you sure miss a lot. Is this a Boulder Sect thing? Big fists, no aim?"
Darak's eyes narrowed, his grin fading. "Watch your mouth, boy."
Kailash smirked, dancing lightly on his feet. "Oh, come on. Let's be honest your punches hit harder than your insults. Wait, no, the other way around."
The crowd laughed, and Darak's jaw tightened.
Kailash could see the frustration building, and he knew he'd struck a nerve.
Darak lunged again, his strikes more aggressive but less controlled.
Kailash dodged and weaved, landing quick jabs whenever he saw an opening.
Each hit chipped away at Darak's stamina, but it wasn't enough to stop him.
"You're just annoying, aren't you?" Darak growled, throwing a wild punch that Kailash ducked under.
"I've been told it's one of my better qualities," Kailash replied, grinning.
As the fight dragged on, Kailash began to notice something Darak was slowing down.
His movements were still powerful, but there was a slight hesitation in his strikes, a heaviness that hadn't been there at the start.
"He's getting tired," Kailash thought, feeling a surge of hope. "If I can outlast him, I might actually win this."
But Darak wasn't done yet. With a roar, he unleashed a massive surge of Qi, his entire body glowing faintly as he charged forward.
Kailash barely managed to avoid the initial strike, but Darak followed up with a brutal kick that caught him in the side, sending him tumbling across the arena floor.
Pain shot through Kailash's ribs as he struggled to stand.
The crowd gasped, and for a moment, he thought he might not make it.
Darak loomed over him, breathing heavily but still grinning. "This is the part where you stay down, kid. Just give up."
Kailash coughed, forcing himself to his feet. "Sorry, big guy. Staying down's not really my style."
Darak growled and swung again, but this time, Kailash was ready.
He sidestepped, using his gloves to deflect the blow, and countered with a punch to Darak's chest.
The impact staggered the giant, and Kailash pressed the advantage.
With everything he had left, Kailash launched into a relentless series of attacks, his fists glowing with Qi as he struck Darak again and again.
Each punch landed with a satisfying thud, and Darak's defenses began to falter.
"You're done!" Kailash shouted, driving his fist into Darak's stomach with enough force to lift him off the ground.
The crowd erupted as Darak stumbled back, his knees buckling.
But Darak wasn't ready to give up.
With a final burst of energy, he roared and charged, his fists raised for one last attack.
Kailash braced himself, focusing all his remaining Qi into his gloves.
The two collided in a blur of motion Darak's fists slamming down as Kailash sidestepped and delivered a spinning punch to Darak's jaw.
The force of the impact sent the giant crashing to the ground, dust and debris flying everywhere.
The arena fell silent as Darak lay motionless, his chest heaving.
Kailash stood over him, barely able to stay on his feet, his gloves still glowing faintly.
The overseer stepped forward, raising his hand. "Victory to Kailash Varuna!"
As the crowd erupted into cheers, Kailash stumbled out of the ring, every muscle in his body screaming in protest.
Ravi was waiting for him, a rare smile on his face.
"You did it, kid," Ravi said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I wasn't sure you had it in you, but you proved me wrong."
Kailash managed a weak grin. "Thanks. I think. Now, can someone carry me? I don't think my legs work anymore."
Ravi laughed, slinging Kailash's arm over his shoulder to help him walk. "Rest up. You've earned it. But don't get too comfortable the second round's going to be even tougher."
Kailash groaned but couldn't help feeling a flicker of pride for what he has achieved.