He didn't look nervous.

He simply looked tired.

"Damien."

The fighter smiled.

"Yes?"

Henry looked at him calmly.

"Are you sure?"

The room became quieter.

Damien laughed.

"Absolutely."

Henry nodded.

Then he asked:

"You promise not to cry?"

For a moment, nobody understood.

Then the entire room exploded with laughter.

Damien laughed the loudest.

"You heard that?"

He turned toward the students.

"The janitor is joking with me."

Henry didn't smile.

Because he wasn't joking.

The instructor standing nearby noticed something.

Something in Henry's posture.

The relaxed shoulders.

The balanced feet.

The calm breathing.

Those weren't the movements of someone who had never fought.

The instructor narrowed his eyes.

CHAPTER 4 — THE EASY WIN THAT NEVER CAME

The rules were simple.

One round.

Light sparring.

No dangerous moves.

Damien stepped onto the mat first.

He was confident.

The students gathered around.

Phones came out.

Everyone wanted to record the moment.

The famous black belt defeating the old janitor.

Damien looked at Henry.

"You ready?"

Henry nodded.

"When you are."

The timer started.

Three seconds passed.