I found myself on the ground again, ribs screaming, elbow throbbing. Sweat dripped into my eyes, and my breath came in ragged gasps. Braxton stood over me, unlit cigarette still dangling from his lips, not a hair out of place.
"Had enough yet, viral boy?" he asked, his tone almost gentle. "No shame in knowing when you're outmatched. Sometimes the best move is to walk away and live to fight another day."
"Yeah, give up, Nakano!" Raphael shouted, his voice ringing through the gym. "You're embarrassing the whole guild! Even the reject guild doesn't want your weak ass!"
Braxton's tired eyes flicked toward Raphael without turning his head. Something dangerous flickered there, a glimpse of the predator beneath the lazy exterior.
"Vargas. You want a turn?" His voice was soft but carried an edge. "Think you could do better?"
