HBWnovel Chapter 143
Chapter 143
seeing that the system just confirmed the bracelet.
ethan's eyes never left the bracelet, he started calculating its worth in his mind.
'money won't be an issue'
he thought to himself.
find adventures on empire
'i'll offer whatever it takes.'
at that moment the arena lights blazed as the fighters took the stage.
among them stood a mountain of a man, muscles rippling beneath tattoos and scars.
his opponent, a lean fighter with quick movements, without being told everyone would see he doesn't stand a chance.
the fight was brutal from the start. the burly man's fists came down like sledgehammers, each impact echoing through the underground fight arena.
when his opponent tapped out, slapping the mat desperately, something dark flickered in the giant's eyes.
"please... i surrender!"
the lean fighter gasped.
at that moment the burly man's laugh rumbled like thunder.
but he wasn't going to let him go without a good beating, before the fight he promised him that.
immediately he grabbed his opponent's arm, and with a sickening crack, broke it at the elbow.
immediately the crowd gasped. but he wasn't finished – methodically, he snapped the fighter's leg, his screams echoing off concrete walls.
at that moment the underground arena fell silent except for the victim's whimper.
people turned away, their faces pale, but no one moved or one speak. the burly man stood in the center of the ring, arms raised, roaring his victory like a primitive beast.
at that moment something snapped inside ethan. he shot to his feet, his voice cutting through the terrified silence.
"this is barbaric!"
he shouted at the organizers' booth. "you're going to let him commit attempted murder right in front of you? for crying out loud the other opponents have surrendered!"
upon hearing what ethan just said the burly man turned slowly, his bloodstained hands still clenched into his fists.
"well, well,"
his voice rumbled like gravel.
"the pretty boy has opinions."
he stalked to the edge of the ring, leaning over the ropes.
"why don't you climb up here and say that to my face, boy!!"
immediately ethan's eyes narrowed, with a dangerous glint flickering in them.
"is that a challenge?"
his voice carried an edge that made even the burly man blink.
at that moment ethan turned away from him dismissively, facing the organizers' booth.
his voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"i don't want your money."
his eyes locked onto the ancient bracelet.
"when i win, i only want that bracelet."
"what?"
one of ethan's dorm friends' voices cracked with disbelief.
"ethan, that's three million dollars you're walking away from if you manage to win!"
the other wanted to run to ethan to talk some sense into him but he couldn't.
however from his position he yelled.
"have you lost your mind? three million! what could possibly be so special about that piece of metal?"
the other joined in, his face pale with concern.
"all that money... for a bracelet? ethan, what's gotten into you?"
however on the second thought, they know he's not going to make it, probably he would get a broken body, and he's going to miss school for months.
at that moment the crowd buzzed with confused whispers, unable to comprehend why anyone would choose an old piece of jewelry over such a fortune.
their protests died in their throats as a strange feeling washed over them.
one of his friends shook his head, as if trying to clear fog from his mind.
"wait... why are we even worried about the money?"
he muttered.
the other blinked rapidly.
"yeah, it's like... something was making us think about the cash instead of..."
his voice trailed off, unable to complete the thought.
the organizer's smile was shark-like as he slid the contract across the table, the paper seeming to absorb the harsh fluorescent light.
ethan's hand moved with confidence, pen scratching across the surface before he'd even read a word.
only after his signature dried did his eyes catch the blood-red text at the top:
[life and death match - winner takes all.]
at that moment a flicker of anger crossed his face, but his expression remained unchanged.
'death match or not'
he thought to himself.
'this brute doesn't stand a chance'
however seeing ethan sign the document the burly man started laughing.