As he was rushed out to the arena for a second round, Mark felt the tingling rush of adrenaline kick in, readying him for the fight of a lifetime. The roar of the crowd crashed over him like a tidal wave, and he fought the desire to soak in the energy. He had to stay focused, had to win. The announcer called his name with booming enthusiasm, drawing out the sylbles like he was summoning a legend. Another woman was led out, and she was as imposing as she was confident. This one was a powerhouse, a rge, muscur fighter wearing a supersuit that spoke of her intent. Her Middle Eastern descent was noticeable, and her long jet-bck hair framed her face as she smiled at Mark with a challenge painted in her eyes. She threw him a mocking kiss, her voice dripping with taunt. “When I beat you tonight I will make sure you have enough to eat. I can always give you a loan.” Mark held his tongue, letting her words bounce off him. The announcer called her by a name that suited her perfectly: Amazon. She didn’t wait for the official start, didn’t need the rules. She whipped out a massive spear and rushed at him with brutal intent.

  Mark cursed inwardly, realizing right away she was either a weak Superhuman Body or maybe even a normal Superhuman Body. It didn’t matter to him, though. He knew he could take her. As she charged, he slipped effortlessly beneath the spear’s lethal arc and unleashed a devastating uppercut right to her liver. It packed so much power that it lifted her a few feet into the air. Even though she grimaced and felt the full impact of his strike, she was quick to regain her footing. She combat-rolled away like a true warrior, creating distance between them, but Mark didn’t give her any breathing room. By the time she was upright again, Mark was already there. He let his fists do the talking, filling the space with a violent flurry of combination blows. She struggled to keep up, but his relentless assault was too much. She was like the punk woman, only stronger and maybe a bit more stubborn. He caught her by the throat, lifting her with an even greater force as she filed and fought back. “Forfeit!” he shouted with the voice of a conqueror, not giving her room to maneuver. She knew she was beaten. She surrendered with hesitation, and he dropped her just before the announcer decred Seven the winner.

  The crowd went wild, and this time the buzz around him was several times more intense. He was the unbeatable mystery, the fighter they couldn’t get enough of. Everyone swarmed him, trying to get the inside scoop on Mark and what made him tick. They threw questions and admiration at him like confetti, but Mark shut them down as he went to collect what was his. He asked Donavan if he could buy an Evo-Shot from the pce. Donavan looked like he was holding back a smirk and nodded. “90 grand a shot,” the man said, knowing Mark would pay any price. Mark took it out of his earnings on the spot, feeling like he’d just trumped the game. Just like that, he was handed an Evo-Shot in a sleek suitcase and 36 grand in cash, including his prize money.

  “Alright,” Mark said, his voice full of satisfaction as he stuffed the cash into his coat pocket. “It's time to go home and see what this Body Kinesis is all about.” He put the money in his pocket and swaggered off with his Evo-Shot. Mark was still riding high as he made his way towards the nearest subway entrance. He could almost taste the victory, but just as he thought the night would end without a hitch, he heard voices shouting behind him. Turning around with curiosity, he saw a gang of Supers, all women and all looking for payback. Amazon was there, looking fully healed and ready to throw down again.

  “We can’t let you leave with that money and Evo-Shot. We need that,” one of the women yelled, and they all stood there with determination burning in their eyes. Mark shrugged, not the least bit fazed.

  “I earned it. You lost. That’s not my problem. I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors, though.”

  Amazon took a step forward, her stance as aggressive as her gre.

  “This was not a request. You may be strong enough to beat a Weak Superhuman Body but a Superhuman Body can’t beat 6 Supers at once. Give us the shot and the money then we walk away.”

  Mark fully turned around, still suited up, and smiled at their threat. “I am not a Superhuman Body. This will be your st warning.”

  Another Super chuckled, a bck woman crackling with electric energy, arcs of lightning dancing around her like a furious storm.

  “Let’s get him!” she shouted before anyone could blink.

  Mark moved like a bolt of his own. He rushed forward with blinding speed, so fast they didn’t even see him coming. He was in front of the woman quicker than they could turn their heads. With brutal precision, he crushed her jaw with a vicious hook. Her scream pierced the night as he flung her helpless body at Amazon.

  As another Super took to the sky, flying away, Mark snatched a trashcan lid and hurled it with impossible force. It connected with a sickening crack, breaking bones as she tumbled from the sky. Mark ran to catch her, seeing how one of her legs jutted out at an unnatural angle. He threw her at Amazon, adding to the growing pile.

  A third woman used teleportation powers, trying to disorient him as she popped in and out of reality. But Mark was a pro. He closed his eyes and trusted his other senses. He listened, waiting for the sound of air dispcing. The second she appeared in front of him, he delivered a devastating uppercut. She shot up into the air and nded hard on the roof of a nearby car.

  The remaining Supers froze as Mark looked at them, a confident smile on his face.

  “Would you like another demonstration?” he taunted.

  Amazon and the others started crying out, fear overpowering their bravado. They fell to their knees, pleading for mercy.

  He smiled, showing them grace even though they’d shown him none. “Okay, you’ve had enough. But if you come at me again, I might not be so nice.” He left them huddled together, knowing that he’d held back, knowing that they didn’t.

  Mark hit the subway, his heart still thrumming with the thrill of battle. He switched his suit to wristband mode and went back to the Sewers.

  “Let’s see what this Evo-Shot is all about.”