Chapter 324: Man vs. Midge (1/2)
Man vs. Midget…
That's what some were calling this showdown as Nick and Ben squared off against each other.
The blue mats in the room of Barbosa's MMA Gym were filled at the edges by an anxious audience. It was the last match, the finals, and every person here had been there for several hours, anticipating this bout and the emergence of the champion. The favorite Nick being there was no surprise. He was the largest and the strongest was a mainstay at this stage. Yet, his opponent…what the hell was that?
…
A white belt, in a booger gi…that looked like the guy you'd send to try to teach a family of jungle apes to dance disco.
…
Yet, this was the one who'd reached Nick's level, having defeated all comers, leaving them questioning their skills and their hairlines…
He'd already proven himself against a number of tough opponents. However, none of those opponents were Nick.
The beast towered over Ben, looking down at him with a mocking glare that couldn't hide his disdain of being in this place with this person. ”I don't know how you made it here, but I'll be sure to send you home so you can rest a while.” This was a euphemism for putting him in a coma, not for walking him home and tucking him into bed.
…
Ben accepted Nick's ridicule, and sneered himself. ”Thanks buddy, but if it's all the same, I prefer your girlfriend send me off.”
”The f*ck you say?” Nick stepped forward before the referee got in between them. He was about to shove the guy away but soon saw his teacher, Ricardo Barbosa out of the corner of his eye and stopped his movements. Ricardo was leaning against a wall, crossing his arms and paying close attention to Nick. His attitude was intense, as if he was sending a message. In reality though, he was bitter because he didn't like watching from this position; leaning on the side of the doorway was where he was born to be…where he felt at home…
Alas…
Snorting, Nick's face became gloomier as he watched Ben. He changed his mind about breaking Ben's arm. No, that wouldn't be enough. He'd send him to the hospital with a broken knee today. He envisioned Ben hanging off the top of a doorway at an old Wild West saloon, his legs working as the swinging doors that opened both ways.
…
When it came to sick and depraved things, Nick's imagination wasn't worse than anyone's, and that would soon become Ben's problem. However, Ben wasn't worried, because although a long time had passed in this tournament, one thing hadn't changed—he'd stolen a stat point from Nick.
The last time they grappled, Ben was not only a bit slower before having taken another agility potion, but his personal talent was only a 7. With this stat now rising to an 8, and Nick's personal talent falling a point, Ben believed he possessed all he needed to take Nick down. Now, it was only a matter of seeing if that belief was justified, and he was about to find out.