Chapter 139 Challenged

After chatting for a bit, Eric finally got to know Sharkman's real name.

"Eric, I was just thinking about scraping together some cash to bail him out. Didn't expect you to beat me to it. Saves me the hassle," Wolfman said with a grin.

It was only the second time Eric had seen Wolfman smile.

"Guess we're on the same wavelength," Eric said, giving Wolfman a friendly pat on the shoulder.

He totally got where Wolfman was coming from. Shared struggles made Wolfman want to save Sharkman, someone who'd been in his shoes.

While they were talking, Eric headed back to where George was waiting.

"Mr. Phillips, is this the fighter you picked? He doesn't look all that strong. Why not pick someone else?" George asked.

"No need," Eric replied, shaking his head with a smile.

They then took their seats in front of the ring.

By the time Eric got there, most folks had already arrived.

After about twenty minutes, all the bosses had taken their seats.

Around forty to fifty bosses showed up, along with their fighters, bodyguards, and staff.

Just then, a guy in a suit stepped onto the stage and announced the official start of the underground boxing match.

As soon as it kicked off, Ulysses Young stood up.

"Quentin Lewis, it's time to settle our scores today," he said.

The fighter next to Ulysses immediately walked onto the stage.

Quentin, who was called out, stood up right away. "Mr. Young, I was just looking for you. Didn't expect you to call me out first. Think I'm scared? Bring it on!"

He sent his fighter to the ring right away.

Eric learned from George that Ulysses and Quentin were both in the transportation business and were rivals.

"Mr. Lewis, the loser gives up the contested route. You in?" Ulysses said.

"Sure thing!" Quentin replied with a grin.

With the bet set, the match began.

After the ref blew the whistle, the fight officially started.

Quentin's fighter was a skinny guy named Viper, while Ulysses' fighter was a muscular dude named Thunder.

Thunder threw a punch at Viper, but Viper dodged under Thunder's legs and struck upward!

With a scream, Thunder hit the ground.

Viper seized the moment, leaping up and slamming his elbow into Thunder's head.

After the heavy blow, Thunder bled from his mouth and nose, lying motionless, unclear if he was dead or just out cold.

"Nice!" many of the bosses watching the match shouted excitedly.

Ulysses anxiously yelled, "Get up, quick!"

The ref counted to ten, but Thunder didn't move.

"Zenith Holdings Group, Mr. Lewis wins!" the ref announced.

Quentin laughed and said, "Mr. Young, your fighter looks tough but is useless. Lost in just two moves. Honestly, my fighter was specially brought back from Arcanovia just to fight you today!"

Ulysses' face turned pale. He had issued the challenge, but he failed.

The bosses below the stage were also surprised.

Was that fighter really from Arcanovia?

"Mr. Young, don't forget the bet. That commercial route is mine now," Quentin said with a smile.

Ulysses could only sit down, looking defeated.

At this point, Quentin continued, "I'm now the bookmaker. Anyone who can beat my fighter gets fifty million dollars. If you lose, you only need to pay ten million. I welcome all challengers."

"I'll go!" a boss stood up.

With a reward like that, someone was bound to step up.

Fifty million dollars was a big deal for many bosses. Winning would be awesome, and losing ten million was something they could handle.

This was the allure of underground boxing matches.

So, this boss's fighter stepped onto the stage, but he was also taken down by the agile Viper in two moves.

Then, another boss sent his fighter to challenge.

All of them were defeated by Viper. George sent his fighter into the ring, but Viper took him out for good.

For a moment, no one else dared to step up, and the room buzzed with chatter.

"Viper's a beast, probably the toughest guy here."

"No more takers? Fine, I'll up the reward to a hundred million dollars. Lose, and you still only pay ten million!" Quentin announced boldly.

"A hundred million bucks!"

"That's a crazy high reward!"

The bosses got a bit more excited.

Two more bosses sent their fighters, but Viper took them down too.

"Are all your fighters from Eldoria this weak?" Viper taunted in broken English from the stage.

The bosses looked pissed.

"Damn, letting a foreigner talk smack like that. Is there no one who can take him down?"

"Anyone got a strong fighter? Send them out!"

"Sharkman, I didn't plan on sending you in, but now it's about Eldoria's honor. You're up," Eric said, squinting.

"Eric, I'm itching to fight this guy! Even if you didn't send me, I'd volunteer!" Sharkman replied.

"Good!" Eric nodded, getting ready to stand up.

"I'll go!" Just as Eric was about to stand, a voice came from nearby.

Eric turned and saw Donald standing up slowly.

"I'll challenge him!" Donald said proudly.

He knew that if he could beat Viper, he'd gain both fame and fortune.

"Pantherman, you're up next. Take down Viper and make me proud," Donald said to Pantherman.

"If I win, I want 20 million dollars!" Pantherman held up two fingers.

"Deal!" Donald agreed immediately.

Winning a hundred million meant giving 20 million to Pantherman was no big deal.

Hearing this, Pantherman walked straight to the ring.

Once on stage, Viper sneered at Pantherman. "Another one coming to die."

"The one who's gonna die is you!" Pantherman grinned, showing his yellow teeth.

In the next moment, Pantherman threw a punch at Viper.

Viper tried to dodge, but Pantherman switched it up, moving lightning fast!

Viper's smug look vanished.

Pantherman's fist slammed into Viper's chest, making him stagger back.

Pantherman followed up with another punch, and Viper raised his arm to block.

But Pantherman's punch broke Viper's arm.

Viper hit the ground, his face twisted in pain.

Pantherman rushed over, sat on Viper, and started pounding his head.

He didn't stop until Viper's brains were splattered.

Viper was dead!

"Nice!" After a moment of silence, the crowd erupted in cheers.

"After losing Puma, they found someone even fiercer!"

"Viper was tough, but against Mr. Hall's fighter, he didn't stand a chance!"

"I thought Viper was the strongest today, but there's someone even stronger. This underground boxing match is full of surprises!"

Donald grinned proudly.

"Mr. Lewis, I won," he said to Quentin with a smile.

Quentin forced a smile and said, "A hundred million dollars, coming right up!"

Donald nodded and then turned to the crowd. "Now I'm the bookmaker. Beat my fighter Pantherman, and the reward is two hundred million dollars. Lose, and you pay twenty million. Any takers?"

The room went silent.

Two hundred million was a huge reward, but after seeing Pantherman's power, no one wanted to risk losing twenty million.

Scanning the room, Donald's eyes landed on Eric.

"Eric, it's time to settle our scores. I challenge you!" he said with a sinister smile.