The spectators closed their eyes tightly, unwilling to risk harm if they dared to keep them open. It wasn’t just the dust swirling violently in the air—tiny pebbles were flying, too.
If they opened their eyes, there was a real danger that one of those pebbles could strike and injure them.
Gradually, the dust settled, and the air became clearer. The pebbles fell back to the ground, restoring their vision.
As their view sharpened, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd.
Brooks lay unconscious on the ground, his arm mangled and blood dripping from his mouth.
“Brooks is dead? Did he really die?”
“This is insane! Brooks, defeated by a newcomer!”
“I knew that guy was amazing! Now it’s proven—he beat Brooks!”
The audience erupted in a cacophony of reactions, a blend of disbelief and a
