The spectators were asked to stand on the very sides, many climbed the stairs or went to the second story or third.

The centre of the hall was emptied for the purpose of being used as a ring, Vidu and Hawk stood against each other.

From Vidu’s side, Topda came jumping, he performed shadow boxing to warm up his body a bit more. He wore knee sized trousers, his shin was wrapped in bandage.

On the other hand, there was Thane. He also took off his shirt. His physique was one of raw, functional strength.

His muscles were bulked, his shoulders were wide as if they were built to carry timber, steel or iron.

His chest was deep and expanded like a barrel, his arms were thick with corded muscles, forearms dense from years of swinging hammers in a hot smithy where most simpletons would struggle to stand.

Thane’s hands were wide, calloused and strong, capable of both violence and craftsmanship.

Unlike his opponent, his core was firm and solid, supporting a frame built for strength and endurance rather than speed.

His big body took away agility and gave him firm balance.

His legs were thick and powerful, shaped for bracing and standing unshaken by heat and storm.

"Come closer," said Reginald. Thane was new to this so he slowly came while Topda was already there squat jumping.

The two fighters stood before each other, Topda’s scrawny face pissed Thane even more, his dark circled eyes laughed at Thane.

He looked at the bandage on Thane’s shoulder, he wished he could have hit the bone earlier.

Reginald stood between the fighters and explained.

"Listen to me carefully, both of you will fight as per legal fighting rules. The fight will go on as long as one of you is incapable of fighting.

Weapon usage, biting, eye gouge and groin attacks are banned.

If any fighter mistakenly or intentionally violates the rules, he shall be immediately disqualified and lose.

Strikes, grappling, and submissions are allowed. Am I clear?" Reginald looked at Thane.

Thane nodded his head, he then spun his head towards Topda, who nodded as well.

Topda actually was displeased, the banned attacks were actually his special moves, his long and fast reach was perfect for poking eyes and kicking groin while maintaining a safe distance.

"Now, I want a clean fight from both of you. I repeat, if I notice any sign of foul play, I’ll stop the match immediately." He raised his hand as he dropped it. "Fight."

The voices of spectators silenced as the fight began. John, Hawk and Max were tense.

Vidu Morris on the other hand was sneering, he also placed 21,000 gold coins on Topda, who knew a fighter more than his sponsor.

Thane went for a tackle, his eyes locked on Topda but as he took a step, something fast came, almost as fast as lightning and touched Thane.

"WHOOSH"

Thane was not hurt, he felt like an ant bit him but before long, blood came out of his nose. Thane was confused, how did this happen, he asked himself.

Reginald saw it all. Topda stopped his punch right after it made contact with Thane’s face and the impact burst the blood vessels in his nasal cavity.

It is a strike that was not meant to damage Thane but to shake him up psychologically.

"I didn’t take any damage, my breathing is fine." Just as he said those words, a barrage of flickers came.

All he could do was to raise his arms to protect his face and neck, something his sister taught him.

But his sister was also not a professional fighter, his guard left his body wide open.

A middle kick came, swung like an axe aiming to cut an ancient tree trunk in one clean sweep.

It hit Thane’s side, right at his unguarded ribs. Thane growled in agony, he felt as if a venomous snake had stung his body, the piercing pain was something he had never faced before.

Amidst the pain, he subconsciously lowered his guard and that was what the ruthless Topda was waiting for.

"DHAM"

A powerful impact and Thane was in the air, his feet lifted from the ground as he fell two metres away.

His head was ringing, the only thing that came to his mind was a hammer.

Weren’t weapons banned, he asked himself. He stood up, his legs wobbly, he glanced at Reginald. Reginald looked back at him with expressionless eyes.

His vision slowly came back, he found something tickling his foot, he looked down to see blood falling.

He touched his nose, it was crushed, the bone was broken and blood poured out.

Topda stood there laughing, he was enjoying it, licking his right hand’s knuckles.

It was then, Thane understood that he was hit by a powerful right hand. Thane licked his bloodied lips and spat out.

"Hooh.. Hooh." Thane took deep breaths and then sprinted at Topda, his hand almost reached him but he slipped, he moved his feet as if he was dancing or gliding.

He glided to Thane’s side, and sent shots of flickers to him.

"His high speed flickers, The Flash. They are even faster than I’d heard." One spectator said to another spectator.

"They are as fast as light," the man replied.

"The opponent is simply outmatched."

"Yes, no one can outclass Topda in strikes. I even heard he lost his fights on purpose."

"That’s bullshit."

The duo were in chatter when a third masked spectator intervened. "I dunno how you guys are so confident.

He’s up against a heavy weight. No way in hell that lightweight guy gonna take that tank down."

"How often do you watch fights?" someone asked him.

"Well, it’s my first." He was a guest of Ildiem who stayed to watch the end of it.

The first one chuckled. "Then pipe it down, freshie. You are about to see something good."

Topda looked at Thane. "Done with tackles? Oh wait, I thought that was your speciality." There was mockery in his tone.

Hawk looked at Thane from behind. "Don’t be fooled, Master Thane, figure it out.

You cannot react to his flickers, they are not knockout blows," he spoke.

Thane heard him but could not understand, his head was still ringing.