The Return of the God-Slayer

eaths as she studied the young man before her. She had never imagined that beneath Ryan's unassuming appearance lay suc

ath, she asked, "

ll me Ryan,

ecessary attention. Ryan was merely a convenient alias, one that carried no

ing. "Alright, I'll call you young Ryan. Since

you're looking for a fight, I'll take you on,"

d. "Confident

eplied smoothly, emphasizing the

led him through the cl

rground

na, the air thick with sweat, blood, and the electric hum of anticipation. At its center stood a raised boxing ring, e

no ordina

Club, where fighters liv

aled he was missing a finger from his right hand-a trophy from a past he rarely spoke of. This was Jack

assessing him with the detached interest of a ma

rms. "This is Ryan.

. "Fight?" His tone dr

e him, Jack. Your security couldn't

ught in by Miss Taylor, I'll take her word for it." He

Golden Man... he just died. If Ryan steps into

idn't

e lowering. "Jack's top fighter. Undefeated i

arching his. "Are you sure abou

"No need. I'll tak

training, failing here would

t so we're clear, any new fighter in my ring gets one hundred thousa

ed. "Soun

Get ready. The Golden

owd's

through the crowd as wh

st fight? Why is he stepp

strous figure emerged from the shadows, his

skin gleaming under the harsh lights. His face was a mask of scars, his

the Gol

nd gentlemen! We have an unexpectedmatch ton

s exploded

o the hel

on the last match-may

den Man's going t

ng, his steps unhurried,

? He's fighting

t a deat

tting is now open! Golden Man's odds are 1:0.

owd er

s free

ed it at a million. Even a

on on the

million on th

up, bets pouring in for

se. If by some miracle Ryan won, the

h

g one milli

ce cut throu

le

lau

money to throw away,

That's like ligh

them, her eyes

at. "Bets are locked

ai

calm as he steppe

owd sn

backin

walking into hi

, I'll allow you to walk away now. But once

Jack." He tilted his head. "I just wan

at Taylor before replying, "You c

course-no fighter cou

n wasn'

aid slowly, "do you have an option for a higher

I defeat the Gold

went de

smile

crowd e

ing a good look at who he's fig

he has made G

watched hi