"Huh?" With his arm extended, Ben’s opponent forgot to pull his fist back, surprised that Ben had dodged his punch for the first time. Ben stared at that red glove near his face, more lost than anyone on how he managed to dodge that strike.

  Outside the cage, Ricardo also blinked but as the most experienced, he recovered fast. "It’s your chance, kid! Counter!"

  Hearing that, Ben’s eyes turned sharp. ’That’s right. It’s time to get some pay—’


  *Pow!*

  His opponent’s left fist smacked against Ben’s head. This time, it didn’t miss, and it landed flush and with power.

  *Bang*

  Ben’s butt hit the ground as he was dazed for a second.

  Ricardo sighed as he shook his head. ’He’s got a long way to go.’ Seeing Ben panting on the ground, Ricardo started to walk towards the cage entrance. ’I guess we better call it a day.’ However……

  *Tap* *Tap*

  The sound of gloves hitting the ground made Ricardo look up as he watched Ben get back up to his feet. Ricardo squinted. "Kid, you want to keep going?"

  Out of breath and with sweat all over his face, Ben looked back at Ricardo and nodded his head in a serious manner.

  Seeing this, Ricardo smiled in appreciation and gave Ben some words as the coach. "Good, and hey, remember this one thing……"

  "Yea?" Ben was looking forward to some coaching advice. He still had so much to learn.

  "I won’t be legally responsible if you die in there."……

  "What?" Ben wasn’t sure if he heard wrong. ’Maybe my hearing’s a little off from that last punch.’


  "You signed a waiver. If you die during practice, the gym and especially me, ESPECIALLY ME……will not be legally liable. Not again……"

  Over at Ricardo’s side was Valentina, to whom Ben glanced over with a doubtful expression, checking whether Ricardo was joking.

  Valentina returned Ben’s gaze. "It also applies if you become a vegetable…… We’re legally……immune……"……

  This gym was part of her inheritance, after all. She also wanted to make sure they crossed their t’s and dotted their i’s.

  Shaking his head, Ben couldn’t believe these two, but he turned around, trying to forget about their nonsense, because he wanted to remember that feeling, the one when he dodged that last punch. So as he looked at his opponent who slammed his gloves together and nodded at him, Ben bit down hard on his mouthpiece, and nodded back indicating he was ready. ’I’m getting the hang of it.’


  20 seconds later……

  *Pow*

  *Pow*

  Ben was back against the cage with his guard up tight, as blows rained down on him. ’Damn it! I’m not getting the hang of sh*t!’ He was taking a beating once again! It wasn’t Ben’s fault though. He’d only started standup very recently so it was a given it would take him time to get comfortable, even if he had the best coach in New York City.

  "Remember the waiver!" Ricardo had his arms crossed and was watching the match very closely. "I won’t pay out a second time!"

  ’A second time?!?’ Ben inhaled even deeper. ’Is he saying there are ghosts in here?!?’


  Ricardo’s eyes were narrowed as if he was studying every inch of Ben’s body, watching for any errors in form, so he could teach Ben how to improve after. ’He looks like he’s steadily understanding it……that he won’t win in court……’


  Ricardo had two sets of lawyers look over that waiver to make sure it was water-tight, but he wanted to cover all the bases.

  As for Ben, with his fists up by his forehead, he was glancing at his opponent through the crack between his arms, feeling his heavy punches tee-off on him. ’The hell? I’m not getting anywhere at this rate. I can’t stay here like this.’ Ben tried to step left, but his opponent followed him. Right, the same. He was stuck against the cage.

  Ben was frustrated, but that only made him focus more. Yet, he couldn’t lower his guard, so he just stared at his opponent’s chest through the gloves, watching lefts and rights come at him one after another. ’Left, right, left, right, left, left. Huh?’ Ben predicted that last punch which was a change-up from his opponent’s standard rhythm. ’Was it a fluke?’ He watched his opponent through the gloves again. ’Right, left, right, right. Again!’ Ben had predicted it again!

  Now, he was sure there was something going on. He was able to predict the opponent’s strikes! However, he still couldn’t avoid thinking that maybe he was lucky. So he decided to verify it with his body. He needed to take a risk to see if this was real, even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way. Ben dropped his gloves!

  Ricardo widened his eyes. "Hey! What are you doing?!? Protect yourself!" He grabbed the cage. "With your gloves! Not legally……you have no legal recourse……"

  Regarding Ricardo’s nonsense, Ben had no time to pay attention, because he was staring at his opponent’s chest. ’Left’


  *Fwoosh*

  A fist flew by Ben’s head as he barely dodged it by a hair. His opponent was surprised but still followed up.

  ’Right hook.’ Ben ducked.

  *Fwoosh* Another miss!

  ’Left jab……left jab……right uppercut……right straight……’


  *Fwoosh* *Fwoosh* *Fwoosh* *Fwoosh*

  Ben had dodged one after another. He was dancing in front of his opponent, barely dodging every strike as if walking on the edge of a blade.

  Seeing this, both Ricardo and Valentina had their mouths gaping open. What the hell was this? One second, Ben was a complete amateur who only knew how to turtle up against the cage. The next, he was bobbing and weaving around his opponent’s punches like he was Floyd Mayweather! It was too drastic of a change!

  *Huff* *Huff* Now, Ben’s opponent was the one who was tired! And not only tired—shocked! This rookie——was dodging all his punches!

  Seeing this, Ben knew this was his opportunity. As his opponent’s right glove flew over the top of his head again, Ben squeezed the fingers in his right fist, and stepped in hard with his left foot. ’It’s now!’ He struck!