Part-15

  However, despite the initial success, James' ck of experience quickly became apparent. Ryan, a seasoned petitor, recovered quickly from James' initial flurry. He used his superior strength and judo expertise to his advantage, expertly maneuvering James off bance.

  A well-pced sweep sent James sprawling to the ground, the wind knocked out of his lungs. A groan escaped his lips as Ryan loomed over him, a triumphant smirk pstered on his face.

  "Looks like the pipsqueak doesn't have what it takes after all," Ryan taunted, his voice dripping with dession.

  James gritted his teeth, the sting of defeat mingling with the dull ache in his babsp; He knew he couldn't give up. The mission loomed rge, a stant reminder pushing him to his feet. He o use the "Thundercp Sp" – it was his only ce.

  The air stung with the metallig of sweat and tension. James scrambled to his feet, his vision momentarily blurred from the impact. Ryan, emboldened by his dominance, circled him like a predator stalking its prey.

  "Give it up, pipsqueak," Ryan sneered, his voice ced with a cruel amusement. "You're outmatched."

  James ignored him, fog on the burning ache in his side and the throbbing in his head. He knew Ryan was right. He was losing. This wasn't a sparring session, and James cked the experieo ter Ryan's aggression and well-hoeique. The taunts of the crowd, initially a source of ued energy, now seemed distant and mog.

  But amidst the pain and humiliation, a flicker of defiance sparked in James' eyes. He couldn't let Ryan win. He wouldn't let himself be bullied anymore. More importantly, the chilling reminder of the "Struck by Thunder" penalty fshed in his mind.

  With a renewed surge of determination, James took a deep breath and adopted a more defeance. He remembered his karate training, the hours spent perfeg blocks and ters uhe watchful eye of his sensei. He wouldn't give Ryan an easy shot.

  The fight tinued, a brutal dance of kicks and punches. James, fueled by desperation and the system's invisible leash, fought with a ferocity that surprised even himself. He blocked a barrage of blows, narrowly dodging a kick aimed at his head. However, exhaustion g him, his movements being slower and more sluggish.

  James' vision swam, his breaths ing in ragged gasps. Every muscle screamed in protest, his body a vas of pain. A triumphant smirk spread across Ryan's face as he prepared to deliver a finishing blow.

  Just as Ryan's fist arced through the air, a crucial mistake. He let his guard down for a split sed, a sliver ance clouding his judgment. James, fueled by a primal instinct for survival and the ever-present threat of the "Struck by Thunder" penalty, saw his ce.

  With a surge of adrenalihat defied his exhaustion, James unched himself forward. Ign the proper karate form drilled into him for years, he focused ohing – delivering the sp. He closed the distaween him and Ryan in a blink, his arm extended, palm open.

  The crowd held its breath, a collective gasp esg their lips as James ected with a resounding smack. It wasn't a precise, trolled strike, but it nded squarely on Ryan's cheek.