For a moment, everything went still. The crowd's deafening roars faded into a distant hum. All Ryun could hear was the pounding of his own heart, a drumbeat of fear and resolve.
The bell rang, a sharp note that silenced the roaring crowd for a fleeting moment before unleashing a storm of cheers and jeers. The cage lights bore down on the two fighters, highlighting the stark contrast between them. Kwon Daehan, towering and confident, his grin dripping with malice, and Ryun Mudo, battered but unyielding, fists raised in defiance.
Kwon grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Last chance, rookie. Lay down before I make you regret stepping into this ring."
Ryun narrowed his eyes. "The only thing I regret is having to look at your ugly face for the next few minutes."
The crowd roared at the audacity. Kwon's grin twisted into a sneer.
"You'll pay for that, punk."
Kwon didn't waste time. He charged forward, his Roundhouse Kick whipping through the air like a blade. Ryun barely had time to react, ducking just as the kick sailed inches over his head. The force of it stirred the air, sending a chill down his spine.
Before he could counter, Kwon pivoted into a spinning Back Kick, aiming for Ryun's ribs. Ryun shifted his weight and sidestepped, but the attack clipped him, sending a sharp jolt of pain through his side. He stumbled but quickly recovered, his eyes narrowing.
Kwon smirked. "You're quick, I'll give you that. But it won't save you."
He lunged again, his fists flying in a rapid Jab-Cross Combo. Ryun ducked under the first punch and blocked the second, countering with a Straight Jab to Kwon's chest. The hit landed, but it was like punching a steel wall. Kwon barely flinched, his grin widening.
"Is that all you've got?"
Too fast. Too strong. Can't keep letting him push the pace. Think, Ryun. What's his rhythm?
Ryun's heart pounded in his chest as Kwon wasted no time, following up with a flurry of punches—a Jab, Cross, and Hook sequence that forced Ryun to retreat. He blocked the first two strikes but miscalculated the third. The Hook slammed into his jaw, sending him stumbling sideways.
Pain exploded in his head, but Ryun forced himself to stay upright. He blinked hard, shaking the dizziness away.
"Didn't your coach teach you to keep your guard up?" Kwon sneered, stalking him like a predator.
Ryun spat blood onto the mat, his mind racing. He's fast, but he's leaning too far forward with his punches. If I time it right, I can counter. Wait for the opening.
Kwon charged again, launching a devastating Push Kick aimed at Ryun's chest. Ryun sidestepped, barely avoiding the attack. This time, he saw his chance. As Kwon recovered, Ryun stepped in, snapping a sharp Jab into Kwon's exposed side.
The crowd murmured, surprised by the counter.
"That all you've got?" Ryun quipped, though his legs trembled beneath him.
Kwon's glare sharpened. "You're dead."
Kwon switched tactics, unleashing a series of Low Kicks aimed at Ryun's legs. The first one landed squarely on Ryun's thigh, sending a jolt of pain through his limb. He grimaced, stumbling back.
He's targeting my base now. If I can't stand, I can't fight. I need to turn this around fast.
When the next kick came, Ryun adjusted his stance, lifting his leg just in time to check the strike. Pain still flared through his shin, but it was manageable.
Kwon's eyes narrowed. "Learning on the job, huh? Too bad you're still too slow."
Kwon faked a Low Kick but transitioned into a powerful Straight Right aimed at Ryun's face. Ryun barely saw it coming, ducking just in time for the punch to graze the top of his head. He retaliated with a quick Backfist, catching Kwon on the cheek.
The crowd roared as Kwon staggered, more from surprise than pain.
It's working. He's strong, but he's predictable when he thinks he's winning. I can't outmuscle him, but I can outthink him.
For a moment, it seemed like Ryun was finding his rhythm. He dodged a telegraphed Superman Punch and landed a solid Body Jab in return. When Kwon tried to corner him, Ryun slipped out with quick footwork, circling to the center of the cage.
The crowd's chants grew louder, sensing an underdog rally.
"You're starting to sweat, big guy," Ryun said, his breathing heavy but his confidence growing. "What happened to crushing me?"
Kwon snarled, his composure cracking. He came at Ryun with a reckless ferocity, launching a powerful Hook Kick that Ryun barely managed to duck under. But as Ryun moved to counter, Kwon shifted gears.
With a sudden burst of speed, Kwon executed a Tiger Fang Elbow, a Katsuro Clan technique known for its sheer destructive power. Ryun saw it too late.
The elbow smashed into his ribs with a sickening crunch, sending him sprawling to the mat.
Ryun gasped, his vision blurring. Every breath was agony, his chest screaming in protest.
I misread him. He baited me. Stupid. So stupid.
Kwon towered over him, his expression smug. "That's what happens when amateurs try to step up to the big leagues."
The crowd chanted Kwon's name as he raised his arms in victory.
Ryun lay there, every fiber of his being begging him to stay down. It's over. No one would blame me for stopping.
For a moment, he thought about giving in.
Then his father's face filled his mind. His father, lying in a hospital bed.The pain was unbearable, but the thought of his father—the man who had given everything for his family—fueled him.
Ryun's fists clenched against the mat. His breath came in ragged gasps, but his resolve hardened. He couldn't stop now. Not like this.
Kwon raised his arms, turning to the crowd. "Another weakling crushed by Kwon Daehan!" he shouted, basking in their cheers.
But as Kwon turned away, Ryun planted his trembling hands on the mat. His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to rise.
He forced his battered body to move, dragging himself to his knees. Pain lanced through his ribs, but he ignored it. His legs wobbled as he stood. Blood dripped from his mouth, pooling at his feet, but he didn't care.
The crowd's cheers faded to stunned silence as Ryun rose, battered but standing.
"What the hell?" Kwon muttered, spinning to face him.
Ryun smiled weakly. "You didn't think I'd let you win that easy, did you?"
Kwon's jaw tightened. "You're just delaying the inevitable."
He charged, aiming to finish the fight with a devastating Overhand Right.
And then, everything changed.
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in Ryun's mind.
["System synchronization complete."]