7 Chapter 6: Unbroken Resolve
As Raymond prepared to exit the arena, the referee's voice rang out, "2 points for a critical hit!"
Raymond turned, eyebrows raised in surprise. He watched as the man struggled to rise, his determination evident despite his shaky stance.
The man muttered to himself, "...I can't go down now, not now."
His words were like a broken record, repeating his resolve to keep fighting despite the odds. He fought against his own body's instinct to surrender, pushing through the pain and dizziness.
With blurred vision and a pounding headache, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain standing, fueled by sheer willpower alone.
Raymond watched in astonishment as the man defied his body's limitations, refusing to give up.
"..."
As Raymond observed the man's determined struggle, he couldn't help but wonder about the reasons behind such fierce determination.
"His gaze was sharp, his aura was pretty sharp too, and he didn't seem like a stupid guy," Raymond thought, recalling his earlier observations.
Curiosity bubbling, Raymond couldn't resist asking, "You..."
"Why do you fight?"
Initially confused by the question, the man burst into a hearty, almost maniacal laugh before answering, "Why? Of course! To get enough money to start it over! My business empire!"
"Oh?"
"My company might have gone under, and I've been completely in debt, but with Heaven's Arena! I could start it over!"
Raymond's smirk widened as he remembered the gossip he overheard in Tatiana's store.
"What a strange coincidence," Raymond mused, shaking his head.
"Let's see if your willpower is strong enough to back up your words."
With ease, Raymond evaded every attack the man threw at him, effortlessly delivering blows of his own.
He chuckled as he landed a kick to the man's guts, followed by a powerful punch to his face, sending him crashing to the ground once more.
Despite the relentless beating, the man refused to stay down.
Raymond maintained his calm demeanor throughout the one-sided fight, landing blow after blow until the referee called out, "Critical Hits! 3 Points!"
Realizing he had already accumulated 9 points, Raymond couldn't help but laugh at the man's persistence as he struggled to rise once again.
Despite his battered appearance, Raymond could see the determination gleaming in the man's eyes.
"This guy..." Raymond murmured as he slowly approached the man.
For the first time in the fight, Raymond took the initiative to move forward, a smirk playing on his adorable yet strangely demonic appearance.
"..."
"You, what's your name?"
"I---I'm Luke."
"Luke? Good, be my slave..."
"...Pardon?"
Raymond shook his head at Luke's confused expression, "I said, work for me..."
"...You definitely didn't say that."
"..."
Ignoring Luke's attempt to clarify, Raymond swiftly delivered a fist to his face, prompting a stream of curses.
"You crazy motherfucker..."
As Luke's consciousness faded, Raymond chuckled at the sight of Luke lying unconscious on the ground.
And so began Raymond's alliance with Luke, a key figure in his pursuit of success.
After their encounter in the arena, Raymond was awarded a ticket to ascend to the 50th floor, bringing Luke's unconscious form with him.
When Luke regained consciousness, he was startled to find Raymond looming over him, and his initial reaction was to scream in horror.
It seemed like his worst nightmare had come to life before his eyes.
As Raymond questioned Luke about his background and experience, he discovered that Luke's business ventures bore a striking resemblance to the I'mazon venture led by Zevv Besoz in Raymond's previous life.
Realizing the potential synergy between their goals, Raymond proposed a partnership, offering to provide the necessary funds in exchange for a 70% stake in Luke's company.
He planned to transfer this ownership to a holding company he would establish in the future.
Although Luke wasn't particularly concerned about Raymond's age, he harbored doubts about Raymond's ability to secure the funds needed for their venture.
As Raymond ascended the ranks of Heaven's Arena, swiftly reaching the 150s after a few days, Luke's doubts began to dissipate.
The young fighter's effortless progress left an indelible impression, and even when offered a ticket to the 190s, Raymond chose to remain in the 150s.
Luke, curious about Raymond's intentions, couldn't quite grasp the reason behind this decision.
However, Raymond, unfazed by others' speculations, was engrossed in his own observations.
Surveying his body, aching yet resilient, Raymond marveled at its rapid adaptation to his movements.
The strength residing within his youthful yet malnourished frame exceeded the norm for someone of his age in his previous life.
This realization illuminated the power dynamics of the new world he found himself in, sparking a crazed grin on his face.
"This world truly is a blessing," Raymond murmured to himself, his eyes alight with determination.
With his revised plan in mind, Raymond dedicated himself to refining his combat skills, engaging in countless battles within the confines of Heaven's Arena.
His young body adapted at an astonishing rate, progressing in ways unimaginable in his former life.
Over the span of a year, Raymond's physique underwent a remarkable transformation. What was once a small frame now brimmed with strength and vitality.
As Raymond continued to spar with a myriad of opponents, each wielding unique combat techniques, he honed his own skills to perfection.
The experience garnered from these battles proved invaluable, shaping him into a formidable fighter.
With the earnings amassed from his victories in Heaven's Arena, Raymond finally had the means to embark on his first business venture alongside Luke.
Under Raymond's keen supervision, the business venture flourished beyond Luke's wildest expectations.
Raymond's astute understanding of the industry, coupled with his innovative ideas, often left Luke in awe.
Rather than feeling overshadowed, Luke found himself grateful for Raymond's guidance, which solidified the hierarchy between them without any resistance from Luke.
Gone was Raymond's malnourished appearance, replaced by a healthier demeanor as he indulged in better meals with the newfound wealth.
Though Raymond continued to reside at Tatiana's place, his involvement in the business remained hidden from her.
Despite Tatiana's occasional suspicions, she dismissed them as mere antics of a typical child, oblivious to the intricate dealings unfolding behind the scenes.
Raymond's physical prowess underwent a remarkable transformation over the course of the year.
Each day, his body endured the strain of intense training, leaving him perpetually sore.
Yet, unlike in his previous life, where rest was deemed essential for muscle recovery, Raymond discovered that his body adapted differently in this world.
Amazed by this newfound resilience, Raymond pushed himself relentlessly, never once taking a day off.
The relentless pursuit of strength consumed him, driving him to his limits day after day.
Beside him, Luke watched in awe and trepidation at Raymond's unwavering determination.
Despite the initial shock of witnessing such fervor in a young boy, Luke found himself filled with newfound confidence.
"This kid is literally my golden ticket!"
With Raymond by his side, he believed he could reach heights he never thought possible.
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