Chapter 18: CH 018: Fighting a Demon
As the highly anticipated match was about to commence, Dave was summoned into the ring, his name echoing through the arena as the crowd erupted into a frenzy of cheers and applause.
His first opponent, a formidable-looking individual named Don, emerged from the opposite corner, his eyes fixed intently on Dave as he prepared to face him in the ring.
The commentator's voice boomed through the arena, clearly enunciating the rules of the match. "Ladies and gentlemen, the rules of this match are simple: the first contestant to deliver a knockout blow will be declared the winner. There will be no rounds, no time limits, and no mercy. It's a fight to the finish, and only the strongest will emerge victorious!"
As the rules were explained, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch, their anticipation palpable as they awaited the start of the match.
And then, in an instant, the battle commenced. Don, Dave's opponent, charged forward with a fierce determination, his fist clenched into a tight ball as he prepared to unleash a powerful punch.
It soon became apparent that Don was one of those who had doubted Dave's feat of being able to defeat Ajax with just a single punch. His actions were driven by a desire to prove Dave's doubters right, to show that the young man's impressive victory was nothing more than a fluke.
With a fierce battle cry, Don launched himself at Dave, his punch hurling through the air with a deadly precision.
Despite his intention to hold back and not showcase his full capabilities, Dave was resolute in his determination not to lose the fight. He stood firmly in his position, his eyes fixed intently on Don as he readied himself to take the incoming attack head-on.
The crowd watched in awe, their collective gasp echoing through the arena as they wondered if Dave had made a grave mistake by choosing to stand his ground and take the attack head on.
"Isn't he going to move?" someone in the crowd whispered, their voice laced with concern.
"That punch is going to hit him!" another spectator exclaimed, their eyes wide with alarm.
The onlookers were baffled by Dave's decision to absorb the punch, knowing that while he might be an exceptional puncher, his ability to withstand a powerful blow might not be the same. He might be a great puncher, but what was the probability that he could take on the punches himself?
The crowd's skepticism was high, yet they remained transfixed, their eyes glued to the unfolding scene as they waited with bated breath to see just how Dave would fare against Don's upcoming attack.
The attack came crashing down, Don's fist mere inches from Dave's face, and the crowd held its collective breath, anticipating the impact. But, to Don's utter astonishment, Dave's face didn't flinch, it didn't even twitch. It was as if he had been carved from stone, impervious to the incoming blow.
Don had expected, at the very least, a momentary daze, a flash of pain, or a slight stumble backward. But none of those things happened. Instead, Dave stood firm, his expression unwavering, as if he had merely been caressed by a gentle breeze.
Meanwhile, Don was the one who was left reeling in pain. His hand, which had delivered the punch, had instantly turned a deep shade of red, as if it had been scalded by a hot flame. He felt as though he had just punched a solid brick wall, the impact sending shockwaves of agony through his arm.
Don's eyes widened in incredulity as he stumbled backward, clutching his injured hand. "What the heck, man?!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with a mix of pain and astonishment.
"What's your face made of? Steel? Concrete? How did you just...?" Don's words trailed off, his mind struggling to comprehend the impossibility of what he had just witnessed.
This was the embodiment of Dave's unwavering confidence – a steadfast conviction that, no matter the ferocity or intensity of the attack launched against him, his defenses would remain impenetrable, rendering the assault ineffective.
However, even Dave himself was taken aback by the sheer extent of his resilience. The fact that Don's powerful punch had barely registered on his face was a testament to his remarkable defensive capabilities.
As the reality of the situation sunk in, Dave couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and wonder. It was one thing to know that he possessed the ability to deliver devastating blows, but it was quite another to discover that he could also absorb and withstand the full force of his opponents' attacks.
This newfound understanding of his capabilities served to bolster Dave's confidence, reinforcing his belief in his own strength and resilience.
As the crowd continued to buzz with excitement, two distinct groups of people emerged, each with their own opinions and predictions about the outcome of the fight. On one hand, there were those who wholeheartedly supported Dave, boasting about his exceptional abilities and confidently declaring that he would emerge victorious.
They pointed to his impressive display of resilience in withstanding Don's powerful punch, citing it as evidence of his superior strength and defensive capabilities.
On the other hand, there were those who vehemently opposed Dave, attributing his recent success to mere luck rather than genuine skill. They scoffed at the idea that he could sustain his performance against all ten opponents, predicting that he would eventually succumb to the relentless barrage of attacks.
Some even went so far as to suggest that Don, Dave's first opponent, was weak and had failed to land a sufficiently strong hit, which was why Dave had escaped unscathed.
However, the remaining nine opponents who were scheduled to face Dave knew better. They were well aware of Don's formidable reputation as one of the most skilled and powerful punchers in the arena. His punches were notorious for their crushing force and precision, often leaving his opponents reeling in pain.
This had always gave Don an upper hand in every fight he participated in, and his peers knew that Dave's ability to withstand his punch was no mere fluke.
They knew that the claim about Don's weak punches was nothing short of preposterous, and that the truth was far more ominous. Don's reputation as a formidable puncher was well-deserved, and his opponents knew that they would have to bring their A-game if they hoped to emerge victorious against him.
As they watched Dave prepare to face Don again, the nine fighters couldn't help but wonder what kind of demon they would be facing tonight. Dave's ability to withstand Don's powerful punch had left them all in awe, and they couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation as they contemplated their own upcoming battles against him.
Meanwhile, the supporters of Dave remained tight-lipped, choosing not to engage with the naysayers who were determined to discredit their champion. Instead, they simply smiled knowingly, their faces reflecting their unwavering confidence in Dave's abilities.
They had just witnessed him effortlessly defend against Don's powerful punch, and they knew that he had the skills and the strength to overcome any opponent who dared to step into the ring with him.
As they watched the match unfold, they couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation, knowing that they were about to witness something truly special.
As the fight resumed, Dave suddenly sprang into action, dashing towards Don with a fierce determination in his eyes. As he closed in on his opponent, Dave's mind was racing with conflicting thoughts.
Should he opt for a decisive blow, ending the match once and for all, or should he continue to defend himself, relying on his impressive resilience to wear Don down? The dilemma weighed heavily on his mind, as he considered the potential outcomes of each approach.
On one hand, Dave was acutely aware that Don's punches, no matter how powerful, were unlikely to leave even a scratch on him. In fact, it was Don who would likely end up getting hurt, his fists battered and bruised from the futile attempts to land a solid hit on Dave's impervious physique. The thought was almost amusing to Dave.
On the other hand, Dave was also aware of his own overwhelming strength, a force that could potentially end the fight in an instant.
With a single, well-placed blow, he could knock Don out cold, bringing the match to a swift and final conclusion. The temptation to do so was strong, and Dave found himself wavering between his desire to prove a point and his inclination to simply end the fight.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Dave's expression hardened, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. He had come to a conclusion, and his subsequent actions would reveal the path he had chosen.