There were cheers and worries, some cheered such as Max and those guests who bet on Thane, they were very few.

The majority of them were those who were fans of fighting, they had tons of money, they just came and bet for fun, a hobby in short.

Thane’s hands were tightly bound around the arm of Topda, before anyone could see what was happening, Topda was already in the sky. Thane lifted him up and yanked him to the ground.

But he failed, Topda landed on his foot, taking advantage of his long legs, they acted like springs.

Just as his foot was set on the marbled floor, he planned retaliation. Another spear was thrown, aiming at the chest of the young giant.

With a thudding sound, the kick successfully hit the target. But Thane was now numb from all the pain, his adrenaline pushed him to the very limits of his body.

Thane thought of something else, changed the way of his hold, and exerted strength, he was now trying to break the arm like a twig.

It was a feat nearly impossible for a normal simpleton or anyone who had yet to receive a blessing, there were several ways to break an arm. But now, in the way Thane attempted it, only sticks could be broken in such a manner.

That’s what everyone thought before they heard a nasty sound, Topda cried from the depth of his lungs. His arm was broken in two, bones jutted out from his flesh.

In utter disbelief, he threw another kick. A front kick that was intended as a spear but failed due to immense pain.

He hit him on his chest, higher than the previous one, pain blurred his once impeccable aim.

Thane let one hand go and grabbed the leg by the ankle, and the hand firmed around the foot, he extended his other hand for another perfect grip.

Thane then paused, his hands locked as if they held an ancient treasure of the world. He spat a mouthful of blood, he was hurt, his inside was mess.

Topda’s eyes couldn’t believe it, was he slowed down or was it Thane who became faster all of a sudden? All those thoughts now held no meaning.

With his powerful right hand broken and dominant leg caught by an unshakeable clench, he was doomed.

He tried to shake away his leg but failed, he threw a desperate kick and fell on his back.

This was it, Thane took a deep breath from his mouth. He wrenched Topda up and slammed him left on the ground.

He guarded his face with his unbroken hand and broke it in the process.

He was lifted again, in the air and smashed towards the right. His back hit the ground, he gasped for air, blood sprayed out.

The impact was so powerful that his body bounced, the pieces of broken marble dug into his flesh.

The thunderous slam shook the room as if a cannon was fired.

Topda was raised in the sky again and in a similar way was ruthlessly pounded against the ground. Again and again.

Topda’s body whipped through the air like a ragdoll caught in the jaws of a dog.

His bones broke and skin tore with every ground shaking smash.

Some women and weak hearted guests who were not habitual betters closed their eyes and prayed for the match to be stopped.

They prayed for Thane as well, earlier, and it seemed like their prior prayers were answered.

Thane finally stopped, tossing Topda aside in the broken crater he had carved into the floor.

Then Thane did something that no one expected. He clenched his hand into a fist and raised it high, Topda was unconscious, barely breathing.

The fist was vertically held, it descended upon Topda, it was a hammerfist.

Reginald’s eyes twitched, Thane was not in his sane mind, his instincts wanted him to eliminate the threat.

But just before it could hit, Max shouted. "THANE!"

"BAAANG"

The hammerfist missed Topda’s head by a hairbreadth, Max’s voice snapped him back.

The favourite of all lay motionless, flattened into stone.

Thane looked down at him with utter disgust and growled. "I won."

Reginald smiled. He held Thane’s hand and raised it. "The winner of today’s bout is Thane."

Cheers erupted across the hall. Hawk gave a wide grin to Vidu Morris, who still had a look of disbelief on his face.

John was in shock, Max jumped in mirth. Ildiem had a panic attack. "I’m doomed, I’m doomed," he repeated.

Thane, the victor, stood still for a few seconds before collapsing on the ground. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

He looked at the ceiling and the chandeliers, they looked more ruddy and blurry than before. When Thane came earlier, he was a nobody with attire resembling a commoner.But now, under the very same ceiling, in front of the same people, he became the centre of attention. The man of the night.

The medical team quickly appeared, started to stitch the cut on his brow. Thane couldn’t see them, that side of him was completely red.

His gaze was still looking at the chandelier when a familiar face came in front of him. "Thane, you son of bit- sorry, you rascal." Max came from the other side.

Thane for the first time giggled at a curse, he was happy at his victory, who wouldn’t be?

John came second. "You tenacious monster, not even your father was as gutsy as you."

"Then you don’t know my father, I inherited a portion of this directly from him," Thane replied, blood bubbled in his mouth.

"You shouldn’t talk, Master Thane and it was a marvellous fight, what you achieved is something most won’t even dream of. Your name shall resound."

Thane took deep breaths, his vision was blackening.

Another figure appeared, it was Reginald. "Lad, I am speechless. Should I advise you for your recklessness or congratulate you for such a win?"

"I’m also wondering about something," Thane uttered.

Everyone turned their eyes towards him. "I don’t know if this is the luckiest day of my life or the shittiest day of my life." As soon as those words left his mouth, he shut his eyes.