Chapter 19: KnockOut!

Ivy

There was something animalistic in the way that Hyun fought. His arms hung loosely at his side, his chin dipped down with a bloody grin plastered on his lips. He looked Cilian up and down while circling him, breathing like an exhaust pipe. It was almost primal as he constantly attacked with no self regard.

"Come at me!" He grunted, hitting his chest like a gorilla. Dark bruises painted the skin on his face, his left eye nearly swollen shut. It was crazy that he was still standing. But, the sight of Cilian was even crazier. He stood slightly hunched, fists clenched and raised to his chin. His shoulders rose and fell like bellows, yet not a huff escaped his lips. If Hyun was an animal, Cilian was a robot. His movements were clean, precise and always made contact.

Ivy let out a breathless chuckle, stunned by her gamble paying off so well. Hyun did help by revealing he had already lost to Cilian- and he was currently paying for it with another uppercut to the chin, knocking him back. The crowds' drunken cheers pierced through her eardrums, drowning out the sound of cracking bones. She elbowed those that tried to push past and kept her spot in the front row. She needed to keep an eye on how things were going. And most importantly, Sam. Ivy looked past the fight to the rows of people across from her. Sam stood in the front. His lips pressed together in a thin line, arms tightly folded over his chest. It seemed he felt her stare as he suddenly turned to her. She flinched. His thin lips formed a hollow smirk.

It sent a shiver down Ivy's spine.

While Ivy couldn't see his eyes, she felt his stare glued to her, stiffening in response. Something about it was so…unnerving. She hated it- ever since they first met in the original timeline. Yuri had brought him into their apartment for a quick visit and introduced them. Back then, Ivy never thought much of him- except for finding him a little strange. Yuri would go on to describe him as a sadist amidst one of his many rants- which merely confirmed her off feeling. After getting close with Hyun, Yuri wormed his way into their friend group and rubbed elbows with Sam- one of the higher ranked members. A year or two after that, Sam got sent behind bars for murder.

"This is gonna be fun!" Hyun manically grinned, lunging towards Cilian. Ivy jolted, her eyes flickering between the two.

Cilian's expression remained flat. He sidestepped to the left and dodged Hyun's punch. He huffed, pivoted, and landed a fast jab to Hyun's cheek. Ivy could barely see it.

Hyun grunted and stumbled back from the impact, shaking his head. "Bastard," he hissed, fiercely glaring. Cilian's fists remained raised. He dipped his head down, his shoulders rising and falling like bellows.

"Still so slow."

Hyun visibly stiffened. "The hell did you say?"

This time, Cilian went on the offence and launched a fist forward. Hyun managed to dodge, throwing a punch of his own that connected with Cilian's raised arm.

Ivy's eyes shot back and forth, following every punch, dodge and kick that could reveal an upper hand.

She barely blinked in fear of missing something crucial.

"Jesus- what the hell is going on?"

Ivy tore her gaze from the fight and turned to Lori, whose eyes were wide and staring at the spectacle. "Isn't that your friend?" Her head creaked towards Ivy like an old door. "Why the hell is he fighting with Hyun?" She shouted. Ivy silently blinked, swallowing thickly. An excuse couldn't come to her faster.

"I didn't see how it started. One minute I was eating some of the snacks and the next, this happened." That wasn't a total lie, right?

Lori's mouth fell agape. He looked between her and the fight while it was clear the gears were turning in her head. Ivy furrowed her brows in confusion. Finally, Lori gasped. She turned to her with a huge smile.

"I bet the Sicily guy is fighting for your honour!"

"...Huh?"

"Just think about it! When you left Hyun probably said something about you to Sicily who flew into a rage to defend you! God, can't believe I missed it." Lori hummed, nudging Ivy's side.

How was that of all things the conclusion she came to? Ivy opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't leave her lips- too dumbfounded to even speak. She frantically shook her head. "That's not-"

THUD.

Suddenly, the entire room went silent. The two looked back to the fight, and Ivy's heart stopped. Hyun laid on the floor, face down. Blood gushed from his crooked nose, pooling around his closed eyes. Cilian stood over him, panting heavily. He dropped his bloody knuckles, nudged Hyun's head with his foot, then sighed.

"Still alive," He mumbled, turning to Sam, "But I win."