When night fell, the darkness became a veil of protection. It could stir people off the right path, and illegal transactions could happen under the cover of the night.
In the underground black market of the prosperous capital, a group of people surrounded a ring and were shouting excitedly.
"Who will be today's champion?" The host stood on the edge of the ring. His excitement was clear as day as he held the microphone.
Two women were standing in the ring. One was a foreign woman who donned a fierce expression and had bulging muscles, while the other was an Asian girl with short hair and a petite figure. A number plate was hung on her waist.
"On my left is yesterday's champion, Irene! And the newcomer on my right is No. 33! Place your bets, everyone!" The host shouted.
"Who's No. 33? Have you seen her before?"
"She must be a newcomer. I've never seen her before!"
"Then I'll bet on Irene!"
"Me too!"
The host's happiness grew as he watched the money going around. "It seems that everyone is betting on Irene... What's your name, No. 33?" The host held the microphone towards No. 33.
No. 33 looked young. Was she even of age?
"Didn't you say we don't need to sign up using real names?" No. 33 responded. Her voice was soft and pleasing to the ear.
"That's true... Then, are you confident that you'll win?" The host asked.
"Yes, I am."
"Very well! I respect that! Without further ado, let's rumble!"
At the sound of the referee's whistle, Irene bumped her gloved hands together. She mockingly smirked at No. 33. The girl was small in stature. It looked as if she would die from a single punch. "Loser!" Irene mocked and rushed forward while her opponent was still checking her gloves.
No. 33 checked her boxing gloves and, unsurprisingly, saw Irene's mocking smile. She smiled lightly. As soon as she took her stance, she took Irene's attack head-on. She shielded her face with her arms before immediately throwing an uppercut, hitting Irene's chin.
Irene spat out a mouthful of saliva after receiving the hit. This little girl was fast! Not only that, the girl was much stronger than Irene had expected.
The audience booed at Irene. They couldn't believe she allowed her opponent to get the upper hand.
Irene glanced nervously at the crowd. She became serious and started throwing punches left and right. She even roared out angrily from time to time.
No. 33 was on the defense and was being pushed back by Irene. The crowd was having a blast. To them, the victor seemed to have already been decided.
"Fuck!" Irene cursed angrily. Only she knew that her punches didn't really land on her opponent.
No. 33 peeked from behind her boxing gloves. She curled her lips and narrowed her eyes slyly. She smiled mockingly. "It's my turn."
No. 33 suddenly kneed Irene's stomach. Just as Irene bent forward from the impact, her elbow came down at Irene's back. Irene went limp. Before Irene could defend herself, No. 33 seized the opportunity and dished out several quick punches.
"That's Muay Thai!"
"No. 33 knows Muay Thai!"
"Wow! This is so exciting!"
Although it was time for the round to end, the referee did not blow the whistle. After all, there were no rules when it came to underground fighting. The match would only end when one of them gave up, or when one of them died.
The match lasted for two and a half hours before it ended with Irene passing out. The host raised No. 33's hand excitedly. "Today's winner is... No. 33! Congratulations! You won twenty thousand yuan!"
No. 33's face was dripping with sweat and she looked like a little beast. Her forehead and lips were bruised, and her cheeks had swelled up. Sweat rolled down her face and onto her shirt. Her chest was visible through the drenched fabric. She pulled off the boxing gloves with her teeth. Ignoring the taste of blood in her mouth, she took the check from the bunny girl and staggered out of the ring.
She could finally pay her tuition fees...