NOVPUBThe ground beneath them was cracked and scarred from their previous exchanges, dust still swirling in the air. Daewon smirked, stretching his shoulders as he cracked his knuckles. His massive double-headed hammer lay tossed aside, half-buried in the dirt. His eyes gleamed with excitement, fists clenched tightly. "Let's make this interesting"
Seojun returned the smirk, sliding his crimson dagger back into his inventory with a flick of his hand.
[Host, are you really going bare-handed? This is thrilling! It's been centuries since you did hand-to-hand! Last time i remember is your battle with the fallen Gods!]
Seojun chuckled inwardly, his eyes never leaving Daewon.
Daewon raised an eyebrow stepping forward, his movements sharp and precise. His feet dug into the dirt, leaving imprints as he approached, fists up and ready. 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Seojun watched carefully, his stance loose and relaxed. But there was tension in his muscles—controlled and sharp, like a coiled spring waiting to be released.
Without warning, Daewon lunged forward, his fist rocketing toward Seojun's face with brutal speed. Seojun tilted his head just slightly, the punch grazing past his cheek, ruffling his hair. His hands moved instinctively—he grabbed Daewon's wrist, twisted his body, and flung Daewon forward with a perfect over-the-shoulder throw.
BOOM!
Daewon crashed into the ground, dirt and rocks flying up from the impact. But he didn't stay down—he rolled back onto his feet, dusting off his hands. "Not bad! You know your throws," Daewon chuckled, wiping a bit of dust from his shoulder.
Seojun shrugged. "I know a few things."
Daewon cracked his neck, then charged again, this time faster. His fists came in quick—left hook, right jab, a straight punch to the gut. Seojun bobbed and weaved, slipping between the strikes like water flowing around rocks. His movements were sharp, honed by centuries of experience.
Seojun stepped inside Daewon's range, his palm striking forward with a sharp snap to Daewon's chest. Daewon staggered back a step but steadied himself, grinning wide. "That all you got?" he shouted, launching a powerful kick aimed straight for Seojun's ribs.
Seojun twisted, raising his leg to block with his shin, the impact cracking like thunder. Without losing momentum, Seojun spun around, his heel sweeping low to Daewon's ankles. Daewon jumped, avoiding the sweep, but Seojun was already moving. His body blurred slightly as he stepped forward, delivering a perfect sidekick to Daewon's chest.
WHAM!
Daewon skidded back, his boots digging trenches into the dirt. He spat out some dust and grinned even wider. "You know your martial arts. What's that? Taekwondo?"
Seojun nodded. "Among others."
Daewon chuckled. "I like it! Alright, my turn!"
This time, Daewon moved differently—his stance lower, more grounded. His fists were tighter, elbows closer to his body. He threw a series of rapid jabs, each one aimed at Seojun's head and torso. Seojun deflected with minimal effort, his hands a blur of motion as he redirected the strikes.
Daewon's fist came in hard, but Seojun slipped under it, delivering a sharp elbow to Daewon's ribs, followed by a quick knee to the gut. Daewon grunted, stumbling back. He wiped his mouth, his eyes flashing with excitement. "Finally! Someone who can actually trade blows with me!"
Seojun shrugged. "You haven't even seen half of it."
Daewon's grin grew wider. He stomped the ground, the earth cracking beneath him. His aura flared up, the air around them shimmering with raw power. "Good! Show me more!"
Seojun's eyes gleamed with excitement, his feet shifting into a traditional stance. "Fine. Let's turn it up a notch."
The two squared off once again, the energy around them crackling. Neither moved—just silence and the tense air between them. Then, like a signal had been given, they both launched forward at the same time.
Fists and feet collided, echoing through the forest like thunderclaps. Their movements were seamless, flowing from attack to defense with practiced ease. Seojun's kicks were sharp and precise, cracking through Daewon's guard. Daewon retaliated with raw strength, his punches smashing into the ground whenever Seojun dodged.
It was like watching two storms clash—Daewon with the raw power of an earthquake, and Seojun with the precise strikes of a master assassin. Neither gave an inch, both pushing each other further with each blow.
Daewon lunged forward first, his massive arms swinging with the force of a battering ram. Seojun sidestepped, his movements sharp and fluid, but Daewon was relentless. A wide hook came crashing down, the sheer power sending shockwaves through the ground even when it missed its mark.
Seojun weaved around the strikes, but Daewon was faster than he looked. With a sudden burst of speed, Daewon swung his fist, catching Seojun off guard. The impact slammed into Seojun's side, sending him flying back.
He twisted mid-air, crashing into the thick trunk of a tree. But instead of simply hitting it, Seojun planted his feet firmly against the bark, using the momentum to spring back like a launched arrow.
However, just as Daewon prepared himself for a head-on attack, Seojun's figure blinked out of sight. His eyes widened, scanning the area.
"What—?!" Daewon barely had time to turn his head when Seojun reappeared, not in front, but right behind him. The shift was instant, like a shadow slipping through cracks of light.
Seojun's breath was calm, his movements silent. His eyes sharpened with focus as he struck with precision—a clean, sharp blow aimed right at Daewon's exposed side. Daewon twisted just in time, blocking with his arm, but the impact still forced him to slide back, his heels digging into the ground and Seojun jumped back down.
Daewon laughed, his voice booming. "I like that! You think I wouldn't notice?"
Seojun just smirked, hands loose and relaxed. "Guess I was too fast for your eyes," he replied calmly.
"Give me more! More Han Seojun!" Daewon roared, dropping his arms and revealing his exhilarated grin. His aura flared, and his muscles tensed, preparing for more. But Seojun merely raised an eyebrow and smirked.
Before Daewon could react, Seojun vanished. His form blinked out of existence for just a fraction of a second, only to reappear right in front of Daewon. A sharp knee strike landed squarely in Daewon's gut, lifting him off the ground. Daewon's eyes went wide as the air was forced from his lungs, but Seojun didn't stop there.
"Not done yet," Seojun muttered, voice low.
Appearing above Daewon in a flash, Seojun's figure descended like a shadow. He twisted mid-air, his heel arcing down with perfect precision. The kick connected with Daewon's back, sending him hurtling toward the ground like a falling meteor.
BOOM!
The impact left a massive crater, dust and debris exploding into the air. Cracks splintered out from where Daewon crashed, and the shockwave shook the trees nearby, leaves raining down like scattered confetti.
Seconds later. Kang Daewon now stood atop the shattered ground, dust swirling around him as the aftermath of their clash settled. His eyes burned with excitement, lips curled into a grin. His breathing was heavy, but his stance was firm—like an immovable mountain. He wiped the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, chuckling.
"It's been a long time since someone pushed me to this," he muttered, stretching his neck with a satisfying crack. The area around them was a mess; trees were uprooted, the ground was scorched, and jagged lines split the earth where their attacks had collided. The air was thick with mana, so dense it almost shimmered.
He clenched his fists, sparks of energy still flickering around them. "I almost forgot what it feels like," he continued, his eyes gleaming with thrill. "To fight without holding back... to unleash everything."
The wind rustled, carrying the scent of burning wood and mana discharge. Daewon tilted his head back and laughed, the sound echoing across the broken landscape.
"You really are something," he called out, voice full of admiration and bloodlust. "I knew I'd find you one day..."
He stepped forward, planting his feet firmly into the cracked ground. He bent his knees slightly, his muscles tensing as mana flowed through his legs. With a sharp intake of breath, he launched himself into the air.
In seconds, he reached the towering trees landing gracefully on the thick branch of the tallest tree.
Now standing high above the ground, with a grin.
"Han Seojun."
