Chapter 23 - First Match

The men and women inside the grand ballroom were all people of notable backgrounds. Some were presidents of giant corporations or chairpersons of a mega company. Even some people from the underworld like Delfino were present there.

Each of the these noteworthy groups sent their best fighters, of course with the intention to promote their brands through winning.

"It is your turn to draw lots representative of the Taixi Temple." Sima Yantong glanced at a bald middle age man wearing clothes meant for buddhist monks. His eyes were half closed as if he was dozing off, but the moment Sima Yantong called for him, his eyes immediately sprung open with profundity.

"Next is the representative from Ramon Corporation, Mr. Anton." Sima Yantong's voice became a bit louder as he called for Anton. Anton is one of the best fighters inside the grand ballroom and his strength was amongst the top eight.

Anton walked towards the stage and picked a random piece of rolled paper inside a glass bowl. He showed it to Sima Yantong before going down the stage.

"Anton is Delfino's strongest fighter and although he does not know any formal martial arts technique, but his pure brute strength is astonishing."

"Yes, I also heard that Anton fought with Arlani Nguyen, a famous Muay Thai expert from Thailand. And he defeated the guy in less than three minutes."

"That's quite sick! How lucky Delfino is for having such a strong man as a subordinate."

Delfino looked smug after hearing the crowd.

'Anton is indeed quite strong for someone in this timeline. And with a rigorous martial arts training, then he should be able to reach D-Class level in strength.' Thought Cale as he studied Anton from afar.

During his time in the Alliance, all of the soldier's strengths were measured by a certain device. The Alliance only accepted soldiers who were at least E-Class in strength. People who were weaker than E-Class can only become a staff in the Alliance. But the E-Class level people during his past life can already become a top fighter in his current timeline.

"Now, can I have the representative from the mysterious Tyrannical Tower?" Sima Yantong glanced around and saw a handsome man who was most like in his late twenties walking slowly towards the stage. His pace was full of confidence and the aura he produced was similar to that of a cheetah.

"Isn't he the guy together with that young man who opposed Lee Wang Min earlier?"

"Yes it is him. Everyone among their circle looks strong. I wonder why they did not send that hulking man?"

"That... I don't know as well. We will only know once the tournament starts."

"Yes you are right indeed."

Cale smirked evilly after hearing the incessant whispers of the crowd.

Brogen on the other hand was also in deep thought.

'These guys actually dare look down on Aragard Empire's Grand Commander Santharus? They must be tired of living. If his lordship was not here and we were on our world Gallantos, then anyone who smears the name of Grand Commander Santharus will die a cruel death. Even I don't dare take him lightly.' Brogen thought mockingly as he glanced around the weak humans.

The drawing of lots continued for another twenty minutes, but the crowd waited patiently and was not bothered at all. They even cancelled some of their appointments just to join the tournament, as opportunities in advertising their brand in front of the richest people in Asia was truly rare.

There were a total of thirty two groups who sent their best fighters to participate in the tournament.

Each of the fighters were the best of the best in Asia. And seeing them fight in a tournament was truly an exciting scene.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we shall not waste our time and start the tournament immediately." Sima Yantong glanced at the excited crowd and announced loudly.

"Start the tournament brother Yantong! We are very excited to see the best fighters of Asia fight in a martial arts tournament."

"Yes, opportunities such as this only comes rarely."

Sima Yantong smiled and answered in a loud voice through a microphone. "Since you guys are already this excited, then I shall not ruin your moods and start the tournament. For the first match! Asahi Riku from Kaito Airlines versus Beom-soo from G Max Software Corporation.

Asahi Riku was a Japanese man in his thirties. He stood five foot and eight inches tall with well proportioned muscles. His eyes were tiny and he almost looked like he was sleeping.

Asahi Riku was a former Mixed Martial Arts fighter but then resigned abruptly because of the sudden employment from Kaito Airlines.

He waited for his opponent to come onto the stage while glaring at him sharply.

His opponent, Beom-soo was a man in his late twenties, but he looked rather old because of the thick beard that covered his jaws. He looked rather lazy, but his strength was definitely the real deal. He may not be a famous professional fighter like Asahi Riku, but he was a master practitioner of Taekkyon, a traditional Korean martial art.

Taekkyon focused on foot movements and tbe coordination between the hands and feet to create a balance. Most Taekkyon practitioners had strong striking ability and a decent level of ground grappling techniques.

When both fighters were already on the stage, Sima Yantong then said loudly through the broadcast microphone in his hands.

"You guys ready?"

Both fighters nodded their heads in response.

Sima Yantong smiled and said "First match begin!"

Asahi Riku raised both his hands while his palms faced his opponent and his left leg was slightly raised. This was the stance for Muay Thai and he already mastered this martial art to a high degree..

Beom-soo placed his left foot forward and raised his right hand front-handedly. His left hand was on his waist level facing the opponent back-handedly.

This was the defensive stance of Taekkyon.

He knew that Asahi Riku had a very strong striking ability, thus he was cautious in facing him in a frontal combat.

Asahi Riku slowly inched towards Beom-soo while maintining his stance. He then swayed his hips to throw a powerful overhand right.

'Shit! I wasn't prepared for this' Beom-soo thought fearfully. He knew that each punch and kicks from a Muay Thai practitioner was lethal.

He raised his left hand hastily to deflect the punch.

Riku's punch connected and hit opponent's left arm, but the power from the strike made Beom-soo take several steps backwards.

'Tch, you will not last long if you continue to defend like this.' Riku thought mockingly.