DANIEL vs MARK – THE STRONGEST B-RANK
---
The moment the announcement ended, a heavy silence fell over the entire ground.
It was the kind of silence that didn't come from calm—but from anticipation.
At the center of the circle, Daniel and Mark stood facing each other, completely still. Their eyes were locked, neither willing to look away first. Around them, hundreds of students formed a living boundary, yet not a single voice rose above a whisper.
This is it… no turning back now.
From the second-floor windows, rows of students leaned forward to get a better view.
Among them, Lily rested her arms lightly on the window frame, her gaze sharp and unwavering.
"…So this is how it ends," she murmured quietly, her attention fixed entirely on Daniel.
Show me… what kind of fighter you really are.
Near the front of the crowd, Ellie clasped her hands tightly together, her usual energy replaced with visible tension.
"Come on… you can do this," she whispered under her breath.
Please don't lose… not here…
Alan stood beside her, calm as always, but his eyes were focused with precision.
"This won't be a simple fight," he said quietly.
Both of them… are already beyond the level of ordinary B-ranks.
A few steps behind them, Chris grinned with excitement, while Wayne stood next to him with his arms folded, his expression unreadable.
"…Let's see if he can grow," Wayne said softly.
If he can't… this ends quickly.
---
"BEGIN!"
---
Daniel moved first.
He stepped in quickly and lifted his leg into a fast roundhouse kick aimed directly at Mark's head, trying to take control early with speed.
I need to pressure him first.
However, Mark reacted instantly, raising his forearm and blocking the kick with solid timing. The impact echoed sharply, but Mark didn't budge.
Fast… but straightforward.
Before Daniel could pull back, Mark stepped forward and drove a straight punch toward him. Daniel managed to raise his guard, but the force behind the punch pushed him back several steps.
That's heavy—!
Ellie flinched. "Already…?"
Daniel steadied himself, his focus sharpening as he moved again, attempting another kick—this time lower, aimed at Mark's side.
Don't give him time to think.
Mark anticipated it and checked the kick with his leg, immediately following it with a slight shoulder feint.
Daniel reacted to the movement.
There—!
That was his mistake.
Mark's real attack came from the side—a sharp punch that connected cleanly with Daniel's jaw.
Too easy.
The sound of impact cut through the air, and a wave of gasps spread through the crowd.
Chris winced slightly. "Yeah… he walked right into that."
Wayne's eyes narrowed. "He's being read."
Daniel staggered back, his vision shaking for just a moment as he tried to regain focus.
What… was that…?
He's already ahead of me…?
Mark stepped forward again, calm and composed, his movements efficient and controlled.
"You're fast," he said, his tone even. "But that won't be enough."
Speed without control is useless.
---
Mark closed the distance, eliminating the space Daniel needed for his kicks. The pressure increased immediately. Punches came one after another—not wild, but precise and deliberate.
Don't let him breathe.
Daniel shifted his stance, abandoning offense for the moment as he focused on defense.
I can't match him head-on…
When Mark threw another punch, Daniel redirected it using a smooth motion, guiding the force away from his body instead of blocking it directly.
Use his strength against him…
For a moment, it worked.
Good—this might—
But as Daniel tried to counter, Mark suddenly grabbed his wrist mid-motion, pulled him forward, and drove a knee into his stomach.
Predictable.
Daniel's breath escaped him instantly as he doubled slightly.
"You're not the first one to try that," Mark said calmly.
Seen it. Beaten it.
From the sidelines, Ellie clenched her fists tighter. "He's breaking through everything…"
Alan's gaze remained steady. "He knows how to deal with it."
He's experienced… far more than Daniel expected.
---
Mark attacked again, stepping in with the same pressure.
This time, Daniel noticed something—a slight shift in Mark's shoulder before the punch came.
A movement…?
A pattern.
Wait… every time before he strikes—
As Mark moved forward, Daniel reacted with perfect timing. He redirected the incoming strike, turned his body, and used the momentum to flip Mark over his shoulder.
Now!
Mark hit the ground hard.
For a split second, there was silence—then the Blackridge side erupted into cheers.
"That's it!!" Ellie shouted.
Daniel didn't hesitate. He stepped in and followed up with a fast kick to Mark's side, then another aimed higher. This time, the strikes landed cleanly, forcing Mark to raise his guard and step back.
It worked…!
Chris grinned. "Now that's more like it."
Wayne watched closely. "…He's adapting."
He caught on faster than I expected.
Mark rose to his feet, brushing off the dust. A small smile appeared on his face.
"…There you are."
Show me more.
---
The moment didn't last.
Mark stepped forward again, but this time his movements were sharper.
Let's see how far you've gone.
When Daniel prepared to counter, Mark suddenly stopped midway, baiting a reaction.
Daniel took it.
Got him—
Mark's fist drove straight into his ribs.
The impact made Daniel flinch, and Mark immediately followed up, stepping inside and chaining attacks together. Each movement was efficient, leaving no openings.
Still falling for it.
From above, Lily's eyes narrowed slightly. "…He's controlling everything."
Even now… he's one step ahead.
Daniel tried to redirect again, but Mark adjusted his timing, grabbed him, and slammed him to the ground.
The Ironfall students erupted in cheers.
"You're good," Mark said as Daniel struggled to get up. "But you're predictable."
And that's why you'll lose.
---
Daniel stood again, breathing heavier now. His movements were slower, his reactions just slightly delayed.
My body's already… slowing down…
Mark didn't rush. He walked forward steadily, each step carrying pressure.
No need to rush. He'll break on his own.
When he attacked again, his strikes landed more cleanly than before. A punch slipped through Daniel's defense. A body shot followed. Another strike forced him back.
I can't keep up…
Ellie's voice trembled. "…No… this is bad…"
Even Alan's expression darkened slightly.
If this continues… he'll lose.
From the window, Lily remained silent, but her fingers tightened slightly against the frame.
Mark stopped just a few steps away from Daniel.
"You're talented," he said.
There was a brief pause before he continued.
"But talent alone doesn't win fights."
Effort without understanding means nothing.
---
Daniel exhaled slowly.
His breathing steadied.
Think… don't rush…
Something changed in his eyes.
He's right…
I can't keep fighting like this.
I need to change… now.
---
When Mark stepped in again, confident and composed, Daniel didn't react the same way as before.
Don't separate it… connect it…
As the punch came, Daniel redirected it—but instead of stopping there, his body flowed naturally into the next motion.
Keep moving—
The redirection transitioned seamlessly into a counterattack, and his leg snapped upward into a clean strike that caught Mark off guard.
Now.
It wasn't a powerful hit.
But it was different.
Wayne noticed it immediately. "…He changed."
That's it.
Daniel moved again, and this time his actions weren't separated into defense and offense. Every motion connected. Every reaction flowed into the next.
Mark attacked again, but Daniel avoided it more smoothly, redirecting and countering in the same breath.
He's not stopping anymore…
Chris's eyes widened. "He's getting better right now!"
For the first time, Mark took a small step back.
So… you're evolving.
---
Both of them were breathing heavily now.
Bruises had begun to show.
The crowd had gone silent again, unable to look away.
They moved at the same time.
Mark attacked with precision, still dangerous, still controlled—but Daniel kept up. He blocked, redirected, and countered, barely maintaining balance in the exchange.
Just a little more…
Each hit felt heavier than the last.
Each movement carried risk.
Ellie leaned forward. "Come on…!"
Don't stop now!
From above, Lily whispered softly, "…Finish it."
End it cleanly.
---
Mark stepped in for the final exchange.
He set it up carefully—the same pattern he had used before. The same bait. The same trap.
This ends here.
Daniel saw it.
Not just the movement—
But the intention behind it.
This… again.
I've seen this…
---
Mark's punch came with full force.
Fall.
But this time, Daniel didn't fall for it.
Not anymore.
He moved with perfect timing, redirecting the attack and turning his body in one fluid motion.
This is it—
Using that opening, he delivered a clean upward strike that connected directly.
Mark's head snapped back as his body lost balance.
…He did it.
A second later, he collapsed.
---
Silence.
Then—
"WINNER… DANIEL!"
---
The entire ground erupted.
Ellie jumped in place. "HE WON!!"
Chris laughed loudly. "That was insane!"
Wayne watched quietly, a faint nod following.
"…He earned it."
He really did.
---
Daniel stood there, barely able to keep himself upright, his breathing heavy.
It's over…
Mark lay on the ground for a moment before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"…You learned."
Mid-fight… unbelievable.
Daniel looked down at him, exhausted but steady.
"…From you."
You pushed me there.
---
From the window above, Lily watched the scene in silence.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"…Interesting."
This city… just got more fun.
---
And just like that—
The strongest B-rank in the city had been decided.
---
To be continued…