They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 509: Unusual Therapy

He turned slowly at the sound of Somto’s voice.

Their eyes met.

For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. Just silence, and something tense simmering in the air between them.

Somto’s expression was sharp, eyes stormy with barely restrained anger. Of course he still blamed him. The guilt hadn’t disappeared with the passing hours.

But instead of yelling... instead of throwing accusations...

He had come here. To fight.

Arthur understood immediately.

Somto knew him too well. He knew Arthur had to be hurting too, searching for a way, any way, to burn off that pain. And Somto, in his own quiet, fierce way, had offered him one.

Not just a fight, but a kind of comfort. A release. A punishment, maybe. But not out of cruelty, no. Out of understanding.

And strangely... that thought warmed Arthur.

Without a single word, he turned fully and stepped away from the bag.

He shifted into his fighting stance, calm and focused. It wasn’t the same stance he used when he sparred with Nnenna earlier that morning. This one was sharper, heavier. Serious.

Fighting Somto was no casual match. There were no shortcuts or easy wins. Every movement counted.

Arthur raised his fists and locked eyes with him.

Across from him, Somto stood like stone, focused, unreadable, but deadly serious.

Letting Arthur train Nnenna earlier hadn’t been a sign of weakness. He simply acknowledged Arthur’s edge in martial arts. But now? In a duel? Somto knew better than to take that edge lightly. He could hold his own, yes, but only if he remained razor sharp.

Neither of them moved. The tension between them stretched, taut like a drawn bowstring. Their stances were solid, guarded. Not a blink. Not a twitch.

Then, Arthur moved.

In the blink of an eye, he surged forward. A blur. His palm sliced through the air, aimed directly for Somto’s shoulder.

Fast.

Somto’s eyes narrowed, heart rate spiking. He’s quicker than before... but still readable. He shifted, already preparing to block and counter, his body coiling like a spring

But before he could act—

Boom!

A figure dropped between them like thunder crashing to the earth. The impact shook the ground slightly, dust puffing from under their feet.

A hand shot out and met Arthur’s strike mid air.

The collision snapped like a gunshot, raw force against force.

Arthur staggered back four steps, boots scraping against the ground.

The newcomer was shoved seven steps backward, skidding to a stop with a sharp exhale.

Somto’s eyes widened.

Arthur straightened, blinking in surprise.

The dust cleared, and there, standing between them with a raised arm and an amused expression carved in steel

"You guys are having a duel?" Carl asked gently, brushing dust off his coat sleeve like he hadn’t just absorbed a strike that should’ve knocked him flat. He didn’t wait for an answer. "Count me in. I could use the exercise."

Somto gave him a quick nod.

Arthur?

He didn’t speak. noveldrama

He just launched himself forward like a bullet.

Carl barely ducked in time as Arthur’s leg swept where his head had been a split second earlier.

Somto immediately circled to the side, eyes focused, calculating.

Arthur didn’t hesitate. He spun midair, redirecting the momentum into a reverse kick aimed at Somto.

Somto blocked with both arms, but the impact still slid him back a step.

Carl didn’t give Arthur a break. He struck fast, a palm strike aimed just beneath Arthur’s ribs. Pressure point.

Arthur twisted his torso, absorbing the hit, but his grunt gave away that it landed.

Arthur retaliated with a low sweep, forcing Carl to jump.

Somto moved in from behind, hand already snapping toward Arthur’s exposed side.

But Arthur dropped low, grabbed Somto’s ankle mid swing, and yanked.

Somto fell, but caught himself in a roll and came back up, spinning into a mid kick that Arthur barely blocked.

Arthur’s eyes lit with excitement now, this was the kind of fight that made his blood sing. His previous bad mood was much better now.

He twisted around and slammed an elbow into Carl’s shoulder just as Carl tried to flank him.

Carl stumbled back, but caught Arthur’s wrist before he could follow up, and jammed his knee toward the inside of Arthur’s thigh.

Arthur blocked with his own leg, pivoted, and used Carl’s grip against him, flipping him over his shoulder.

Carl landed hard, but rolled onto his feet again.

Somto struck while Arthur was turned, aiming for his back, but Arthur stepped aside, grabbed Somto’s arm, and flipped him too.

Somto grunted, rolling across the ground.

Sweat glistened on all three now.

Arthur’s breathing had quickened. His stance was still solid, but slower now.

Somto’s eyes narrowed. Time to use his rhythm against him. He angled slightly, letting Arthur chase a fake opening, then redirected his own movement to trap Arthur between them.

Carl noticed and adjusted as well. Don’t go for power, go for precision. He slid low, aiming a jab at Arthur’s knee.

Arthur dodged, but Somto appeared behind him and jabbed his elbow into Arthur’s back.

Arthur winced, spun, and caught Somto’s arm, twisting it just enough to force a retreat.

Carl moved in again, this time going for the neck, but Arthur ducked and swept both legs out.

Carl and Somto both stumbled, but Arthur’s body was flagging too.

Carl landed a chop to Arthur’s shoulder.

Arthur staggered.

Somto lunged, aiming for the collarbone. Arthur caught the strike, but didn’t have the strength to counter anymore.

The three of them stood for a second, panting hard. Muscles shaking.

None of them said anything.

Then, as if by mutual agreement, all three collapsed onto the training field, flat on their backs, staring up at the dark, starless sky.

No more attacks. No words. Just breathless silence and the faint rustling of the night wind.

After a long pause, Carl broke the quiet.

"...Okay. I’m officially done."

Arthur chuckled weakly. "Not bad... for amateurs."

Somto smirked. "Says the guy who almost got his ribs rearranged."