Martial Arts Worlds

Martial World, New Rakuya, Werocity.

The fists landed at the punching bag. The sweat and blood flew. There were people sparring on mats, and the sound of impact filled the room.

"They lost…"

A few were watching the tournament and cried out in surprise. They were almost ripping their hair out of their scalps.

"It's just the physical difference between us and Animalkin. They're genetically stronger, more athletic, and more durable.

"Without her durability, Zeus would've definitely won the match. It's just bullshit, really!"

The guys of the fighting gym talked among themselves, and then the gray-haired man turned to the corner.

He saw a young man there, running back and forth from wall to wall. He'd been doing that for several hours now.

He wasn't watching the television with the rest of them. Like a machine, he just kept training without stopping.

They knew of Ryan's natural abilities, and he was easily the fastest fighter in their fighting gym.

"Ryan! You are from Irio, right? You were in the same nationals team as Kiernan, correct?"

With sweat falling off his forehead, Ryan took a break to drink some water and wipe off the sweat from his forehead.

"Yes… And?"

Ryan asked.

"You aren't concerned about how humanity will do? Your old friend, Kiernan, is participating, after all."

The gray-haired man asked, and the other guys at the gym also looked over in curiosity.

"I will watch once Kiernan is fighting. The rest does not matter to me."

Ryan said, dropped to the ground, and started doing push-ups without really stopping to catch his breath even.

"Humanity is losing. Maybe we will lose way before it even gets to him, sheesh. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you aren't remotely curious?

"You're an odd one, Ryan!"

The gray-haired man said.

"Oh, I am interested. I just happened to visit a fortune reader yesterday, and I already know how the tournament will end."

Ryan said with a smile and kept doing push-ups.

"Fortune reader? You're a crazy one…"

The gray-haired man laughed, and now that the first match was over and there wasn't going to be any more matches today, he also returned back to the training.

"Ryan, want to play some God Shot after training?"

Another young man called out to him.

God Shot—a newly released video game that had put the whole video gaming community into a frenzy.

It was a game that any gamer would try out, and the young man knew of Ryan's love towards the shooting games.

"…I've stopped playing games."

Ryan said, stood back up, and downed the rest of the water, and started heading back to the locker room to get his stuff.

He was done training for today.

"Huh? Why? You're always playing games, as I always see you online on the friend list!"

The young man said in shock.

"The games are a distraction. If I really want to achieve something in the martial arts field, I must put all my effort into that."

Ryan said with a serious look.

He came to that conclusion after he was also invited to the World Martial Arts Draft, but he didn't even make it to the first selection round.

Instead, someone that he knew—Kiernan Hunter—who was at one point in time his equal, was chosen as one of the seven representatives of humanity.

The difference between the two of them made him think about his future, and even the thought of just quitting martial arts came to him.

Instead, he decided to try going all-out in martial arts for one year. Just for one year. If he didn't achieve anything during that time, he would quit.

…

Somewhere in the world, Pankratios' cave.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

With quick jabs, Antigone rained blows at Kiernan's open hands. She didn't hold back, and the fist kept hitting flesh.

"…"

Pankratios, Imperius, and Xerxus watched from the sidelines.

"I never expected humanity to have someone of the Heavenly Host, and yet, he lost despite that godly given talent."

Pankratios said with a serious look.

"…Zeus is the grandchild of Karl-Michael, who used to be subordinate as Admiral of the Navy. I know him, and from what I've heard, he is a slob who didn't care about training.

"He wasted all that talent, and if he had bothered, I am sure he could've reached Martial King by now. But it's too late for what-ifs."

Xerxus said.

"Your disciple is fighting next."

Imperius said, and looked at him with a side glance.

"Nervous…?"

"My disciple knows what she has to do."

Xerxus said with a serious look.

In that moment, Kiernan grabbed Antigone's fist and pulled her towards him with a strong pull.

She lost her balance. She didn't panic. Instead, she skipped off the ground and whipped her leg at him.

Kiernan blocked it with his forearm. She pushed her other foot towards his chest. He swiped his forearm to the right and parried the kick to the side.

He then flipped her over, and she fell on the ground on her back. She flipped back to her feet and rained jabs like a hailstorm.

"Rendering Edge."

Kiernan swiped his hands, redirecting all of the quick jabs, and then he took a step forward and pushed his palm into her chest.

It sent her sliding backwards, and she only stopped when her back touched the wall.

"Oh man… I am weak compared to you."

Antigone groaned loudly, dropped to her knees, and hung her head low as she started sulking with a big pout.

"Here we go again…"

Xerxus rolled his eyes.

Since she was just a young girl, there were many instances when she would get tired and frustrated with training.

And when she does, she would just start sulking, and it was always a challenge to get her out of that mood.

"…Oh? Giving up already? I haven't even been sweating yet."

Kiernan said with a smile.

"I am not giving up! I am just tired of… training!"

She said with a pout.

Kiernan shrugged his shoulders and threw his arms up into the air.

"It's fine to give up. I am strong, after all, and like you said, you can't become as strong as me."

"Haah? You're so arrogant!"

Antigone said, her cheeks ballooning like that of a chipmunk's.

"Nah, you're just weak!"

Kiernan lunged at her and, without any mercy in his movements, kicked towards her head. She panicked and rolled out of the way.

"What are you doing? You lunatic! Stupid, stupid, dumb, dumb! Master, he is bullying me!"

Antigone shouted.

Xerxus just turned his head away, scratched the back of his head, and ignored whatever was happening.

Antigone's jaw dropped. She looked betrayed. And then with a pout, she turned to Kiernan and scoffed.

"Fine, I'll fight you. I will beat that smug, arrogant smirk off your face!"

"Try me."

Kiernan smirked arrogantly.