"Relax your muscles you've got micro-tears and deep impact bruising. If you tense up, the healing will slow."
Her hands began to glow a soft, vibrant green the light pulsing gently over his cuts and bruises.
Gabriel winced at first, but as the energy seeped into his skin, he could already feel his stamina knitting itself back together.
Muscle tension faded. Breathing evened.
His gaze drifted toward the Hexagon, the once-chaotic battlefield now eerily still.
Then he heard it
The commentator's voice again, drifting down from the speakers.
"...But before we end…"
Gabriel's ears perked up.
He glanced up toward the media control room, high above the stands.
A shadowed figure inside gave him a subtle nod.
The commentator paused, then smiled like someone holding back a secret.
"What if I told you… tonight's not quite over?"
The arena lights flickered then narrowed, centering once more on the ring.
Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd like a wave.
Up in the booth, the commentator grinned, his voice rising with theatrical flair.
"Ladies and gentlemen… tonight, you will witness a match like no other. And it's only for you the fans who showed up in person!"
The crowd stirred, surprised.
"That's right. The Committee has decided to reward your dedication. This next event? Exclusive to you the ones who came, the ones who stayed."
The energy shifted. People who had been heading for the exits turned around.
Even those who had already left began returning to their seats, pulled back by curiosity.
Whispers, footsteps, anticipation.
No one knew what was coming but everyone could feel it was something.
Cut to: Iwaizumi, Tabaki, and the rest of the gang.
"Whoa… I've never seen this before," Old Man Jiro said, brows raised as he leaned forward.
He turned to Kenta, who was also watching intently, arms crossed, silent but clearly intrigued.
Samira and the boys had paused mid-exit, quietly slipping back into their seats.
Even her guards stayed still, alert.
"I thought it was over," Iwaizumi muttered.
"So did I," Jiro said, nodding. "But now? I'm really interested."
Kenta didn't speak. His sharp gaze was locked on the arena.
Cut to: VIP Section.
Nikolai leaned over.
"Guild Master Tanca, any guess what this is about?"
Claus, energetic as ever, nearly bounced out of his seat.
"Maybe it's Gabriel against another senior division brawler! Ohh! I can't wait!"
But Tanca said nothing.
He stared at his little brother down in the pit, brow furrowed in thought.
Did Gabriel know this was going to happen?
Was this part of some plan?
His jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
Back to the commentator.
He let the suspense hang in the air like smoke.
"…was part of the Committee's Special Exhibition Series."
A pause. A beat of silence.
Then
"Which means effective immediately this becomes an open challenge."
Gasps.
Whispers.
The crowd leaned forward. Some even stood.
All eyes turned back to the ring.
The commentator stepped forward, voice booming.
"If anyone here… believes they have what it takes to challenge Crashnova…"
He pointed, dramatically, toward the center of the Hexagon.
"…raise your hand. Now."
The entire stadium froze.
The heat from Gabriel's last fight still lingered in the air thick, tense, electric.
Was anyone bold or crazy enough to step forward?
Nobody moved. Not a breath stirred.
Until…
Back in the VIP section...
The buzz in the arena reached even the velvet-lined seats above. The announcer's words echoed, and Guild Master Tanca leaned back in his exclusive armchair, hands resting under his chin, watching the ring in silence.
Nikolai, seated beside him, glanced toward the ring.
"Well, looks like they're really doing it an open match. Who would've thought? Then again... I doubt anyone's crazy enough to take it."
Before he could finish, Claus practically exploded with joy like a cola bottle shaken with mint gum inside.
"Yes! YES! YES!" he shouted, fists pumping in the air.
"Guild Master Tanca!" Claus turned, eyes wide, energy vibrating from his limbs.
"Can I go? Pretty please?! I promise I won't go overboard this time!"
Tanca slowly turned his head, still lounging like royalty in his massive chair.
One hand rested under his cheek. His Aussie accent came out smooth, relaxed — but clear.
"Knock yourself out, Claus. Just remember... don't go all out."
It was all Claus needed to hear. He clutched his chest like he was about to cry.
"You know what, Guild Master Tanca? I don't care what they say about you being uptight. You're so cool!"
Tanca raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly.
"Oh yeah? Who's sayin' that?"
Claus froze for a second, sweating bullets, then zipped his lips like a cartoon character.
Tanca's gaze shifted to his right.
"Nikolai."
"Yes, Guild Master?"
"You're going in too. Make sure Claus doesn't get carried away."
Nikolai nodded, ever calm, adjusting his cufflinks. His composure never cracked.
"Understood. I'll keep him in line."
Tanca added with a glint in his eye,
"And didn't you say you've been wanting to test Crashnova's abilities? Well... today might just be that day."
Nikolai gave a small nod, lips curving into a faint smile.
"Then I'll make the most of it."
***
Cut to the Stands...
In the heart of the packed fan section, two men were deep in conversation loud enough for their neighbors to hear.
"You should go in, man," one said, elbowing the other.
The other man recoiled in horror.
"Are you crazy?! My wife only just let me come to this match since like forever. If I go back home dead or worse, crippled she'll finish the job herself!"
He exhaled dramatically.
"Still... gotta admit, it's a cool idea."
The first man laughed.
"Fifty-one and oh. After what he did to Rocky? The guy's untouchable."
Someone else chimed in nearby.
"Pfft. No one's dumb enough to actually challenge him."
A few rows up...
"You hear that, iwa?" Tabaki nudged his friend as voices around the stands buzzed with speculation.
To their surprise, Samira, who had been preparing to leave, was already seated again drawn back without realizing it.
Kenta crossed his arms and muttered under his breath.
"I doubt anyone's stepping forward. This is just drama for show."
Jiro smirked knowingly.
"Anything can happen, boys. That's exactly why the MPA overtook dungeon entertainment these last few years they know how to hook an audience."