As the dense fog enveloped the clearing, obscuring visibility and casting an eerie atmosphere, Haruto and Kyo stood facing each other, their expressions unreadable amidst the swirling mist. The tension between them crackled like electricity in the air, anticipation hanging heavy as they prepared for the inevitable clash.
Kyo, with his smug demeanor and cocky attitude, exuded an aura of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His tall, lean frame cut a striking figure against the backdrop of the mist, his dark hair tousled by the faint breeze. His eyes, sharp and piercing, gleamed with a glint of anticipation, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Clad in lightweight armor that allowed for maximum agility, Kyo moved with the fluid grace of a seasoned warrior. Strapped to his back was his weapon of choice: a gleaming katana, its blade honed to a razor-sharp edge. The sword, a testament to Kyo's skill and prowess in combat, seemed to hum with latent energy, eager to taste blood in the upcoming battle.
'An overconfident enemy easily makes mistakes, and this one is no exception, I can tell he's a good fighter but I don't intend to drag this out' Haruto's internal spoke.
"Begin!"
Zen said signaling the start of the battle, in an instant almost as if one with the breeze, Kyo was right by Haruto's face his hand stretched out ready to grab him.
His heart skipped a beat, a thunderous explosion in his chest for the first time, and his expression changed into shock. 'This guy is fast' Haruto thought to himself, unable to react in time, Kyo grabbed hold of his face and slammed him to the ground with so much force it kicked the puddles of water up.
To Haruto's surprise, this blow was weaker than the one Fu had dealt him during their competition in the academy, Fu was also fast but it seemed she had more power than Kyo.
"HAHAHAHAHA! OMG, THIS GUY IS WEAK" Kyo mused,
Haruto found himself sprawled on the damp ground, the impact jarring his senses as he struggled to regain his bearings. His vision blurred for a moment before sharpening again, his body aching from the force of Kyo's attack.
"Not bad," Haruto remarked, his voice steady despite his heart pounding. "But let's see how you handle this," Haruto said as he chucked mud at Kyo's face and rushed in before he got his barrings.
He threw his fist and connected it with Kyo's abdomen, the cocky youth doubled down as the wind left his lungs, he hadn't expected Haruto to be a heavy hitter.
His pride wounded, he picked himself up from the muddy ground, drawing his sword and swinging it with graceful vigor, Haruto kicked back, trying to create distance between him and Kyo's weapon.
Kyo noticed a moment of vulnerability, a moment he could exploit, he kicked off the slippery ground charging at Haruto expecting to catch him off guard again only to be met with a slight smile from his opponent one only he could see.
Haruto chucked his blade at Kyo aiming for his neck, forcing him to twist his body in unnatural ways to avoid it, he watched the blade scratch his nape, his vision shifted, and he realized he was focusing more on the sword than the one who threw it.
Turning his gaze, Haruto was already upon him, one hand choking him, the other had grabbed hold of the weapon... twisting his wrist, Kyo's unnatural position didn't help him with his balance as he slipped on the mud and was thrown on the ground. Haruto's hot breath was a hair's length away from his ear.
Still choking him he gripped tighter, alarming Kyo... "Hey, do you think I can kill you?" Haruto said, a voice barely above a whisper drowned by the sound of pouring rain.
Kyo felt something deep within him, stirred by the calm voice of his opponent, the way this person casually hinted at death with a voice as calm as water in a basin.
His heart matched the beat of drums as beads of sweat formed on his head only be to washed by the rain, the force he felt rising within him was fear. Out of instinct he touched the ground and ran Chi into it, as he tried to cry out for help.
His voice caught in his throat, he summoned a deformed structure of the earth, an unholy union of solid ground and mud a monstrosity that struggled to get on its feet before crumbling back to the wet ground.
The huge lump of earth had done its job, although born from a desperate attempt to flee from Haruto Kyo had managed to force Haruto to put his guard up and create distance between the two.
The air was thick as silence befell those looking at the battle, the pitter patter of the downpour drenching them, they had watched Kyo lose a battle an opponent even Fu couldn't defeat.
Haruto had never been good at Chi control or manipulation he started his cultivation yesterday and had spent the better part of the night competing with Kaito to create a complex system in the body.
Unbeknownst to him, he had managed to refine Chi inside his body, the green river flow was excellent and the checkpoint he created served their purpose as backup reserves he had more Chi than he knew himself.
The knowledge of his previous life of channeling mana had come in handy in ways he couldn't imagine.
Zen approached Haruto, his expression unreadable as he regarded the victorious fighter. "Impressive," he admitted, his tone begrudging yet respectful. "You've proven your worth."
Haruto nodded, a sense of satisfaction washing over him as he glanced at Kyo's prone form. Fu regarded Zen with a smug expression on her face, an expression that conveyed her unsaid words 'I told you so'.
"Your display of skill is impressive," Zen remarked, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "But the path to mastery is long and arduous. Our group's next goal is to continue advancing, honing our skills, and strengthening our ranks."
Haruto listened intently, his gaze steady as he absorbed Zen's words. When the leader turned to him, a silent question hung in the air, prompting Haruto to speak his mind.
"My goals are simple," Haruto replied, his voice clear and unwavering. "I seek two beast heads and to locate my friend. If I accomplish these tasks, I will leave your group and join my friend."
Zen nodded, a gesture of acknowledgment and respect for Haruto's straightforward answer. In the world of cultivation, honesty was a rare quality, and Zen admired Haruto's willingness to speak his truth.
"Very well," Zen conceded, his tone neutral yet decisive. "We will aid you in your quest, but remember, the path ahead is fraught with danger. Stay vigilant, and may fortune favor you."
'Why does this guy talk like that?' Haruto spoke internally, displeased by Zen's way of talking.
Before the group left, Haruto had made sure to take in the surroundings, he knew he would need a way back here if he hoped to locate Kaito later on, and just in case Kaito felt better and ventured out of the safe place he created, Haruto had been marking trees with his blade, the mark, a curved arrow displaying where he went, if Kaito noticed them he was sure to catch up.
Fu and Chen flocked around him instantly, "That was a battle, your fighting style depends more on counterattacks doesn't it, you pulled a move like that with me as well" Fu said.
"Not really, lady luck was on my side that's all" Haruto replied as he wiped the water from his face only to be met with a disappointed gaze from Fu who seemed displeased with his answer.
"Anyway, why didn't you use your Chi," Fu asked, setting aside the disappointing answer he received from Haruto.
She saw his face turn slightly red as he avoided her eyes, "I...I can't use Chi, I know to gather it but nothing else"
Fu was unaware Haruto behavior was because the rain had soaked her cloth, right now the training robes clung onto the girl's figure and left little to the imagination and he felt a bit uncomfortable with their close proximity.
But Fu took Haruto's behavior as him expressing his embarrassment from the fact he could' use chi, she grabbed his hand and pulled him away as she explained the fundamentals of Chi.