Fittino started to panic; he didn't know what was going on; he only felt his consciousness slowly fading away as a result of not being able to breathe.

He started flailing like a fish out of water with all his strength, but the more he struggled the stronger the hold on his body and neck got.

It was like a demon python had gotten ahold of him, and was squeezing the life out of him.

Soon he felt the need to stop struggling, and give up so that his end would come sooner.

This was the most terrifying experience he had ever gone through.

Never before had he felt so useless and helpless, no matter what he did it seemed death was inevitable.

How had he gone from completely dominating the fight, to being right outside death's door.

Life really was too cruel, all his aspirations of rising in the Rank and becoming a great Ranker were quickly forgotten, all he wanted was a quick death.

***

Soon I felt Fittinos breath become almost non existent, and moments after that I heard him start to snooze, that's when I knew it was time.

I finally released my hold on him, and unrestricted my binding technique, and immediately stood back up.

As I had expected, Fittino didn’t follow suit.

He was completely out, had I not felt a bit of his pulse before letting go, I would've thought he was dead.

I looked at him and then turned my sight towards the surrounding people, everyone looked scared and traumatized they had no idea what had happened.

I did a traditional martial vow to them and to Fittinos before saying some final words.

“It's my victory.”

After saying that I quickly grabbed my stuff, and dashed towards the room I was staying in.

I didn’t want to cause more of a scene than I had already caused.

In the middle of my run I suddenly heard “the mysterious voice”.

“Congratulations! Warrior Guso on your victory against Fittinos the Warrior Martial Artist, you have now Ranked up, your victory is now recorded for the Ages, Ii look forward to your rise in the Rankings young Expert.”

There it was again the voice I had expected to hear from; again it told me I had risen in the Ranks, this was only the fourth time I had heard that message, but this was the first time it had felt so good, this time it felt genuine, it felt like I had actually accomplished something with my own efforts.

Halfway to my destination the pain of the injuries I had sustained when fighting had hit me like a ton of bricks, in the midst of the adrenaline from fighting and the joy of victory, I had forgotten all about them.

I didn't think anything was broken, something I was quite surprised about, but I did find myself struggling to move forward.

I decided to hide in my room until all this had passed, and all my injuries had healed, then I would do my best to find a good martial instructor.

Soon enough I managed to get to my room; before locking myself in, I paid the residence owner 4 more gold coins for a whole week's stay.

After cleaning myself up, I laid in the bed, and passed out for the rest of the day and night.

***

Outside the Residence was the old bum who had been outside the city gates.

He seemed a bit out of breath but still looked calm and relaxed.

“ I knew something seemed familiar about that kid. There's no mistaking it that’s Kemoros fighting style. So you've gone and gotten yourself a disciple you old coot hahahaha. Good, good things are finally going to get interesting around this place. I was starting to miss your antics and mischiefs; it seems you've passed on the torch in giving those old mop heads headache after headache. But you’re a bit cruel in sending such a promising young lad to the wolf's den, I'll make sure you repay tonight's favor of protecting your inheritance.”

The old man slipped into the shadows and disappeared into the night, a drop of blood falling from his robes.

***

Almost immediately after the Duel, news of Fittinos defeat spread like wildfire.

The City hadn’t been as lively as it was the day after the duel in a long time.

All sorts of rumors were running around, those who had been lucky enough to watch the Duel live, became instant superstars, everyone’s attention was on them.

The one thing that was consistent was the bombshell that shook the city, Heavenly Hops Genius Disciple an F Rank Ranker, had been defeated in battle, and by a Martial No Name at that.

People went crazy, everyone started looking for both of the Duelist whereabouts.

It was known that the mysterious Martial Artist had spared the Heavenly Hop Disciple.

But soon people found out things weren’t going to be so easy, people had tried to swarm into the Heavenly Hops Schoolyard, but the School had closed their gates, and put impressive Guards in front of them.

Nobody dared to offend the Heavenly Hop School so almost everybody decided to back off.

Those who didn’t, got their asses beat thoroughly.

Martial Citadel was a tough place; there was no sympathy for those who looked for trouble and got punished for it.

People focused on finding the mysterious Martial Artists instead, but he too was nowhere to be found.

But soon more information came out.

Astounding news surfaced in the search for the mysterious Martial Artist!

As it turned out the mysterious Martial Artist was actually an F Rank Ranker himself.

Fittino and his opponent had actually engaged in a Ranker duel.

Someone who had been present during the duel managed to confirm the news through the Seeiers Organization; it is somebody by the name of Guso the Adventurer.

Another uproar ensued and people found out the stores he had shopped at.

The owner’s of the store described a normal looking slim young man that looked kind of like a bum.

That was until he bought Dulo’s Martial Robes, which had sat for ages in the Martial Ways showroom.

Who the hell was Guso?

What Martial School is he related to?

People scrambled to find more information but to no avail.

Even the Seeier Organization had limited information.

Nobody Knew anything !

Soon people guessed that he was probably unaffiliated.

Masters of all the Martial Organizations screamed in urgency.

“Someone hurry and find him and curry favor with him, find him before anybody else does, if he’s in Martial Citadel he must be looking for a Martial teacher!”