After returning home that evening, Father didn't ask about his injuries at all—everything went smoothly.
Jason Luo thought it really was a good solution, though a bit expensive. Otherwise, he might've done it more often...
Lately, Grace had been staying for dinner before going home. Since Henry Luo had just been released from the hospital, he wasn't familiar with the nearby markets or grocery prices. Whenever she had time, Grace would take him out to walk around and learn the prices. The father and daughter got along so well that their bond grew closer by the day. Now they barely paid Jason Luo any attention...
At the dinner table, Jason Luo told Grace about renting the apartment. She was delighted—it meant she could come over much more conveniently.
But having just started her job, she hadn't received her first paycheck yet. Paying six months' rent upfront was difficult, and both Jason Luo and Henry Luo laughed.
Henry Luo looked at her warmly. "Come on, you're family. What's there to worry about? Jason just won five thousand in prize money—perfect timing. From now on, we'll live together and work hard together. Life will only get better."
Grace's eyes reddened. "Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Brother. From now on, I'll give all the money I earn to Dad to manage. We'll all contribute to the family together!"
"Good! I'll save it up for you. When you get married, we'll throw you a proper wedding, done right, ha ha!"
"Dad!..."
This was family. Jason Luo loved the feeling. No matter how hard or dangerous things got outside, coming home always warmed his heart.
That night, Jason Luo searched on his phone again. Who exactly was Joe Frazier? The name sounded so familiar.
The results nearly made him jump.
Joe Frazier—nicknamed Smokin' Joe!
A man who only ever lost to Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and the first to defeat Ali himself. He and Ali had been lifelong rivals.
His relentless pressure, explosive defense, and a left hook that was practically a killing weapon—these were his trademarks. He was an irreplaceable figure in 1960s–70s boxing, a true world champion!
"Damn!"
Jason Luo sucked in a breath. Carl Frazier on that list was actually the descendant of a boxing legend. No wonder he was so strong!
Seriously—anyone who could beat Muhammad Ali had to be terrifying.
Jason Luo prayed silently he wouldn't end up facing someone like that. By the end of the second round, only 128 fighters would remain. Running into one of these monsters was entirely possible...
With his current strength, if he did, there was almost no chance of winning.
But if luck held and he kept advancing, things could change. Based on the current post-match rewards, four or five more victories would mean everything. Each win gave him around six Attribute Points—five matches meant thirty points. With that, maybe he'd stand a fighting chance.
Please, Mom... bless me, protect me...
Lost in those restless thoughts, Jason Luo eventually fell asleep. But in the middle of the night, something strange happened.
"Ding! System has detected your Reputation has reached the upgrade threshold. You have achieved the 'Renowned' reputation milestone. Reward: one small prize draw. Please check promptly."
"What?"
Was the system crazy? In the middle of the night? Where had this Reputation even come from?
After thinking it over, Jason Luo realized—maybe it was that video Tony had posted.
Not bad—earning rewards while lying in bed. Jason perked up immediately.
"Alright, lottery—give me something brutal."
The result came in.
"Congratulations! You've won one Free Attribute Point."
"This..."
Well, Free Attribute Points were actually very valuable. In critical moments, they were like lifesaving medicine.
Now he had two Free Attribute Points. His odds of breaking into the Top 16 had just improved. Good news!
After a sound night's sleep, Jason Luo finished morning practice and headed to the gym as usual, leaving the rent to his dad.
But the moment he entered, Raul rushed over waving a newspaper. "Jason, look at this! You're in the paper! Right here! Ha! You're starting to get a name for yourself."
Jason Luo took it with a puzzled look. It was a sports tabloid. In a small corner, there was an article describing his fight with Gossagen, along with a color photo of them trading blows. The headline read: "Passion and Spirit in the Ring." Besides recounting the match, it emphasized the referee's mistakes and Jason Luo's sportsmanship.
Raul pulled out two more tabloids with similar articles, though without photos. Jason Luo started to piece it together. No wonder the system had rewarded him in the middle of the night—these tabloids must have played a part.
Jason Luo grinned. "Not bad. At least they're praising me—if they'd gone negative, that would've been rough."
Raul then handed him a paper bag. "Good job, kid. You fought well and now you're getting recognized. This will catch the eye of professional promotion companies. I've got to show my support, otherwise someone might try to poach you. Ha! Here's two thousand. Take it for now. If you win again, I'll give you a red envelope..."
Jason Luo pushed the money back. "Sir, don't worry. Even if they threw a million at me, they couldn't lure me away. If it weren't for you, I'd probably still be job hunting. I don't want this money. Save it. Once I make the Top 16, then you can give me a big one!"
Raul beamed. "Good lad! You've got ambition. Fine, we'll do it your way. When you reach the Top 16, I'll give you a huge red envelope."
Pedro walked over. "Enough about money. Kid, just focus on your technique. One day, this kind of money won't even cover your tips. Put your mind into training. Don't waste energy on nonsense. Right now, the timing is perfect for you. Every step forward in this tournament makes a massive difference. So get moving—use every second."
Jason Luo knew the coach was right. He quickly shed his jacket and threw himself into training...
He knew well that others had trained for years, and those from boxing families had been nurtured since childhood. The system could boost his Attributes, yes, but technical skills and real combat experience couldn't be learned with just a few points.
The only way to master them was through one word: practice.
Relentless practice.
Train like hell.
Glancing at his coach beside him, Jason Luo made up his mind. This year, no matter what, he would enter the professional circuit. He would help his old coach achieve his dream as soon as possible—win the Gold Belt and claim the world champion title.
He had already noticed Pedro's health declining day by day. Honestly, in that condition, he should have gone home to rest.
But instead, the coach stubbornly stayed by his side, training him harder each day—pouring his life into Jason Luo's growth.
It was a debt Jason would carry for life.
And the only way he could repay his coach was through victory. Win, keep winning, and never stop. Only by fulfilling the old man's wish could he repay this immense debt of gratitude...