The world felt distant.
Not quiet… just far away.
Like everything had stepped back, leaving only two things in front of me.
Him.
And her.
She was still lying behind me.
Not moving.
"Get up," I said, my voice low.
"I'm not done."
He watched me carefully this time.
No smile. No arrogance.
Just focus.
"So that's what pushes you," he said.
I didn't answer.
I didn't need to.
Everything was already written on my face.
"You should thank me," he continued, taking a slow step forward.
"Without me… you would've stayed weak."
That was enough.
I moved.
Fast.
Faster than before.
There was no hesitation left in my body.
No doubt.
No fear.
My fist shot forward.
He blocked it, but I didn't stop.
Another hit followed. Then another.
Each one faster.
Sharper.
Relentless.
"Good," he muttered.
But this time, he wasn't relaxed.
He was responding seriously now.
He countered.
I dodged, barely.
Still felt the impact brush past me.
Pain flared, but I ignored it.
I kept moving.
Kept pushing.
"You're forcing your body," he said.
"You won't last."
"Then I'll finish this before I break."
I stepped in again.
Now everything felt clearer.
His shoulders moved first.
Then his weight shifted.
Then the attack came.
I saw it all.
I dodged.
Turned.
Struck.
My fist connected cleanly.
He stepped back.
Blood touched his lip again.
"You're changing too fast," he said.
"You're too slow."
Silence.
Then his expression shifted.
Not amused.
Not calm.
Something darker.
"Let's see how long that lasts."
His mark lit up.
Bright.
Violent.
The ground beneath us cracked slightly.
The air grew heavy.
My body slowed.
Not by much.
But enough.
"What is this…" I whispered.
"This is my skill," he said calmly.
"Pressure Field."
Every step felt harder.
Every movement took more effort.
He walked toward me slowly.
Calm. Controlled.
"Now… try to keep up."
He moved.
And I couldn't follow.
His hit landed straight on my side.
The impact forced the air out of my lungs.
I staggered back.
Before I could recover, another strike came.
This time I couldn't dodge.
I dropped to one knee.
My breathing turned heavy.
Unstable.
"You pushed too far," he said.
"This is where you break."
My hand trembled.
But I forced myself up.
"Not yet."
He looked at me, slightly surprised.
"You're still standing?"
"I said… I'm not done."
The pressure weighed on my shoulders.
On my chest.
On everything.
But I didn't move back.
Then—
A sound behind me.
Soft.
Weak.
"Don't…"
My heart stopped.
I turned quickly.
She moved.
Just a little.
"Aya…?"
Her eyes opened slightly.
Barely.
"Don't… die…"
My chest tightened painfully.
"You're alive…"
Relief hit me hard.
So strong it almost made my legs give in.
But it didn't.
Instead, something else rose.
Something stronger.
I turned back.
My gaze locked onto him.
"Good," I said quietly.
"Now I can finish this."
The mark burned again.
Hotter than ever.
The voice returned.
Cold. Clear.
"Condition exceeded."
"What now…" I muttered.
"Limit break available."
I froze for a second.
"Do it."
"Warning: high risk."
"I said do it."
Silence.
Then—
"Accepted."
Pain exploded through my body.
Not sharp.
Not sudden.
It spread.
Everywhere.
Like my body was breaking from the inside.
But I stayed standing.
My vision sharpened.
Even more than before.
The pressure was still there.
But now…
I could move.
"What…" he said under his breath.
For the first time—
He wasn't sure.
I stepped forward slowly.
Calm.
Controlled.
"Your turn."
Silence filled the street.
Even the air felt like it was waiting.
Behind me, she was still breathing.
Still alive.
And in front of me—
The one who almost took her away.
This wasn't about survival anymore.
This was personal.
Sometimes…
you don't fight to survive.
You fight because losing is no longer an option. 👀🔥