Janus shrugged. "Why are you outside?"
"I'm in the Armed league. My match isn't today." Cain replied.
"Makes sense." Janus stated. "I was going to watch Yuri's match only. Then, go back to the locker."
"Yeah…you were unlucky." Cain chuckled. "That loser quit without even trying."
"Can't say I don't agree with ya." Janus turned around. "But I'd better head off."
"Me too." Cain spun around as well.
"But where are you going?" Janus halted near the door as it opened.
Cain flinched and waved his hand. "Just going to explore. Any problem with that?"
"No…No, problem at all." Janus gave a side-eye and entered.
Janus headed to the locker room, passing the lobby. He skipped along the marble floor. Eventually, he stopped at a door at the edge of the lobby. He pulled out his phone and scanned it. The scanner clicked and opened the door immediately. Janus coughed and entered. He glanced around, seeing many players warming up or dressing up for their matches. He moved passed them and made way to his own locker.
He pressed his fingers against it and it opened instantly. He swung it open and took off his jacket. He hung it on and drank water. The intercom buzzed again, calling a player's name. Janus ignored it – it wasn't his, why should he care? He grabbed his towel and locked the locker. He sat down on the bench and exhaled heavily.
'Now…just gotta wait…'
He waited and waited. More players named got called. Some came back victorious and some came defeated. But it wasn't of his concern. Finally, his name was called. He put down his towel and approached exit. He walked through, stepping into the arena as the commentators voice sounded.
"Next match is…Janus Gates versus…Adam Columbia!" Dante exclaimed.
Janus stopped near the center. He exhaled and lifted his head, gazing at his enemy. His opponent – Adam stood opposite of him. His cold yet rough brown hair streaked against the sunlight while his jade eyes glazed deep into Janus's soul. The stylish man placed his hand on his, gleaming black shirt which were tucked into black cargo pants.
"Nice to meet ya, I hope you'll give a good fight." Adam suddenly spoke.
Janus raised brow. "The hell are you talking about?"
"Nothing…" Adam got into a fighting stance.
Janus furrowed his brows as the referee approached. The commentators voice became more dilute as he focused himself. The referee gripped his whistle and raised his hand. The crowd held their breaths as time seemed to slow down. The referee swung his hand – blew the whistle and ran.
'Now!'
Janus's eyes widened. He leapt forward, curling his hand into a fist. Adam titled his head and stomped his foot. Janus recognized that. He directed his hands down as a chunk of the arena flew up. He flipped off it and landed.
Dante sighed. "I was hoping this wouldn't happen."
"Looks like the builders will have to work overtime once more!" Mack smiled.
Adam smirked, stepping forward. He broke the rock he lifted in multiple pieces.
"Here!"
Adam threw the stones at Janus. The latter frowned activating his attribute. His body twisted automatically, avoiding every stone his opponent had thrown. Adam froze, halting his attack. Janus panted and dusted off. Adam paused and thought for a moment.
'You're using your low-level programming to immediately dodge my attacks…unfortunately for you, I made a plan beforehand.'
Adam released the rocks and launched forward. He punched Janus in the side. Janus gasped, reeling from the pain. Then, Adam followed with a kick that sent his rival flying. Janus landed on his back. He rolled off the ground, minimizing the damage to his spine. Adam didn't stop, throwing the rocks start at Janus.
'You damn son of bitch…'
Janus smirked, realizing something. He exited middle-level programming and rushed forward. He quickly switched to low-level. His body began moving on its own as if he were a puppet to a higher existence. Dodging all the stones, he struck his enemy. Adam blocked the first strike. Janus spun around and pushed him back with a kick. But Adam was already prepared. Rocks appeared from behind him, heading straight. Janus noticed and ducked at the last possible moment.
He leapt forward and keened his enemy. Adam blocked. Janus fell down and in the next second… Adam flashed behind him. He locked his rival in a choke hold. Janus panicked and gripped Adam's arms. He tried to pull him away but Adam broke his hand with a rock. Janus gritted his teeth – pain torturing his body yet he still defiantly held on. Time slowly ticked, Janus began feeling light headed.
'No…'
He tried escape but his body had no strength left.
'Forget it…'
He switched to high-level programming. Adam's pupils dilated as Janus's body seemed to move on its own. Janus pushed off, twisted his body and grabbed his enemy's head. Adam let go for a moment – panic setting in. Using that chance, Janus escaped and drew a heavy breath.
"Oh…that was a close one…" He panted.
Adam paused for a moment. Then, he turned around.
"What was that?" Adam asked.
"Can't say…it's my trump card." Janus stated, standing up.
"I've studied you. I know all of your adaptations yet…what's this one?"
"This one is secret. Also, theory sometimes doesn't work in practice." Janus rushed forward.
He launched a punch. Adam braced for it, crossing his arms. Janus feinted and kicked him instead. Adam gasped for air as his rival gripped his head. Janus dug his knee straight into the jade-eyed fellow's head. Blood burst from Adam's nose – pain shot throughout his body. As his head swung back, Janus swept him off his feet. Adam's eyes widened as he fell to the ground. His instincts moved him – making him roll out of the way.
As he gasped for air, Janus rushed at him again. Adam threw multiple rocks at his opponent but Janus dodged them easily. Janus curled his hand into a fist and struck. Adam dodged it and smirked. But that was not the attack Janus had thought of. Using the moment from the punch, he spun around and landed a decisive hook kick on his opponent's head. Adam's eyes rolled back slightly. His ears – ringing, his vision – blurry, his body – in pain.
As Adam fell, Janus deactivated his adaptation. He neared Adam and gazed down at him.
"Do you still want to continue?" Janus asked with a stoic face.
Adam didn't respond – he couldn't. Then, the next moment, he threw up on the spot. Janus stepped back in disgust as the referee blew the whistle.
"AND THE WINNER IS JANUSSSS!!!" Dante screamed.
"LET'S GOOOOOOO!!" Mack matched his tone.
The crowd cheered loudly, applauding his victory Medics rushed out and took Adam to the ER. Janus stared at them while his opponent was taken away. Finally, after he was carried away on the anti-gravity stretcher, he sighed.
"Could've killed ya, dumbass. Be careful next time, otherwise I'll sending my condolences."
Janus whispered under his breath. He followed the medics, glancing as the staff cleaned up the dirt on the battlefield. He groaned and headed to urgent care. Dante's voice range throughout the stadium once more.
"Due to the damages that have been to the arena, the next match will be postponed until further notice. We are extremely sorry for this delay."
"But that was an amazing match for Janus." Mack commented.
"Agreed – 100 percent." Dante nodded rapidly.