The day of the challenge arrived as scheduled.
The Blood Fist arena was packed. Tens of thousands of spectators from across the universe filled it to bursting. Their shouts and roars threatened to tear the roof off the tower of vice.
At the center of the arena, Grok the "Starbreaker" had been waiting for some time. Thick stone armor covered his body, white steam billowed from him with every breath, and the enormous axe in his hand, fashioned from a spaceship's armor plating, gleamed under the lights.
Across from him, Link looked tiny.
He still wore his simple black combat suit, with no armor on his body and no weapon in his hands.
He simply stood there, as though the deafening uproar around him had nothing to do with him.
"Roar!"
At the referee's signal, Grok let out a thunderous roar. He charged forward like a heavy tank at full speed, bearing down on Link.
His enormous axe came down at Link's head with a shriek that split the air!
Every spectator held their breath. They could already picture the foolhardy human being cleaved in two.
Then Link moved.
He did not retreat. He did not dodge away.
He advanced straight toward the descending axe.
Just as the blade was about to strike his head, he twisted his body at an angle no ordinary person could manage, narrowly slipping past its edge.
At the same time, he pushed off the ground and shot upward like a cannonball, racing along Grok's massive arm.
Grok missed and tried to pull back his axe, only to find Link already upon him.
Too fast!
That was the only thought Grok managed before an irresistible force struck his jaw.
Link twisted his waist in midair and turned, driving all his strength into his right leg.