The instructor looked at Daniel.

"You trained under him?"

Daniel nodded.

The room changed instantly.

The janitor wasn't just a janitor.

CHAPTER 6 — THE CHAMPION STARTED TO FALL APART

Marcus heard the conversation.

And for the first time, he looked uncertain.

Not because Daniel was older.

Because Daniel was experienced.

Marcus attacked again.

This time with emotion.

Anger.

Pride.

Frustration.

Daniel saw it immediately.

"You're fighting my reputation."

Marcus stopped.

"What?"

"You're not fighting me."

That sentence hit harder than any move.

Because it was true.

Marcus wasn't trying to win.

He was trying to prove he couldn't lose.

And that made him careless.

CHAPTER 7 — THE TAP THAT SILENCED THE DOJO

The final exchange happened quickly.

Marcus attacked.