Chapter 234

After struggling for a while. Otto gradually regained consciousness. Sinc

e he'd fallen face–

first. he had lost his front teeth, contributing even further to his dish

eveled appearance.

"What happened?" He shook his head, confusion lining his features.

He remembered the surge of power he felt as he reveled in his mastery bar

ely seconds ago before weakness

seized him, and he found himself lying on the floo

"Otto, you were knocked out by that guy just now!" Julie told him, her ex

pression strange. She'd initially thought

Otto would be able to defend her–

contrary to her beliefs, the first punch found him sprawled on the

floor, unconscious the next instant.

"Knocked out?" Otto was slightly taken aback. He touched his throbbing fa

ce, an argument bursting forth.

Fuck that! I must have slipped and lost my balance. That brat would never

have been able to hurt me

otherwise!"

His declaration elicited a flurry of nods through the crowd.

"That's right! With Otto's strength, it would've been beyond effortless f

or him to take that guy down. If it hadn't been for a moment of carelessn

ess on his part, how else could that guy manage to sneak in an attack?"

"Exactly! Otto must've been careless and didn't dodge it on time!"

Otto's strength

and skills were common knowledge among them all. After more than a decade

of professional kickboxing training and championship titles under his bel

t, his capabilities were unquestionable. If it hadn't been for

him underestimating the opponent, he would never have been taken down in

just one move.

"Oh, just admit that you lost and move on. What's the use in trying to ma

ke all sorts of excuses for yourself? With your mediocre martial arts ski

lls, you wouldn't even be able to hold your own against Dustin even if he

only used one hand." Ruth rolled her eyes.

She'd never seen anyone so shameless–his

defiance and feigned bravado despite having been taken down squarely by t

he opponent irked her to no end.

"Hey! Don't talk to me like that!" Otto glared in response. "People make

mistakes. Hell, even the strongest. horses stumble. You think that little

brat is impressive? You think he's better than me? Fine! Let him fight m

e again–

fair and square. I, for one, am interested in seeing what he's capable of

."

"What he said! If you have the guts, let Rhys fight Otto in the

battle ring and see who's the real man!" Julie and

the others chimed in.

At the end of the day, all of them were convinced

that Dustin had only won out of sheer luck. When it came to

strength and pure skill, Otto reigned superior.

"What? Do you not have the guts to face me like a man?"

The longer Dustin remained silent, the more arrogant Otto became. "I knew

it! That brat had always been all

talk and no show. He would never be able to stand up to the challenge!"

"He only knows how to attack when someone's back is turned. He's evidentl

y too much of a coward to fight.

head–

on. Guess that's the most people like him can ever achieve anyway."

Disdain took over the room instantly. Any

surprise they'd initially felt was soon replaced by contempt. To them. Du

stin's reluctance to rise to Otto's challenge was the greatest sign of hi

s quilt.

"Look! The Harmons are here!" someone exclaimed out of nowhere.

The rest of them followed the direction of their gaze, only to behold a g

roup led by Natasha entering from the passageway on the left.

The King of Kicks, Mr. Wangley, Stephan, Jessica, and Quentin, among othe

rs, were present as well.

"No way! I didn't think they'd bring Mr. Chapman along today. Now that th

ey did, they must be determined to win!" Otto's face was a picture of sur

prise when he caught sight of Stephan in the crowd.

"Who's Mr. Chapman? Is he a good fighter?" Julie asked tentatively.

"He is much more than that," Otto began. "Mr. Chapman is the best of the

best. He's one of the best among The Hundred Immortals–skill–

wise, it's hard to find someone in Swinton who can rival his abilities!"

"The best among The Hundred Immortals? No wonder his aura stands out! The

way he carries himself is truly remarkable." A group of disciples watche

d Stephan make his entrance fervently, their eyes gleaming with

respect.

After all, anyone who could make it into The Hundred Immortals demanded e

very shred of respect they could possibly offer.

Otto, do you know Mr. Chapman?" Julie asked with interest. It was, undoub

tedly, an honor to be acquainted with such a renowned master of martial a

rts in Swinton.

"Do I know him? I don't just know him–

I had the privilege to learn a few tricks from him, and I'm still reaping

the benefits from his invaluable lessons today!" Otto's voice dripped wi

th pride.

"Of course you did! To have learned from Mr. Chapman is such an incredibl

e achievement in itself. I envy you!"

"No wonder you fight so well, Otto. The apple doesn't fall far from the t

ree, indeed!"

The praises lavished upon him made Otto feel rather high and mighty.

As they were still engaged in conversation, Stephan walked over suddenly.

"Otto! Here comes Mr. Chapman! He seems to be walking toward you!" Julie

said with excitement.

"Quick! Prepare to welcome Mr. Chapman properly!"

Otto's face lit up. He adjusted his clothes hastily and went up to Stepha

n with the rest of his followers.

"Mr. Chap-" he began fawningly.

Unexpectedly, Stephan barely spared him a single glance. Instead, he side

stepped him and, under the watchful and somewhat astonished gaze of the b

ewildered group, the renowned master walked up to Dustin, raised his arms

in the universal gesture of respect, and intoned gravely, "Greetings, Mr

. Rhys-"