20 Round Two: A Cruel Interrupter (1/2)

Karma and Paul dashed at each other at full force, each wanting to deal the first strike.

Karma swung a left jab, but Paul managed to avoid it and did a low sweeping kick. Karma got hit but was able to keep his balance.

Karma went in for a retry, going for a mixture of punches and kicks to heighten the chances of landing a hit.

Paul, with his inhuman speed and reflex, managed to dodge every one of his attacks. He then leaned in and did a roundhouse kick to Karma's face. Karma stumbled back, but instead of being pissed off, he was smiling.

”You have gotten much stronger! I am more hyped than ever!” Karma said, with a devilish smile on his face.

”I got strong so I can beat you to a pulp,” Paul replied. ”But now you're not really up to par. I still can't feel fired up and just killing you isn't going to satisfy my desire.”

Karma's smile faded.

*Did...did he just call me weak? Me? WEAK?*

”Hehe,” Karma laughed, darkly. ”You think I can't match you? Well, I'm going toshow you just how wrong you are.”

Paul backed off a little. Even though Paul knew he was far out of Karma's league, something still terrified him.

*This brat is making me shiver? What the hell? I'll teach him to taunt me like this!*

Paul angrily charged forward, aiming to land a critical hit on Karma. Karma, as if he saw that attack coming, moved to the side in a fluid motion. Paul predicted this dodge and tried to counter it by attempting to kick with his knee. Karma managed to duck and avoid the impact. His reflexes were much faster than before.

*What the hell? How is he just getting faster?* Paul thought to himself. *Well, he is getting better. All the more satisfaction to beat him down.*

”You got way better at dodging,” Paul said in a condescending voice. ”But if all you are doing is dodging, you won't be able to hit me. Not that you will ever be able to though.”

Karma was ticked at that comment but became more determined to prove Paul wrong.

”You won't be saying that when I kick your ass, literally,” Karma replied with a smirk and jumped right back into action.

From the sidelines, Shirohana looked on with a mixture of anxiety and awe. The two were in a fight, each intending to possibly end the other one's life. Yet, they seem to be having fun. She didn't get why such a vulgar thing as inflicting pain upon others is a joyous thing, but she can't help but be amazed. Perhaps her desire to be of use is kicking in, or just simple admiration.

She got up on her wheelchair and wheeled herself to Frank, who was badly injured, but still conscious.

”M-M'lady,” Frank said weakly as he saw Shirohana approaching. ”I'm sorry, I wasn't strong enough to put down that barbarian of a man.”

”It's ok, ” Shirohana said sweetly. ”Take a good rest. I have a feeling that Karma can put through.”

*She has so much trust in him, I'm quite envious.* Frank thought, a smile forming on his face. Then he closed his eyes and fell into a deep slumber.

”Huff, huff. You are pretty tough,” Karma said, wiping the blood from his mouth.

”Y-Yeah, you are too,” Paul replied. But deep inside, he wasn't happy.

*How am I being almost overwhelmed? I took all four drugs. I went through tests to be able to fully use these new powers. Yet, somehow, this kid is starting to gain on me?*

”C'mon! Let's continue!” Karma said, charging in again. Paul responded in kind. He tried to exert more of his power, but unbeknownst to him, his power had a side effect when being used for too long. It's especially disadvantageous when one is fighting someone like Inner Karma, who just doesn't back down.

Karma threw a fast jab, followed by a kick to the hip. Paul dodged all those and countered with an elbow hit. Karma managed to duck and attempted a punch to Paul's gut, which Paul responded by quickly stepping back.

Then Karma disappeared.

”What the-” Paul started to wonder, but was hit with a strong impact from behind. Paul was thrown a few feet away.

”I finally got a clean hit on you!” Karma said happily, in content.

”How the fuck- How did I not predict that?” Paul yelled in frustration. ”That was just a lucky hit. Let's see you try that again!”

”Is that a challenge?” Karma asked, this time with a bigger smile. ”I accept!”

They both charged in again, with Paul instigating the first move. He lowered himself to ready a sweeping kick, followed by a sidekick to the face.

Karma, as he knew what Paul was going to do, jumped and did a spinning kick in midair. Paul barely managed to block the attack before Karma swiftly alerted the course of his kick and hit the other side of Paul's face. Blood dripped out from Paul's mouth. A few teeth fell to the ground.

”You kinda slowing down,” Karma said with a chuckle. ”You already tired?”

”Don't you dare mock me, boy,” Paul retorted angrily. He wiped away the blood, but the blood keeps gushing out.

”I'm just saying,” Karma said with a smile on his face. ”You were much faster and stronger before. You kind of flopped a little.”

”Don't get cocky just because you were able to hit me like twice,” Paul said, his face fuming with anger. ”I'm going to put you in your place!”

Paul dashed forward again. Karma readied his stance and tried to anticipate Paul's attack.

Then Paul disappeared.