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