The supermarket was alive with the aftermath of their earlier skirmish. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting an eerie glow over the remnants of the chaos. Ha-jin stood ready, his fists clenched, as he faced Mirae once more. She had pushed him to his limits, but he knew he had more to show more power to unleash.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Mirae nodded, determination etched on her face. "Let's see what you can really do."
With a sharp intake of breath, Ha-jin flipped the switch in his mind. The world around him sharpened, and he activated Noticed, his passive ability. The energy pulsed, creating an invisible barrier that made him undetectable to anyone who didn't actively focus on him. He had mastered this power, and it was time to test its limits against Mirae.
As he moved, he felt the familiar tug of Fourth Wall. It gave him an edge, allowing him to detach from the emotional weight of the fight. His surroundings faded into the background, and his thoughts sharpened. This wasn't just a battle it was an evaluation. He was gauging Mirae, testing her worthiness as an ally.
Ha-jin began to circle her, gauging her reactions. She followed his movement, her serpentine instincts kicking in. It was time to push her.
"Show me your snakes!" he shouted, and before she could respond, he activated Character Peek, a skill that allowed him to gain insight into her abilities.
The moment he absorbed her essence, Ha-jin's mind flooded with information about White Snake Heads. The snakes that emerged from her body were not merely weapons; they were extensions of her will, capable of offense and defense. And just like that, he had the data he needed.
He focused, activating Bookmark to copy her ability. The power surged through him, intertwining with his own. Ha-jin felt the raw energy of her ability settle deep within him, like a coiled serpent waiting to strike.
Mirae lunged forward, her snakes darting out from her sleeves, ready to ensnare him. But he was faster. With a fluid motion, he conjured his own white snakes, mimicking her technique. They coiled around her, distracting her just enough for him to close the distance.
"Here it comes!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the supermarket.
He unleashed Rotating Palm Technique, focusing energy into his palm to act as tiny micro spears of energy that targeted Mirae's internal tissues. The impact was brutal, sending shockwaves through the air. Mirae staggered back, gasping as the precision attack damaged her internal organs. She fought to maintain her balance, eyes wide with shock and pain, her serpents faltering for just a moment.
Ha-jin didn't care about the pain he had inflicted. To him, this was just a test—one that needed to push both of them to their limits. "Are you okay?" he asked casually, watching her struggle with a detached interest.
Mirae pushed through the pain, determination flaring in her eyes. "You… you hit hard."
With a smirk, he replied, "You should know by now; I don't hold back."
But the fight wasn't over. Mirae regained her footing, the snakes writhing in response to her renewed focus. She summoned more of them, the air thick with hissing and movement. Ha-jin realized that this was her moment to unleash her true potential.
"You think you can control the fight, Ha-jin?" Mirae challenged, her voice steady despite the struggle. _"Let's see if you can handle this!"
She unleashed the full force of White Snake Heads, multiple snakes emerging from her body, each one aimed directly at him. They attacked in a flurry, darting through the air with precision. Ha-jin dodged and weaved, his Noticed ability keeping him one step ahead.
But he also knew he needed to end this. The tension in the air crackled, and he prepared to escalate the confrontation. With a swift motion, he summoned his own white snakes, utilizing the ability he had just copied. They surged forward, locking onto Mirae's serpents, and for a moment, it was a battle of wills.
As the two forces clashed, Ha-jin called upon his other powers. The energy surged through him, amplifying his strikes and allowing him to flow with the fight.
"You're strong, Mirae!" he shouted amidst the chaos, determination fueling his words. "But I won't hold back any longer!"
With that declaration, he summoned all his strength, launching another attack. This time, it wasn't just a blowit was a calculated strike aimed to incapacitate. Mirae braced herself, but the force of his hit sent her sprawling back, crashing against a stack of fallen boxes.
Ha-jin watched, a slight satisfaction creeping into his expression. He had pushed her hard, but it was all part of the test. "Get up," he urged, his voice cool. "I'm not done yet."
Mirae struggled to rise, pain etched across her face. "No... that was... amazing," she gasped, a grin breaking through the agony. "I didn't think you could push me like that."
Ha-jin shrugged, unconcerned with her injury. You're tougher than you look. Now, let's see how far you can go."
As they stood amidst the wreckage of the supermarket, both were changed by the confrontation. They had tested each other's limits, and in the process, forged a bond that would carry them through the trials ahead.
Ha-jin knew this was just the beginning, and together they would face whatever came next, stronger and more prepared than ever.