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Urban Knight
Chapter 33: Sparring

Chapter 33: Sparring

The dim light of Reese's room cast a somber atmosphere as he sat on his bed, his thoughts weighed down by the disappointment of the past two weeks. Despite his best efforts, no one had reached out to him after posting the video, and his hopes of finding a job were fading fast. With a heavy heart, he resigned himself to another night of restless sleep, his mind consumed by worries about his dwindling allowance.

Just as he was about to drift off into a fitful slumber, Reese was jolted awake by the sudden ringing of his phone. Blinking groggily, he reached for the device, his brow furrowing in confusion as he saw the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen. With a mix of curiosity and resignation, he answered the call.

"New phone. Who's this?" Reese asked.

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a surprised chuckle. "Well, Reese Urban, it seems you've got quite the sense of humor. This is actually a potential employer reaching out to discuss a job opportunity."

Reese's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected turn of events. Could this be the breakthrough he had been waiting for? Suddenly, the weariness that had plagued him for weeks was replaced by a surge of excitement and hope.

"Really?" Reese's voice was tinged with disbelief as he leaned forward eagerly.

"Yes, indeed," the caller confirmed. "I represent a certain individual who has taken an interest in your... unique abilities," the voice continued cryptically.

A flicker of hope sparked within Reese's chest at the mention of an opportunity, but he couldn't shake the lingering sense of doubt that had settled over him in recent days.

"Who are you?" Reese asked, his voice betraying a hint of skepticism.

"All will be revealed in due time," the voice replied enigmatically. "But for now, let's just say that your talents have not gone unnoticed."

With that cryptic remark, the caller abruptly ended the call. Reese blinked for a second at what just happened. "Did he just end the call without saying where and when to meet?" Reese was surprised by the abrupt ending.

"What the hell? This isn't a spy movie," Reese said as he paced in anger in his room. But before he could continue cursing the man earlier, he received a text that said: "Tomorrow, 01:00 PM, Taoist Temple. Be there."

After reading the text, Reese's face lit up with a big smile. He quickly set his phone aside and nestled in bed. As he closed his eyes, thoughts of the upcoming meeting at the Taoist Temple danced through his mind. With a contented sigh, Reese drifted off to sleep.

The next day, as Reese sat on a nearby bench, casually browsing through random videos on his phone to pass the time, despite arriving at the Taoist Temple half an hour early, he was eager to meet his potential employer and learn more about the job opportunity.

As the minutes ticked by, Reese's spiritual senses remained on high alert, probing his surroundings for any signs of activity. The temple grounds were relatively quiet, with only a few scattered visitors wandering about, lost in quiet contemplation.

Suddenly, Reese's senses tingled with the approach of someone nearby. His presence was unmistakable, even before he came into view. Glancing up from his phone, Reese's gaze fell upon a young man striding confidently towards him, his imposing stature and probing gaze immediately drawing Reese's attention.

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'This scrawny brat was the guy Mr. Lopez said to protect Sir Jasper? Hmm, how weak.' The imposing guy thought disdainfully.

The newcomer was larger and more muscular than Reese, with an air of authority that seemed to command respect. Despite the subtle hint of superiority in his demeanor, Reese remained unfazed, meeting the stranger's gaze with a calm and collected demeanor.

As the young man reached Reese's side, he towered over him, casting a shadow that seemed to loom larger than life. "Are you Reese?" he asked, his tone tinged with curiosity and a hint of skepticism.

With a nod, Reese replied, "That's me. And you are?"

The young man's gaze did not soften as he introduced himself: "I'm Dwight. I'm here on behalf of my employer, Mr. Lopez. He's interested in meeting with you."

With a nod, Reese rose from the bench and followed Dwight.

As Dwight led Reese through the imposing gates of Mr. Ramirez's estate, Reese couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of his surroundings. The sprawling mansion stood as a testament to the Ramirez family's wealth and influence, with its elegant facade and meticulously manicured gardens exuding an air of refinement and sophistication.

Inside, Reese's spiritual senses went into overdrive as he probed the area, mapping out the layout of the house and assessing any potential threats or obstacles. Despite the opulence of his surroundings, Reese couldn't shake the feeling of being scrutinized by the guards and maids who cast curious glances in his direction.

As they made their way deeper into the house, Reese's senses remained on high alert, his keen intuition guiding him through the labyrinthine corridors and ornately decorated rooms. Finally, they arrived at their destination—a secluded area at the back of the house where Mr. Lopez awaited their arrival.

Mr. Lopez greeted Reese with a nod of acknowledgment, his expression unreadable as he assessed the young man standing before him. Reese returned the gesture with a polite smile, his demeanor calm and composed despite the undercurrent of tension that lingered in the air.

"Reese," Mr. Lopez said, his voice grave yet welcoming. "I'm glad you could make it. I trust you received my message."

Reese nodded, his gaze meeting Mr. Lopez's with apprehension. "Yes, I received your message. Thank you for reaching out to me."

With that, Reese followed Mr. Lopez into the heart of the Ramirez estate.

As Reese followed Mr. Lopez through the corridors of the house, they finally arrived at what appeared to be a well-equipped gym. Reese's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he took in the sight of punching bags, weights, and a boxing ring.

Mr. Lopez led Reese further into the gym, and Reese's senses sharpened as he detected the presence of another person nearby. He turned his gaze toward the figure standing at the edge of the room. Mr. Ramirez stood proudly, his presence exuding an aura of authority and strength. Reese couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity wash over him, though he couldn't quite place where he had seen Mr. Ramirez before.

"Reese Urban," Mr. Ramirez greeted, his voice echoing through the room with quiet intensity. "I’m Richard Ramirez; I've been looking forward to meeting you." Then he shook Reese's hand with a firm grip.

Reese also shook Mr. Ramirez's hand respectfully, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the situation. "Likewise, Mr. Ramirez," he replied, his tone measured yet curious. "May I ask why we're here?"

Mr. Ramirez offered a reassuring smile, gesturing towards the gym around them.

Mr. Ramirez's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he proposed the test to Reese. "I need to see your abilities firsthand, Reese," he explained, his voice filled with determination. "I want to ensure that you're truly capable of protecting my son."

Reese hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. "I understand, Mr. Ramirez," he replied, his tone thoughtful. "But what kind of test did you have in mind?"

Mr. Ramirez grinned, his excitement palpable. "We'll start with something simple, sparring," he suggested.

"Sparring? Spar with who?" Reese asked confusedly.

With a smile, Mr. Ramirez instructed Mr. Lopez to get Dwight. "You know, Reese, Dwight was only 2 years older than you, and he's already a black belt in Karate, Escrima, and Taekwondo, second only to Mr. Lopez, my head security," Mr. Ramirez said proudly, because it was he who discovered Dwight's talent when he was visiting a small province.

‘Oh, no wonder that guy is quite arrogant.' Reese thought with surprise, but it does not matter to him.

Soon, the heavy thud of footsteps echoed through the gym as Dwight entered, his presence commanding attention. He exuded confidence, a smirk playing on his lips as he locked eyes with Reese. Mr. Lopez already told Dwight why he was called by Mr. Ramirez: to test Reese abilities.

"Ah, Dwight, excellent," Mr. Ramirez said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Reese here will be sparring with you in the ring. I want to see if his fighting power is exactly as the video says."

Dwight's smirk widened into a grin as he eagerly accepted the challenge, his muscles tensing in anticipation. "Of course, sir," he replied, his tone brimming with confidence.

Then Reese and Dwight stepped into the ring. Reese just stood in the middle of the ring nonchalantly, while Dwight was so eager that he could not stop moving.

Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Lopez looked at Reese and Dwight, who were about to spar. They could not help but look at Reese, who was yawning. Surprised, Mr. Ramirez said, "This kid's confidence must be off the roof. How bored can you be to yawn when you're about to fight?"

Then Mr. Lopez shouted outside the ring. "fight"