Chapter 6 - Initiation (3)

Hugo picked himself up, looking at his opponent's dazed look. He tried to smile, but he immediately hunched over as he held his stomach. Thong shook his head before raising his arms in a panic.

Thong's thoughts: Yeah, that's right. Even if I'm in pain, I need to keep pushing forward. I think I'm starting to see what this guy is made of…

Hugo looked up at Thong, noticing that he was finally able to regain composure. Hugo raised his unclenched fists before moving in. Thong stared at Hugo, only to notice his footwork is all over the place.

Thong's thoughts: This is even more sloppy than before! Where is he gonna strike next?

Before Thong could see it, Hugo entered his range, swinging his arm at Thong once again. Thong backstepped, just barely moving out of Hugo's swing, only for Hugo to take an exaggerated step forward and swing upward from below Thong's chin. Thong immediately moved his hand between Hugo's fist and his chin. Thong's head shot back as Hugo's other fist landed a heavy straight.

Mike: Bastard!

Thong reeled back, Hugo pulling back his initial punch only to throw it again. Thong narrowly caught the attack in his sights, pushing the punch away as he stepped back.

Thong's thoughts: I need to open distance. This guy is too aggressive!

For each step Thong took back, Hugo closed the distance quickly by taking a long stride, narrowly avoiding each of Thong's strikes.

Dianshi: He's abusing Thong's timid nature. If Thong was a more proactive fighter than purely being defensive, Hugo wouldn't have this easy of a time getting to him.

Mike: If he doesn't figure that out soon, then I guess he was never cut out for these matches.

Thong continued to look closely at Hugo's movements, staring intently at each strike and attempted strike.

Thong's thoughts: As I thought, while he may be imitating Drunk Fu, he isn't entirely unpredictable. He still has a pattern!

Hugo threw a quick unclenched left hook, only for Thong to immediately push it away with his palm. Hugo focused his gaze as he threw punch after punch, only for Thong to continuingly push away each strike.

Hugo's thoughts: He's able to keep up with my strikes now? How?

Thong's expression turned more serious, kicking Hugo's shin, momentarily throwing him off balance. Hugo winced in pain, only for Thong to hit him with a downward elbow. Hugo stumbled back as Thong kept his arms up.

Dianshi: What's with this sudden turn around?

Mike: I see, the bastard was using his defensive style to get a read on Hugo! He figured out that guy entirely!

Hugo: You got a lucky strike in… What of it?

Thong stared as Hugo looked on in the wrong direction. With a quick shake of his head, Hugo turned to face Thong correctly.

Hugo: Come at me, coward!

Hugo ran in, swinging both arms forward, only for Thong to push off of them, opening the distance between them.

Thong's thoughts: He had the element of surprise on me before, but I can see everything now. I'll win!

Thong went for another low kick at Hugo's shin, Hugo wincing in pain as his footwork lost its controlled sloppiness.

Mike: Constant attacks to the shin… He learned that from me! I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Dianshi: He picked up on that rather quickly. It hasn't even been that long since your match and he likely had no time to practice. He's a natural.

Hugo gritted his teeth, only to put more power behind his swings, the speed of his attacks increasing. Thong continued to swat them down, stepping back as Hugo took slow steps inward.

Thong's thoughts: He's trying to corner me again… I can't allow that.

Thong stepped in, keeping his hands further out, extending the reach that Hugo would need to get through to reach Thong's face. Hugo continued to strike Thong heavily, leading in with a heavy right hook. As Hugo's arm got closer to Thong, Thong immediately met Hugo's forearm with his own. Hugo immediately looked at Thong's eyes, they seemed crazy for the slightest of moments. Before he could pull away, Hugo was immediately hit to the chin with a rapid straight from Thong. Thong followed up with a flurry of rapid short punches at Hugo's chest with one more rapid punch to the face sending Hugo falling to the ground. Hugo's eyes rolled back as his back slammed into the ground.

Dianshi: A Tan Da into a Chain Blast. He's learned to use his Wing Chun well.

Mike: I told ya! There was no way that Thong was going to lose this!

Referee: We have a winner! And the winner is the newbie, Thong Tran!

Thong stood there, a tired look on his face before looking down at Hugo. Hugo was bruised all over his chest from Thong's series of rapid punches.

Thong: I guess I won, huh?

Mike placed a hand on Thong's shoulder, laughing as Dianshi walked up to them.

Mike: I knew you could do it. You hit him pretty hard, didn't ya?

Dianshi: You did an excellent job reading his motions and waiting for moments where he couldn't be limber.

Thong: He was strong. If he just didn't charge in so much, I would've lost.

Mike: But ya didn't, so you won!

Thong looked over as Hugo sat back up, rubbing the back of his head.

Hugo: Aggaaaaaiiinnn… Losing to a new guy, hate this place.

Hugo looked at Thong, standing back up and brushing off his knees.

Hugo: This isn't the last you've seen of me!

Hugo walked away as Dianshi let out a cough, catching Mike and Thong's attention.

Dianshi: As I promised, this match was your initiation. Due to your stellar performance, I would like to extend to you an official invitation to join the Eclipse organization.

Thong gulped before meeting Dianshi with a smile.

Thong: I'm in!

Thong shook Dianshi's hand before signing the sheets that Dianshi had on the clipboard he had brought.

Dianshi: From this point forward, you'll be rank 485, showing your newly joined status. This will go up as you acquire more wins in your matches.

Thong clenched his fists, a joy filling his body.

Dianshi: Oh, and here are the earnings from this match.

Dianshi handed Thong a bundle of money, the most that Thong had ever held in his hand at once.

Thong: This is all mine…

Mike and Dianshi walked ahead of Thong as they spoke about Thong's initiation to the Eclipse. As Thong stared at his money, he felt a tap on his shoulder, having him turn around to face a man in a business suit.

???: Hello there. I was impressed with your performance in this match. How about doing a little job for me?