Ryker's First Match

 With his match being the first for the day, Ryker quickly followed the guard to the stage. He assumed the reason for him being the first is because most people, the Duke included, likely thought the match would be lackluster and end quickly, with him being the loser.

 Well, he was about to prove them wrong. When he got to his corner of the stage, he waited patiently for both his opponent and the referee to begin the match. He tried to stop himself from smiling, though he was still smiling inwardly.

 The people will get the entertainment they want.

-x-

 When the referee started the match, most people assumed that the fighter with the cultivation realm of 9th Stage Genesis Source would be the winner and end the fight quickly. Even though the winner of the Lower Bracket had created a great upset, beating a 2nd Stage Genesis Source expert with a slap, the gap between the cultivation realm this time is just too large.

 While most people assumed Ryker's quick and utter defeat, a select few knew it wouldn't be this way, namely, his lovers, the president of Kilrun Capital City's Craftsman Alliance, and the head of the local Adventure Guild.

 The latter two knew about the upset he had created when he defeated several Genesis Source experts with ease, some even being at the peak of the realm while the head of the Adventure Guild also knew of the leader of the Adventure Guild of Birak Kingdom's branch and sub-branches interest on the young man.

 With that, they expect him to create a serious upset.

-x-

 The big man smiled. While he was genuinely sorry for the fact he had to beat someone weaker, in the end, the prize was the only thing that mattered. He knew his chances of winning were low with the assortment of powerful fighters in the tournament but as long as he did his best, he could beat all of them.

 His punch, one that he held back slightly to not kill the young man hit the young man. He waits for the referee to announce his victory, his confidence in his strength is high. When the referee didn't announce his victory, he frowned before looking at the young man.

 His jaw went unhinged as the young man looked like he was unscathed from the attack, the only sign of his attack connecting was the dust cloud created by the impact. The young man also raised his hand, like he was blocking something.

 He wondered if he missed his attack when the announcer spoke, "Would you believe it?! The young man blocked the attack like it was nothing! Seriously! How strong is this kid?!" 

 His eyes nearly bulged from the announcer's words. His attack hit yet it didn't cause any harm?! He didn't want to believe it but the announcer could see everything from his spot so it's likely to be true.

 He gritted his teeth, the match was harder than he expected. 

-x-

 Ryker stretched a bit. While the attack could turn even a 4th Stage Genesis Source expert into a pulp and probably enough to injure a 1st Stage Genesis Spring expert if he was not paying attention, his strength far surpassed the man, allowing him to block it with his hand like it was nothing, the only sign of him being attacked would be the mark on the ground courtesies of him being pushed slightly by the force of the attack.

 Now, he waited for the other man to attack. He could finish the fight in literal seconds but why would he do that? He wanted to show off but not by too much, as too much attention would be bad for him. Who knew what the powerful families would plan for him if his strength was revealed?

'It seems the man is about to get serious,' he thought to himself. Sure enough, the man clenched his hand before unleashing another punch, this time far stronger than before. Yet, Ryker could tell he didn't even use any technique.

 He felt great annoyance. Even though he had shown himself as a powerful adversary, the man still held back, likely thinking his own strength was enough without the use of any technique. Well then, he also should stop holding back too.

 He clenched his hand too before replying to the attack with his own punch. The force of his punch seemed to be equal to the man, much to the shock of the spectators. However, from the top experts, it was different.

 They could tell the young man's attack was far stronger than the older man's, to their shock. They watched as the young man's punch clashed with the other man' punch before the latter was destroyed, the young man's punch hitting the older man, albeit with a much-reduced strength.

 The big man felt the hit, his arms having propped to block the attack, the limbs covered with qi. Yet he could still feel his bones rattling from the impact, showing how strong the attack was.

 For once in the match, he began to see the young man as a threat. He frowned, knowing holding back was the height of stupidity, especially when his opponent was this powerful. He began to use his technique, calling out the young man,

 "You are clearly stronger than what I expected. So, get ready, because I will not hold back this time," as the man finished his sentence, Ryker could feel the aura of the man changing. A silhouette of a boar seemed to be formed behind the man.

 Tusks appeared on both sides of his cheek, though Ryker was not certain if it was a full-blown transformation or if it was just illusory or created by the man's qi. The aura of the man also seemed to change a bit, seemingly feral, at least that is the best way to describe it for him.

 The man also seemed to let out growling and snorting like a wild boar. This change in behaviour made him even more cautious, as this is likely his opponent's hidden card. He observed carefully, watching his opponent as the two began to circle one another.

-x-

 "Unbelievable! To think the young man is this powerful!" the ancestor of the Lur Family exclaimed. As a Genesis Sea expert, he could see the power of the punch, and the difference between the power of the two punches is large. If not, the attack will not have any effect when it hits the defense the older man created.

 "True, but his opponent is also impressive. Who knew the first match alone is this exciting?" the Duke exclaimed, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

 "In the end, this fight will be determined by who has the better trump card,"