The moment Lin Fang’s boots touched the dueling ground, a faint ripple spread through the spectators. From the upper floor, someone narrowed their eyes at the familiar design of the mask.

“That black wolf mask…” the person muttered. “Isn’t this…”

Down below, Lin Fang lifted his head and looked straight at Adam. His posture was loose, almost casual, yet there was a quiet pressure radiating from him.

“Duels without any stakes are boring,” Lin Fang said. His voice came out deeper through the mask, steady and unhurried. “Don’t you think so?”

Adam’s brows knitted together. “Then what do you want to stake?”

A low chuckle escaped Lin Fang. “Relax, brother. High-stake duels turn into real battles. I’m not here for that.” He raised a finger slightly. “Just a harmless bet. Ten thousand credits.”

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder.

Lin Fang continued calmly, “Your rule stands. No abilities. Mana can only be used to strengthen fists and legs. Three minutes.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “For every clean hit on the upper body, one point. Hands and legs don’t count. Whoever has more points wins. What do you say?”

Adam stared at him for a second, then blinked twice. A grin slowly spread across his face. “I like you.” He tilted his head. “What’s your name, brother?”

“Call me Alpha,” Lin Fang replied without hesitation.

“Alpha?” Adam repeated, amused. “Alright then.” He slapped his chest lightly. “I’m Dom.”

Behind the mask, Lin Fang’s lips curved upward. “Alright, Dom. Let’s begin.”

Adam slammed his fists together, the sharp sound echoing through the hall, and charged forward without warning.

Up above, Lin Mei’s fingers tightened around the railing. Her eyes followed Adam’s movements, worry and curiosity twisting together in her chest.

Adam closed the distance in an instant and threw a straight punch aimed at Lin Fang’s chest.

Lin Fang shifted half a step to the side.

The punch sliced through empty air, Adam’s momentum carrying him past. He turned quickly, surprise flashing across his face.

Adam didn’t stop. He unleashed a flurry of punches, fast and precise, each one driven by refined muscle memory. Yet none of them landed. Lin Fang moved with minimal effort, his body gliding just out of reach each time.

It wasn’t simple dodging.

From above, Lin Mei’s eyes widened. It looked as though Lin Fang already knew where every punch would go before it was thrown.

Nearly a full minute passed with the same result.

Adam’s fists cut through the air again and again, sharp and fast, but they never found their mark. Each time, Lin Fang slipped aside by the smallest margin, his movements calm, almost lazy.

Adam finally stopped. His chest rose and fell as he looked at the masked man with clear frustration. “You’re really planning to dodge for the entire duel?” he said. “This isn’t fun at all.”

Lin Fang tilted his head slightly. His voice came out steady through the mask. “Just because it isn’t fun for you doesn’t mean it isn’t fun for me, Adam.”

Adam froze.

The annoyance on his face vanished, replaced by surprise. His brows drew together as he stared hard at Lin Fang. “Who are you?” he demanded. “How do you know my name?”

A soft chuckle echoed from behind the wolf mask. “I’ll tell you,” Lin Fang replied, “if you win this duel.”

Adam’s expression hardened. He lowered his stance, spreading his legs wider as his muscles tightened. The air around him seemed to tense along with his body.

“Fine,” he said coldly. “In that case… alright.”

He clenched his fists and suddenly spun, punching the air with explosive force.

A sharp gust of wind surged forward.

Lin Fang reacted instantly, pushing off the ground and leaping high into the air. The wind brushed past beneath him, missing by a narrow margin. But as gravity pulled him down, his eyes narrowed.

Adam was already moving.

He charged forward and launched a powerful punch straight at Lin Fang’s descending body.

Lin Fang knew he couldn’t dodge. He was midair, and abilities were forbidden. If that punch landed, he would lose a point.

So he made his choice.

He thrust his palm forward.

Fist and palm collided.

The impact exploded outward with a dull, thunderous sound. The force blasted both men away, their bodies sliding across the floor in opposite directions.

Lin Fang skidded to a stop, boots scraping harshly. Adam did the same several meters away, digging his feet in to steady himself.

Adam slowly raised his right hand.

It was trembling.

He stared at it, eyes wide, disbelief flickering across his face. The shock traveled up his arm, lingering deep in his bones.

Across from him, Lin Fang also looked down at his own hand. His fingers shook slightly before he curled them in. His eyes narrowed behind the mask.

“That punch…” Lin Fang murmured. “I didn’t expect that much power.”

Inside his mind, a familiar voice laughed softly.

“It’s foolish to think you’re the only one who’s grown stronger in the past three months, kiddo, Alpha said. And remember, your true strength lies in technique, not raw power.”

Lin Fang exhaled slowly and clenched his fists, grounding himself. He lifted his gaze back to Adam. “I’ll admit it,” he said evenly. “I overestimated myself after clearing so many dungeons. Hunters really are different from monsters.”

Meanwhile, Adam blinked once, then looked down at his still-trembling hand. He clenched it tightly, veins bulging along his forearm. A grin spread across his face, wild and excited.

Mana surged through his body.

He roared, pouring power into his muscles and bones. His frame expanded slightly, muscles swelling as his upper clothes tore apart with sharp ripping sounds, fabric falling away to reveal a body built for pure combat.

Adam rolled his shoulders, fists clenched, eyes burning with intent. “Come,” he said, voice low and fierce. “I’ll show you exactly how hunters are different.”

Lin Fang stepped forward.

In the same instant, mana flooded into his legs, and his figure blurred. The distance between them vanished in the blink of an eye.

Adam’s fist swung out of instinct, fast and heavy, but it never found its target. Lin Fang caught the punch for a fraction of a second, just long enough to twist it downward. The motion pulled Adam’s balance off-center. Before he could react, Lin Fang slid in close, seized his arm, and slipped behind him.

A short, controlled tap landed squarely on Adam’s upper back.

At the same time, Lin Fang’s foot hooked and kicked the side of Adam’s right leg.

Adam’s strength worked against him. His body tilted, then crashed to the ground with a dull thud.

Lin Fang released him immediately and stepped back, hands relaxed at his sides. He didn’t press the advantage. He didn’t follow up.

The room went quiet.

From the upper floor, murmurs spread through the crowd.

“What was that move?”

“It looked clean… but also kind of dirty.”

“Feels like a street-fight technique.”

Lin Mei stared down at the scene, her breath caught in her throat.

On the ground, Adam pushed himself up slightly, eyes wide with disbelief. He turned his head and looked at Lin Fang, his mind replaying what had just happened.

The grip. The angle. The timing.

His chest tightened.

That move… it was his.

A variant he had created himself, blending practical strikes and off-balancing techniques from Krav Maga. A move designed for real fights, not showy duels. A move he had only ever taught to one person.

Lin Fang stood a short distance away and spoke through the mask, his tone calm. “What do you think?” he asked. “Do you think I’ve finally mastered that variant move?”

Adam’s lips parted. His voice trembled as the realization hit him fully. “Brother Lin…?”

Lin Fang reached up and slowly lifted the wolf mask. His familiar face appeared beneath it, wearing a gentle smile.

“Hello there, Brother Adam,” he said. “It’s been a while.”

For a moment, Adam stood there without a word.

Then he burst out laughing.

“Bro… hahaha…” He strode forward and wrapped Lin Fang in a tight hug, his laughter echoing through the hall.

Lin Fang returned the embrace, patting Adam’s back with familiar ease. The tension from the duel melted away, replaced by something warm and long-missed.

Adam pulled back, hands gripping Lin Fang’s shoulders as he looked him up and down. His eyes shone with disbelief and pride. “Look at you,” he said, shaking his head. “You used to be a plainfolk with almost zero chance in the hunter world. And now…” He let out a breathy laugh. “Man, I don’t even know what to say.”

He paused, then added with a crooked grin, “I knew something was off the moment you kept dodging my punches so easily.”

Lin Fang shrugged, smiling helplessly. “My body just remembers it. Muscle memory doesn’t lie.”

Before Adam could say more, a heavy thud echoed from above.

Someone jumped down from the upper floor and landed solidly on the dueling ground. The impact drew every eye in the room. The man who straightened up had a massive build, his muscles packed tight beneath his clothes like coiled steel.

Zack.

Lin Fang and Adam both turned toward him. Lin Fang’s brows furrowed slightly. He remembered this man clearly. The one he had offended earlier with a careless comment.

Zack looked at them with open disdain. “That show you two put on,” he said flatly, “wasn’t satisfying at all. If anything, it was boring.”

Adam’s expression darkened. “Who are you?”

Lin Fang lifted a hand calmly. “Brother, let me handle this.”

He stepped forward, taking a few measured steps before stopping. His gaze settled on Zack, steady and unflinching. “Alright,” Lin Fang said. “I’ll humor you. But I don’t fight without stakes.”

Zack’s lips curled into a grin. “Good.” His eyes gleamed. “No rules. Five minutes. We fight until one of us accepts defeat or can’t stand anymore.”

The room grew quiet.

“The stake,” Zack continued, voice heavy with confidence, “is one million credits.”

He leaned forward slightly. “Do you dare accept?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep