(Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – 10:46 AM)
Zack's chest heaved, his breath is ragged but controlled. His mistake was clear now. He had been too proud, too comfortable, letting himself believe that his past achievements were enough. But reality had just punched him in the face, repeatedly.
Now?
He wasn't fighting for pride anymore.
He was fighting to prove his resolve.
Zack pushed forward with his steps lighter than before, his stance more refined. His shoulders no longer carried the weight of arrogance, but determination.
He struck first.
A sharp jab to the chin, lightning-quick. Daniel tilted his head, barely evading before immediately countering with a right straight aimed at Zack's ribs.
Bam!
Zack's left glove dropped, parrying the punch at the last second, but the force still pushed him slightly off-balance. He gritted his teeth and forced his body forward, twisting his hips as he launched a heavy right hook.
Daniel caught the movement instantly, his footwork precise as he leaned back, the punch missing him by inches. But this time, Zack saw it.
Daniel's left shoulder tensed slightly, he was about to counter.
Zack's body moved on instinct.
The moment Daniel's counter-cross flew toward him, Zack ducked, rolling his upper body to the side before retaliating with a quick one-two combo to Daniel's ribs.
PAM PAM!
Daniel blocked, his gloves absorbing the impact, but Zack felt it.
He had landed something real.
The crowd erupted at the sight, the tension in the air rising as students clapped and cheered.
"Zack's getting faster!"
"Wait, did he just counter that?!"
"Who the hell is this new guy?! He's crazy strong!"
Zack wasn't thinking about the crowd anymore. His focus was deep with his breathing still heavy, but his body more in tune with him than before.
Daniel sidestepped, smoothly stepping into Zack's blind spot, his left fist shoot toward Zack's liver.
Zack barely managed to angle his elbow down, deflecting the impact.
PUM!
Daniel didn't slow down, shifting his weight quickly, launching a vicious uppercut.
Zack's back foot pushed off the ground, pivoting at the last second to slip past the attack. He countered with a sharp straight punch, aiming for Daniel's nose.
Daniel's head tilted just enough with the punch grazing past his cheek.
Zack pulled back, throwing a left body hook.
Daniel caught it, BAM!, gloves absorbed the force but his stance was still unshaken.
Zack clenched his jaw. He was improving, but even now, even with his newfound clarity…
Daniel was still ahead.
Daniel's eyes flickered with interest as he smoothly slipped under Zack's next punch before driving his gloves into Zack's gut.
BOOM!
Zack lurched forward with his lungs nearly caving in from the force.
A clean, devastating liver shot.
His legs buckled slightly with his body instinctively trying to fold, but he forced himself to stay up.
His vision blurred for a second before sharpening again. 'No. Not yet.'
He wouldn't let himself fall again.
Daniel took a step back in a calm but observant gaze.
Zack let out a shaky breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. His fists tightened inside his gloves with his stance adjusting.
He was still standing.
Daniel's lips finally curved slightly.
"Good job, Zack."
Then, his expression shifted.
His arms lowered slightly with his elbows tucking inward, his gloves tightening as his fists pressed lightly together.
And then, he crouched.
His form shifted with his gloves raising just high enough to barely reveal his sharp, focused eyes through the small gap.
(10:51 AM)
Zack's entire body froze.
The stance Daniel had taken, was dangerous.
The air felt heavier, an invisible weight pressing down on his shoulders. A raw, suffocating intensity radiated from Daniel's still form with his eyes peering through the small gap between his gloves.
Then, Daniel finally spoke.
"This move… I can only use 30% of its power."
Zack's fists trembled slightly with his mind processing what he had just heard.
"The gloves are too bulky." Daniel continued. "And they protect you from actually tasting my hardened fists."
Zack's breath hitched.
Then, Daniel moved.
No, he disappeared.
A deep indentation was left in the canvas where Daniel had stood, his footwork tearing into the ring as his body blurred.
Zack's eyes barely caught the motion, but by the time he registered it-
Daniel was already on his right.
Crouched low with his right hand chambered at his side and already launching forward.
BAM!
The impact was cataclysmic.
Zack's entire core caved in with his body lifting off the ground from the sheer force. The world spun violently as he soared through the air with his back arching before he crashed onto the mat.
His vision swayed, stars flickering in his eyes as he stared at the morning sky.
Then, darkness.
He was out.
The crowd exploded.
"HOLY SHIT!"
"DID HE JUST SEND HIM FLYING?!"
"NO WAY THAT WAS REAL!"
Most of the students watching had already assumed this was a staged performance, a well-rehearsed show put on for entertainment.
But Mira knew.
She had never seen real fights before, but for her it's clear what's the situation.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the crowd, two figures stood watching intently.
Vin Jin adjusted his tinted sunglasses with his usual cocky grin absent. "Damn… that unknown guy is strong."
Beside him, Mary Kim's expression remained serious. "He kind of looks like Daniel."
Vin shot her a look, clearly confused. "The hell are you talking about? It's nighttime. How can you even tell?"
Before he could blink, Mary's fist slammed into his face.
"You're so damn dumb!" she snapped. "Even if it's just a little, that small guy has some of Daniel's features."
Vin grumbled, rubbing his cheek, but didn't argue further. Instead, his eyes drifted back to the ring, analyzing with what he could see.
Lil Daniel, now done with the fight, peeled off his gloves and knelt down, grabbing Zack's unconscious form effortlessly before lifting him up.
Without a word, he stepped off the ring and began walking toward the infirmary.
Mira quickly followed with worry etched all over her face.
At the same time, Big Daniel adjusted his mask, getting ready to disappear into the crowd.
But before he could, a hand touched his shoulder.
He turned his head slightly, seeing Mary.
She wasn't alone.
Vin stood next to her with his usual smug, hands were stuffed into his pockets as he looked away like he wasn't interested.
Daniel tilted his head slightly before offering a small nod. "What's up?"
Mary hesitated for a second, then glanced toward Lil Daniel's retreating form before shifting her gaze back to Big Daniel. "You and him… are you two related?"
Daniel's lips curled slightly. "Yeah."
Mary raised an eyebrow, waiting for more.
Daniel sighed and finally gave her the answer. "He's my twin brother."
Both Mary and Vin looked genuinely surprised.
Mary narrowed her eyes slightly. "Then why is he so different from you? Shouldn't he look more like you if you're twins?"
Daniel nodded casually. "He was fat a few weeks ago. His growth is just catching up now."
Mary hummed in thought, while Vin scoffed, shaking his head. "Tch. That guy's boxing was solid."
Daniel glanced at him. "Solid, yeah. But nowhere near the real powerhouses."
Vin's eyebrow twitched. "Hah? What's that supposed to mean?"
Daniel's gaze was steady. "He's nothing compared to the First Generation."
The atmosphere shifted.
Vin's body stiffened slightly, while Mary's eyes sharpened.
Few people in their school even knew about them.
Yet this guy, Park Hyeonseong, had just casually mentioned them like it was nothing.
Vin pushed up his sunglasses slightly, before asking in quieter tone. "How the hell do you know about that?"
Daniel shrugged, feigning indifference. "Rumors. Heard a few things here and there." He let out a small sigh, stretching his arms. "It's not like it matters anymore, right? That generation already ended."
His eyes flickered toward them, gauging their reactions.
Both Vin and Mary remained still for a moment before shaking their heads.
"Yeah." Mary finally said, crossing her arms. "It's all in the past now."
Daniel studied them for another second, but before he could say anything else..
A loud voice boomed over the speakers.
"Attention, everyone! The annual slave auction is about to begin!"
The crowd roared in excitement.
Daniel sighed.
'This bullshit again.'
----
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