The First Fight of the Night [1]

Shortly before the tournament began, Miguel found Max in the locker room, preparing for his fight. "So, you're finally stepping into the ring," he said.

"Excited?" Max asked as he tightened his gloves, noticing Miguel standing by the door.

Even for someone not participating, the thrill of live fights was contagious. The adrenaline coursed through the air, making everyone feel as though they were in the ring themselves.

Of course, Miguel wasn't an exception.

He was ecstatic, not having imagined that Max was actually a fighter. Tonight, he would witness fights he might never get to see again. Yet, despite his excitement, a part of him worried about Max's seemingly reckless decision to fight after having refused to do so before.

"I'm impressed by the venue, but are you confident you can take on those guys with tattoos?" Miguel asked, recalling the intimidating opponents he had seen.

Max, his face now glistening with a thin layer of sweat, gave a confident smile. "Since I joined Cobra Kai, you'll see exactly what I'm capable of."

...

At the mansion, in the cleared-out area with a combat arena, around six hundred people had gathered.

There were no seats. Anyone who wanted a good view had to crowd close to the ring but stay behind the safety barriers where the VIPs were stationed.

Off to the side, a leaderboard displayed the names of over twenty participants, divided into brackets.

"Everyone, you've waited long enough, and now we're finally here... Many of you have been craving real fights, ones with barely any rules. Tonight, you're about to witness what true combat is all about."

The competitors were all street fighters, some with reputations forged in other underground tournaments.

Max understood the stakes. To avoid unnecessary risks, he needed to win quickly using his best techniques. In fights like these, where there was nothing to prove, speed was the key to avoiding injury.

"Let the fights begin!"

Max glanced at the arena and the leaderboard directly in front of him.

"Play it safe. We'll be cheering for you from here," Devon said, encouraging him with a pat on the shoulder.

"Will you take me home if I lose?"

Devon smirked. "We'll leave you lying here if you lose, so make sure to beat all these arrogant idiots."

Miguel chimed in, "I'd take you to my place, but I can't drive. And even if we called a taxi, I wouldn't know how to direct them here..."

Devon shot Miguel a death glare, silencing him instantly. He realized he was interfering with Max's motivation.

Max chuckled, his focus shifting as he began assessing everyone who might be an obstacle to his victory.

"Max, you're up first," Ryan said, approaching his friend.

"Got any intel?"

"His name's Billy. He's Russian but not as tough as some of the other opponents you'll face."

With that, Max said goodbye to his friends and stepped into the arena. The noise was overwhelming.

"Are you ready?! Both fighters to the center."

"Face each other!"

Max stared down at his opponent, clenching his fists tightly. The guy standing across from him was built like an adult, even though he was barely twenty.

"They call you The Cyclops. Honestly, that nickname sounds like crap." Billy jeered.

He was a large, robust fighter. Max knew one careless hit from him could end the fight.

When the announcer signaled the start of the fight, Billy couldn't believe they'd paired him against a blind opponent. It seemed like a joke to him, so he approached leisurely.

"Let me take it easy on you!" Billy taunted, throwing a long kick with enough force to incapacitate most fighters.

Unfortunately for Billy, his attack lacked speed. Max, much faster, dodged effortlessly.

Thud!

As Max evaded the kick, his calm expression shifted to one of intensity. Spotting an opening in Billy's stance, he pivoted and delivered a powerful kick to his opponent's thigh.

The force behind it exceeded even Max's expectations. He had underestimated his own strength against someone of Billy's size.

Bam!

"Aaaah!"

Billy collapsed, rolling on the ground and clutching his injured leg.

"Finish him!"

"Kill him!"

The crowd roared, demanding Max to keep attacking the downed fighter. But Max wasn't that kind of fighter. He waited, giving Billy the chance to stand.

"One kick was enough?" Seeing this, Max felt disheartened. The fight wasn't even worth continuing.

He circled the ring, watching as Billy struggled to get back on his feet. Max's gaze fixated on the red, swollen bruise forming on Billy's thigh.