Rick, though, could hear this commotion as well and did not want to embarrass himself. He rushed forward with a shout, aiming to at least grab Leo.

  However, he slowed down time once again and brushed past his extending arms to deliver a knee straight to his abdomen. He then swung his body around, landing a punch straight to his jaw.

  Leo continued this way for another 30 seconds or so, using high intensity in a few short second bursts to really overwhelm Rick. His attacks each packed a serious punch, and managed to leave Rick in a very sticky situation. He was holding on by a thread, never venturing too far from a cage wall, and just kept his arms up at all times.

  It had been a long time since he had even thrown a single punch.

  Leo could see the fear in his eyes as he kept away from him. Upon seeing this, he couldn’t shake this feeling. The feeling of pride, of confidence. To see this man that was previously mocking him, to cower away from his fists.

  It only motivated to rush in and deal even more damage. Rick was now hanging on by a thread, barely able to balance on his two feet. He was practically using the cage to keep himself upright.

  Leo finished off his intense combination with a sweeping technique that he had seen from the fighter he’d watched from the balcony.

  Oleksandr’s sweep.

  He had no clue how to do it properly, but since his time slowing abilities made him twice as strong anyway, anything seemed to work.

  Rick was sent flying down to the ground, and his head slammed straight into the white canvas below. From Leo’s perspective, he saw his eyes even roll into the back of his head for a split-second, but those in the crowd couldn’t see that he had been knocked out yet.

  This was his win for sure.

  He did return to his senses a split-second later, literally using his legs to back away as far as he could. However, Leo used his weight, and threw himself down to awkwardly throw down both arms onto his face like an ape would.

  He wasn’t exactly sure how you’d go about attacking your opponent on the ground – he had no grappling experience.

  However, this attack worked like a complete charm. It was like it was coming from someone weighing 110kg (242lbs~). Just after this one hit, Rick was lights out. Not even moving at all.

  Leo could see that there wasn’t anyone rushing in to stop him, and decided to continue until the match was over. He could see his fighter was already defeated, and didn’t really want to hurt him anymore. However, he couldn’t show cowardice in a place like this.

  He wanted heat, and had to fight just like everyone else to do so. He had paused for a second or two, but sprung right back into action and threw down a few more ape-like swings until the referee had rushed in to pull him from his opponent.

  A win. A clear win for him.

  Leo raised his hands with celebration and heard some cheers from the people behind him.

  “What have we just seen, ladies and gentlemen! The complete underdog has taken the win home but not just that, has taken the win in style!! Let’s give it up for Chronos!!” The man roared, lifting his hands as the spectators cheered as well.

  Leo smiled with happiness and felt on top of the moon. This feeling was unlike something he had ever felt before. It felt better than just winning a football match.

  He then asked the referee what he had to do going forward to get his money. That was what he was here for after all.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “How do I get my money for this?” He wondered.

  “Go to the first floor in the main hall. They have what you’re getting in the payout rooms.” He explained.

  Leo thanked the man before leaving, and going to get his hoodie back.

  A fighter saw the blood all over his fists and shirt, before chuckling.

  “This place ain’t made for you, kid.” He claimed, as he sat on a bench opposite from him.

  Leo chose to give him not even a glance. After fighting and destroying that warrior, he didn’t take this arrogance to heart. He clearly hadn’t seen his match.

  “The blood isn’t mine.” He coldly commented, before walking straight out the changing rooms.

  As he walked down these halls, there was a left turn, away from the double doors of the fighter’s balcony. This led to a flight of stairs that then led to a shorter hall, with the same doors lined along the left wall.

  Some doors were fully closed, while some were left slightly open. Leo guessed that these slightly open doors were free for use, and so he arrived at the first one that was like this.

  “Fighter name please.” The man at the desk called out.

  It was an aged man, with a rather large belly and holding on to the last bit of grey hair strands on his head. His voice was not only monotonous, but grumbly and dark.

  “Chronos.” He replied.

  Giving him a quick glance, he started typing into a laptop nearby, and writing onto some sheets of paper around him.

  “Your monetary reward is $150 -$100 for your debut fight and $50 for your heat and betting bonus-, and your new heat is 34. You’ve risen to the highest rank of the E-2 division.” The man announced, sliding the notes across the table.

  $150?!

  Oh yeah!! This was exactly what he was hoping for!

  Not only had he been given a sizeable monetary reward, but his heat had risen him to the very top of his division. This was easier than he expected!

  He was guessing since that his win was so unlikely in the betting odds, he had been given extra for his fascinating performance.

  Rushing straight back to the changing rooms to get changed, one of the fighters getting changed out of his clothing chuckled at the boy upon taking a look at his appearance.

  Dried blood could be seen on his face and hands, and it didn’t look like he was in the best state.

  “What is that kid even doing here? Look at all the blood on him.” One of the fighters next to him said to another.

  The fighter he had talked to raise his shoulders before letting off a mocking laugh as he walked past. Leo heard this, and grinded to a halt upon hearing it. With his face still facing his open locker, he just smirked with confidence.

  “The blood isn’t mine.” He boldly said, as he turned and walked out the room.

  He returned to his apartment, before shutting the door behind him and pumping his fists up with excitement.

  “Yes!!” He shouted out, dropping to his knees as he couldn’t help but laugh.

  As he dropped down, he could then hear a few irritated knocks coming from above him.

  “Hey, knock it off! We’re tryna snooze here.” A voice of annoyance called out, bringing him to silence.

  This brought him back to these thoughts of joy, though. This was really, really good news. He had this to immediately pay his Oga to get even more money in the future.

  People were bound to bet against him due to his appearance, unknowing of the power that he utilised. He could use that to get more bets against him and get more money for the guys running the fighting league. That would just put more money in his pockets.

  Anyway, Leo went to bed soon after from fatigue. He did so easily, and with a -somewhat- relaxed mind at the rewards he had received.

  ****

  For his following day, Leo mainly had the thought of the heats on his mind. When he thought about the struggles he was currently going through, the only thing he could think of was that the fighting arena would be his answer.

  It would give him the money he needed to help in his likely legal battles against Kam, and to help keep his Oga off his back.

  The day went by slowly for him; all he wanted to do was step back in that ring. He didn’t enjoy much about the actual battle – all he cared about was the payment he’d promptly receive after his fighting.

  Soon the evening came, and he headed on his long, arduous journey back to Blim Square as the golden sun reddened and approached the horizon.

  As he entered, this golden sunlight faded, now being replaced by the flickering lights of the rundown apartment city. Home.

  He waited until the early night to begin his preparations. He wasn’t sure about what time he’d be allowed to enter that place, but just decided to head there at around the same time as he had done yesterday.

  At least he knew they’d most likely be open at that time.

  Rushing down to the ninth floor, he arrived back at Cave Avenue to begin his day of battle.

  The same man opened the door to let him in, this time aware that he was a fighter. His introduction was far swifter and seamless, as all the paperwork he needed to fill out had already been filled out.

  He didn’t want to spend much time here and just remained in this rather large and empty locker room until his name was to be called out. In about 20 minutes or so, he was up for his second fight.

  It was time.