Inside the ring, Joseph watched Jason Luo charge at him again and again, shaking his head silently. The kid's courage was admirable, but trying to win by recklessly charging in like this? That was impossible.
Joseph had been fighting in the amateur boxing circuit for nine years, confident in his own strength. Over the years, he had lost to opponents who were nimble and evasive.
He had lost to opponents with quick and agile footwork.
But against power-driven fighters, hardly anyone could escape the control of his front-hand punch. Could Jason really keep charging forever?
With that thought, Joseph reinforced his jab even further...
Jason Luo paid no attention to any of this. His eyes were locked only on Joseph. His unshakable belief in victory drove him forward as he charged once more.
This time, after closing in, Jason Luo attacked calmly. He focused his Strength on Joseph's midsection, drawing his guard down, then suddenly switched his attack to the head. Joseph almost fell for it—fortunately, his Reaction saved him at the last second. Jason's punch grazed his ear as it flew past!
Startled, Joseph quickly shoved Jason Luo away...
Although Jason missed, he wasn't discouraged. He didn't even give himself a moment to breathe. As long as there was hope, he would keep going!
Joseph, gasping for air, saw him charging again and let out a bitter smile. Why insist on this? That was just a lucky moment.
"Got him!"
Pedro leapt to his feet, only to realize he'd imagined it. Enraged, he tossed his cane away… and Raul hurried to pick it back up.
The unusual match had the crowd's full attention, and it was obvious to anyone with experience that Joseph held the upper hand. Each time Jason Luo lunged forward, he had to eat more than ten punches just to close the distance. Even when he got inside, he barely landed a few shots before Joseph pushed him back out.
But Jason refused to give up. He kept repeating the same attack...
In the stands, a 12-year-old boy, confused by what he saw, turned to his father.
"Dad, why does that young boxer with black hair keep charging forward even though he clearly can't win?"
His father thought for a moment before answering, "Because he has a heart that longs for victory, little Jerry. Sometimes, the one who wins isn't the strongest, but the one with the strongest spirit—that's a true warrior."
"Oh." Little Jerry looked back at the ring, not fully understanding but deeply intrigued...
With little time left in the second round, Jason Luo launched forward again. This time, he switched his attack order: first going all-out at Joseph's head, then suddenly throwing a heavy hook to the body.
Though Joseph had been guarding against it, the body wasn't as easy to protect as the head. He tried pulling back, but it wasn't enough—Jason's punch hammered into his upper abdomen!
It struck the stomach. Joseph instantly doubled over in cramps, clutching his midsection, unable to squat or stand properly, his face twisted in pain.
Jason Luo lit up with joy. Seizing the moment, he poured every ounce of stamina into a follow-up assault!
But the veteran Joseph wrapped him up tightly, refusing to let go. No matter how Jason struggled, he couldn't break free...
"He hit him! He really hit him this time!"
Pedro and Raul pumped their fists in celebration, but soon saw Jason trapped in Joseph's clinch. Pedro roared at the referee, "This isn't allowed! He's stalling on purpose—that's a foul! Break them up!"
The referee was already stepping in. Jason finally wriggled free, but in those brief seconds, Joseph's pain had already eased considerably.
By the time Jason attacked again, Joseph had recovered enough to defend himself. Using his experience, he blocked, dodged, and absorbed the flurry. Though he took two more punches, they weren't well-placed. He still didn't go down.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
The whistle blew. The second round was over.
Jason Luo turned back to his corner, frustrated but helpless.
Pedro cursed, "That damn referee moves slower than me! What a golden chance wasted… Still, there'll be another one..."
Jason was gasping too hard to speak. His stamina was almost gone, yet he refused to use his Free Attribute Points. This was only the first round of the main tournament, and he'd already run into such a tough opponent. Who knew what kind of monster he'd face next? He had to hold on one more round. Unless he had no choice, he wouldn't use them!
Raul pressed ice against Jason's swollen face, massaging it firmly. Seeing the determination in Jason's eyes, he couldn't find words to say.
With the match this tight, Pedro had no strategy left. All he could do was repeat words of encouragement.
The third round began.
Joseph's stamina had dropped sharply, forcing him to throw fewer jabs. Jason could tell.
But Jason's situation was worse. He could barely move forward. Most of the energy he'd summoned in the last round had been wasted breaking Joseph's clinch, and his final rush had nearly drained him completely.
His charges grew slower, turning him into Joseph's punching bag.
Was he really going to lose?
Jason refused to accept it, but his legs felt heavy and weak, refusing to move.
No—I will never give up!
Kamman once told him: You can lose a fight, but a boxer's confidence must never collapse. As long as you're standing, as long as you can move, you never surrender!
Move!
His trembling legs pushed off the ground. Lowering his body, Jason charged once more...
But after a few jabs from Joseph, his momentum collapsed. He really had nothing left.
Just then, a heavenly chime rang out: "Ding! Congratulations. After grueling training, your Toughness has improved. Toughness +1. Keep pushing forward, and check promptly."
A cool sensation surged from deep within his bones, rushing through his entire body. Jason felt reborn. Strength surged back, and hope blazed in his eyes!
"Perfect timing, System—I love you!"
It was the first time he had ever gained an attribute boost mid-fight, a feeling he would never forget.
Sorry, old veteran!
This time, Jason's charge was lightning-fast. His punches struck like thunderbolts. Joseph barely held on for two hits before his defenses collapsed.
A straight rear-hand punch smashed into Joseph's shoulder, knocking him backward off-balance. Jason stayed on him, swinging a massive hook toward his jaw!
It's over!
Joseph, staggering, shut his eyes.
There was no way he could dodge. A punch to the jaw could end the fight—and possibly injure him badly enough to ruin his tournament...
But after a long moment with no pain, Joseph opened his eyes. Jason's fist had stopped cold, inches away!
Dripping with sweat but smiling at him, Jason Luo stood firm. Joseph finally understood: this young boxer had given up his chance at an immediate knockout to protect his future matches.
In that instant, Joseph was convinced. He smiled back, gave a slight bow, and waved to the referee, signaling his surrender. Then he grabbed Jason's arm and raised it high into the air!
...