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 without his bullet-proof like vest, giving him a relaxed, almost lazy look. But his sharp eyes gleamed with mischief.
Ji-an was already waiting for him, arms crossed, cracking each fingers, while her twin daggers hung on each 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 rubbing his sides.
Ji-an smirked tilting her head to the side, "what, expecting me to go easy on you?" She said mockingly. "Well, I was hoping for a little dinner first," he said with a grin, dodging her next strike. "You know, candlelight, soft mus-." 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 huh?"
Ji-an smirked, "Why would I? You wouldn't want me to go easy on you would you, heir of the famous 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 was pushing him back. Dae-chul needed to disrupt her rhythm and fast.
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 real quick." Dae-Chul pulled out two guns, sleek, black, relic weapons embedded with mana. "Well, they're only grade 4 level weapons. 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 knew she was a worthy 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. Almost forgot she's 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 before Dae-chul's eyes, prompting him to take a few steps back.
Dae-Chul's silhouette appeared through the mist, his gun raised. Her body moved on instinct. "You rich scum deserves to die!" she snarled, slashing his cheek. "I can't see her, but she can see me. How?" He growled trying to clear his mind.
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.
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 Dae-chul 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 movement before she was upon him. He fired, but she twisted mid-air, her dagger coming straight for his throat. Their fight had subconsciously changed from an exchange of two cadets to something else.
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 sharper. "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 minimal 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 that's the only reason why You lost."
The announcer's voice rang out. "Winner, Jang Dae-Chul!" The crowd roared, some where cheering, some were 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, after all we are going to be partners." He said with a smile.
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."