Phoenix's Requiem - Chapter 37: On What Grounds?

From Thief to ChampionJavier Restrepo thought the heist would change everything. 400 million in cash, rare boxing memorabilia, and finally enough money to escape the streets. Instead, his crew lies dead in a burning car while police sirens wail through Brooklyn.Then the impossible happens.The explosion that should have killed him sends Javier five years into the past—back to seventeen, back to the Marcus Garvey Group Home, back to every choice that led him down the wrong path. But this time, something else comes with him: the ghost of Vicente “El Martillo” Morales, heavyweight champion murdered thirty years ago.Vicente's spectral presence offers what no living trainer can: the knowledge to transform a street thief into a boxing legend. With supernatural guidance tracking his every improvement, Javier begins climbing from amateur tournaments toward professional glory.But the boxing world harbors its own dangers. Corrupt promoters control the sport's highest levels, and some secrets are worth killing for. As Javier rises through the ranks, he must navigate a system where talent alone isn't enough—and where his criminal past might be the key to surviving boxing's deadliest truths.Second chances don't come free. And champions are forged in blood and sacrifice.Content Disclaimer:This novel contains mature themes including violence, crime, death, and the brutal realities of professional boxing. The story features supernatural elements within a gritty urban setting and explores themes of redemption, corruption, and moral ambiguity. Reader discretion is advised for scenes depicting boxing violence, criminal activity, and intense emotional content.Fiction Notice:All characters, organizations, events, and locations in this work are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events, or existing places is purely coincidental. This story is a work of imagination and should not be taken as factual representation of boxing, law enforcement, or any real-world institutions.

Layland Kleinhaus (17) suffers from hypogonadism that makes him less “manly” on top of having a girly face. He is bullied because of it, but he always remains strong ... At least, until he can't bear the betrayals and sufferings anymore.

Filled with rage, indignation, and the lust for blood, he decided to end the life of his tormentors along with the bystanders before taking his own life.

Alas, in the middle of his deed, a mysterious being intervenes the act by summoning him and the rest of the bastards he is killing to another world. He curses his bad luck for not being able to fulfill his revenge because of it, but much to his surprise, there is something much better than having his revenge waiting for him.

“Layland... Be a Demon King.”

Thus, his journey of becoming the unparalleled Demon King begins.

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Those who know me are already in the know of my “condition”—minor dyslexia. So, if you find any misspell or 'wtf does this even mean' words, I hope you can pardon me from the insult, and notify me instead.

An Apocalypse descends—as a lethal super-virus wipes out most of the human population. It took less than a day for the world to change forever—bringing mankind to its knees.It’s a time of misery and death for most, however, there are some who are lucky. Zane Graves, who came across a “Blood Crystal” is given an ability: [Dead Man Walking]—which grants him a special power, and so setting him off on his path to the top!

Once Gu Qingjiu, she was fortunate enough to be born in the “best” family, ended up having a miserable and unjust life.

Reliving her life once more, Gu Qingjiu chooses to enlist in the military and bear the toughest hardships she has ever faced. Everyone says that she’s the least possible person to join the special forces. However, she manages to prove all of them wrong.

Good-for-nothing? Who’s the good-for-nothing? Is she a good-for-nothing when she can throw all of them onto the floor in a fight? Is she a good-for-nothing when she has results better than everyone else? She’ll prove all of them wrong.

Enter Helian Niancheng, the well-known, youngest major-general in Beijing. A banishment sends him into the basic ranks in a military camp as a new recruit. From then on, he meets a person that makes him dote on and protect at all costs, his beloved. However, his beloved is only focused on fighting and killing. Major-general Helian declares this to be a very bad, a very terrible situation. Yet, Gu Qingjiu merely replies,

“Scram! Lower your gun if you dare!”