Chapter 32 - Muay Thai vs Karate

The next day, Vernon was gasping for air in front of the gym after completing all his Muay Thai missions and mastering every technique—Punch, Elbow, Kick, Knees, Clinch.

He collapsed to his knees, his stamina completely drained from training non-stop until dawn. Yet, despite his exhaustion, a part of him was thrilled. He had finally mastered all the Muay Thai techniques, and his level had increased, but to his surprise, it changed to an F rank.

'Why did I drop to an F?' Vernon muttered in protest, feeling like all his training was for nothing.

[The number represents your Muay Thai training level, while the letter represents your Muay Thai skill. The rank will increase as you gain more experience using it.]

'Now, I get it. Alright, time to master another martial art. Give me the new skill martial art.'

[Alright.]

[Main Quest: Defeat someone using Muay Thai!]

[Reward: You will receive a Rare Card System.]

'Fu*k! I just ran out of stamina!' Vernon groaned in frustration.

[Even though the system provides you with an easy way to learn martial arts, you must still hone the skills the system has given you.]

Vernon sighed heavily. He couldn't argue with the system's logic, and besides, he was curious to try out his newly learned Muay Thai moves.

'But who should I sparring with? Marino? No way! He'll kill me!'

He thought hard, trying to come up with a name of someone who could help him.

"I know!" he exclaimed, rushing toward the trainers' quarters and knocking on one of the doors. Vernon checked the clock—it was still five in the morning, so there was time to ask Mico for a sparring session.

After a moment, Mico emerged, his expression cold and distant.

Vernon instinctively took a step back, feeling Mico's intimidating presence.

"What do you want?"

Vernon froze, his words stuck in his throat. Mico hadn't been the same since Colin left.

"I... I want to spar with you, coach," Vernon said, trying to sound confident.

"I don't have time," Mico replied, brushing past him without a second thought.

"Just this once, please!" Vernon urged, following him down the hall.

"No."

"I'm begging—"

Mico stopped abruptly and turned to face him, his gaze piercing. "Stop whining like a child! If you want to spar, ask your trainer or someone in your group!"

With that, Mico walked off, leaving Vernon standing there, frustrated.

Vernon sighed deeply. It seemed like everyone had started to hate him.

"I'll spar with you."

Vernon turned toward the unfamiliar voice. He narrowed his eyes at the lean, muscular figure standing nearby.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Jaxon, a C-rank boxer." Though he didn't smile, there was no hostility in his tone.

Still, Vernon gave him a wary look.

"I want to spar with you," Jaxon repeated.

"No thanks. I'll train alone," Vernon said quickly, moving to leave. He didn't want to risk unnecessary conflict.

"What's the matter? Don't tell me you're afraid of me," Jaxon mocked, a teasing edge in his voice.

Vernon stopped, irritation building. "I'm not afraid of anyone," he said firmly.

"Oh yeah? That's because Robinson always has your back." Jaxon smirked.

Vernon gritted his teeth, frustrated at being constantly linked to Robinson. He forced himself to remain calm. Arguing wouldn't help. Everyone at Vagon already resented him.

He ignored Jaxon and started walking again.

"You're such a coward. You got rid of Colin by playing dirty!"

Vernon froze and turned, his eyes blazing. "What are you talking about?"

"I know you asked Robinson to get rid of Colin so you could take his spot."

"Don't make baseless accusations."

"If that's not true, then explain how you suddenly ranked up the moment Colin left?" Jaxon challenged.

Vernon fell silent.

"I've seen you fight Oliver and Colin. You don't deserve to be a B-rank boxer with punches as weak as yours."

Anger flared in Vernon. He stormed over to Jaxon, grabbing his collar and glaring at him.

"Don't ever underestimate me, you bastard!"

"Look." Jaxon grinned. "You can't control your temper. That proves I'm right."

"Shut up! If you want a fight, fine! But don't complain when you can't walk for a week after I'm done with you!"

CRACK!

Jaxon stumbled back as Vernon headbutted him, blood gushing from his nose.

Wasting no time, Vernon delivered a diagonal kick toward Jaxon's ribs, but Jaxon blocked it with ease.

"That's your best kick? Is this really a B-rank fighter?" Jaxon laughed mockingly.

Vernon quickly followed up with a straight Teep kick to Jaxon's chest, but Jaxon crossed his arms, effortlessly blocking it again.

'Damn it! How is he blocking everything? Are my kicks really this weak?' Vernon thought in frustration.

WHAM!

Vernon groaned as Jaxon landed a low kick to his groin, damaging the muscles in his thigh. Now, it would be nearly impossible for him to kick effectively.

Still, Vernon refused to give up. He pushed himself to stand, but Jaxon quickly spun into a tornado kick, slamming it straight into Vernon's head.

THUD!

Vernon crashed to the ground, face-first, his head throbbing and vision blurring.

Even though karate kicks weren't as powerful as Muay Thai kicks, the speed and precision couldn't be denied.

[I warned you not to push yourself with that special daily mission, Host. Now you're seeing the consequences.]

'Shut up! You need to help me!' Vernon screamed internally.

[I can't help without the Card System or Coin System, Host.]

'Damn it!'

Struggling to his feet, Vernon saw Jaxon waiting coldly, knowing he could knock Vernon down again if he stood. Jaxon wasn't just trying to beat him—he wanted to see Vernon suffer.

'It's not over yet.' Vernon raised his fists and slowly shifted his feet, locking eyes with Jaxon like a hawk preparing for its prey.

"You don't know when to quit, do you? That just makes me more eager to crush you!" Jaxon taunted.

He threw a hook aimed at Vernon's jaw, but Vernon managed to block it. Vernon countered with a punch to Jaxon's ribs, but it barely phased him.

With a swift move, Jaxon delivered an uppercut, sending Vernon's head snapping back.

Jaxon settled into his karate stance, arms raised, one leg forward.

"I'm going to make sure you never compete in the Vagon tournament. Scum like you don't deserve to be there. Only those who train hard do!"

Jaxon charged forward, jumping into the air, landing a hard kick into Vernon's ribs.

Vernon lay on the floor, unable to move as Jaxon stomped on his ribs, the sickening sound of bones cracking echoing through the room.

Curled up in pain, Vernon groaned.

"You're pathetic. This place is hell. Only the strong survive, and the weak… they're just victims." Jaxon spat before walking away, leaving Vernon in agony.

Tears streamed down Vernon's face, mixing with the sweat soaking his body. The pain in his ribs was unbearable, and every movement made the broken bones grind against each other.

'Damn it! Damn it!' Vernon cursed himself. He had prepared so hard for the tournament, but Jaxon had destroyed everything.

'You bastard, JAXON!'