"I did a bit of digging into Punikon''s family," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Turns out, his granddad was a legendary boxer-practically a household name back in

Thyania!"

"And both his dad and uncle? Former heavyweight champs themselves. Boxing runs in their blood. The whole family''s been running a boxing gym for generations."

Emmett looked up at me, his brow furrowed with worry. "Dad, what if you can''t beat him?"

I ruffled his hair, giving him a reassuring grin. "If I thought I couldn''t, I wouldn''t even bother, kiddo. Don''t worry. On my way to drop you off at school, I already got the lowdown on Punikon''s family. Your old man''s not losing this one."

Punikon''s granddad was a real legend—had a reputation that reached far beyond our borders.

But as for Punikon''s dad? Not so much. The word is, the year he took the championship, it was all rigged behind the scenes.

I was sure of it-if it came down to me and him, I wouldn''t lose.

Plus, I had my suspicions. Back in the day, Bernard went solo and swept through gyms across seven countries. Everyone said his next stop was Thyania.

But then, something happened. His wife and apprentice got into trouble, and Bernard had to go off the grid-faked his own death, disappeared without ever making it to Thyania.

Something about all that just didn''t add up.

When Bernard was supposed to be heading their way, all the big gyms in Thyania were panicked. Not a single fighter had the guts to step up.

Then, out of nowhere, they started getting cocky. Suddenly, they were making all this noise, telling the world Bernard was going to meet his end in Thyania. They boasted about their homegrown fighting style, swore up and down they could take Bernard down.

"If he dares show up, he won''t be leaving," they said.

After Bernard''s “death,” the Thyanian boxing scene only got bolder. Even now, they''re still bragging that Bernard got scared off because he knew he couldn''t beat them.

It all seemed a little too convenient. If you ask me, they only started running their mouths when they knew Bernard wasn''ting.

If that''s the case, the Thyanian boxing world must know what really happened back then.

Whether they were behind the trouble with Bernard''s wife and apprentice or not, they''ve got to know something.

Ever since came back from thefn0f53 Updates are released by FιndＮovel/fn0f53

mountains, the whole business with

the mysterious guy and the eighth-generation virus has been weighing on me.  s

But the old folks'' story-I''ve kept that in the back of my mind, too. Why they all faked their deaths and

vanished is still a mystery. No leads nothing.  s

But here''s the thing: before each of them disappeared, they all had unfinished business. Regrets.

They saved my wife and kid, so I figured I owed it to them to help tie up some of those loose ends.

Today''s scuffle with the Thyanian kid was a fluke, but epting this challenge? That was no ident.

I''d already looked into the Punikon family as soon as I heard about them.

The moment I learned they were Thyanian fighters, Bernard popped right into my head...

After a moment of thought, I added, "Don''t worry about tonight''s match, guys. I know what I''m doing."

Evan piped up, "Can I fight too, Dad?"

I shrugged helplessly. "Not up to me. You''ll have to ask your mom."

Evan drooped. "She''d never let us. She thinks it''s too dangerous and chaotic."

I thought for a second. "I''ll be in and

out before you know it. Nothing worth watching. But after we''ve said our goodbyes to your grandma maybe I take you on a tour of the weaponsb."  s

Evan''s eyes lit up. "Are you serious?!"

"Absolutely."

The boys chatted for a bit, clearly reassured. Then they raced downstairs to write

notes for Elizabeth and fold paper cranes.

But Elliot didn''t go downstairs.

He called me into his room, looking dead serious.

"Dad, I think I''ve figured out a way to find the mysterious guy!"