(CHAPTER 38: THE SEMIFINALS)

"Today we've reach the Semifinals of the tournament!" The announcer shouted as the crowds cheered. "A new day! A new rule!" On cue the torches surrounding the arena were light up. The light scare away the darkness as the crowds can take a good look of the new battleground. It is no smaller and round instead of square. The outer area of the arena were smeared with jet black ink. "If anyon touches the inked area, either accidentally or by force, they are out! So ARE YOU READY!!!"

"Fighters enter the arena!!" Hero walk through the hallway connecting the fighter's lobby and the arena, He cracked stretched his limbs and throw out a few punches to keep his blood and spirit pumping. The moment he was about to enter the arena, he was stopped by Arthur who was waiting him. "Hey where did you go last night, and what is those bruises." Arthur asked. Hero ignored him and walk straight pass, into the light. "Hey don't you dare ignore me." Arthur grab him by his arm. "I wanted answers right now, did you know how worry sick Eve and I were last ni-" Before he could finish his words, he felt a strong force tossing him midair, he was flipped like a pancake before barely manage to land on foot safely, and his grasp on Hero was long gone. "How, how did you." Even Arthur seemed dumbfounded by what happened. "It's the element of surprise." Hero mimic Arthur's words before turning back and ascended onto the Arena.

"The ultimate underdog of the tournament! He won his fight against one of the most skilled fighter on the land!" The crowds cheered upon seeing him, for the first time in his life, he felt pride. "I gave to you, the Miracle Fighter, Hero!!" Hero waved his hands to the crowds as respect as he take his position according to the referee. "Opposing him! The snake that killed the machine!" The cheer grew even louder as a figure walk out from the opposite side. "He toyed the living weapon like a doll! He is the one and only, Venom!!" Venom leap onto the stage and threw out a combo of kicks and punches, the girl on the seat shriek upon seeing this. He proceed to do a bunch of performances before finally taking his stance in front of Hero.

"Show off." Hero coughed under his breath and glanced at Venom. "Best not get your ass whacked kid." Venom scoffed. "Fighters ready?" They both switches expression and nodded.

Fight!

Venom strike first, heading for the first blood. His lunges towards Hero like a snake, the finger of his were like the fangs of it, wide open to kill anything in its path. Hero let out a grin and what happen next is beyond everyone's expectation.

Hero dodge the strike and grab him by the joint of the arm while knocking Venom off balance with a kick at the knee. He place his palm at the back of Venom's head as a boost before placing the locked arm at his shoulder and with a slight force, Venom was slammed into the ground. The floor of the arena shattered upon such force as blood spat out from his mouth. Without giving him any window to breath, Hero lift him up again with by the shoulder and grab him by his throat, wrapping his arm around it and strangle it as hard as possible.

Venom sense the danger and strike the arm with his finger but Hero manage to lock onto the elbow joint with his another arm while keeping the another down with his leg. He connected his knee hard into Venom's back and with a stretch a clear crack sound can be heard, forcing him to kneel on the ground, holding both of his leg down at once. He has completely lock himself onto every single joint on Venom's body, and now all its left is the pure brawl of physical strength, whether Venom is able to struggle his way free or lose the match.

Taki Orosu technique, Heavenly Lock.

The crowds, even Arthur were shocked upon seeing this, he didn't taught Hero this. Just then he saw Taki seated among the crowds, smiling, the dots were connected.

"He sure is a fast learner."

"A-aa-rgh-h" The position has been for about a minute by now Venom still haven't break free from the lock. He began wheezing and gasping, his lips turn white, his eyes were murky while his body is convulsing as saliva dripped out from his mouth but he is not going to lose. Not for this stupid lock.

Suddenly Hero felt a sizzling sensation on his arm, as if someone just placed an burning charcoal on it. He tried to bear the pain but he couldn't, he immediately kick Venom away by the back and slid back to keep the position. The pain didn't stop, he take a look at his arm to check the wound and was shocked.

His arms were corroded by some sort of acid, the flesh were turn into jelly, through the meaty substance, he could see the white bone of his arm poking out. "Shit." He tear off a trunk of his short and wrap around the wound, but one thing is for sure is that arm isn't any capable of fighting anymore. He look at Venom who was still wheezing for air, and decided to end him when he isn't expecting it.

But that was a big mistake.

A huge one, too.