All the audience only saw Hector being thrown across the ring, but in reality, he stood still unscathed.
It was as though Jareth's powerful punch landed on a rubber ball. That was the uniqueness of Hector's Shadow Punch— his retreat was enough to weaken Jareth's strength.
Meanwhile, Jonathan watched the scene breathlessly.
Although he knew Shadow Punch, he was nowhere near as skilled as Hector. That was a well-thought-out move from the latter.
While all the martial artists were stunned by Hector's counterattack, Jareth had a grim expression.
Initially, he planned to end Hector's life in one move so that he could assert his dominance. However, he did not expect Hector to steal the limelight.
Without saying a word, Jareth moved his legs. Dust blew around him as he charged toward the latter with an intimidating force.
His move was so ferocious that the audience trembled in fear.
While waiting for him to approach, Hector remained calm and composed. Suddenly, he used Antelope Rhythm and nimbly dodged Jareth's swift punch. At the same time, he promptly turned around and kicked Jareth in the groin using Mongrel Attack.
Right then, the latter halted forcibly. As Jareth's strength had surpassed the effects of inertia, he could stop himself as he pleased, even during vigorous movements. It was similar to the braking performance of a high-performance sports car.
In an instant, he turned around and gave Hector a kick.
His foot was as hard as steel, landing on the latter's leg with a thud. Instantly, Hector could feel his whole leg trembling uncontrollably. The pain was excruciating.
However, Jareth did not stop there, quickly thrusting his hand forward and attacking with Devil's Claw. With the fingers bent, his hand resembled an eagle's claws. He made a lunge at Hector in an attempt to grip his neck ruthlessly.
As he moved at lightning speed, all Hector could see was darkness. Before he realized it, Jareth was already charging
toward him. Fortunately, he had trained his composure by practicing Shadow Punch continuously. Thus, he did not panic even at such a critical juncture. Instead, he took a step backward and attacked using Satin Palm.
He was indeed a genius as he had mastered Jonathan's Antelope Rhythm and Polly's Satin Palm techniques perfectly.
His fingers slipped out of Jareth's grasp smoothly. Then, he turned his hand around and clawed at his opponent.
Jareth's expression hardened, and he stiffened his fingers instantaneously. As though hooked on a cold steel bar, Hector's fingernails came off his fingers.
Turning pale a little, he retreated quickly.
Jareth snorted. “Do you think you can run away?” Fiercely, he lunged forward and attacked with Rotating Punches.
The technique required perfect coordination between his fists and eyes. While his eyes flashed like the glaring sun, his fist was enveloped by a powerful force.
That was how Rotating Punches worked, striking at the target like a bomb.
Boom! As Jareth's speed was too fast, Hector was unable to dodge in time.
Thud! Thus, he reacted in a quick-witted manner, throwing a punch forward to receive the blow while his body was thrown a meter backward.
Nevertheless, he managed to neutralize Jareth's Rotating Punches.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe coldness in Jareth's eyes deepened. “Even if you are like a rubber ball, I'd still find ways to burst you apart,” he snarled and threw another punch at Hector.
Thud! Once again, Hector was thrown across the ring. That time around, it was toward the left side.
Afterward, Jareth threw twenty punches at lightning speed.
Dull, heavy sounds continued to reverberate around the area.
He acted as though he was indeed punching a rubber ball.
At that time, Hector was making circular gestures with his body, such as his arms and feet.
Every part of the skills he displayed exuded an air of ultimate softness and smoothness, including his breathing.
The martial artists were astounded at the sight.
Only then did they understand the true meaning of Shadow Punch after seeing it for many years.
Jonathan attained even more insights from watching the fight.
The twenty successive punches from Jareth were not enough to break through Hector's Unification stage. However, his vitality had become so turbulent to the point that it could no longer be repressed. Blood began to seep out of his skin through his pores, forming red beads above his eyebrows and face.
“Golden Weave!" Jareth finally decided not to have a head-on clash with Hector's Shadow Punch. Instead, he applied
another technique, which would act as a needle to burst the rubber ball.
Solemness darkened Hector's gaze. He knew he had to change his moves as well. When Jareth's attack came near, he quickly used his Grappling Technique to grab the former's wrist.
Sneering, Jareth used the Anti-Grappling Technique.
Like a ferocious dragon, his hand seized Hector's. Alarmed, Hector used Satin Palm to maneuver out of the dangerous situation and slipped away.
However, Jareth took a step forward and attacked using another Golden Weave.
While taking a deep breath, Hector spread his legs apart before striking with Obstacle Hammer.
Jareth snorted coldly. “You've overestimated yourself!” Once again, he utilized Rotating Punches to deflect the attack.
Aloud crashing sound was heard.
Hector was thrown backward again. Unsurprisingly, he used
the Shadow Punch of the Unification stage to protect himself.
With that, they were back to round one. Seeing that he was unable to defeat Hector after so many moves, Jareth became extremely incensed.
If word got out that he, the most powerful fighter in his generation within Strikezone Martial Arts, could not win against a young man, it would be a tarnish to the center's already damaged reputation.
Strikezone Martial Arts had previously suffered a blow from Jonathan, so he could not afford to lose the fight.
Putting his foot forward, Jareth thrust his palm at Hector violently, which caused the latter to fly backward.
Afterward, he pummeled the latter using both his fists.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! That time, he was boiling with rage.
In the eyes of the audience, he was bashing a rubber ball relentlessly.
It was a shocking scene, with every thud making them quiver.
After what felt like an eternity, the area fell quiet all of a sudden.
Jareth stopped delivering blows. Facing each other, he and Hector stood a meter apart.
At that moment, Hector's expression was gentle and serene.
The audience was confused by that sight.
Meanwhile, Jonathan's eyes were brimming with tears. He was overwhelmed with emotions. While he was emotional to have witnessed Hector's exceptional skills, he was also sad to see that his opponent's life was coming to an end.
On the ring, Hector stared at Jareth and suddenly spoke. “It's a pity that I've expended all of my energy. Otherwise, | would not have lost!” After saying that, he smoothed his clothes and slowly sat down with his legs crossed.
Then, he closed his eyes, and his head dropped to the side.
Just like that, he was dead.
Hector had died from exhaustion.
Jareth was unable to end Hector's life despite using all of his techniques. In the end, he employed the powerful punches of a Nascent Soul expert to push him to the brink of death in the aspect of vitality.
It was a glorious defeat for Hector.
Even Jareth could not help but admire his opponent's persistence.
At the judges’ table, Julian, who watched the fight silently, was also weeping.
Hector's body was quickly carried down.
Afighter's dignity and honor were fully showcased in the ring.
After watching Hector die, Jonathan suddenly gained more profound knowledge and understanding of the meaning of a fighter.
Fighting was a fighter's blood and life. It was the spirit of a human being.
Atrue fighter was righteous and just. They would live their life with a clear conscience and never be afraid of anything.
Furthermore, they would walk into a place fearlessly despite knowing danger awaited them ahead. Moreover, they would be someone who persisted in achieving their dream and was not afraid of dying in order to make it happen. They would march on to what they thought was the right path despite being opposed by thousands of people.
In the end, it was a path with no regrets.
The huge screen started to flicker wildly.
Finally, it displayed the next match of Lucian versus Jonathan.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAt that moment, Jessica, Yasmin, and Amber were dumbfounded.
Polly, too, showed a slight reaction.
Jonathan's excitement instantly boiled over. He could feel that it was the call of destiny.
However, Amber and the other two women did not think the same. While Amber grabbed his arm, Yasmin and Jessica looked in his direction. There was a pleading look in their eyes.
They had witnessed Lucian's prowess.
Moreover, they knew how cruel the tournament could be. The two men, Stephen and Hector, were dead, so they were afraid that Jonathan would end up in the same state.
“Release your hand.” Jonathan smiled faintly at Amber. At that moment, his smile was bright and dashing as ever, like that of a spirited young man.
It was due to the fact that he had finally understood the meaning of a fighter. Thus, he was proud to be one.
A fighter would not run away from challenges.
Hector had the courage to go against a Nascent Soul expert.
Similarly, Jonathan knew he dared to fight Lucian.
Amber could sense his determination and knew she had never been able to persuade him. In fact, no one could dissuade him from doing what he wanted to do.
Before walking to the ring, Jonathan put his phone in his seat.
The ring was brightly lit.
He was wearing a black training attire that day. Even though he was not good-looking, he had a charming look. Normally, he would act roguishly, but he appeared stern and solemn as he stood on the ring on that particular day.
The ring was a place that ended the lives of so many people.
It was also a place that demanded fear and respect.
Lucian, on the other hand, looked so much younger and more impressive.
No matter which side one looked from, he was like the main character of a because of his perfect face, outstanding combat prowess, and sublime intelligence and talent.
Jonathan was merely a stepping stone to his path to success.
In actuality, Jonathan was also considered an outstanding man, but he paled by comparison when he stood next to Lucian.
There was a mocking look in Lucian's eyes as he stared at his opponent. “You must not have expected us to meet on the ring.”
Jonathan flashed him a half-smile. "A match is a match.
There's no need to overthink it.” A murderous gleam appeared in Lucian's eyes. “I've reminded you before that you shouldn't be too arrogant.
Unfortunately, there's no way out for you because | will end your life today.” With a faint smile, Jonathan said, “I will say the same thing to you. You didn't give yourself a way out. You are not God, so you have no right to censure others.” “How sharp-tongued of you!” Lucian remarked.
Just then, the bell rang, signifying that the match had begun officially.
Outside the ring, Amber and the other two women were a bundle of nerves.
Yet, at that moment, Jonathan's phone suddenly rang. It was Jennifer.