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COLLAPSED AND DEFEATED, Kwon lay motionless save for the rise and fall of his chest, his lips twisted into a grimace. He groaned, his face flushed with exertion and what seemed like anger. His shoulders heaved, and though he didn't meet anyone's gaze, his loss emanated from him like a storm cloud.

The room erupted into chaos.

"She did it!" Yoon shouted, his voice splitting the tense atmosphere as he bolted toward the girl, pulling her into a bear hug. Lee wasn't far behind, his grin stretching ear to ear.

"That was insane!" Lee exclaimed, shaking y/n's shoulder like she might wake from a dream.

"Dude, you just took down Jae-sung!"

"No way..." a voice murmured from the crowd.

"It's impossible," whispered another, their disbelief mirrored on the faces of several students still glued to their spots, as if expecting Kwon to leap up and retaliate.

"Did he let her win?" someone speculated, earning death glares from Yoon and others who had witnessed every agonizing second of the fight.

"He didn't," Yoon declared firmly, his chest puffed with pride. "I trained her myself. This wasn't luck—this was skill. She earned it!"

Y/n, still catching her breath, could hardly process the noise around her. Her chest burned, her limbs felt heavy, and her mind spun with the surreal realization of what had just happened. She'd won. She'd actually beaten him.

"I... what the fuck," she panted, her voice shaky but tinged with laughter. "I thought he had me for sure."

"Well, you proved everyone wrong," Yoon said, squeezing her shoulder. "This is just the beginning."

As the crowd continued to buzz, Kim Da-eun stepped forward, her gaze cutting through the commotion. She stopped a few feet from y/n, her hands clasped behind her back, her expression unreadable.

"Well done," Kim said, her tone even but tinged with approval. "You did not falter. You did not hesitate. You fought, even when it seemed hopeless."

Y/n straightened, her breath catching as her sensei's words registered.

"For that, you have my respect," She continued, her voice softer now, almost contemplative. "But don't get comfortable. One victory does not make a champion. Stay sharp, or next time, you won't be so lucky."

"Thank you, Sensei," y/n managed, bowing deeply despite the ache in her muscles.

Kim nodded, her lips twitching into what might have been the ghost of a smile when she looked at the boy, still groaning on the ground, before she turned on her heel and strode away.

The group, meanwhile, had started to make their way toward the bonfire. Excitement and speculation buzzed in the air, but y/n stayed back for a moment, her chest heaving as the reality of her victory finally sank in.

On the sidelines, Kreese's glare burned into Kwon like a brand. His jaw tight as he surveyed his strongest fighter.

When the crowd began to disperse, he finally approached the him, his boots clicking ominously against the polished floor. Standing over Kwon, Kreese didn't crouch or offer a hand. He just stared down, his gaze as sharp and heavy as a blade.

"Get up," Kreese said, his voice calm yet pointed, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Kwon stirred, groaning as he shifted onto his back. His face was a careful mask of pain and shame, but the old man's experienced eyes saw through it instantly.

"You think I didn't notice?" His lips curved into a slight smirk, his tone softer now, almost paternal. He crouched beside Kwon, his gaze locking onto the boy's. "Your little performance might fool them, but it won't fool me."

Kwon's silence was heavy, his eyes fixed on the canopy of trees above.

Kreese leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let me give you some advice, son. Don't let your feelings get in the way of your ambition. High school romances and teenage hormones—they're distractions. Poison for a fighter. I've trained you to be better than that."

Still, the boy didn't respond, his expression unreadable.

Kreese chuckled softly, the sound devoid of humor. "Do you know what makes a warrior, Kwon? Control. Not just over your opponent, but over yourself. You had her. You could've ended it in less than a minute... But you didn't." His smirk faded, replaced by something more calculated.

"Was it mercy? A lapse in judgment? Or was it something more dangerous?" Kreese's tone remained light, almost conversational, but the weight of his words pressed heavy on Kwon's shoulders. "You've got talent. Potential. But if you let emotions cloud your focus, you'll never reach the top. And trust me, Kwon, the top is where you belong."

He rose slowly, brushing imaginary dust off his hands. "I'm not angry," Kreese continued, his voice laced with an unnerving calm. "Disappointed, sure. But I see what you're doing, and I understand."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "Just don't let this... softness define you. A moment of weakness can ruin years of hard work. And given the things going on at home, I don't think you need me to remind you that you cannot afford defeat."

Kwon's jaw tightened, his gaze still fixed upward. For a brief moment, Kreese allowed himself a hint of a smile, a rare gesture almost fatherly in its subtlety.

"But I'm sure you'll get it together," Kreese said, turning to leave. "You always do."

As Kreese walked away, his steps deliberate and composed, he cast one final glance over his shoulder. His mind churned not with fury but with strategy, already planning how to keep Kwon from veering off the path. The boy had potential—raw, untamed, and dangerous. But potential was a double-edged sword, and Kreese knew better than anyone how easily it could cut the wrong way.

Behind him, Kwon remained still, his face unreadable. But he was sure that everyone was gone and the had noise faded, his carefully crafted expression faltered. His mask of shame and rage gave way to something softer, more contemplative, amused even...

He pushed himself up casually as if nothing at all had happened, his movements laxed as he dusted himself off. The fight replayed in his mind, each blow, each maneuver etched with clarity. He could still feel the sting of her strikes, but none of it had truly fazed him. Not really.

His fingers brushed his jaw where she'd landed a particularly fierce punch, and he smirked faintly. "Not bad," he murmured to himself, the words laced with a strange mix of pride and humor.

For reasons he couldn't quite name, he had let her win. It wasn't pity, nor was it indifference. Somewhere in the depths of his mind, Kwon felt a tug—a curiosity, perhaps even admiration. And though he wouldn't admit it, not even to himself, the memory of her smile was enough to make him feel something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Something warm. Something fuzzy.

But why had he done it..?

Kwon frowned, his hand falling to his side as he stared at the empty woods. He knew he could have ended it early, could have overwhelmed her with the strength and skill that had kept him undefeated. But he hadn't. He'd held back, just enough to let her think she had a chance.

And when she'd taken it, when she'd stood victorious with that breathless, radiant smile—something had shifted.

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. What was it about her? Why did he care whether she smiled, whether she succeeded? It didn't make sense. He wasn't the type to coddle anyone, especially not someone like her. 

Yet, in the heat of that fight, he'd found himself guiding her in subtle ways, pushing her just enough to make her stronger without crushing her spirit. He'd wanted her to win, not because he doubted his ability, but because...

Because of what?

Kwon clenched his fists, his smirk fading. He wasn't sure if he liked the answer forming in the back of his mind as his grandmother's words echoed in his ears: "당신은 너무 자랑스러워서 인정하지 못하지만, 그 미소는 누군가가 당신의 마음에 들어왔음을 말해줍니다."  ("You may be too proud to admit it, but that smile tells me that someone has entered your heart.")

Shaking his head roughly to get rid of his thoughts, Kwon, with a sigh, turned away from the battlefield, his footsteps echoing in the dark forest as he picked up his stash to join the rest of the students for the announcement of the results. Whatever this feeling was, he couldn't dwell on it. Not now.

As he stepped into the cool night air, the distant laughter of the group by the bonfire reached his ears. y/n's voice rang out among them, bright and alive.

He paused, glancing at the dojang from a distance. His lips curled into a faint smile before he continued walking, his figure revealing itself momentarily.

Kwon's faint smile lingered as he approached the group near the bonfire, his figure illuminated momentarily by the crackling flames. The laughter and chatter among the students came to an abrupt halt as they noticed him, the shift in atmosphere immediate and palpable.

The girl tensed slightly, her gaze darting to him as he drew closer. His steps were slow, deliberate, and when his eyes locked onto hers, her heart thudded against her ribcage. She wasn't sure what to expect—mockery? Criticism? But as he reached her, Kwon simply sank onto the log beside her, his presence commanding enough that the other students subtly edged away, granting them space.

The silence that followed was thick, the weight of the fight still lingering in the air between them.

"Congratulations, princess," Kwon broke the quiet, his tone playful yet tinged with his signature cocky edge. "Didn't know you had it in you."

Y/n narrowed her eyes at him, the hint of a smirk playing on her lips. "Didn't know you'd take it so easy on me."

His brows lifted slightly, feigning innocence. "Easy? You call that easy?"

She gave him a knowing look, her expression unreadable but piercing. It was clear she saw through him, and her silence on the matter only made it worse.

Kwon huffed a laugh, leaning back on his hands. "Alright, I'll bite. So you figured it out. But let me tell you something," he said, turning his head to face her. "If that was 'easy,' you've got a long way to go, sweetheart."

Her smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He wasn't wrong. That had been one of the hardest fights of her life, and the idea that he'd been holding back didn't sit well at all.

"Scared now?" The boy teased, catching the flicker of doubt in her eyes.

She didn't answer, looking away.

Kwon stilled at her reaction, his sharp gaze softening for the briefest moment before he covered it with his usual cocky bravado. "You're thinking about this all wrong." He shook his head with a huff.

Y/n gave him a sidelong glance, wary but curious.

"You think you didn't earn it because I didn't go all-out?" he guessed, his voice gentle, yet teasing. "Newsflash, that's how fights work. Everyone holds something back—whether it's energy, technique, or, I don't know, the urge to break someone's neck. Doesn't mean you didn't deserve to win."

Her frown deepened, her self-doubt evident.

"Look," he said, shifting to face her more directly. "You're not gonna win every fight by being stronger, faster, or better. Sometimes it's about surviving longer. And you? You survived. You fought smart. That's what counts."

She didn't look entirely convinced, and he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Alright, fine," he added, his smirk returning. "If it makes you feel better, I'll go full beast mode next time and crush you like the annoying bug that you are. Happy?"

Her lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile breaking through despite herself. "You're insufferable."

"Yeah, but I'm right," he shrugged. "You earned it, princess. Own it."

She let the silence linger for a moment, the crackle of the fire filling the space between them. Deep down, she still felt uneasy, but his words—however cold and snarky—eased some of the weight.

"Thanks," she muttered finally, though her tone lacked conviction.

Kwon rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in his expression. "Don't thank me. Just be ready for round two. And don't come crying to me when I actually break something next time."

She couldn't help but laugh, a quiet, tired sound. "Noted."

For a moment, as the firelight danced across their faces, the world seemed to pause. Whatever unspoken tension hung between them felt heavier than the fight they'd shared, but neither was willing to name it.

"Your neck's probably gonna feel like hell tomorrow after that headlock." He quipped, tone softening as he shifted closer. "Here's what you do—cold compress tonight to keep the swelling down. Tomorrow, warm compress to ease the tension. Don't go yanking it around like a maniac. Stretch gently, keep it loose."

His voice had dropped into something more sincere, and for a moment, she could see past the bravado to the careful precision beneath.

"That's surprisingly decent advice for someone who just tried to snap it," she deadpanned, raising a brow.

Kwon grinned. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."

As the warmth of the flames mirrored in the quiet camaraderie they'd found. Around them, the other students began to chatter again, but their world seemed to narrow to just the two of them, the events of the evening hanging in the space between their words.

She glanced sideways at him. Despite his cocky demeanor, there was a hint of something softer beneath the surface. For a fleeting moment, she almost asked him to train her but stopped herself, unwilling to give him the satisfaction, and potentially hurt her new friend, Do-jin's feelings.

Their moment of respite was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. The chatter around the bonfire hushed as Sensei Kim Da-Eun and John Kreese emerged from Master Kim's hut, their expressions unreadable but purposeful.

"Everyone, gather!" Her venomous shout sliced through the night, pulling all attention to her.

The students scrambled to form a semi-circle around the two senseis, their earlier excitement now tempered by anticipation. y/n felt her stomach twist with nerves as she exchanged a glance with Kwon. He gave her a smirk, as if to say, Relax, you've got this.

Kim stepped forward, her authoritative gaze sweeping over the group. "After tonight's evaluations and discussions, we have decided the competitors for the Sekai Taikai. These six will represent us on the world stage. They have proven themselves in both skill and spirit." 

Kreese's eyes gleamed as he folded his arms, his smirk adding to the tension of this moment. Next to him, stood Sensei Kim, holding up a list, her tone commanding as she began to call out names. 

This was the announcement that could change everything... again.

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