The Kingstons faced a crushing humiliation before the roaring crowd.
Their fifth-best fighter was sprawled lifelessly in the dirt from just a single ruthless blow.
"God almighty, that was brutal!" someone shouted from the stands.
"Vancouver was never mighty like Chicago, sure, but this... this is just pathetic," another voice sneered sharply.
Angry jeers rose quickly, voices filled with scorn echoing around the arena.
"You've disgraced all of Vancouver, Kingstons!"
Jasmine's fists clenched, eyes blazing with rage as she turned to her remaining champions, her voice cold yet fiery.
"Which one of you is man enough to crush this brute and reclaim our honor?"
"Ms. Kingston," Vann Damme announced, stepping forward confidently, his movements fluid, eyes sharp.
"Allow me to handle this disgrace personally."
He moved to the center of the ring, every step resonating with determination.
Among Vancouver's top fighters, he was unquestionably the strongest, the pride and hope of their state.
Victory now wasn't merely about winning a single fight—it meant restoring their shaken pride, lifting their people's spirits once again.
"Alex, think he'll pull it off?" Kelly asked quietly, eyes glued to the impending battle.
"It's tough to call," Alex said thoughtfully.
"That barbarian looks strange, unpredictable. If Vann finds a weakness quickly, exploits it relentlessly, he might have a fighting chance. But something about Vann feels off. Are you certain he's alright?"
Victoria laughed coldly, her eyes flashing with contempt.
"Ridiculous! You think that lumbering barbarian has a chance against Mr. Damme? All he has to do is dance circles around him, tire him out, and that barbarian will collapse like a sack of bones!"
Alex said nothing further, eyes narrowed, observing carefully.
The referee climbed onto the ring, his voice firm, echoing through the tense air.
"No rules inside this ring. Life and death are in your hands alone. Defeat comes from surrender, severe injury, death, or being thrown out of the ring. Are we clear?"
Both men nodded sharply, glaring daggers at each other.
"Then fight!"
A deafening roar erupted from the audience, the energy electrifying as Vann squared his stance, sword gleaming dangerously.
"I've heard enough tales about your cruelty," Vann growled, eyes piercing. "Ends here and now."
With lightning swiftness, Vann launched forward, sword slashing fiercely through the air, aimed at taking immediate control and wearing down the brute with relentless precision and speed.
But the barbarian moved with alarming agility, his massive club slicing through the air to meet Vann's assault head-on.
The moment sword met club, shock surged through Vann's body as though he'd collided with a mountain, bones rattling, muscles straining.
"That all you've got, big guy?" Vann snarled defiantly, though pain laced every word.
Gritting his teeth, he surged forward again, slashing twice more—once at the barbarian's side, then a fierce blow aimed at his exposed back, striking at weaknesses any normal man would have crumbled under.
Van believed he would win, as Conan was unable to defend against it.
Yet just as his blade neared the brute’s skin, a wave of sickening dizziness swept through Vann.
His vision blurred, limbs weakening inexplicably.
A violent cough erupted from his throat, blood spraying uncontrollably from his mouth, staining the ground crimson as the crowd watched in horror.
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