Ryan stared at the boxing ring as Arthur tossed the gloves to him. They landed with a thud at his feet. Ryan gulped as he thought twice before picking up the gloves.
But he didn't have any other choice, so he leaned in and picked the gloves in his hands, nervous.
"Get in the ring," Arthur said flatly, not even looking at him.
Ryan blinked in sheer confusion. "Huh…?"
Arthur rolled his neck, cracking it. "You said that you can jab, right? It's time to prove your words."
Maya chuckled a bit from the sidelines, clearly amused by the scene. Arms were crossed, a cocky grin slowly curled up on her lips. "Don't worry, kiddo. If he loses his mind or tries to murder you, I'll jump in."
Ryan gulped. 'Is this… initiation? Or attempted manslaughter? Whatever it is, I have no choice but to get into the ring.'
[DING! New Quest: Survive 15 seconds in the ring with Arthur Kane.]
[Reward: Arthur's Interest +1, Maya's Interest +1]
His heart skipped a beat. 'Fifteen seconds?! That's it? That's all I have to survive in the ring?'
A ray of hope passed on Ryan's face.
[Correction: That's all you can survive.]
'It's quite helpful,' Ryan muttered under his breath as he climbed up to the boxing ring.
The world shrunk instantly — no more gym noise, no dumbbells clinking, no Maya's amused smirk.
Just Arthur, standing in front of him in his baggy sweatpants — no gloves, just hands wrapped in tape. His eyes were closed… but something about his stillness screamed danger.
Like a panther coiled to strike its prey.
"I hope that you didn't lie to me about your jab earlier," Arthur murmured. Then slowly opened his eyes — dead calm.
"Because if you did, then it'll not end well for you. I don't like those who are just talk and no game."
Ryan's throat went dry. "W-who said anything about me—"
Too late, Arthur had already dashed towards him.
Not running — gliding. The ground didn't even seem to exist beneath his two feet. One second he was on the other side of the ring, and the next he was breathing in Ryan's face.
Ryan swung his jab on sheer instinct.
[Request: System! Help! Direction! Technique! ANYTHING!]
[DING! Real-time guidance activated… syncing body movement… ERROR: Host's body is slow as shit.]
[Override: Boosting reaction time +10% for trial.]
Ryan's arm moved smoother this time around, his fist snapped forward—
Arthur leaned just enough to let it miss his chin by a breath. He let out a smirk. "That's it?"
Then his left hand slammed into Ryan's side like a steel bat. Ryan stumbled backward, wheezing. Before he could even fathom something, Arthur's right fist came in low and fast.
Hook to the ribs — Ryan saw the stars during the daytime.
Then—
Arthur jumped. Ryan blinked in confusion, then a sudden feeling of horror kicked in.
'Wait, is that an ELBOW?'
Arthur twisted midair, cocking back a flying elbow aimed straight for Ryan's temple.
Ryan froze. He didn't even flinch. He accepted his fate with open eyes as a drop of tear ran down his cheek.
'Shit, I'm gonna die. On day two, it's all because of you, systemmmm.'
But then suddenly, Arthur stopped — arm mid-swing, just an inch away from contact with Ryan's temple.