CHAPTER THREE : RIVAL

Then their chants changed to what they called me—“Rival, Rival, Rival.”

What the fuck was this man thinking giving me that goddamned name?

But it sounded cool.

They didn’t have to take it too far to call me an enemy.

I just stood there, ready to take in whatever it was that they were preparing for me.

Not less than thirty minutes, the chant died down and I looked back and there stood who I knew very well was my opponent. No need to tell me who he really was. Then the stupid announcement was made again and they chanted his name—“Nikita... Nikita... Nikita.” The chant went on and on, and he was just jumping from one end of the ring to the other. Hmm. He really was enjoying it.

The chants died down, giving the announcer the opportunity to talk.

“Fighting rules, boys: first to kill wins... and first to die loses,” he said.

The crowd started cheering.

This is so cruel and am not a boy Jesus.

I turned my gaze to who I was to challenge, and I prayed secretly to my parents that they should personally accept my soul when it arrives.

No need to beat around the bush, they clearly knew who was gonna die, and that was me.

Don’t be mad at me. I’m proud to say that.

The announcer gave the signal and they blew the trumpet, signaling that it was time for the fight to start.

I just stood there and took one last gaze at the crowd. Then I turned to see my opponent and something hit my face and I lost balance and fell down immediately.

“Ouch.”

That was kind of painful, low-key.

The crowd immediately went wild chanting his name—“NIKITA... NIKITA... NIKITA.”

He turned to show off, like acknowledging them.

I used that opportunity and ......nahhh, I didn’t venture towards him.

I’m not that dumb.

I used the opportunity and breathed in back the oxygen that escaped my mouth when I was almost hit to a coma.

I used my hand to support myself up and I stood immediately, but my leg was visibly shaking.

All this effect was just from a blow, one more and I swear I might visit the world underneath us.

The man standing before me looked like someone who ate three square meals before coming here.

I gave him time to be done with his show-off.

To be sincere, I really appreciated the crowd. At least that was the little they could do to help me, and I noticed that was the only way to distract him.

When the chant finally died down, he turned his gaze right back at me and started smiling.

What the fuck is he smiling for right now?

Bro, just take me down and save yourself the stress.

He immediately ran towards me to hit me down, but I was fast to move to the other side of the ring and he hit the floor.

Ouch, that must have hurt ‘cause I was sure I heard him wince.

So much for being called NIKITA.

I didn’t say it loud, though.

And I might not be a boxing-boy kind of person, but I knew one thing for sure that you don’t venture to take down your opponent by the waist when they are alert.

Maybe he never thought of that.

I gave him time to breathe, and he stood up immediately and straightened his shoulder.

Oh no. I think he’s gonna knock me out real good.

I didn’t attack. I watched him.

One thing I was good at is that I can learn anything by just watching it.

I know it might sound crazy, but it would really help me this time.

He took slow and steady steps close to me.

I stood on my ground. I didn’t move a muscle.

I wanted to see what he got, though the first blow was enough to teach me a lesson.

He slowly turned his hand into a fist and came up to me and I dodged it.

Ha. Don’t be surprised. I’m really good at defendi..

Ouch.

This guy just hit my nose.

Ahhh.

I can’t even wish this pain on my enemies.

So much for someone who was shouting back at a lawyer.

I staggered backwards and used my hand to support myself first.

I wasn’t breathing through only my mouth, but my ear was inclusive, it can’t be generally useless.

I looked up at him and he was standing at the top of the ring showing off to the crowd.

This is so not legal.

That was when I noticed something drip and fall to the floor.

It was dark red in color.

You got to be kidding me.

I looked at the ceiling of the ring to know where that fell from.

Yeah. Almost forgot it was open.

And I touched my nose... oh my God..

Jesus, please don’t tell me that was my blood.

Uhh c’mon.

I can’t be losing blood when I’m hungry.

I stood there for some moment, at least regain my posture.

I can’t be standing zigzag when I’m fighting.

I mean, at least to save myself the pieces of dignity I didn’t bother to pick up when he hit my nose.

The chant died down and he turned to look at me.

His face didn’t have any expression on, like he was ready to take me out once and for all.

One of the things I could vividly remember from the time my parents were still alive, they once said, “Living is already a risk... you got to risk to still like it.”

It’s not like I’m saying they were wrong.

I mean, they had that particular mindset when they started working for the mafia.

And that particular stuff is what I’m gonna do just now.

Nikita, as he was called, ventured towards me and tried to hit me again.

This time I targeted right, yeah, his ribs and struck it, and he staggered backwards and cursed.

And I looked around...

Then I heard the chants of my name....

“Rival... Rival... Rival...”

Oh my God, that feels so good.