Samuel's severed head sailed through the air, and with a thunderous crash, his massive body collapsed to the ground. The sound echoed down the narrow streets, filling the silent night with an ominous finality.
Jenna stood rooted in place, her eyes wide, a stunned expression frozen on her face. She had witnessed countless battles, had seen powerful fighters fall, but this; this was different. Samuel, the "Stone Giant" of Malian City, a man who had reigned over the streets for years with an iron fist, was lying lifeless at her feet. The simplicity, the abruptness of his death; it was almost too surreal to believe.
It wasn't supposed to be this easy. Not against someone like Samuel, whose reputation as an elite fighter and a near-giant had made him almost legendary in Malian City.
"His strength… it must be close to that of a dojo master," she muttered, barely audible, glancing at Harry in disbelief.
The world of fighters was strictly tiered. They began as novices, climbing through the ranks to apprentice and then elite status. Each leap was a significant achievement, marking the difference between an average brawler and a genuine warrior. And above the elites stood the Dojo masters, fighters who commanded their own Dojos, holding power, respect, and influence. Dojo masters didn't fight often; they didn't need to. Their mere presence commanded respect.
Samuel had come close to that level. With his immense size and brute strength, many saw him as Malian City's unspoken enforcer, a power just shy of Dojo master status. His reputation had kept people in check, and few would dare challenge him.
Yet here he was, felled by a single manb; a man who was supposedly just an ordinary member of the Red Bird Dojo.
Jenna's gaze lingered on Harry, her mind racing with questions. 'There's no way he's just another fighter,' she thought. 'An ordinary student couldn't do this.' Her suspicion grew, a gnawing feeling that Harry was hiding more than he let on. Either he was concealing his true identity, or he had an agenda far more complex than she'd imagined.
Lost in her thoughts, Jenna was startled as Harry's voice broke through her reverie. "I can tell you're thinking something… unpleasant about me," he said, a hint of dry amusement in his tone.
She shook her head quickly, forcing herself to focus. "No, of course not," she denied, a bit too hastily. She then cleared her throat, eager to shift the topic. "So… what's the next step?"
Harry's gaze didn't waver, but he allowed the subject change. "The next step is obvious, isn't it?" he replied, his voice calm, confident. "Now that we know where they're based, we go straight to them."
Jenna's eyes widened. "You can't be serious. The Sean family is a noble house, centuries-old. They're powerful, well-guarded. They won't fall so easily." She hesitated, the image of Samuel's corpse still fresh in her mind. "They've got at least three fighters like Samuel guarding them."
Harry considered this, his face impassive, and gave a small nod. "Three? That's manageable."
Jenna blinked, caught off guard by his casual response. "You… you think you can handle three of them?" Her voice betrayed her doubt. She'd just watched him dispatch one of the city's strongest fighters with ease, yet the idea of him taking on three was almost beyond belief.
Harry gave her a small, knowing smile. "I have my methods. But I'll need information; accurate information," he added, meeting her gaze. "Can you do that?"
She nodded, still processing his audacious confidence. "Yes… I'll get what you need. Same meeting point as last time?"
"Exactly." He gave her a brief, meaningful glance before turning and striding away, disappearing into the shadows of the narrow alley.
Jenna watched him go, feeling a complex mix of admiration and apprehension. He wasn't bluffing. But his confidence made her uneasy. As if sensing the potential fallout, she turned her gaze back to Samuel's crumpled form.
"We can't leave him here," she murmured, an idea forming in her mind. "If they find him like this, they'll be alerted. I need to get rid of the body."
With a deep breath, Jenna began to drag the massive corpse, grimacing at the task ahead. The weight and smell were overpowering, but she couldn't risk leaving any evidence.
Meanwhile, Harry moved through the city streets, his steps steady, his mind already calculating the risks ahead. He was close now, close to a strength he had only dreamed of when he first began his training. The past year had been one of relentless discipline, pushing himself to the very edge of his abilities. He was on the cusp of reaching knight level, the rank that would place him above apprentices and on the path to something greater.
'But it's not enough yet,' he thought, fists clenching as he navigated the dark alleys. 'I need just a little more time, a little more power.'
If the Sean family truly had three elite fighters like Samuel, then the challenge would be real, even for him. He was confident, yes, but not foolish. Three fighters of that caliber could overwhelm him if he wasn't careful. Patience, strategy, and careful planning; these were his allies now.
'If the timing is right,' he mused, a calculating light in his eyes, 'I can reach the strength I need before the final strike.'
Harry's lips pressed into a determined line. This was more than a mission. It was the culmination of every ounce of strength he'd honed, every painful step he'd taken to rise above his old limits. But as he walked, he couldn't shake a growing sense of urgency, a feeling that he was on the verge of something monumental.
Back where she'd been left, Jenna finally managed to conceal Samuel's body, her heart pounding as she looked over her work. There could be no mistakes, no loose ends. She straightened, brushing dirt from her hands, and cast one final look into the shadows where Harry had disappeared.
'Who are you really, Harry?' she wondered, a shiver running down her spine. 'And what are you after?'
But her questions would have to wait. For now, she had a mission of her own: gather the information he needed, and meet him at their chosen spot. The coming days would bring answers, one way or another. And she could only hope she was ready for whatever those answers revealed.
The following morning, Harry returned to the familiar halls of the Red Bird Dojo, his footsteps quiet but purposeful.
"Hey, you're here early!" a cheerful voice called out, breaking the early morning silence. Ellie, one of the school's instructors and a long-time friend, spotted him first. She raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face. "Our great scholar, shouldn't you be off with your books? Don't you have classes today?"
Harry gave a slight smile, his demeanor more serious than usual. "Actually, something's come up at home, so I spoke to Mr. Morris and arranged for an extended leave. I'm free for a while."
Ellie's smile faded a bit, curiosity flickering in her eyes as she sensed the weight behind his words. "Really? Well, what brings you here so early, then? It's not like you to just drop by without a reason."
Harry glanced around the training hall, his gaze thoughtful before he turned back to her. "I could use a favor. Something… specific."
Ellie's eyes narrowed, her surprise evident. "A favor, huh? You know I don't mind helping, as long as it's something I can handle. So, what do you need?"
"Body-strengthening potion," he replied, his tone calm but determined. "I need some. Think you could help me get it?"
Ellie's expression shifted, a mix of shock and disbelief crossing her face. "You're serious? The body-strengthening potion?" She took a step back, studying him with wide eyes. "Have you reached the elite level?"
In their world, fighters progressed through structured levels, with each step requiring years of dedication, discipline, and mastery. The body-strengthening potion, a highly sought-after and potent concoction, was a tool used only by elite-level fighters and above. It enhanced physical power, toughened the body, and accelerated training, but it came with a high price; both in cost and risk. For anyone below the elite rank, it could be more dangerous than beneficial, potentially halting their growth rather than advancing it.
Ellie's gaze searched his face, looking for any sign of hesitation, any hint that he might be joking. But Harry's expression was serious, unwavering. He gave a single, confident nod, confirming her suspicions.
A flicker of amazement mixed with something like frustration crossed her face. "Your talent is… astounding," she murmured, shaking her head. "I knew you'd catch up eventually, but I didn't think it'd be this fast."
Ellie remembered the day Harry first walked through the doors of Red Bird. Back then, he'd been a complete novice, barely familiar with the fundamentals, while she was already a trained apprentice-level fighter. Yet in just over a year, he'd surpassed her. She had expected him to be talented, there was no denying his potential, but this pace… it was something else entirely.
After a moment of silence, Ellie sighed, giving him a rueful smile. "Look, this isn't something I can decide on my own. You know how it is. The owner will have to approve, and he doesn't take these things lightly. There may be… tests."
"Understood," Harry replied, his voice steady, without a hint of hesitation. "I'm ready for whatever's needed."
Soon, as word spread through the school, other members began gathering, curious murmurs filling the air. The emergence of an elite-level fighter was a rare occasion, especially someone as young as Harry. At Red Bird, elite fighters were few, likely no more than five, aside from the master himself.
The murmurs grew louder when Steven, the owner of Red Bird Dojo, appeared. He was a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor and a quiet strength, a presence that commanded respect. His reputation was formidable; he was not only the master of the school but a Dojo owner-level fighter, a powerful figure even among the highest-ranked fighters in the region. It was clear to all that if Harry hoped to achieve the elite title, he would have to prove himself before Steven.
As the test began, all eyes were on Harry. His movements were precise, powerful, each strike and stance honed to perfection. It was clear that he had prepared himself rigorously, and as he executed the final moves with a control and strength that surpassed even seasoned fighters, a collective murmur of astonishment rippled through the crowd.
When the test ended, the atmosphere was thick with awe and respect.
Steven, who had watched the entire demonstration in silence, finally nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Impressive."
His words were quiet but carried a weight that silenced the room. "From this day forward," he continued, his voice reaching everyone present, "Harry is officially recognized as one of my students and will be granted the privileges of a core member of Red Bird Dojo."
The announcement was met with a round of quiet applause and respectful nods. No one was surprised by Steven's decision. Harry had proven himself beyond doubt, and now, as a core member, he would have access to the resources and training typically reserved for the school's best.
Steven stepped forward, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder. His expression was calm but approving. "You've come a long way, Harry. But remember, this is just the beginning. The path ahead will demand even more from you."
Harry met his gaze, nodding with a hint of a smile. "I understand, Master Steven. I'm ready."
As the crowd began to disperse, whispers filled the air, some impressed, others in disbelief at Harry's rapid ascent. Ellie lingered nearby, watching him with a mix of pride and wonder.