Inferior Muscle Lock

Squatting on a stretched leg, Noah behaved like a feather as he bent away and struck the arm multiple times before jumping back.

Water Rise didn't stop but slammed his left leg down and follow with a jab, he can feel the side of his fist brushing Noah's face and how it generate a heat that scrap some skin off Noah but that was all, Noah was under him now,  and with more palm slam on Water Rise two knees before he went around him and create distance

Both of them breathe out and reset. Noah has a burning pain on his face but he can't be concerned with it. 

Then they continue to face each other in a coordinated strategic fight. Water Rise was clearly faster and stronger but Noah was just a monster at dodging and attacking while also predicting movements.

Three minutes into the intense exchange, Water Rise managed to land a punch but the famous balloon scenarios appeared, but then he stepped fast and connected more. 

However, Noah clung to his arm and somehow used the rebound and transferred the force to strike with a swinging palm at Water Rise's chest.

But that didn't do a thing as another weaker punch sent Noah back. He rolled and stood panting. 

Water Rise breathed deep and then amped his muscles and then stepped forward. 

Noah smiled and said, "Inferior Muscle Lock!"

No one understood until they began to fight, Water Rise's punch wasn't connecting and he began to sweat at every move. He then stopped moving around, gradually, he stopped moving and his face contorted with pain.

Blood came out of his nose and he stood there almost falling down. Every move he made sent a wave of pain to him. And as an overgrown child that was trusted to deal with the nimble Noah, he couldn't push forward. 

*INFERIOR MUSCLE LOCK!" 

"WINNER… TENDER SLAP!"

Shifting Steel Knighthood focused on body techniques, specifically muscle strength and usage. It was easy for Noah to find a way to lock muscles.

And it wasn't him that locked the muscles but rather he just made it possible when Water Rise amped his muscles.

Water Rise now needs days to regain his muscles back to normal. The referee knew that there was no more fight after that.

"Water Rise what happened!" Someone shouted from the audience but Water Rise was in a wave of pain.

"Relax. You will be fine!" Noah said.

"TENDER SLAP! Rank 67 Group B!"

"Come collect your token!" An old man at the top of the high chamber said. Noah looked at Gaggard and he nodded. 

Noah went and bowed to the old man but the old man moved and slammed Noah's chest with his palm. Noah wasn't able to react in time and he was sent flying across the arena and slammed into the wall.

"Punishment Palm!" The old man said. He was known as Leader HH, the leader of Hollow Hills underground pit that Noah was now.

Noah's eyes blur as he bled from his nose. In the end, he passed out. Several hours later, he woke up in pain.

"Welcome back. Tender Slap!" Gaggard said, full of a smile. Noah wanted to sit but couldn't, his back and head ache and his chest were numb.

Two females that he never saw came and aided him to sitting. He was on a flat smooth boulder and it was warm to the touch.

"You are in a special healer's place on a special rock bed. So don't worry, you are safe. And… while you eat, ask any question you want. You are after all a free man!"

A series of sumptuous meals were arranged before him. Noah didn't ask a thing but first filled his stomach. But every move he made with his hand, pained him.

"Rank 1! He is definitely ranked 1!' Noah thought. After filling his stomach he burped and then asked. " Why was I hit!"

"Because they don't like you. And also to test you. You see, the underground Leader had subordinates and they took Fighters. Water Rise was one of them and a promising young lad that they groomed for the upcoming tournament"

"He is not bad!" Noah said.

"I think you should change your fighting style. The referee said he can see some other style in you and if you use fist rather than palm you may have a better result"

"I'm a survivor of a great clan. A warrior clan. Using a fist against a bunch of nobodies is overkill. But I'm not arrogant to say I will not use it but not against weaker opponents!"

"A warrior clan? Hmm. Well, I put your name in the tournaments but they did not agree because you are new in Group B. However, I beat them with reason saying that you are powerful enough to participate. So, they staged Water Rise to be your opponent with a belief that his big body can tank your slaps. And if you lose you will not participate and if you win you will participate. "

"So, now I need to participate. What tournament is it!"

"It happens every 1 month. Winners get themselves in Group A. While losers remain in Group B. But, I don't think you can participate because it will start in five days!" Gaggard said before he added.

"If you can recover before then, that will be great! However, you can choose to leave and go back to the surface!"

"Nah, I'm staying. I want to perfect my shaping techniques. As a free man, what do I get!" Noah asked.

"Win Points. Here in the Unground Pit, it's all about winning. The fighter that won a fight will be given 1 point. If you win 10 straight fights you will gain ×2 Points. That means every fight will earn you 2 points as long as you continue your streak of winning. If you lose the Multiplier will reset to ×1. However, if you achieve another 10 wins you have ×3 Points. That will continue. Points are a currency and it is more valuable than gold because you can buy almost everything on sale. Some items can't be bought without connection and referral from Underground Leaders but with enough points, you can bypass that!"

"Hmm!" Noah nodded and asked more questions.