Death or Surrender

A minute later, a scream rang out, followed by an arm that had been forcibly torn off being thrown from the martial arts arena into the waiting room.

Several people recoiled in horror.

The announcer's platform declared the result.

"Contestant Number Two, deceased."

The third contestant, upon hearing the news, immediately collapsed to the floor like a deflated balloon.

"I'm not fighting. I'm not fighting anymore. I still want to live. Even if I can't go to school, I still want to live."

"My parents are still at home. They're old now. I can't die. Even if I don't go to school, I can still earn money through hard labor."

"I'm not fighting. I give up. I forfeit!"

As Number Three spoke, he got up and rushed out, shouting toward the announcer's platform, "I forfeit! I admit defeat!"

A huge wave of laughter then erupted from the stands.

"Exactly. This is how these Lower Registry people should act."

The Upper Registry student who had been about to face him snorted and turned to leave.

After a brief discussion, the announcer's platform approved Number Three's request to surrender.

Amid the thunderous mockery, he was the only Lower Registry student who had entered the arena and walked out alive.

Next came Numbers Four, Five, Six, and Seven.

All four chose to surrender in turn.

Gradually, people in the stands began to leave.

This completely one-sided string of surrenders could no longer hold their attention or interest.

Inside the waiting room.

Number Nine gave Number Eight a bitter smile. "Are you going to surrender too?"

Unexpectedly, Number Eight, who was as quiet and reserved as Yang Sheng, raised his head with a resolute gaze.

"Though there is a distinction between high and low, though the odds are nine deaths out of ten, we should not kneel in submission out of fear. Why do us Lower Registry students study diligently and train hard? It is not merely for our studies and future prospects, but to prove to those in power that even ants possess pride and backbone. Resistance is not for certain victory. If we all stay silent and accept our fate, then the Lower Registry will truly become the Lower Registry. That is exactly what they want to see."

Yang Sheng opened his eyes.

He had seen this Number Eight every early morning.

He would see Number Eight in the school's training room, refining his techniques punch by punch.

Lower Registry students had no resources. The only resource they could rely on was their own willpower.

"But I don't want that. I want them to see that we Lower Registry people are human too, even if it means death."

After saying that, he stood, straightened his clothes, and walked into the martial arts arena with firm steps.

"Here comes another one who wants to surrender."

"Hurry up and surrender. I'm already sick of watching this."

Voices rose and fell from the stands.

Number Eight's opponent was the vice class monitor of the second-year Rocket Class, with strength at the Peak Lesser Completion of Bright Force.

Ignoring the commotion in the stands, he planted his feet in a proper horse stance.

The moment the referee announced the start, he pushed off the ground and attacked first.

Number Eight was also the only Lower Registry student so far to take the initiative and attack.

That drew quite a few people's attention.

"Finally, something worth watching. This is the first time I've seen a Lower Registry person attack."

"He's overestimating himself. He probably doesn't even know how strong his opponent is."

His opponent raised an eyebrow, then blocked with both hands, stopping Number Eight's first attack.

Seeing that his strike had failed, Number Eight swiftly retreated without leaving the slightest opening.

Then he gathered his strength again and launched another attack.

But after several consecutive attacks, he realized he had no way to break through the other man's defense.

"His form is proper enough, but unfortunately, he lacks flair," Liu Chang commented.

After his tenth failed attack, Number Eight was already panting, while his opponent looked at him disdainfully. "Have you had enough fun?"

"Hmph!"

At those words, Number Eight attacked again.

This time, his attack still had no effect, but when he tried to retreat, he discovered that his opponent had somehow already appeared in his path.

"Without a teacher's guidance, even solid fundamentals are useless." Liu Jianming shook his head.

The next second, his opponent sneered and threw a punch.

Number Eight hurriedly copied him and raised both hands to block.

But the force behind that punch was simply too great.

It sent Number Eight flying.

The instant he was knocked back, his body stiffened for a moment.

His opponent seized that brief opening.

Another punch landed squarely on his chest.

"Urgh."

Number Eight spat out blood and crashed to the ground.

His opponent walked over step by step and punched him in the eye.

Number Eight's eye instantly became bloodshot and swollen.

"Surrender now, and I'll spare your life."

Unexpectedly, those words, which his opponent believed to be an act of great mercy, enraged Number Eight instead.

Number Eight spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto his opponent's face.

"You want me to surrender? Impossible. Unless I die."

His opponent's expression instantly darkened.

He threw another punch.

It struck the eye that was already swollen shut, splitting open the eyelid and drawing a flood of blood.

"Say you surrender, and I'll let you go."

Number Eight's vision was a sea of red, yet he still said, "I won't surrender."

Another punch.

With a crack.

This time, Number Eight's entire eye socket caved in.

The red before his eyes turned gray-black.

"Surrender?"

"I won't surrender."

Punch after punch.

Until the stands fell completely silent.

"Surrender?"

Number Eight's facial bones had completely caved in. He used the last trace of strength in his throat.

"I... I won't surrender."

In one corner of the stands.

Li Jing tightly gripped Guo Rui's hand.

"Why do I... feel like crying?" She wiped at the corner of her eye, only to discover that tears had already fallen.

Guo Rui comforted her. "This Number Eight should have surrendered like everyone else. He insisted on holding out, and now he'll only end up dying horribly."

Li Jing cursed resentfully, "These Upper Registry people are not human."

Guo Rui's eyes widened at once. She looked around and covered Li Jing's mouth.

"Don't talk nonsense. There are so many people around listening."

Li Jing made two muffled sounds and sighed.

"I wonder what will happen to Yang Sheng later. I'm suddenly a little worried about him. These Upper Registry people are all so strong."

Guo Rui sighed as well. "This may be the last time we ever see him."

From the announcer's platform came Number Eight's result.

"Number Eight, deceased."

Number Nine had been lowering his head in thought. Upon hearing the news, he gripped at his pant legs with both hands.

He turned to Yang Sheng. "Are you going to surrender?"

Yang Sheng looked at him, utterly resolute.

"No."

Number Nine said, "Number Eight got beaten into that state. If they send him home, even his mother won't recognize him. If you don't surrender, you'll end up the same way."

Yang Sheng stared straight into his eyes.

"I won't surrender."

Number Nine suddenly cursed, "Damn it, you two are really stubborn mules. Being stuck between the two of you is the worst luck I've ever had. Fine, I won't surrender either. If I surrender too, then more than half of us Lower Registry people will have surrendered. That would be far too humiliating."

He took a deep breath and strode out.

A minute later, the announcer's platform announced the result.

"Contestant Number Nine, deceased."