The moon shone over the battlefield, lighting it with a soft silver glow. The crowd murmured in anticipation as the announcer stepped forward, voice booming across the arena. "Next match, Jang Dae-Chul versus Yoo Ji-An!"
Dae-chul sighed, rolling his shoulders as he stepped onto the field. His dark hair was slightly messy, and his uniform was slightly unbuttoned at the top, giving him a relaxed, almost lazy look. But his sharp eyes gleamed with mischief.
Ji-an was already waiting for him, arms crossed. She cracked her knuckles, her twin daggers hanging loosely in her hands. Unlike Dae-chul's laid-back posture, she stood firm, like a hunter waiting for the kill.
The announcer's voice rang out once more. "Begin!"
Dae-chul barely had time to react before Ji-an rushed in. She was fast..really fast. Before he could blink, a sharp jab to his ribs sent a shockwave of pain through his body.
"Ugh, you don't waste time, huh?" he groaned, stepping back.
"What, expecting me to go easy on you," Ji-an smirked? "Well, I was hoping for a little dinner first," he said with a grin, dodging her next strike. "You know, candlelights, a nice music." Ji-an's fist crashed into his jaw, cutting off his words.
The crowd cheered as Dae-chul stumbled back, rubbing his face. "Damn, I think I bit my tongue," he muttered, rubbing his chin. "You don't hold back, do you?"
Ji-An smirked, "Why would I? You wouldn't want me to go easy on you, would you, heir of the great B-Gadget?" Dae-Chul chuckled, dodging another quick jab. "Not at all. But maybe a little mercy wouldn't hurt"
His sentence was cut short as her knee slammed into his side. He barely had time to twist away before her dagger came for his shoulder."She's pushing me back. I need to disrupt her rhythm." He suddenly ducked and swept his leg low, aiming for her ankles. Ji-An leaped back just in time, landing gracefully. "You won't get me with something that basic," she said.
"Ah, I was hoping you'd be distracted by my charm," Dae-Chul sighed dramatically. "Guess I'll have to bring out my playthings after all." Ji-An twirled a dagger between her fingers. "You better. Otherwise, this is going to be over quick." Dae-Chul pulled out two guns, sleek and black, relic weapons embedded with mana. "Well, they're only D-grade. I doubt they could do much damage to a beautiful girl like you." Ji-An scoffed. "The rich really do love to gloat." Dae-Chul grinned but kept his eyes sharp.
He had expected a challenge, but she was faster and more aggressive than he thought. He needed to turn the fight in his favor. Without warning, Ji-An flicked her wrist, sending a dagger spinning toward him. He barely dodged, but the blade grazed his cheek."Crap, she's closing in again!" Dae-Chul raised his guns, but before he could fire, a thick mist spread across the battlefield.
The crowd gasped as a thick white fog blocked their view. "Great. A mist user. This just got worse." He took a step back, holding his gun, preparing to shoot. A sharp pain flashed across his leg,a dagger strike. "Shit," he muttered, shifting his stance. Another slash nicked his hip. But Ji-An was fast. Her fist crashed into his face, sending him staggering."This next one will be the last," she whispered. Her dagger flashed. Bringing back a memory she tought she had forgotten.
A little girl tugged on her mother's dress, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Mummy, mummy! Why is that man shouting at the people?" Her mother smiled gently, patting her head. "You need not concern yourself, my love." Ji-An pouted but nodded. "Okay, mummy!" That night, a shrewd man arrived at their home, his voice cold and sharp.
"Ma'am, this entire area is owned by the Jang family. It will be demolished in less than a week. Please evacuate before then." Ji-An peeked from behind the door, barely understanding his words. Her mother saw her and forced a smile. "Is the bad man going to chase us?" Her mother laughed softly, though her eyes held fear. "No, my love… the bad man is not going to chase us," she chuckled.
Days passed, Then chaos.The man returned, this time with soldiers and enforcers. Their leader stepped forward, his voice echoing over the frightened crowd. "By order of Jang Baek-Nim, this district is to be demolished today." A desperate voice rose from the habitants. "You can't do this! You barely gave us time to leave! Where do you expect us to go?!"
Ji-An clung to her mother's leg. A gunshot rang out. The man who had spoken collapsed, clutching his bleeding leg,from a condensed mana bullet.Screams filled the air, Panic erupted. People rushed at the soldiers in a frenzy. Blades clashed, mana blasts flew—stray energy tore through the crowd. A sudden, bright flash, Ji-An's mother gasped. Ji-An turned, Blood. Her mother fell to the ground, a serene smile still on her lips.
"M-Mummy?" She ran to her, shaking her. No response. Ji-An screamed. She screamed until her voice broke, until her body trembled, until the world around her became a blur of smoke and fire. The next day, their home was gone. In its place, a sign: "Future Site of B-Gadget Headquarters."
Back in the Present, her vision sharpened.
Dae-Chul's silhouette appeared through the mist, his gun raised. Her body moved on instinct. "You rich scum deserve to die!" she snarled, slashing his cheek. "I can't see her, but she can see me. How?"
Dae-Chul fired a shot in the mist, but there was no impact, she had already moved.
"You fight like a coward, love!" he called out, trying to provoke her.
A voice whispered through the fog. "Says the one relying on gadgets." Another cut. This one on his arm. His grip tightened on the gun. "Think, Dae-Chul. How is she tracking me?" Then it hit him. "Sound. She's listening to my movements." He adjusted his grip and aimed upward, pulling the trigger. Loud, rapid shots rang out, sending ripples of sound waves through the mist. The air vibrated, distorting the fog slightly.
Ji-An hesitated."There! A small opening!"
Dae-Chul fired at the ground, the repeated blasts shaking the air and clearing a portion of the mist. The crowd roared as they caught glimpses of the battle again. But just as he thought he was in the clear, Ji-An's voice came through the haze. "This next one will be the last." Dae-Chul barely saw the blur before she was upon him. He fired, but she twisted mid-air, her dagger coming straight for his throat.
Instinct kicked in. He threw himself backward, letting the blade graze past his neck. His gun was knocked from his grip, sliding across the ground. "Shit, I'm out of options." Dae-Chul dived for the weapon, but Ji-An was faster. She kicked it away, then tackled him to the ground. The crowd gasped. Ji-An straddled him, her fists slamming into his face. Dae-Chul blocked as best he could, but his injuries were catching up.
"Let's see how your pretty face holds up after this, rich scum," she growled. Dae-Chul laughed despite the pain, blood trickling from his lip. "Man, you really hate me, huh?"
Her punches grew angrier. "Shut up! You rich bastards act so carefree while everyone else suffers!" The arena grew quiet, her words hanging in the air. Dae-Chul's swollen eye cracked open. He exhaled slowly. "You could have won," he muttered. Ji-An's fist paused mid-air. "What?"
Suddenly, a sharp jolt of electricity ran through her body. Her muscles seized, and she collapsed onto him, unable to move.
The crowd erupted in confusion. Dae-Chul groaned, pushing her off with effort. He staggered to his feet, bloodied but victorious. Ji-An lay on the ground, her body twitching from the residual shock. She gritted her teeth. "But... when? How?" Dae-Chul smirked weakly. "I never wanted that gun. I just made you think I did." Realization dawned in her eyes. "You... You planned this from the start?"
"I couldn't win in a direct fight," he admitted, running a hand through his messy hair. "So I played the long game. Your hatred for me made you reckless. You got distracted from your goal and thats the only reason why You lost."
The announcer's voice rang out. "Winner, Jang Dae-Chul!" The crowd roared, some cheering, some stunned. Dae-Chul bent down slightly, looking into Ji-An's furious eyes. For the first time, his expression was serious. "I don't know what I did to deserve that kind of hatred from you," he said softly. "Hope we get to sort it out in EDC, afterall we are going to be partners." He smiled.
Ji-An remained silent, her eyes filled with frustration and something else uncertainty.
Dae-Chul gave her a small smirk before turning away, limping off the battlefield. The pain in his body was starting to kick in.
He smiled to himself" Well uncle, I'm really happy to be here."