NOVEL NEXT Chapter 368: Threats Spread Apart
An engine hum died down as a row of sleek cars stopped in front of a large sports center.
When the door to the lead car opened and a man got out, the air seemed to change.
He moved with quiet authority, adjusting his suit with precision.
His short hair was neatly groomed, and a full beard framed his face.
His posture was straight, and he moved slowly.
He gave off an air that stopped people from talking.
There was no need for fanfare.
His presence alone spoke volumes.
This was a man who had stood at the peak of the sport.
A name that had once caused ripples, then waves, through the world of MMA.
The first of his kind.
A pioneer in dominance.
He looked ahead, his expression unreadable, as he began walking toward the building.
Who he was.
He was the first double champ.
Collin NcGyver.
He had arrived in Ireland for the Global tournament.
The news spread like wildfire across the media landscape.
The newly established governing body for the MMA World Cup had posted on Chirper, announcing the official start of the qualification phase.
The post immediately caught global attention.
"The road to the first-ever Global MMA Championship begins today! Qualifiers for national representation are now open. Once 64 nations are confirmed, the tournament will enter its qualifications, when 32 countries are comfirmed ,that will be the beginning of the elemination phases. A historic moment for the sport, where the world's best will battle it out to claim ultimate glory."
While they aimed for a perfect 64-country representation, it was clear the number might be less due to participation and qualification standards.
Regardless, the excitement was high.
Fans, fighters, and analysts alike were speculating on which fighters would step forward to represent their countries.
It was also important to note that countries were required to broadcast their qualification fights.
This rule was implemented to ensure transparency and avoid any allegations of nepotism or favoritism in the selection process.
With the world watching, fighters would have to earn their spots through merit alone, proving their worth in front of both their nation and the global audience.
The move also added an extra layer of excitement, turning even the qualification matches into must-watch events.
The announcement had completely overshadowed everything else in the MMA world.
Even Damon's callout of Donald Whittier, a moment that had sparked intrigue and speculation, was now forgotten, buried beneath the weight of the global tournament news.
And it was understandable.
This wasn't just another fight or rivalry, this was something bigger.
But with that, Damon found himself back in the gym.
He'd needed a break, so he took it easy, spent time with Svetlana, and made sure to see his mom almost every day, with a few exceptions.
His mother was doing well, better than he'd seen in years.
She had taken up outdoor activities, something she hadn't done much of before.
Damon couldn't help but feel proud every time he saw her stepping out of her comfort zone.
She had even started talking about traveling to countries she had never been to.
The thought of her exploring the world, meeting new people, and finally living her life on her own terms brought a sense of peace to Damon.
He made sure she had everything she needed, often sending money before she even thought to ask.
It was his way of ensuring she never had to worry about anything.
It was moments like these that made Damon truly happy.
While his mother had Svetlana's mom as a friend, they rarely had time to meet.
Svetlana's mother was often swamped with her business ventures, which was understandable.
Even so, Damon thought it might be good for his mom to expand her circle, to have experiences that brought her joy outside of her usual routine.
For now, though, he returned his focus to training, channeling his energy back into the cage.
.
.
.
.
The future held a lot for Damon Cross.
In the dimly lit alley, the atmosphere was tense, shadows dancing on the brick walls under the flickering streetlight.
A bulky man kneeling on the damp ground with scars across his face looked desperate, his hands trembling.
"Please, man," he stammered, his voice cracking with fear. "I promise I'll get you your money. I just need time. I've been trying everywhere, but I'll find a way soon."
A man in a black suit stood in front of him and laughed in a low voice. He was cold, calculating, and didn't show any sympathy.
"You think I'm a joke, huh?" the suited man said, his voice calm but dripping with menace.
He motioned to one of his lackeys, a wiry man with a scar running across his cheek. "My boys have seen you entering the casino. Looks to me like you've got money to burn."
The lackey stepped forward, pulling a phone from his jacket pocket. "Got something for you, boss," he said, handing it over with a smirk.
The suited man glanced at the phone screen, his brow furrowing as he scrolled through some information.
Find adventures on empire
After a moment, his lips curled into a sinister smile.
He shifted his gaze back to the man kneeling before him.
"This is interesting," he said, his tone almost amused. "I see you're a UFA fighter."
The man on the ground nodded hesitantly, his fear evident in the way his eyes darted around the alley, searching for an escape that didn't exist.
"Good," the suited man said, slipping the phone into his pocket. "How often do you win? Lose? Come on, spill it."
The fighter hesitated, his mind racing. What were they planning? What did they want from him?
"I'm… I'm undefeated," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The suited man chuckled darkly, his laughter echoing off the narrow walls of the alley. "Nice. Real nice."
He crouched down slightly, bringing himself to the fighter's level.
His sharp eyes locked onto the fighter's, his smirk widening. "Alright, seems like it'll be good to work with you, then. Don't worry… we'll make sure you don't lose. Ever."