Chapter 144
Explore more stories with empire
Upon seeing what Ethan just did, the burly man just shakes his head.
"You stupid, stupid boy,"
The burly man's laughter boomed across the arena, his massive frame shaking with dark amusement. His eyes gleamed with malicious delight.
"Did you even read what you just signed, did you?"
At that moment he cracked his knuckles slowly, but deliberately, each pop echoing in the tense silence.
"Another fool to add to my body count soon"
He whispers to Ethan with a deadly smile on his face.
"When this is over,"
he growled, spittle flying from his lips.
"they won't even find enough pieces to bury. You just signed your own death warrant! and I won't have to hold back, your loud mouth has cost you"
However Ethan did say anything but his Intense gaze was focused on the man
At that moment the bell rang, its sound sharp and final, cutting through the thick tension like a knife.
"Time to end this quickly"
the man said as he launched himself forward like a freight train. His scarred fist, still stained with the blood of last opponents, whistled through the air toward Ethan's face.
immediately the crowd gasped collectively, some of their faces turning away from the arena, their phones still recording what they thought would be another brutal death.
However Ethan's thoughts were calm, focused.
"So slow"
He said, almost disappointed with how Predictable the man was.
immediately he shifted slightly, the massive fist passing harmlessly by his ear. The motion seemed effortless, almost lazy – yet carried an otherworldly precision.
"Your strength means nothing against true power"
Ethan said, his hand flicking out with surgical precision. To the crowd, it looked like he barely touched the burly man's midsection.
There was no visible impact, no dramatic sound – just a whisper of movement, like a gentle breeze through autumn leaves.
The burly man's eyes widened in sudden shock, his confidence shattering like glass.
"What... what is this?"
He said with a low voice, his final thought flickered through his mind as his momentum stopped as if he'd hit an invisible wall. His mouth opened in a silent scream that never came.
Then, without a sound, his massive frame crumpled to the mat, his lifeless eyes staring at the underground arena ceiling. The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the soft thud of someone's phone hitting the floor in shock.
Nobody could move a muscle. Nobody breathed.
"What kind of monster is he?"
The collective thought seemed to pulse through the crowd as they stared at the infamous killer lying motionless on the mat, his eyes still wide, they thought he was going to stand up soon, but to their greatest surprise he didn't even move a muscle.
At that moment Ethan straightened his posture with casual grace, as if he'd done nothing more strenuous than button his shirt.
"Just too easy"
He said, almost disappointed with the outcome of the fight. His footsteps echoed like drumbeats in the silence as he walked to the organizer's booth.
Without a word, he held out his hand. Immediately the bracelet was placed in his palm with trembling fingers, the organizer's face ashen.
' Who the hell is this guy'
the man thought to himself, his eyes seemed to beg, all thoughts of contracts and prize money forgotten.
Without even saying any word, Ethan then turned walking to words to his dorm friends.
Seeing Ethan walking towards them the crowd parted before him like waves before a shark, their survival instincts screaming danger.
their eyes dropped to the ground as he passed, no one daring to meet his gaze. Even the toughest fighters pressed themselves against the walls, trying to become invisible.
"How did he even win, did any of you see anything"
someone whispered, the words barely audible.
"We should go,"
Ethan said to his friends, his voice eerily normal, as if they'd just finished watching a movie.
However three of his friends didn't speak, didn't argue – they just nodded frantically, their faces pale as sheets.
'What the hell just happened?' one of them wanted to ask, but fear sealed his lips.
Not long after leaving the underground arena the group made their way through the facility, the silence following them like a shadow.
Each footstep seemed to echo with unspoken questions they all wanted to ask.
As they emerged into the cool night air, their relief was short-lived. There, blocking their path under the lights, stood a line of men in black suits, their expressions grim and waiting. Their stance spoke of military training, their eyes reflecting something darker than mere authority.
'Things just got interesting'
Ethan said to himself, his fingers brushing against the ancient bracelet in his pocket.
At that moment one of the men in an expensive charcoal suit stepped forward from the line, his movement fluid and practiced like a predator.
Silver threads in his tie caught the light as he approached Ethan. Though he appeared unarmed, there was something lethal about his presence.
seeing one of the men walking towards them Ethan friends instinctively backed away, one of them stumbling slightly.
The other breath came in short gasps, while the last eyes darted between the suited men, counting weapons he couldn't see but somehow knew were there.
'Please I don't want to die here'
He started crying inside his mind.
"Impressive performance,"
The man's voice was smooth as aged whiskey, each word carefully chosen.
With a slight smile played at his lips, never reaching his calculating eyes.
"Very... efficient."
At that moment he didn't even allow Ethan to say anything he reached into his jacket – several of his men tensed, he pulled out a sleek black business card.
The embossed silver text seemed to shimmer under the light as he held it out to Ethan.
'fishing with expensive bait'
Ethan mused.
"Our agency would like to use someone with your... unique talents,"
he continued, studying Ethan's face for any reaction.
"We're always looking for exceptional individuals just like you and I think we found one."
His smile widened, showing perfect white teeth that gleamed like a shark's.
Ethan wanted to say something but the man Interrupted him.
"I know you're worried about the money and all, the compensation is, of course, substantial."
He paused for a moment.
"We will pay you Ten thousand dollars."