After concluding the third test, the imaginary leaderboard was as follows:
Top 1: Hyu Park 50/50
Top 2: Izuru 50/50
Top 3: Kelly 49/50
Top 4: Rin Ikari 49/50
Top 5: Pyo Wol 50/50
Top 6: Robert 38/50
Top 7: Eren Hendrickson 37/50
Top 8: Manabu Kanemochi 35
Top 9: Etsu Kazumi 29
Top 10: Ryuen Taihei 28
The rest had an average score of 15 to 20.
The third test had only awakened more competitiveness among the candidates; however, Izuru made a grave mistake by entering a direct competition with Rin.
The true monster of this generation now had his eyes set on him and would not take long to devour him.
Chapter 5 part 1: Win at any price.
"The fourth test will begin shortly."
Kaina snapped her fingers multiple times, making all the objects from the previous tests disappear. After clearing the platform, Kaina began her typical explanation, although everyone was already expecting it to be the final test.
"One-on-one hand-to-hand combat. In this test, we want to measure your physical abilities applied in a fight; the first to be knocked unconscious, the first to surrender, or the first to leave the platform loses. Excessive force will be penalized; however, if both use excessive force, there will be no consequences for either of them. I suppose I won't be able to give you a demonstration this time; give it your best effort and remember: they are your opponents, not your enemies. So, who will be the first to fight?"
Upon hearing the word "fight," 15 of the 35 candidates decided to withdraw; they had already proven enough and, to be honest, they did not feel like getting hurt by any of those monsters.
"I'll go first."
Pyo Wol raised his hand without hesitation. This is his home; when it comes to fighting, he hasn't met anyone in this kingdom who has defeated him. However, there's always a first time for everything.
"I'll fight him."
Eren Hendrickson, a rather tall and sturdy pre-adolescent, thought he would be enough to beat that snake.
Without saying a word, both faced each other in the center of the platform, waiting for Kaina's signal.
"Fight!"
A downward strike was the first thing Eren saw when he heard the signal.
This was one of Pyo Wol's signature moves: a chopping right.
Despite the surprise of having that blow so close to his face, Eren merely turned his neck to reduce the impact of the hit and responded with an uppercut.
This was blocked by Pyo Wol, who countered with a kick to the calf.
The kick successfully landed, and after this kick came something even worse: a left hook aimed directly at his face.
"Damn, he's really good; I've never seen those punches in my dojo. However, I can also do some pretty nice things,"
Thought Eren as he moved away from Pyo Wol, knowing he wouldn't win in an exchange of blows. He would keep his distance, using his reach to his advantage.
Cautiously, Pyo Wol began to circle around Eren, who kept a close eye on him at all times.
In a moment of carelessness, Eren threw a quick punch at Pyo Wol's face, who swiftly dodged the blow and began closing in before Eren could pull back his arm for another attack.
With his right leg behind Eren's left leg, this was the perfect position for Pyo Wol. A strong left punch from Pyo Wol connected directly with Eren's face, who, without hesitation, landed an elbow strike to Pyo Wol's face, causing blood to flow from his nose.
Meanwhile, elsewhere…
"As far as I know, the tests are being conducted today at the sect that Pyo Wol attended, right?"
"That's correct, Umezawa, but stop talking to me and focus on your opponent."
"It doesn't matter, master; I'm a world-ranked fighter; I'm just playing with him."
He said just before receiving a right hook right to the temple.
After this, Umezawa began to pressure his sparring partner, cornering him in seconds; however, before he could do anything, he was stopped by his master.
"I told you to keep your eyes on him!"
"And I told you not to worry. As I said, I'm a world-ranked fighter; I'm far superior to him. Who would be foolish enough to get angry because someone much weaker than him hit him?"
Back on the platform, we can see someone foolish enough to get angry because someone weaker had hit him.
The platform was chaos. Pyo Wol was hitting Eren hard, who refused to surrender and countered a few blows when he could.
Again, Pyo Wol prepared his left hook, and Eren, with a completely swollen face, readied himself to counter it; however, there was something strange: Pyo Wol was too far to land a hit, so he relaxed and waited for Pyo Wol to miss his punch to strike back.
He definitely didn't expect the leap that Pyo Wol made; he closed the distance quickly, and it was now too late to prepare his attack again.
That blow landed squarely on Eren's face, who, despite this, refused to fall and remained in a fighting stance, even while unconscious.
Pyo Wol tried to give him a light push, but it was countered. A swift blow without force had struck him in the face again.
With this, Eren collapsed onto Pyo Wol's shoulder, who simply stared at Eren's unconscious body.
The winner was clear; Eren was taken to the sect's infirmary, and the next fight was set to begin.
(Kaina then warned against the use of excessive force on the aspirants, and sentenced those who dared to think of using it with a chip for the cult)
Kelly wanted to go out and have some fun.
"Don't be afraid; I won't bite."
Said Kelly, waiting for someone to muster the courage to fight her.
"The number one will be yours, huh?"
Kelly felt a gaze: Rin, who was still somewhat annoyed for making a mistake, remembered that Kelly had also provoked him.
Kelly vs Rin.
The match was set.
Kelly saw this as an opportunity to take Rin out of the game, the only threat preventing her little brother from shining.
Kaina thought about it for a moment; she wasn't sure Kelly could fight Rin without getting hurt by his incredible speed. However, both agreed to fight, so she couldn't stop it.
—Fight!
Rin waited for her; he knew he was slower than Kelly, but if he could at least land a body shot, Kelly's speed would be reduced to nothing.
Kelly slowly circled Rin, looking for an opening. Although Rin seemed to have many openings, every time she found herself trying to strike one of them, she felt Rin's overwhelming pressure; it was as if he was inviting her to hit him right there.
Rin began to yawn; he had grown tired of seeing Kelly spin around him like a top.
He decided to take the initiative.
"Are you afraid? Insecure? None of that; I was just kind enough to let you shine a little."
He said while positioning himself in a fighting stance in front of Kelly, inviting her to fight, and Kelly wasn't going to decline.
Facing each other in the center of the platform, both prepared their fist before starting a potential exchange of blows.
Rin launched an upward punch with rotation, his favorite move, the Hien.
And just inches away from Kelly's face…
To be continued.