The air in East Seoul was different—still, heavy, like a battlefield waiting for its first blood.
Daesung walked ahead, calm but cold, his hoodie pulled low. Jihan followed beside him, bandages still wrapped on his arm, but his eyes sharp, scanning every alley.
Daesung:
"This the place?"
Jihan:
"Yeah. Feels like a trap, though."
They entered the abandoned dojo, graffiti covering the walls, wooden floors worn from years of impact. In the center stood Joon Hah—tall, sharp-eyed, with a lazy smirk. His aura was... ancient. Like someone who didn’t need to prove himself anymore.
Joon Hah:
"You’re the UI kid everyone’s talking about? Heard you went crazy in Gangbuk."
Daesung:
"I came to learn your Hand Blade."
Joon Hah chuckled.
Joon Hah:
"You don’t ask for it. You earn it. Survive the Three. Then we talk."
Three figures stepped out from the shadows.
-
Daejin, relaxed, hands in pockets.
-
Kyoma, silent, arms folded, eyes locked on Daesung.
-
Min-Jae, already cracking his knuckles.
Jihan:
"I’ll take the fast one. You handle the other two."
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Without warning, Min-Jae disappeared. A blur.
Jihan vs. Min-Jae – Speed vs. Adaptation
Jihan blocked a flurry of punches, but Min-Jae was faster. Too fast. Jihan smiled.
Jihan:
"So this is what fast looks like."
He copied Min-Jae’s footwork in real-time, adapting second-by-second. The floor cracked beneath them as the tempo increased.
Meanwhile—
Daesung vs. Daejin & Kyoma – Tactics vs. Pressure
Daejin struck first—a precise jab toward Daesung’s throat. Daesung blocked, but Kyoma was already behind him. A crushing body blow landed.
Daesung (thinking):
"They’re synchronizing their attacks. Smart."
He took a step back.
But he didn’t back down.
Daesung remembered Tatsuya’s training—absorb, redirect, explode.
He slipped a punch, hooked under Kyoma’s guard, and slammed him into the wall. Kyoma coughed blood but stood again.
Daejin circled.
Daejin:
"You’re strong. But you fight like a beast. No form."
Daesung smirked.
Daesung:
"Then let me show you my evolution."
He took a stance.
Not Tatsuya’s. Not Ryuji’s.
His own. A modified guard—hands loose, legs fluid. He blended speed, instinct, and precision.
Suddenly, Daejin’s confident eyes widened.
Daesung read him.
BAM!
A clean counter. Daejin dropped.
Only Kyoma remained.
The silent warrior nodded with respect before charging again. The room shook with the force of their clash. Every blow was meant to break bones, but Daesung moved with purpose now.
He wasn't in Crazy Mode.
Not in UI.
He was awake. Controlled.
He landed a final spinning back kick—thud. Kyoma hit the mat, unconscious.
Daesung stood, breathing heavy.
Jihan was already done—bruised, but smiling.
Joon Hah (clapping slowly):
"Impressive. You didn’t just win... you evolved."
He stepped forward and extended a hand.
Joon Hah:
"Take it. The Hand Blade’s yours. But it won’t work if you don’t make it yours."
He demonstrated the move—a blade-like chop that compressed force into a narrow point. Enough to fracture ribs through guards.
Daesung (watching closely):
"I’ll improve it."
Joon Hah (laughs):
"Then I’ll be watching."
As they left the dojo, the moonlight reflected off Daesung’s sweat-covered face.
Jihan:
"One gang down. Three to go."
Daesung:
"No... We didn’t defeat a gang. We earned a king’s respect."
To be continued…