MTLNOVEL Chapter 143
Seeing that the system just confirmed the bracelet.
Ethan's eyes never left the bracelet, he started calculating its worth in his mind.
'Money won't be an issue'
he thought to himself.
Find adventures on empire
'I'll offer whatever it takes.'
At that moment the arena lights blazed as the fighters took the stage.
Among them stood a mountain of a man, muscles rippling beneath tattoos and scars.
His opponent, a lean fighter with quick movements, without being told everyone would see he doesn't stand a chance.
The fight was brutal from the start. The burly man's fists came down like sledgehammers, each impact echoing through the underground fight arena.
When his opponent tapped out, slapping the mat desperately, something dark flickered in the giant's eyes.
"Please... I surrender!"
the lean fighter gasped.
At that moment the burly man's laugh rumbled like thunder.
But he wasn't going to let him go without a good beating, before the fight he promised him that.
immediately he grabbed his opponent's arm, and with a sickening crack, broke it at the elbow.
immediately the crowd gasped. But he wasn't finished – methodically, he snapped the fighter's leg, his screams echoing off concrete walls.
At that moment the underground Arena fell silent except for the victim's whimper.
People turned away, their faces pale, but no one moved or one speak. The burly man stood in the center of the ring, arms raised, roaring his victory like a primitive beast.
At that moment Something snapped inside Ethan. He shot to his feet, his voice cutting through the terrified silence.
"This is barbaric!"
he shouted at the organizers' booth. "You're going to let him commit attempted murder right in front of you? For crying out loud the other Opponents have surrendered!"
Upon hearing what Ethan just said the burly man turned slowly, his bloodstained hands still clenched into his fists.
"Well, well,"
his voice rumbled like gravel.
"The pretty boy has opinions."
He stalked to the edge of the ring, leaning over the ropes.
"Why don't you climb up here and say that to my face, boy!!"
immediately Ethan's eyes narrowed, with a dangerous glint flickering in them.
"Is that a challenge?"
His voice carried an edge that made even the burly man blink.
"Ethan, no!"
One of his friends grabbed his arm, his face pale with fear.
"You don't understand – he's killed people in this ring before, it's not his first time!"
The other pulled at Ethan's other sleeve, his voice trembling.
"This isn't some school fight, man. They found his last opponent in pieces. The police couldn't even prove it was him!"
"Please,"
the last of them whispered urgently.
"This is the first time he's let someone live. He's playing with us. He'll kill you, Ethan. He'll actually kill you!"
The crowd had gone deathly silent, watching the exchange. Some people were already backing away, knowing what usually happened when someone dared to challenge the burly fighter. Several of them pulled out their phones, ready to record what they assumed would be another death in the underground ring.
"Enough,"
Ethan's voice cut through his friends' pleas, carrying a coldness they'd never heard before.
"Some lessons need to be taught to him, next time he would learn how to respect his opponents."
He shrugged off their restraining hands and moved toward the ring. The crowd parted before him, their faces a mixture of horror and fascination.
Some were already whispering prayers.
"Poor college kid about to die."
But before stepping into the ring, Ethan paused beside the fallen fighter who lay whimpering in agony.
He knelt down, his movements precise and confident.
"What are you doing?"
someone whispered.
"He needs to get to the hospital!"
However Ethan didn't listen, his hands moved with practiced efficiency, finding the broken bones. With swift, calculated movements, he manipulated the injuries so the fighter would be able to get proper treatment in the hospital.
The sound of bones realigning filled the sudden silence, followed by a series of sharp cracks.
The fallen fighter's screams of pain transformed into gasps of disbelief. He flexed his fingers, then his arm, his eyes widening in shock.
Even his legs responded, the bones somehow perfectly reset.
At that moment the underground erupted in stunned whispers. "Impossible,"
someone muttered.
"Since when does a college kid know medical treatment like that?"
"A doctor boy wants to play a fighter?"
The burly man's laugh rumbled like distant thunder, his massive frame shaking with mirth.
And blood still stained his knuckles from his previous fight.
"When I break every bone in your pretty little body, who's going to put you back together, huh?"
His laughter echoed off the underground walls, making several spectators flinch.
At that moment Ethan turned away from him dismissively, facing the organizers' booth.
His voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"I don't want your money."
His eyes locked onto the ancient bracelet.
"When I win, I only want that bracelet."
"WHAT?"
One of Ethan's dorm friends' voices cracked with disbelief.
"Ethan, that's three million dollars you're walking away from if you manage to win!"
The other wanted to run to Ethan to talk some sense into him but he couldn't.
However from his position he yelled.
"Have you lost your mind? Three million! What could possibly be so special about that piece of metal?"
the other joined in, his face pale with concern.
"All that money... for a bracelet? Ethan, what's gotten into you?"
However on the second thought, they know he's not going to make it, probably he would get a broken body, and he's going to miss school for months.
At that moment the crowd buzzed with confused whispers, unable to comprehend why anyone would choose an old piece of jewelry over such a fortune.
Their protests died in their throats as a strange feeling washed over them.
One of his friends shook his head, as if trying to clear fog from his mind.
"Wait... why are we even worried about the money?"
he muttered.
The other blinked rapidly.
"Yeah, it's like... something was making us think about the cash instead of..."
His voice trailed off, unable to complete the thought.
The organizer's smile was shark-like as he slid the contract across the table, the paper seeming to absorb the harsh fluorescent light.
Ethan's hand moved with confidence, pen scratching across the surface before he'd even read a word.
Only after his signature dried did his eyes catch the blood-red text at the top:
[LIFE AND DEATH MATCH - WINNER TAKES ALL.]
At that moment a flicker of anger crossed his face, but his expression remained unchanged.
'Death match or not'
he thought to himself.
'this brute doesn't stand a chance'
However seeing Ethan sign the document The burly man started laughing.