Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 48: I'll Let You Have Three Moves

Ethan stood there, exuding an air of righteous indignation.

The referee turned to Felix Rayburn, seeking his opinion.

Felix had intended to challenge Noah Williams to gain the defender's title and boost his popularity. He hadn't anticipated this uninvited intruder disrupting his plan. Moreover, the intruder's attire... such appalling taste!

Felix, not wanting to waste time and energy, was about to tell the referee that he refused this arrangement.

But the masked stranger spoke first.

"Aren't you the so-called 'mini-Ethan Walker'? If you were Ethan Walker himself, you wouldn't refuse this challenge."

Felix, who cared most about being compared to Ethan, was caught in a twisted state of mind. He resented Ethan, yet subconsciously followed in his footsteps. Thus, he couldn't bear to hear anyone suggest he was inferior to Ethan.

However, Felix had enough sense not to be rash and cautiously replied.

"I am my own person. I disdain the title 'mini-Ethan Walker'."

"You're refusing? Then you truly aren't on Ethan's level, just as everyone says."

The masked man's quick wit truly infuriated Felix.

"Fine, I accept," he said grimly, "but not because of Ethan, but because of your aggressive attitude."

"Oh, if that's how you need to justify it to yourself, fine."

"You" Felix found the masked man's tone grating, and something about it seemed familiar.

"Are you an Ethan Walker fan?" Felix asked.

"Sort of."

"No wonder," Felix said with a knowing smile. "You're here to fight for your idol? I'd advise against it. It's your body, not worth risking for someone else."

"You sure do talk a lot," the masked man grew impatient. "Ethan Walker doesn't bother his fans with fighting. He does it himself. I'm here for the prize money." "Prize money?"

"What, can't stand the sight of a poor man? I like money."

A substantial cash reward awaited those who successfully defended the arena multiple times, directly deposited into the winner's account.

The masked man's explanation made sense.

The audience close to the stage overheard their conversation.

"Is this guy an Ethan Walker fan?"

"With the way he talks, he's definitely a fan."

"Ethan Walker's fans are a force to be reckoned with."

"Big words are easy, but let's see if he has the skills."

"Let's focus on Felix Rayburn. His recent dungeon performances have been impressive."

Felix, hearing the crowd's chatter, felt more confident, as they clearly supported him over the mysterious masked man.

He signaled the referee.

"Raise the banner, please."

After confirming both parties were ready, the referee gestured for Noah Williams to move to one side of the arena. With no precedent for this kind of challenge, they didn't dare ask him to leave the stage. The square flag was raised high and then dropped.

The match began!

Felix didn't move. He said, "Seeing you lack experience, I'll let you have three"

Before he could finish his sentence, a blur flashed before his eyes. Then, a heavy blow struck his abdomen!

"Cough "

Felix Rayburn was caught off guard by the punch, nearly retching his guts out. Meanwhile, his opponent had swiftly retreated to a safe distance, readying for the next strike. The audience erupted in cheers! Amidst the roaring crowd, Felix heard his opponent's disdainful voice.

"Still letting me have three moves?"

Wiping the corner of his mouth and standing up straight, Felix clenched his teeth.

"Less talking!"

The two charged towards the center of the arena like arrows released from their bows, colliding in a fierce clash. Then, in a swift exchange, Felix found himself kneeling on one knee.

His opponent had delivered an effective blow!

Who would have thought this whimsically dressed, impromptu challenger possessed such formidable skills?

"Is he from some team, sneaking out for a bit of fun?"

"Can't tell which guild's combat style he's using, just two moves in."

"Seems like a player who specializes in force confrontation. Eternal Dynasty?"

"No way it's Eternal Dynasty, they're strict with their players."

The fight flowed smoothly, resembling a one-sided beating with Felix on the receiving end. The masked man, despite his covered appearance, maintained a clear field of vision. He anticipated Felix's moves with remarkable precision, countering each one effortlessly.

Felix was utterly overpowered!

The audience slowly realized that the masked challenger seemed to be holding back.

"He doesn't seem to want a quick victory? With such impressive fighting skills, couldn't he have knocked Felix off the stage already?"

"Felix looks so pitiful, really feel sorry for him."

"Does he have a grudge against Felix?"

Felix was in a tough spot, unable to advance or retreat. If he tried to leave, he was forcefully pulled back. This fight was getting dirty! Finally, the masked man, seemingly having vented enough, nonchalantly kicked Felix off the stage, ending the battle.

The referee raised the flag to signal the end.

Felix lost, and the unnamed challenger won!

The audience applauded and whistled, celebrating the victor.

Only Emily Johnson in the second-tier stands seemed out of place.

Relieved at the fight's end, he had watched Ethan toy with Felix, obvious to anyone with eyes. He just prayed it wouldn't go too far. Thankfully, Felix was still alive.

Alive was good enough.

Having released his frustration, Ethan was ready to challenge Noah Williams and then feign defeat to leave the stage.

But as he turned around, he found two rows of people had appeared behind him.

Ethan: ?

"You're here to challenge Noah Williams? Line up, wait till I'm done."

The man at the front of the line, of medium height, shook his head.

"No, we're here to challenge you."

"?" Ethan looked at the referee, "Is that even allowed?"

The latecomers had their say.

"Like you, we're here to challenge Noah Williams, but we must defeat you first."

??

Fight magic with magic??

Ethan felt the irony of his situation, rubbing his head in resignation, only to feel the thick scarf. "Then come on."

The man who had spoken stepped forward.

"No, no," Ethan shook his finger, gesturing from left to right, "all of you, together."

The challengers exchanged glances, uncertain.

"This..."

"All together, I'm in a hurry, don't have time to play with each of you."

The audience began to murmur.

"This guy's got some nerve! There are eight challengers on stage!"

"Too arrogant. Just because he beat Felix Rayburn, what's there to be confident about?"

"Weren't you just praising Felix a moment ago?"

"You must have heard wrong, definitely not me."

This unusual format of the match left even the referee confused.

He pressed his Bluetooth earpiece, conversing with an unknown authority. After repeated confirmations, he nodded to Ethan. "No problem, please prepare, both sides."