╔. ■ .══════════════════════════════════════╗

╚══════════════════════════════════════. ■ .╝

THE CLEARING WAS CLOAKED IN EERIE SILENCE, broken only by the crunch of boots on dry leaves as Kwon Jae-sun faced Yoon Do-jin. The moonlight filtered through the branches, casting sharp shadows that painted the scene like a macabre stage. Kwon rolled his shoulders, his trademark smirk curling at the corners of his mouth as his eyes locked with Yoon's.

"So," Kwon began, his voice carrying a casual edge, "back to this again, huh? You sure you want to lose twice?"

Yoon chuckled darkly, his stance firm and precise—a reflection of Sensei Kim Da-Eun's relentless training. "Maybe I just wanted my badge back." His gaze flicked briefly to the Geum Baeji pinned proudly to Kwon's chest. "It suits you. Almost makes you look respectable."

Kwon's fingers brushed the badge as if brushing off invisible dust. "Thanks. I wear it better than you ever did."

Yoon smirked, unbothered. "I'm glad to see your responses are still so predictable."

Kwon raised a brow, his smirk sharpening. "Funny, I was about to say the same about you. Da-Eun's perfect little puppet. What is it this time? An axe kick followed by a textbook sidekick? You've gotten boring, Do-jin."

Yoon's expression darkened, though a hint of amusement lingered in his eyes. "And you're still Kreese's wild card. Too reckless for your own good."

"Reckless works," Kwon said, his tone low and deliberate. "It's why you'll lose... again."

Without warning, Yoon launched forward, his movements swift and calculated. His roundhouse kick came at Kwon like a whip, but Kwon sidestepped effortlessly, countering with a low sweep that Yoon jumped over.

The fight began in earnest, their bodies a blur of motion and impact. Yoon's strikes were fierce, every move executed with precision as if following a manual. Kwon, on the other hand, moved like a storm—unpredictable, his attacks fluid and sharp.

"Still copying Sensei Kim, I see," Kwon taunted, ducking under a high kick before landing an elbow strike to Yoon's ribs.

"She's effective," Yoon replied, catching Kwon's wrist and twisting it in a lock. "Something you could learn if you'd follow the rules."

Kwon twisted out of the hold, using the momentum to spin and land a backfist against Yoon's jaw. "Rules are for people who can't think for themselves."

Yoon's lip curled, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he retaliated with a spinning back kick that connected with Kwon's midsection, sending him staggering back.

Kwon recovered quickly, shaking off the blow as he grinned. "Nice. You've been practicing. Still not enough."

The exchange became fiercer, their strikes more brutal. Kwon's movements were erratic but precise, keeping Yoon guessing. Meanwhile, Yoon's attacks were relentless, each one calculated to exploit Kwon's perceived weaknesses.

"You know," Kwon said, blocking a punch and countering with a swift knee to Yoon's abdomen, "for someone who supposedly respects me, you sure look desperate."

Yoon grunted, stepping back to regain his footing. "And for someone who won, you're still bitter."

Kwon's grin faltered briefly, the mention of their history hitting a nerve. "Not bitter," he said, his tone dropping. "Just surprised you haven't learned to beat me yet."

Yoon's gaze narrowed. "Maybe I've been distracted. Training the new girl hasn't been easy. But you probably already know that... given how much you keep staring at us."

The mention of y/n was like gasoline to a smoldering fire. Kwon's expression hardened, his next attack coming faster and harder. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Yoon replied, deflecting the blow but noting Kwon's shift in energy. "Just an observation. She's improving. Fast."

"Don't think for a second that's because of you," Kwon snapped, his strikes becoming more aggressive, each one aimed to overpower.

Yoon raised a brow, realization dawning. "Ah, I see. You're jealous."

The accusation only fueled Kwon further, his movements growing even more ruthless. He swept Yoon's legs out from under him, pinning him briefly before Yoon twisted free.

"She's just a student," Yoon said, his voice calm despite the chaos of their fight. "Why do you care so much?"

Kwon didn't answer immediately, his jaw tight as he landed a sharp kick to Yoon's side. "Because she's supposed to be mine to train," he finally said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm the leader, not you!"

Yoon's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further. Instead, he focused on the fight, his movements becoming sharper as he pushed Kwon back. For a moment, it seemed like he might gain the upper hand, but Kwon's unpredictability proved too much.

In a final, brutal exchange, Kwon feinted left before delivering a spinning axe kick that caught Yoon off guard, knocking him to the ground.

Yoon lay there for a moment, breathing heavily as he looked up at Kwon. "You win. Again."

Kwon extended a hand, pulling Yoon to his feet. "Good fight," he said, though his tone still carried a hint of smugness.

Yoon smirked, unpinning a sleek black wristband and handing it over. "Take it. You earned it."

Kwon accepted the item, his smirk softening into something almost genuine. "Thanks. And... about y/n—"

"Don't worry," Yoon interrupted, brushing himself off. "She's all yours."

For a moment, there was a shared understanding between them. Then the truce was over, and Yoon disappeared back into the shadows of the forest, to join the rest of the losers, and turn in all the belongings he'd won.

***

The moonlight pierced through the dense canopy of trees, casting an eerie glow on the makeshift battleground. y/n tightened her fists, her pulse steady yet simmering with the anticipation of the fight ahead. Across from her stood Hana, arms crossed and an unmistakable sneer plastered across her face. The tension between them was palpable, an unspoken history of animosity and bitterness crackling in the air like static.

"So," Hana began, her voice dripping with venom, "here we are. The princess finally gets her big moment."

Y/n raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Is that what you're calling this? A moment?"

Her opponent's snarl deepened as she stepped closer, her stance aggressive. "You don't fool me. You walk in here like you own the place—beat me once, hang around the captain, and suddenly, you're everyone's favorite? You're nothing but a lucky little bitch who has—"

"Careful," Y/n interrupted, her tone icy. "I don't waste my time on petty insults."

Hana's glare darkened. "Petty? You're the joke. You don't deserve half of what you've been handed. And Kwon? Please. You're just a passing distraction."

The mention of Kwon threw y/n momentarily, her brow furrowing. "What does that dodo have to do with this?"

Hana's laugh was sharp and cold. "You really don't get it, do you? Of course, you wouldn't. You just take and take without even realizing who you're stepping on."

The girl shook her head, annoyance flickering in her eyes. "If you're done whining, let's get this over with."

Hana didn't need any more provocation. She launched herself at y/n with a wild kick, her anger making her movements fast but sloppy. y/n sidestepped with ease, grabbing Hana's ankle and twisting sharply, forcing her opponent to stumble back.

"You're too predictable," She said flatly, her tone as sharp as her movements.

Hana growled in frustration, regaining her footing. This time, she came at y/n with a flurry of punches, her technique more refined. y/n blocked the strikes with precision, her movements fluid as she ducked and weaved, looking for an opening. When Hana aimed a kick at her ribs, the girl caught it mid-air, delivering a brutal counter-punch to her opponent's stomach that sent her reeling.

"Is that all you've got?" She taunted, circling Hana like a predator. "I expected more from someone so... vindictive."

Hana wiped the corner of her mouth, her eyes blazing with fury. "You think you're better than me? You're just a thieving little cunt with no identity of your own."

Y/n's jaw tightened, but she didn't let the insult faze her. "Maybe," she said, her tone cold, "but I don't need your validation to know I'm better."

The fight escalated. Hana was relentless, her strikes fueled by raw emotion, but y/n was methodical, every move calculated and deliberate. She targeted Hana's weaknesses with ruthless efficiency—her slower left side, her tendency to overextend. y/n's punches were quick and sharp, her kicks precise and brutal, each one landing with an audible crack.

Hana managed to land a punch to y/n's shoulder, the force making her stagger slightly. "Got you," Hana said, a cruel smile spreading across her face.

"Barely," She shot back, spinning into a roundhouse kick that struck Hana square in the chest, sending her crashing to the ground.

The impact knocked the wind out of Hana, but she forced herself to her feet, her expression now a mix of pain and desperation. She lunged at y/n again, this time aiming for her legs, but the girl jumped effortlessly, delivering a downward kick that clipped Hana's shoulder and sent her tumbling once more.

"You don't know when to quit," y/n mused, stepping forward as Hana struggled to rise. "That's your problem."

Hana glared up at her, breathing heavily. "And you're just a spoiled brat who doesn't know what it's like to fight for something real."

Y/n crouched down, grabbing the chain around Hana's neck—the necklace glinting in the moonlight—and yanked it free without a hint of hesitation. "Real enough for you?" she asked, her voice low and venomous.

Hana winced, her hands clutching at her neck where the necklace had been. y/n stood, pocketing the item as she stared down at her defeated opponent. "Next time," she said, her tone indifferent, "try fighting your own insecurities instead of me."

With that, she turned from her enemy's slumped form, the sound of slow, sarcastic clapping echoing through the clearing. She turned sharply, her gaze landing on Kwon, leaning casually against a tree, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips.

"Wow," he drawled, pushing off the tree and strolling toward her. "That was cold. Remind me never to piss you off."

Y/n crossed her arms, arching an eyebrow. "You already do that on a daily basis. Consider yourself lucky I'm not that dramatic."

Kwon grinned, tilting his head. "Dramatic, huh? Says the girl who just ripped a necklace off someone's neck like a Bond villain."

"She had it coming," She scoffed. "Besides, what's with her weird obsession with you? She basically called me a slut the entire time for just acknowledging your mere existence."

Kwon raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. "So I've heard."

Y/n cocked up a brow. "What do you mean?"

Kwon chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. "She asked me out at a frat party two years ago. It was... embarrassing really. For her, not me."

Y/n blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Wait—what were you even doing at a frat party in sophomore year of high school?"

"Long story," he said dismissively, waving his hand. "Let's just say I was broadening my horizons."

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Right. Because underage drinking and bad dance moves are so enlightening."

"Hey," Kwon teased, pointing a finger at her. "You weren't there. You don't know how good my moves are."

She snorted, shaking her head. "I'll take your word for it."

Kwon's eyes gleamed as he leaned closer. "Careful, y/n/n. You're dangerously close to admitting you're curious about me."

The girl shoved him lightly, laughing under her breath. "In your dreams."

"Every night," Kwon shot back with a wink, pulling out the stash of valuables he'd collected. "Anyway, what's your haul? Let's see who's winning this little game."

Y/n sighed, pulling out her collection and counting under her breath. "Sixteen."

"Sixteen," Kwon echoed, his tone laced with mock disbelief as he glanced at his own pile. "Well, well. Looks like we're evenly matched. Guess there are still ten or so out there with the others."

She smirked. "Or maybe you miscounted."

"Or maybe you cheated," he retorted with a playful glint in his eye.

Before the girl could reply, the sharp sound of boots crunching against leaves cut through the clearing. Both turned to see Senseis Kim Da-Eun and John Kreese emerging from the shadows, their cold gazes fixed on the pair.

"Well, well," Kreese said, his voice low and commanding. "The star students. I expected nothing less."

Kim's lips curved into a sinister smile. "A tie, though. That won't do."

Kwon straightened, his playful demeanor fading into seriousness. "What do you mean?"

Kim stepped forward, her gaze razor-sharp. "A tie needs a tie-breaker. And what better way to prove who's superior than a fight?"

Y/n's stomach sank. "You want us to fight each other?"

Kreese's expression was unreadable, but his tone was firm. "You're not teammates right now. You're competitors. Show us what you've learned."

Kim's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "No holding back. No mercy. Prove you deserve to stand at the top."

Y/n glanced at Kwon, her chest tightening. He met her gaze, his usual smirk replaced by a look of quiet resolve. "Well," he said lightly, cracking his knuckles, "guess we're doing this."

The girl hesitated. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I'm serious," Kwon replied, though his voice held a trace of humor. "I've been waiting for a chance to kick your ass."

She rolled her eyes, though her heart was pounding. "Fine. But don't cry when I win."

"Let's see what you've got, princess."

As the tension between them thickened, Kreese's voice cut through the moment like a blade. "Fight."

And with that, the final round began...

2.1k words