79 The Tournament (7)

Zakir soared through the air, resembling a guided missile zeroing in on its target. Erik, caught off guard by this aggressive burst, found himself unable to evade in time. As Zakir arrived in front of Erik, he extended his bulky right arm, unleashing a powerful lariat at the awakener.

The impact against Erik's neck was brutal, sending him crashing to the ground in a heap.

While gasping for air, Erik grappled with the sharp constriction on his windpipe, a result of the crushing blow.

He lay there, struggling for breath, as Zakir towered over him, exuding a sense of triumph.

With a smug satisfaction, Zakir reveled in his apparent victory, playing to the crowd with grand gestures. "Do you want me to finish him?" He said. The crowd roared back in affirmation.

"YES!"

"I will ask you again: DO YOU WANT ME TO FINISH HIM?!"

"YES!"