Back in the demon realm Zang stumbled back, clutching his stomach where Ikari's knee had connected. His breaths were heavy, his frustration palpable. "I'm not boring," Zang muttered, his fists clenching tighter, glowing faintly as his endo began to gather more visibly. His eyes burned with determination. "I'm disciplined, and I'll prove it works!"
Ikari chuckled, standing in a relaxed stance with his hands in his pockets. "Discipline is fine, kid, but rigidity? That'll get you killed. You're predictable. Stiff. And worst of all…" He leaned forward slightly, his grin widening. "You're trying too hard."
Zang lunged forward, his frustration fueling his speed. He threw a flurry of punches, each one sharper and faster than the last. But Ikari danced around him effortlessly, his movements fluid and almost playful. His parries were subtle, just enough to redirect Zang's strikes without exerting much effort.
"See?" Ikari said, sidestepping a particularly forceful punch and flicking Zang's arm away. "You're thinking too much. Combat isn't just about brute strength or following rules. It's about rhythm, flow, and adapting to the moment."
Zang growled, planting his feet firmly before throwing a wild, charged punch. Ikari smirked and ducked under it, grabbing Zang's wrist mid-swing and spinning him off-balance. In one fluid motion, he twisted Zang's arm just enough to disorient him and swept his legs, sending him to the ground.
Zang rolled away and leaped back to his feet, his face red with both effort and embarrassment. "I'm not giving up!"
"Good," Ikari said, cracking his neck. "But don't just fight harder—fight smarter." He raised his hand and beckoned Zang forward. "Show me some creativity, or this'll keep ending the same way."
Zang took a deep breath, steadying himself. His frustration began to ebb, replaced by focus. He remembered Ikari's earlier advice about endo circulation and began channeling his energy more deliberately. Instead of letting it flow wildly through his body, he focused it into his fists, letting the energy build like a coiled spring.
"That's better," Ikari said, noticing the shift in Zang's demeanor.
Zang feinted to the right before spinning and delivering a low kick, aiming for Ikari's legs. For the first time, Ikari seemed caught off guard, forced to block with his shin rather than dodge entirely. Zang capitalized on the moment, following up with a punch aimed at Ikari's torso.
Ikari grinned, catching the punch with his palm. "Now you're getting somewhere." But his expression shifted slightly as he felt the concentrated energy in Zang's fist. "Oh?"
Zang smirked, the glow around his fist intensifying. With a sudden burst, he unleashed the pent-up energy in a point-blank explosion, forcing Ikari to leap back to avoid taking the full brunt of it. The shockwave rattled the ground, and dust kicked up around them.
"Not bad, kid," Ikari said, brushing some dust off his shoulder. "You've got some bite in you after all."
Zang pressed the attack, weaving in feints and mixing his strikes unpredictably. He threw a series of quick jabs to keep Ikari on the defensive, then followed up with a spinning backhand, the energy from his endo trailing like a comet's tail.
Ikari blocked the backhand with his forearm, the impact echoing like thunder. For the first time, his smile faltered slightly. "Alright, I admit it—you're improving. But…"
Before Zang could react, Ikari shifted his stance and exploded forward with incredible speed. He closed the gap in an instant, delivering a lightning-fast punch to Zang's gut, followed by a sweeping kick that knocked Zang off his feet. As Zang fell, Ikari caught him by the collar and tossed him lightly back onto his feet, smirking once more.
"You're still a bit slow."
Zang wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving. Despite the pain and exhaustion, a small smile crept onto his face. "I'll get faster. I'll get stronger. I'll make you take me seriously."
Ikari raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Oh, I'm taking you seriously, kid. But don't mistake me for someone who'll let you win out of pity. If you want to beat me, you'll have to dig deeper."
Zang nodded, his fists glowing brighter as he prepared to continue the fight. "Then I'll dig as deep as it takes."
Ikari's grin widened, his stance shifting into something looser, almost casual. "That's what I like to hear. Come on, then. Show me what you've got!"
The two clashed again, their movements blurring as the intensity of the fight escalated. Zang's strikes grew sharper, more precise, while Ikari continued to dodge and counter with an ease that bordered on infuriating.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Zang was panting heavily, his body slick with sweat as he sprinted through the dense woods. Ikari followed behind, his steps casual yet precise, his expression as carefree as ever.
"Pick up the pace, Zang!" Ikari called out, his voice teasing. "You're not running from a picnic—imagine something really nasty chasing you!"
Zang growled under his breath, dodging low-hanging branches and leaping over exposed roots. Behind him, Ikari had conjured a shadowy amalgamation of a wolf-like creature—its glowing red eyes and snapping jaws unnervingly realistic. The beast chased after Zang relentlessly, forcing him to keep moving or risk being pounced on.
"I thought this was supposed to be cardio, not a death match!" Zang shouted as he vaulted over a fallen log.
"Cardio and survival training," Ikari replied with a laugh. "Besides, you'll thank me later when you can outrun actual monsters."
The ground began to slope upward, signaling the start of a steep climb. Zang gritted his teeth, forcing his legs to keep pumping as the incline grew sharper. The shadow-wolf was gaining on him, its guttural growls pushing him to go faster.
When he reached the base of a towering cliff face, Zang didn't hesitate. He jumped, grabbing hold of the rocky surface and pulling himself up with sheer determination. The wolf snapped at his heels, its claws scraping against the stone.
"Use your endo!" Ikari called out from below, now lounging against a tree and watching the scene unfold.
Zang growled in frustration, channeling his energy into his arms and legs. His movements became more fluid, his grip on the rock face steadier. With each pull, he propelled himself higher, his endo glowing faintly around him. The wolf made one last leap at him but fell short, disappearing into a puff of shadow as it hit the cliffside.
When Zang finally reached the top, he collapsed onto the rocky ledge, gasping for air. "That… was insane," he muttered, staring up at the sky.
"Not bad," Ikari said, suddenly appearing beside him without any sign of exertion. "But you're not done yet."
Zang groaned, rolling onto his stomach. "Seriously? What now?"
Ikari pointed to the distance, where a hulking figure loomed—a giant, six-limbed creature with rough, stone-like skin and glowing yellow eyes. It was easily three times Zang's size, its massive arms dragging on the ground as it moved.
"You're gonna fight that thing," Ikari said casually, leaning against a nearby boulder.
"With my bare hands?" Zang asked incredulously, sitting up.
"Yup. Bare hands, no tricks, no weapons. This is all about brute strength and endurance."
Before Zang could protest, the monster let out a deafening roar and charged toward him.
The Fight with the Giant Monster
Zang stood his ground, his fists clenched and his endo flaring around him. As the creature swung one of its massive arms, he dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding being crushed. The ground shook from the impact, and Zang used the opening to deliver a powerful punch to the creature's side.
The blow landed with a resounding thud, but the monster barely flinched. It turned to Zang with an almost amused look, swiping at him with both arms. Zang ducked and rolled, his movements fueled by adrenaline.
"Focus your strikes!" Ikari shouted from the sidelines. "Aim for the joints or weak points!"
Zang nodded, dodging another swing and circling around the monster. He noticed a faint crack in one of its knee-like joints and aimed a powerful kick at it. The impact caused the creature to stumble slightly, letting out an angry roar.
Seizing the opportunity, Zang leaped onto the creature's back, wrapping his arms around its thick neck. He poured his endo into his fists, delivering a series of rapid punches to the base of its skull. The monster thrashed wildly, trying to shake him off.
"Stay on it!" Ikari called out, his tone more serious now.
With a final, concentrated punch, Zang struck the back of the creature's head with enough force to crack its stone-like skin. The monster let out a low groan before collapsing onto the ground, its massive body shaking the earth.
Zang rolled off its back, landing on the ground with a heavy thud. He was exhausted, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"Now that was impressive," Ikari said, clapping his hands slowly as he approached. "You're finally starting to get it."
Zang gave a weak thumbs-up before lying flat on the ground.
Meditation and Reflection
After the intense battle, Ikari led Zang to a quiet clearing in the forest. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the trees.
"Time to meditate," Ikari said, sitting cross-legged on the grass.
Zang sat down across from him, still sore from the day's training. "Meditation? After all that? Shouldn't I be resting?"
"This is rest," Ikari replied, closing his eyes. "You've pushed your body. Now it's time to push your mind. Focus on your breathing, your endo, and your connection to the world around you."
Zang sighed but complied, closing his eyes and taking slow, deep breaths. He felt the lingering energy within him, the ebb and flow of his endo as it coursed through his body.
Ikari's voice was calm and steady. "Remember, strength isn't just about muscle. It's about focus, control, and knowing when to act."
For a while, the two sat in silence, the sounds of the forest providing a soothing backdrop. Zang felt his frustrations and doubts begin to fade, replaced by a sense of clarity and calm.
Back at the Cabin
When they returned to their cabin, Zang was barely able to keep his eyes open. He collapsed onto his bed, groaning in relief.
"Get some rest," Ikari said, leaning against the doorway. "We're starting missions soon."
Zang perked up slightly, despite his exhaustion. "Missions?"
Ikari nodded, his usual grin returning. "Yup. Real-world scenarios. You've trained hard, and it's time to put it to the test. But for now…" He pointed to the bed. "Sleep."
Zang didn't need to be told twice. Within seconds, he was out cold, dreaming of the challenges that awaited him.