Chapter 12: The Unexpected Offer

Troy was mid-combination on the heavy bag when he noticed Marcus glancing toward the entrance of the gym. His punches slowed as the sound of footsteps echoed across the concrete floor. Turning his head, Troy's eyes landed on a familiar figure—Vince Malone.

"Not him again," Troy muttered under his breath, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Vince strolled into the gym like he owned the place, his leather jacket slightly scuffed but his swagger untouched. His sharp eyes scanned the room, settling on Marcus first, then Troy.

"Hunter," Vince called out, his voice carrying over the rhythmic sounds of training. "Just the kid I was looking for."

Marcus stepped in, his expression stony. "What do you want, Malone?"

"Relax, Marcus," Vince said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm not here to step on your toes. Just here to give the kid an opportunity."

Troy walked over, his gloves hanging loosely at his sides. "What kind of opportunity?"

Vince grinned, pulling a folded flyer from his jacket pocket. "There's a big amateur exhibition match happening downtown in three weeks. Some of the best up-and-comers from the region will be there. I've got a spot open, and I want you to fill it."

Troy's heart skipped a beat. An exhibition match? It sounded like a dream come true—and a massive leap forward.

Marcus snatched the flyer from Vince's hand, his eyes narrowing as he scanned it. "You want to throw him into an exhibition match? He's not ready."

"That's not for you to decide, old man," Vince shot back, his grin fading. "The kid's got raw talent. He's got what it takes to impress. This could put him on the map."

Troy looked between them, his mind racing. He knew Marcus was right—he was still learning, still rough around the edges. But the thought of proving himself on a bigger stage lit a fire in his chest.

"What do you think, Marcus?" Troy asked cautiously.

Marcus folded the flyer and handed it back to Vince. "I think you need to focus on the fundamentals. These exhibition matches? They're about showboating, not growth. You don't need the spotlight yet."

Vince scoffed. "You keep saying 'not yet,' but when? The kid's got momentum. You can't wait forever, Marcus."

The tension between the two men was palpable, but Troy stepped in. "I want to do it," he said firmly.

Marcus looked at him, his expression unreadable. "Are you sure? This isn't just about the fight. It's about handling the pressure, the expectations. If you're not ready, this could set you back."

"I can handle it," Troy said. "I need to see where I stand."

Marcus sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. But if you're doing this, we're stepping up your training. No shortcuts, no excuses."

Vince clapped Troy on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, kid. I'll send over the details. You're gonna kill it."

As Vince walked out of the gym, Marcus turned to Troy. "You just made your life a lot harder, Hunter."

Troy smiled. "Good. I like a challenge."

---

The next three weeks were the most intense of Troy's life. Marcus pushed him harder than ever, introducing new drills and conditioning routines that left him sore and exhausted.

"Your opponent isn't going to care how tired you are," Marcus said as Troy collapsed onto the mat after another grueling session. "You need to be faster, stronger, and smarter. No excuses."

Miguel and Kenny stepped in to spar with Troy, each session exposing his weaknesses and forcing him to adapt.

"You're leaving your left side open," Miguel said after landing a clean hook during one session. "Tighten up your guard, or someone's gonna make you pay for it."

"Your footwork's sloppy," Kenny added during another round. "You need to stay balanced, or you're gonna get caught."

Troy took every critique to heart, pouring everything he had into improving. The System chimed in occasionally, tracking his progress and offering small boosts to his stats:

"Task: Prepare for public exhibition. Progress: 60%."

Each notification spurred him on, reminding him that every drop of sweat brought him closer to his goal.

---

The night before the exhibition match, Troy sat alone in his apartment, staring at his gloves. His mind raced with doubts and questions. Was he ready? Would he embarrass himself?

The System's voice broke through his thoughts:

"Task progress: 90%. Reminder: Confidence comes from preparation."

Troy exhaled slowly, the words grounding him. He had done the work. He had pushed himself further than he ever thought possible.

The next morning, Marcus picked him up in his old truck, the ride to the venue quiet but charged with unspoken tension.

"You've got this," Marcus said finally, breaking the silence. "Just remember everything we worked on. Stay calm, stay focused, and don't let the crowd get in your head."

Troy nodded, his nerves settling into a simmering determination.

---

The venue was packed, the energy electric. Fighters warmed up in the locker rooms, their coaches barking last-minute instructions. Vince was waiting for them near the entrance, his grin as wide as ever.

"Glad you made it, kid," Vince said, slapping Troy on the back. "Your opponent's tough, but you've got the edge. Just go out there and show them what you've got."

As Troy wrapped his hands and laced up his gloves, he could hear the roar of the crowd from the arena. His heart raced, but he forced himself to focus.

When his name was called, Troy stepped into the ring, the bright lights nearly blinding. His opponent, Darren "Flash" Fields, was already there—a cocky, fast-moving fighter with a reputation for showboating.

The bell rang, and the match began.

Darren came out fast, his punches sharp and precise. Troy struggled to adjust, his defense faltering under the pressure.

"Stay calm!" Marcus shouted from the corner.

Troy focused on his breathing, using his head movement to evade Darren's attacks. He waited for an opening, slipping a jab and countering with a clean right hook that caught Darren off guard.

The crowd erupted, but Troy didn't let it distract him. He kept the pressure on, targeting Darren's body and forcing him to backpedal.

By the final round, both fighters were exhausted, but Troy's determination burned brighter. He feinted a jab, drawing Darren's guard up, then landed a devastating uppercut that sent him staggering.

The bell rang, and the referee raised Troy's hand.

He had done it.

As Troy stepped out of the ring, Marcus met him with a rare smile. "You earned that one, kid."

The System chimed in:

"Task complete: Prepare for public exhibition. Reward unlocked: +2 Strength, +2 Speed."

Troy grinned, the roar of the crowd still ringing in his ears. He was one step closer to his dream.