Hit Harder

Bianca, on the other hand, came alone. She hadn't officially joined a gym and didn't think it was necessary since she had learned enough to never be defeated—especially not in a place like this.

"Do you need some motivation from your boyfriend to stop feeling like you're about to lose the fight?" Bianca mocked the motivational talk Max had given as soon as the break time ended.

Devon, however, raised her guard. She didn't feel the need to respond to the provocation and took a deep breath, regaining the calm she had at the start of the match. As the referee approached, she focused on what she needed to do to win.

"Ready? Fight!"

The moment the referee's voice faded, Devon's eyes narrowed. In one swift step, she charged fiercely at Bianca, clenching the five fingers of her right hand into a tight fist and striking toward her opponent's chest.

Bianca didn't back away from Devon's attack.

To the crowd's amazement, she stepped forward, her extended right hand moving quickly to intercept Devon's punch. As Bianca's palm collided with Devon's fist, the latter was forced backward.

As her punch was deflected, Devon abruptly shifted her stance, solely to dodge Bianca's next attack aimed at her body. In her new position, Devon clenched both fists and, after evading a few kicks, launched a fierce counterattack.

Devon's punches were much faster; there was no need to consider kicks in this close-range fight. She only needed to aim at a target.

"Remember, Devon, if we improve our speed, we'll win..."

Bianca was growing desperate. If her defense failed even once against Devon's attacks, she would lose the entire match—something she could not afford to let happen.

Finally managing to establish some distance between herself and Devon, Bianca realized she was out of her opponent's reach. For a brief moment, she thought she would win this exchange of blows.

Thud!

But just as the blow resounded, Devon, who had launched a punch with her left hand, stopped midway and instead used her right leg to deliver a spinning kick. It was a risky move that could have been a terrible strategy.

Devon was betting everything on this move. This strike would determine whether she won or lost. When Bianca saw the spinning kick coming, she assumed it was aimed at her face. That moment of hesitation gave Devon the opportunity to break through her defenses and land a hit to her stomach.

As Bianca took the kick to the stomach, her guard, which had been rising, dropped suddenly. Only then did Devon deliver a high kick that struck her opponent's face.

Thud!

The blow sent Bianca to the ground. She tried to stand, but her legs had no strength left.

"Winner!"

For a few seconds, a stunned silence fell over the crowd as they processed what had just happened. But after that moment, everyone erupted into cheers, celebrating Devon's victory, achieved through sheer strategy and fighting instinct.

"I won!"

Devon, her face lit with excitement, ran toward Max, who was ecstatic over the incredible result of the fight. It wasn't that he didn't believe she could win—it was just astounding that she had defeated someone who was considered superior in this match.

By the time Bianca managed to get up, clutching her ribs and cheek from the kicks, she looked at Devon. After a few moments, she turned and left. She had lost. The shame and humiliation she felt today were new emotions, and she couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.

"You were amazing, Devon. Congratulations!" Ryan was beyond impressed. He had witnessed something he hadn't expected, something that surpassed the limits of raw talent.

Everyone gathered around to congratulate her. For her first fight, she had truly earned it.

Zara, who was the last to approach, smiled and said, "Well done. You're tough. I like you."

"Thank you..." Devon didn't know how to respond to that, so she simply smiled.