An exceptionally large fist came right in front of my nose.
'Damn it.'
Fast.
I knew that Wang Chil, called 'King Fist (Wang-gwon),' had climbed to this position with just his rock-hard fists and agility, but facing him directly, he was faster than I had seen.
Furthermore, because it came from my blind spot on the left, my reaction was a bit late.
'I can neither block nor dodge.'
Even in a situation where I was caught off guard, I smiled instead.
'Then...'
Quick decision.
Gritting my teeth, I thrust my head towards the fist instead.
Thwack!
A dull sound resonates.
Since I momentarily narrowed the distance, it wasn't a clean hit. Even so, my vision flashes and my mind threatens to go faint.
'If I collapse from this much, I'm not Viper! Endure it with malice!'
Wang Chil, who succeeded in the attack, frowned. Even as my head rang, I didn't miss his expression.
'As expected of the guy I considered a rival, he intuitively sensed something was odd.'
But I won't give him time to think.
Since he also considered me a rival, he must have watched my fights closely.
To beat Wang Chil, who has been through hell and high water, the same old methods won't work.
'Half a beat faster.'
Forcing myself to endure the dizziness, I boldly dug into his bosom.
"...!"
As expected, Wang Chil is not easy.
In that brief moment, the guy stepped back and aimed for my side with his right fist.
'However...'
Thud!
'Kuk!'
I got hit in the side, but I avoided a clean hit this time too. I can endure this much.
Not caring, I pushed my body in even deeper.
"...!"
Bewilderment colors Wang Chil's face.
Wang Chil's build was smaller than mine, but since I was crouched low, my head was positioned below his chin.
'Take this.'
I straightened my body with all my might. Then, naturally, my head struck his chin.
Smack!
The impact felt through my head, the dull sound—I knew instinctively.
'It went in properly!'
The guy staggered and took a step back.
Confirming that Wang Chil's eyes had lost focus, I immediately swung both hands wildly.
Swish swish swish swish!
My fists, a bit slower than Wang Chil's but much faster than average thugs, pummeled his head wildly.
Pum-pum-pum-pum!
Wang Chil's figure, having lost consciousness in an instant, is about to fall. But I didn't stop my fists.
Pum-pum-pum-pum!
"St-stop him!"
"Brother Viper, it's over! Stop it!"
Someone's arm dug under my armpit and grabbed me. Only then did the punching stop, and Wang Chil collapsed to the floor.
Thud!
"Haa! Haa! Haa! Haa!"
I let out rough breaths. Whispering sounds could be heard from behind.
"Vicious guy. The match was already decided with the headbutt..."
"No. Is it only once or twice that King Fist knocked down an opponent while unconscious? To ensure victory, you have to do that."
"As expected of Viper. Even the mighty King Fist couldn't handle him."
This is the rear garden of the Ten Thousand Power Inn.
Behind me and Wang Chil, dozens of bulky strongmen were lined up in a row.
And in front of those giants sat men with fierce impressions, one each, who looked like bosses to anyone watching.
The strongman sitting behind me, appearing to be in his mid-thirties, stood up.
He spoke with a relaxed expression.
"Iron Dog (Cheol-gu), with this, it has been decided that the Red Flower Pavilion is the territory of our Seven Stars Society. It was a fair match, so you have no complaints, right?"
The strongman sitting on the opposite chair, Iron Dog, frowned and stood up.
"Damn it. Don't think this is the end, One Star (Il-seong)."
He glanced at One Star once, then sent a gaze toward me.
'What? What are you going to do by looking?'
I shrugged my shoulders looking at Iron Dog.
Iron Dog, who glared at me for a moment, turned his body abruptly. Following him, the strongmen also left the venue.
They didn't even spare a glance at the fallen Wang Chil.
"Hahaha."
Bursting into laughter, One Star approached and patted my shoulder.
"Good work, Viper."
"What good work. If you think so, give me more money."
"Of course. We're planning to have a company dinner to celebrate taking over the Red Flower Pavilion, will you join us?"
I waved my hand in refusal.
"I have business."
"It's a chance to eat your fill for free... Well, if you don't want to, I won't force you."
Saying that, he took out a small money pouch from his bosom and threw it to me.
"I put in enough so you won't be disappointed. Now, everyone let's go inside the inn!"
At One Star's words, the strongmen let out a shout.
Waaaaah!
"..."
There is a tacit agreement that disputes between underworld gangs are resolved through proxy wars like this.
Maybe for small organizations, but for large organizations, fighting each other only results in the winner being swallowed by another organization with intact forces.
The involvement of the government office is also a problem.
That's why professional brawlers like us are needed. Since we aren't members of either organization, there's no reason for grudges to pile up and lead to revenge after revenge.
Therefore, recruiting skilled brawlers is also very important.
'Thanks to that, we make a living.'
Of course, big jobs like this aren't frequent.
After the Seven Stars Society left, only I and the fallen Wang Chil remained in the venue.
"..."
I slightly opened the pouch. Seven silver taels lying neatly were emitting a brilliant light.
'Hehehe.'
A smile naturally rose to my lips.
'One Star, that guy is generous as expected.'
Originally, the agreed money was six taels of silver, but he put in one more.
I giggled and tucked the pouch into my bosom. Then I carefully touched my face.
'Ouch.'
I feel a little pain, but this is very good condition.
'Good, this much is enough with just a day's rest.'
It seems there won't be any problem with the duel in two days.
I looked down quietly at the fallen Wang Chil and opened my mouth.
"Hey, get up now."
At my words, the fallen Wang Chil's body flinched.
"...Did you know?"
"Of course. Do I not know you? There's no way you'd be down for that long."
"Tsk."
Wang Chil slowly raised his body. He blocked one nostril and blew his nose.
"Hmph!"
Snot mixed with blood fell to the floor. I frowned and turned my head away.
"Ew, dirty."
Wang Chil shook his head and grumbled.
"It's your fault for punching even though the match was decided."
"Why is that my fault? It's your fault for having thrown a punch at an opponent even after losing consciousness before."
"Don't be funny. Then what about smashing other opponents?"
"That is, well..."
Professional brawlers like us don't know when or where we might meet again.
'I tried to instill fear for that time.'
But as expected of Wang Chil. My intention doesn't seem to have worked at all.
"You, your fists aren't the only hard things?"
I tapped my forehead and said.
"Originally, secret weapons should be hidden as much as possible."
"What a waste. Now you can't use it, can you?"
"Not a waste at all. Because I used it to beat the mighty King Fist."
"..."
"Besides, guys facing me in the future will have to worry about my head too, right?"
"Ha, as expected of Viper."
Wang Chil, who was inadvertently trying to take a step, staggers.
"Ugh."
I quickly supported him.
"This, King Fist's face is ruined, isn't it? Are you okay?"
"...Thanks."
"Don't mention it. If I support you home, it's twenty copper coins (Mun / 鈫)?"
Wang Chil opens his mouth as if appalled.
"Vicious guy. You won and even got paid."
Saying that, he pushes me away.
"Forget it. I already worked for nothing today, I can't take a loss."
This is the worst part for proxy war brawlers. If you lose, you don't get a single penny.
"I don't care if you fall and break your nose."
"Hmph. Do I look that weak to you?"
Even while walking like that, he stumbles.
Wang Chil's expression naturally distorted.
"Damn. My head is still ringing."
"Thirty copper coins. It's not too late even now."
"Don't need it. Support from a man smelling of sweat."
Bickering like that, Wang Chil and I came out of the Ten Thousand Power Inn and continued walking.
Since it was the outskirts of Changsha, there were hardly any passersby even though it was a main road.
"...Now there aren't many opponents left for you in Changsha, right?"
"Of course. Since I even defeated King Fist."
However, Wang Chil's thoughts seem a little different.
"It's still too early. 'War Demon ' and 'Iron Dragon' remain, don't they?"
Viper, King Fist, War Demon, Iron Dragon.
These are the four with the highest ransom among brawlers in Changsha right now.
"Well. Iron Dragon is below King Fist, and War Demon hasn't been seen much lately, has he?"
"He'll return someday. And that guy has a record of beating you, doesn't he?"
"Nonsense. When was that? Have I ever lost again to an opponent I lost to once?"
Wang Chil smirked and shook his head.
"No. That's why you're Viper."
"You know well."
"Still, War Demon is a bit different. You have to defeat him to become the true best brawler in Changsha. Even I am not confident against that guy."
I nodded coolly.
"I admit that. But eventually, I will win."
War Demon is certainly something, but in my view, he's at a similar level to Wang Chil.
'That much, I can sufficiently win.'
Wang Chil frowned as if he didn't like it.
"Yeah, if it's Viper, it might be possible."
I made a surprised expression.
"Oh? Are you serious?"
"It would be troubling if you couldn't do even that much after beating me. Not saying this because I lost to you... but you are a truly amazing guy. To be at this level even without one eye."
It was hard to hold back laughter.
"Hahaha, this isn't bad? To be acknowledged by King Fist."
"It's not empty words. I don't know if you know... but I've been watching you since you first appeared in the fighting ring."
Oh? Really? I didn't know that.
"It gave me goosebumps. I thought you had the talent to reach the top spot in this field someday."
"..."
When I first jumped into this field, I was only fifteen.
I had superior physical conditions compared to my peers and there were various temptations, but after careful consideration, I decided to become a professional brawler.
And three years.
'Finally, such a day comes.'
Even for me, I wasn't strong from the start.
Amidst everyone's ridicule, experiencing countless defeats, I gradually became stronger.
But even then, I had a venom that ensured I would absolutely never lose again to an opponent I had lost to once.
That's why I was called the 'Viper' of the fighting ring.
Wang Chil smiled bitterly.
"I expected you to surpass me someday, but I thought it would take two or three more years..."
His age is now twenty-eight.
A whopping ten years older than me. Before I stood out, he was a strongman always counted among the top three professional brawlers.
"Anyway, what do I do about feeling sorry? Since you lost to me, your ransom will drop a lot."
"Hmph, saying things you don't mean... It was bound to happen someday. Don't let your guard down either."
"I will absolutely not lose anymore."
"Oh really?"
"Because I decided to do so."
Seeing the look in my eyes, Wang Chil narrowed his eyes.
"You, you have some goal, don't you?"
"Of course. Do you think I'll keep touching petty cash staying in the Wave Market?"
Wang Chil also realized what I meant.
"That place... is too dangerous."
"That's why I'm building up experience step by step like this, isn't it?"
"..."
There is one more place where brawlers are active besides Gladiator Matches and proxy fights.
A secret place boiling with blood and desire where one fights opponents like fighting dogs in an arena blocked on all sides by barbed wire.
It is precisely the Underground Arena (Ji-ha-tu-gi-jang / 地下鬪技場).
A shambles where just two people fight risking their lives; if you lose, even your life cannot be guaranteed.
'The reward is as great as the danger.'
If you win there, you can touch a considerable fortune.
"The best brawler in Changsha is symbolic. That I am ready to enter the Underground Arena."
"Hmm. Then is your final goal to be the Supreme Ruler of the Underground Arena?"
"That is..."
At that moment, Wang Chil raised his arm to stop me, and I had also already stopped walking before he gave the signal.
Wang Chil stared at the dark alley ahead and muttered low.
"...Is it the Iron Dog Gang?"
"Probably."
Wang Chil grabbed my arm and said.
"Let's go around."
"What nonsense."
I bared my white teeth.
"I have to let them know for sure who I am."
"Viper..."
"Yeah, I am Viper."
I thrust my body into the darkness without hesitation.
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