The three of us walked to the training ground. Shawn Benson took out his boxing gloves, put them on, and without a word, threw a punch. That guy sneered with disdain, dodged, and kicked out with his leg. I knew why he laughed—real underground boxing experts always use their legs: longer reach, more power. Only beginners rely on their fists. I also smiled. Shawn Benson is no longer a rookie; underestimating him would be that guy’s downfall. Sure enough, as he kicked, Shawn Benson countered with a lightning-fast kick, intercepting his leg. With a “crack,” his calf broke. Shawn Benson stepped forward and delivered a side kick right to his chest. The guy fell flat on his back and never got up again. I clapped as I slowly walked to the center of the field: “Not bad! Both tactics and technique were spot on! Brilliant!” Shawn Benson looked at me and grinned.

The next day, I entered the arena feeling relaxed. In the first room were the Malloka dire wolves. They weren’t much different from wolves on Earth, except they were much faster. But for us, they posed no real threat. As soon as I entered, the dire wolves lowered their bodies, bared their teeth, and circled me with low growls. I knew it was observing me, looking for the prey’s weakness. In that way, it was a lot like us—we’re always searching for our opponent’s weakness in the ring. I stood still. Finally, it couldn’t hold back. As it circled behind me, it suddenly leapt, claws and fangs aimed straight at my neck. I pivoted on my left foot, snapped out my right leg, and with a miserable howl, the dire wolf crashed to the ground. I didn’t even need to look to know all its bones were shattered. I walked out easily. Outside, Instructor Thompson was pacing back and forth with a stride I knew well. I walked up to him: “I’ll continue!” He nodded: “Alright, tomorrow morning, same as today.”

On the third day, it was the Malloka thunder leopard. This kind of leopard’s claws carry thousands of volts of electricity, but as long as you don’t get touched by them, you’re fine. The thunder leopard stared at me with its round eyes, pacing back and forth in front of me. I didn’t dare let my guard down, my eyes following its every move, locked onto it. Suddenly, my eyes started blinking as if sand had gotten in them. The thunder leopard sprang at me like a bolt of lightning, its hind legs launching it forward. I opened my eyes and smiled—beasts can never outwit humans. This was my baiting trick! I raised my right leg and kicked straight out. “Crack”—the thunder leopard’s skull shattered. With a “thud,” it crashed to the ground. I looked at its face—both eyeballs had popped out.

I had to keep going, because at the very least, I wanted to reach the average level of our dorm. I didn’t dare dream of reaching Marcus’s level, but I wanted to be at least like everyone else. So I decided that after I finished with the Vaughn giant python tomorrow, I’d leave here and go straight to the advanced boxing matches. As long as I could win thirty matches, I could enter the top-tier tournament. It would be tough, but it was still better than facing the Anlock arrow-maned bear, where I’d have no hope of winning.

Like Marcus, after defeating the Malloka thunder leopard, I didn’t say another word that day. I just sat quietly on my bed, meditating and adjusting my state. But on the fourth day, when I got up, I didn’t feel great. After running a lap around the training ground, I was actually a bit out of breath. I practiced a few kicks, but just couldn’t find the best striking point. I shook my head and stopped practicing. The Fide star was rising, and the trainees were already gathering. I walked to the front of the third stone house, stood quietly facing the newborn Fide star, and took a deep breath. Instructor Thompson was leading the trainees over. I looked at the Fide star, red as a ball, and waited quietly for the moment to come.

Chapter Seven

The heavy stone door opened before my eyes, revealing the familiar iron cage inside. I saw those rusted iron bars and heard the chilling “hiss hiss” of the giant snake flicking its tongue. Instructor said to me, “As soon as I open the door, you go in immediately, understand?” I nodded. Instructor glanced at me and counted, “One, two, three! Go in!” He yanked the door open, and I darted inside like an arrow.