"...Huh?! Wait a minute, you just agreed to him?" Seele was instantly dumbfounded.

"If weapon structures and gun barrels are not used for a long time, the risk of rusting will greatly increase. Regular use will reduce the probability of risk and extend the service life of components."

"...What? Can you find a worse excuse than that?"

——

Ling Cage.

"I understand this... Svarog is itching for a fight, and he just met another person itching for a fight," Shanda accurately translated from the side.

"But even so, Svarog is still a robot. Although it's just a'spar,' its fists are bigger than Luka's head. If it lands a solid hit... it doesn't seem like something that can be solved by just a few broken ribs. Is it really necessary to go all out like this?" Xia Dou still found Luka somewhat unreasonable. It's just a trial, there's no need to put himself in such a dangerous situation, right?

"But looking at it another way, there's nothing wrong with Luka challenging Svarog."

Suixing said indifferently, "There are still Fragmentum monsters in Belobog, and while he and Seele can deal with the monsters that appear, what if stronger ones appear one day... or to think of something even more terrifying—if the Legion attacks Belobog again, when more threatening enemies appear, they won't show mercy like Svarog. This time, Luka is essentially rehearsing in advance."

Shanda also nodded in agreement: "Indeed, although Seele is very strong, her focus is more on building the Upper and Underworlds with Bronya. As for strength... as long as she can consistently deal with these Fragmentum monsters and unruly Wanderers, that's enough. If Luka wants to improve his strength further, an opponent like Svarog, who feels no pain, isn't ideal. It would be best to have someone his age to match him... I think Dan Heng would be very good."

"Dan Heng..." Xia Dou rolled her eyes at Shanda, annoyed, "...Just say you want Luka to die."

——

"Hahaha, see, I told you I could definitely persuade him!" Luka was already eagerly waving his fists. "—Then I'll ask you to be the referee, Seele! You know the club rules best."

"I..." Seele suppressed the urge to curse, forcing herself to calm down first. "...Alright, I understand. Since you're so insistent... Both contestants—please take your positions on either side of the ring!"

For a moment, Svarog's residence was surrounded by countless spectators drawn by the duel, their excited shouts making Luka's heart swell with anticipation.

"Luka of Wildfire—I ask you, what is the origin of that mechanical prosthetic arm of yours?" Svarog asked.

"Ha, I didn't expect there to be something in the Underworld you didn't know about, what an honor! This arm—heh, there's no real story! It was the result of getting distracted during a defense battle, I can't even remember the exact year. What's important is, only after losing this hand... did I finally find meaning, found the feeling of being alive!"

Luka patted his chest with his iron fist, making a dull thud: "This is also why I'm standing here—to feel alive... and for everyone who has high hopes for me!"

"An excellent answer. I will take this spar seriously, Luka of Wildfire."

"Good, then I'll start!"

Luka lunged forward, his mechanical prosthetic arm colliding fiercely with Svarog's massive iron fist, sending out a dazzling shower of sparks. The immense impact made Luka grunt, his body sliding backward several meters uncontrollably, his boot soles leaving clear marks on the snow.

"Ha, finally an opponent who can withstand this punch!" Failing to land a decisive blow only made Luka even more excited.

"A powerful strike—but it cannot penetrate my defense." Svarog's massive body pressed forward, landing a punch directly on Luka's abdomen. The huge impact sent him flying several meters, making it difficult for him to even get up from the pain.

"...Tch, not bad..."

"...Red contestant knocked down! Ten, nine, eight, seven..."

Luka wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, wobbled, and stood up again, "...How is that possible? It's still too early to end! Again!"

——

Zenless Zone Zero.

"Uh... it seems the miracle we were hoping for didn't happen."

Outside New Eridu's outer ring, Caesar couldn't bear to watch any longer and turned to Wright beside him. "Wright, you used to box. Do you think Luka still has a chance?"

Wright took off his sunglasses and slowly shook his head: "In the ring, the most basic fairness is similar weight classes. But these two... the difference is too great." He pointed to Svarog's massive body. "Fighting techniques have very limited effect against absolute strength and defense. Moreover, the opponent isn't even human... If it were me, I'd rather take on a Dead End Butcher than fight a robot that feels no pain."

"What about Billy..."

"Billy-senpai is clearly different from Svarog, right? Just the weight class alone is miles apart; their only commonality might be that they're both robots."

"This Luka is also an idiot!" Lucy stomped her foot in frustration. Every time she saw such a stubborn idiot, she'd get angry. "At this point, why is he still getting up?! How can a trial be more important than his own life? Hasn't he realized the gap between himself and Svarog? At a time like this, he should immediately call a doctor!"

"You don't understand, Lucy." Wright watched Luka grit his teeth and get back up, saying in a low voice, "In the ring, those who give up easily can never become boxing champions."

——

"Witness the sparks fly!"

Luka gritted his teeth, and his right prosthetic arm suddenly emitted an overloaded hum. The joint at his elbow fiercely spewed hot orange-red afterburners, like an overheating racing engine, about to unleash an explosive sprint!

The children watching nearby only saw a flash before their eyes, a cluster of flames erupting in the extremely dreary snow, burning fiercely. Luka was like a bullet fired from a barrel, transforming into a blurry afterimage in the blazing fire.

—He was finally going to use his most proud punch!

The onlookers were almost ready to cheer.

Their hearts had long been tied to Luka. They had long yearned for Luka to deliver the winning punch!

The swirling snow suddenly stopped.

Only a dull yet incredibly clear thud echoed endlessly in everyone's ears, hammering away, making their hearts panic.

—Once the smoke cleared, everyone finally saw Luka's self-sacrificing punch, along with his entire forward momentum, firmly frozen in front of Svarog.