Three months of hermitage in the mountains had forged Choi Seong-Jae into more than just a fighter, a tactical unit, deadly and disciplined. The brutality that had nowhere disappeared was no longer spontaneous but a calibrated dose, in fact, used solely at the behest of reason.
His body had transformed. No, it wasn't tall muscles - it was the perfect combination of strength, speed, and endurance. He moved as silently as a shadow, his reactions were instantaneous, his strikes were like hammer blows.
The mastery of various martial arts schemes had developed into an understanding of comprehension, essentially fear. He could analyze his striking style, identify his weaknesses, and use them against him.
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Evening Reflections with Falcon:
Evenings around the campfire became a time to polish not only the body, but also the spirit. Falcon shared his definitions about the world, about people, about power. He talked about morals and principles and how one stays on top of the criminal world.
"Power without control is destruction," Sokol said as he looked at the flames. - "You must learn to control your energies, to use them as fuel, but it is not better to let them lead you."
"It's a cruel world," Sung-Jae objected. - "You have to be even more cruel to survive."
"That's true," Falcon agreed. - "But cruelty for the sake of cruelty is a path to nowhere. You must have a purpose, Sung-Jae. And that purpose must be more than just power."
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"Iron Grip: The Birth of the Machine
One day, after a grueling training session, Falcon said:
"It's time to reveal to you the secret of my fighting style, the Iron Grip."
Sung Jae froze in anticipation. He knew it wasn't just a set of techniques, a philosophy of fear, forged through years of experience.
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Principles of Iron Grip:
1. Army Discipline: "Iron Grip" is built on the principles of army discipline, where every technique is practiced to automaticity, action is subordinated to a clear plan. Minimal additional actions, maximum efficiency.
2. Street Brutality: At the same time "Iron Grip" absorbed the brutality of street fighting. Dirty techniques, strikes to vulnerable places, use of improvised means are all acceptable to achieve victory.
3. Aikido as a Basis of Strength: At the heart of Leikido's "Iron Grip" is the use of art as a tool against itself. Redirecting energy, getting off balance, grabs and throws are all used to neutralize the impact of significant effort.
4. Maximum Damage: The main goal of Iron Grip is to maximize maximum damage to an opponent in the shortest amount of time possible. Breaking bones, knocking out joints, rendering unconscious are all considered acceptable.
5. Tactical Thinking: "Iron Grip" is not just a set of techniques, it is a tactical system that can adapt to any situation. A fighter must be able to analyze the situation, determine the enemy's strength and observe the strongest opponent.
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The legend of Kim Gap Ryong:
"I once had an encounter...with Kim Gap Ryong," Falcon began, his voice growing quieter. That name seemed to trigger painful memories. - "That Korean beast... He was incredibly strong. His speed, his technique... They surpassed anything I had seen until then.
Falcon fell silent, looking into the fire.
"He was a true genius," he continued. - "He mastered all styles of fear, but most importantly, he skillfully adapted them to suit him, creating something new and unique. He was unexpected and deadly."
Sung-Jae listened silently, catching his breath.
"We fought several times," Falcon said. - "Each battle was on the border of life and death. I still don't know how I managed to survive."
"What happened to him?" - Sung-Jae asked.
"Dead," replied Falcon sadly
"Are you afraid of him?" - Sung-Jae asked.
Falcon grinned.
"It's normal to be afraid," he replied. - "Fear keeps us alive. But I won't let fear control me. If fate brings me together with Kim Gap Ryung again, I'll be ready."
This story made Sungjae think. He realized that in this world, there will always be someone who is stronger, faster, smarter. And in order to survive, you need to constantly improve, learn new things, do not stop at what you have achieved.
Thus began the study of the Iron Grip. Son Jae trained to exhaustion, honing his movements, studying anatomy, practicing aikido techniques. He became not just a fighter, but a tactical unit, a machine capable of picking up any task.
Under Falcon's guidance, he had become a force that would be impossible to turn on. And he remembered - there was always someone stronger. But he wasn't afraid. He was ready for any challenge.