The moment Viktor's massive hand clamped around Ethan's throat, time seemed to stand still. The crowd's roars blended into a deafening haze as Ethan's vision blurred, his lungs burning for air. Viktor's grin was monstrous, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Desperation drove him. His fingers scrabbled at Viktor's wrist, finding the tender pressure point Sophia had drilled into him during training. He pressed hard, twisting his body to break free. Viktor flinched, his grip loosening just enough for Ethan to stumble back.
Ethan fell to his knees, gasping as oxygen flooded his lungs. His chest heaved, but his eyes locked on Viktor, who loomed like a predator sizing up its prey.
"That's all you've got?" Viktor growled, flexing his hands. "You're soft, kid."
Round Two Begins
Viktor advanced like an avalanche, his footfalls shaking the ring. Ethan scrambled to his feet, dodging a wild haymaker that whooshed past his ear. He countered with a quick jab to Viktor's ribs, but it was like striking steel.
The big man didn't even flinch. Instead, he grinned wider, throwing a brutal uppercut that Ethan barely sidestepped. The force of the punch sent a gust of air whipping past his face.
The crowd was electrified, torn between chanting Viktor's name and rooting for Ethan's underdog resilience.
From the corner, Sophia's voice pierced the chaos. "Stay light, Ethan! Move! Don't let him trap you!"
Ethan began to circle Viktor, staying on the balls of his feet. He watched carefully, his mind processing every detail—the slight hitch in Viktor's stance, the way his punches always started with his right hand.
He's big, but he's slow. And predictable.
When Viktor lunged again, Ethan slipped under his guard, delivering a sharp uppercut to his jaw. Viktor staggered slightly, the first real sign that he could be hurt.
Ethan pressed the advantage, landing quick, precise shots to Viktor's body. Each strike was calculated, aimed to wear him down.
The crowd erupted, sensing the shift. Viktor's overconfidence began to crack.
"You're fast," Viktor admitted, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "But speed won't save you forever."
Ethan's momentum was short-lived. Viktor adjusted, feinting with his right before slamming a vicious left hook into Ethan's ribs. The blow sent Ethan reeling, pain exploding through his side.
Viktor didn't let up. He drove Ethan into the ropes with a barrage of punches, each one heavier than the last.
The crowd's cheers became a blur as Ethan struggled to keep his guard up. His arms felt like lead, his breaths shallow.
Viktor leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "Stay down, kid. You're out of your league."
Ethan's knees buckled, and he dropped to the mat. The referee stepped in, starting the count.
The world seemed distant as Ethan knelt on the canvas, his vision swimming. His body screamed for rest, but his mind refused to yield.
This isn't over.
Sophia's voice rang out in his memory: "The fight isn't just physical. It's mental. Break their rhythm, and you break them."
At the count of eight, Ethan rose to his feet. The crowd erupted in disbelief, their cheers shaking the arena.
Viktor's smirk faltered. "You should've stayed down."
"Not a chance," Ethan spat, raising his fists.
The Final Round
Viktor came at him with renewed fury, his fists crashing down like sledgehammers. But Ethan was no longer the same fighter. His movements were sharper, more deliberate. He wasn't just surviving—he was adapting.
He dodged Viktor's punches with millimeter precision, slipping inside his guard to land stinging counters. A sharp elbow to the ribs. A quick knee to the liver. A spinning kick to the side of the head.
Each strike chipped away at Viktor's armor, forcing the giant to slow.
The crowd was on its feet, their energy fueling Ethan's resurgence.
"He's tiring, Ethan!" Sophia shouted from the corner. "Push him!"
But Viktor wasn't finished. With a guttural roar, he charged forward, driving Ethan into the ropes. His massive fists slammed into Ethan's guard, each blow threatening to break through.
Ethan gritted his teeth, absorbing the punishment. His mind raced. I need to change the rhythm. Now.
As Viktor threw another heavy hook, Ethan ducked low, using the ropes to spring forward. He drove a powerful knee into Viktor's midsection, making the big man double over.
Ethan followed with a devastating uppercut, snapping Viktor's head back. The crowd erupted as Viktor stumbled, his balance wavering.
Ethan saw his moment. He feinted a right jab, drawing Viktor's guard, then spun into a crushing backfist that connected with Viktor's temple.
The impact echoed through the arena like a gunshot. Viktor's eyes rolled back as his massive frame crumpled to the mat.
The referee stepped in, beginning the count.
"One… two… three…"
Ethan staggered back, his chest heaving. Blood dripped from his face, but his gaze never left Viktor's still form.
"Nine… ten! Knockout!"
The arena exploded with cheer as Ethan raised his fists in victory. The roar of the crowd was deafening, but Ethan barely heard it. His eyes were locked on Sophia, who stood in the corner, a proud yet concerned look on her face.
As medics rushed to Viktor's side, Ethan turned to Sophia.
"What's next?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Sophia's smile faded. "This isn't over, Ethan. You've just made yourself a target."
Ethan followed her gaze to a man standing at the edge of the crowd. He was tall, dressed in a sharp black suit, his face obscured by dark sunglasses. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was chilling.
"Who's that?" Ethan asked, a knot forming in his stomach.
Sophia's jaw tightened. "Marco didn't tell you, did he? That's Alexander Volk. The man who controls this entire underground circuit."
Ethan's blood ran cold. The man's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Sophia stepped closer, her voice low. "You beat Viktor, but Alexander won't let this slide. He's already planning your next fight."
"Good," Ethan said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him. "Let him."
Sophia didn't look convinced. "Be careful what you wish for, Ethan. You've just stepped into a world where mercy doesn't exist."