Waaaaaaa!!
As I was persuading the Black Cat, the people around suddenly burst into cheers. It seemed the referee had come up to the arena, signaling that the matches were finally about to begin.
“Everyone, you’ve waited a long time!”
Waaaaaaa!!
“I’m your host, referee, and commentator for today’s Platinum Match! Saminbun!”
“Saminbun! Saminbun!”
“We’ve waited so long! Hurry up and start~!”
“Haha~ everyone! This match can be said to be the biggest of the year! It would be a shame just to jump right in, wouldn’t it?”
“It’s not even been ten days since the New Year started!”
“Hahaha! That’s true!”
The skilled host adjusted the atmosphere, throwing out various banter, and it seemed he thought it was time to start introducing the competitors.
“Now, let’s welcome today’s fighters! When you think of Sacheon City, what comes to mind? You might think of many things, but there’s something you can only see here: the Sacheon Outcasts! Leading them, we have Sacheon Outcast No. 1!”
Waaaaaaaa!!!
“And the counterpart! The veteran of Sacheon City, known for their remarkable feats during the Bandit Subjugation Battle, the reliable Gyeongyang Restaurant! The double act of that restaurant: the expert of the heating technique, Da Jeryong!”
Waaaaaaaaaa!!!
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
Come to think of it, I remembered I had told the Poison Doctor that I would apologize to Da Jeryong. It only came to mind after seeing them.
“Um… let’s apologize after it’s over.”
“That sounds wise…”
Setting such thoughts aside, I understood why the audience was exhilarated as the two fighters ascended to the arena. Although they had a somewhat hefty appearance, Jaso-gyeong and Da Jeryong boasted impressive physiques.
The sight of them facing each other barehanded in the arena was indeed striking.
“Today, let’s find out who truly is the paramount fighter of Sacheon!”
“The position of the top fighter of Sacheon belongs to the Righteous Faction!”
Ah, I see.
In reality, hand-to-hand combat is lackluster in practicality. Honestly, doesn’t everyone want to wield a weapon when they fight? It’s not like we’re talking about a tiny kitchen knife; we’re in a place where sharp metallic blades longer than human arms roam freely. Relying solely on one’s body and training is, to say the least, challenging.
The true power of empty-handed martial arts truly begins to manifest when one reaches the Peak Stage.
In other words, only those who stubbornly cling to empty-handed techniques until they reach the peak can taste the fruits of their labor.
That’s why it’s very rare to find a martial artist who isn’t from a large or renowned faction.
To reach the pinnacle relying only on one’s body, without a single ally, seems incredibly daunting just to think about.
Thus, martial artists like Jaso-gyeong and Da Jeryong, who come from a more wild background, tend to possess extraordinary physical abilities. They need to suppress the disadvantages of fighting without weapons with their physical prowess in order to walk the path of a martial artist.
“Speaking of which, the peak masters of Sacheon use swords.”
“True. Calling this a contest for the top fighter of Sacheon isn’t entirely incorrect.”
Jaso-gyeong was staring sharply at Da Jeryong, the roundness in their demeanor shed completely. Da Jeryong was also wearing a fiercely grim expression.
“The legendary expert Da Jeryong! And Sacheon Outcast No. 1! Their head-to-head record is 5 to 3! It’s said among experts that in battles between martial artists, the momentum of the strong contenders is often easier to harness!”
“Recently, the record favors No. 1!”
“That’s right! Wow, it’s true that there are knowledgeable folks around! The latest head-to-head suggests No. 1 has the upper hand! Now, where will the clash between these two top fighters of Sacheon lead us!?”
“No. 1! No. 1!”
“Da Jeryong! Da Jeryong!”
“Can Da Jeryong widen the gap against his rival again? Will No. 1 achieve victory once more and close in tight? It’s time for the ultimate battle! Let the matches begin!!!”
As Saminbun raised their hand to the sky, the two fighters closed the distance.
“Haaah!”
“Kuwaaaa!!”
On the surface, both fighters charged forward with the momentum of a rampaging bull, yet their objectives were distinctly different.
Da Jeryong aimed to drag Jaso-gyeong within his sphere of influence, while Jaso-gyeong rushed in to unleash a powerful strike.
“The Fierce Tiger Martial Arts… Honestly, it’s an unstable technique.”
“Mm.”
The martial arts style created by Tang Do-gyeong for his own use is indeed demanding. It requires a significant amount of energy. For someone like Da Jeryong, who has the energy equivalent to summon a taxi just after three steps on foot, it’s no issue, but for the outcasts, who might see a bus waiting at the stop next to them but would still have to walk away, this technique could become a burden.
However, something about Jaso-gyeong’s power felt extraordinary.
Kuwuuuung!!!
Waaaaaaa!!
Da Jeryong’s face slightly scrunched as he managed to block the first strike of the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts technique. He couldn’t afford to retreat, needing to absorb that shock instead.
The audience cheered in the backdrop as heavy impacts echoed through the training hall, and the two martial artists kept colliding.
Both were showing fierce momentum, extending their limbs repeatedly, but their aims were entirely different. Da Jeryong merely aimed to disrupt the flow of Jaso-gyeong’s Fierce Tiger Technique, while Jaso-gyeong took advantage of Da Jeryong’s attempts to entangle him, relentlessly bombarding with strikes of the Fierce Tiger Martial Arts.
“Woo ya! Woo ya! Woo ya!”
As Jaso-gyeong shook off Da Jeryong’s limbs, the technique continued with a follow-up strike. Then came the third movement of the Fierce Tiger Technique.
“Looks like someone picked up something good while we were away.”
“Yeah. The strength from their experience is definitely different from before.”
“You should really keep an eye on the flow of energy.”
Amidst the crowd, Miss Yeo Il-ye suddenly appeared with a suggestion.
“It’s rare to see a match between those who can handle energy at such a level. It would be great if the Honorable Person could pick up something beneficial.”
“I understand.”
Diverting my focus from the impressive display of both fighters, I began to concentrate on the flow of energy.
While the two fighters’ physical actions existed, the fierce competition for dominance in energy was palpable.
Da Jeryong enveloped in the heat of the energy.
And unleashing into that very domain was Jaso-gyeong.
The air around Jaso-gyeong’s fists gradually consumed the surrounding energy, opening paths. Da Jeryong crossed his arms to block both fists.
Kuwuung!!
Fists and arms collided. A body like a titan and enhanced strength clashed against another titan’s powerful arm.
A resounding echo reverberated in my ears.
As though a rock fell into a roaring flame, the energy swirling around Da Jeryong suddenly rallied and coiled around Jaso-gyeong’s arm, catching him. In that moment, Da Jeryong unleashed his Golden Snare.
It was a maneuver meant to capture Jaso-gyeong’s arm as he tried to pull his fist away.
“Oh…”
Flowing like a scattered feather, Jaso-gyeong slipped out of Da Jeryong’s grasp.
“Ah! No. 1 just easily escaped Da Jeryong’s territory!”
Hearing the audience’s gasps, I thought to myself. They say you see what you know. Not long ago, I would have thought the same as the people watching.
Focusing on the flow of energy, I saw the sequence differently.
Jaso-gyeong evaded Da Jeryong’s hand but couldn’t completely avoid that energy. As Jaso-gyeong’s foot entered Da Jeryong’s energy zone and collided with it, his strength diminished. In an instant, Da Jeryong’s energy enveloped Jaso-gyeong’s arm.
From that point on, the flow began to shift.
Noticing that Da Jeryong’s energy had infiltrated significantly, Jaso-gyeong attempted to create distance, while Da Jeryong, taking a breath, charged toward Jaso-gyeong.
“Oh! Now it’s Da Jeryong on the offensive!”
“Of course! After defending, one must attack!”
Da Jeryong unleashed his Golden Snare toward Jaso-gyeong, who twisted and dodged the incoming snare.
“What are you doing! Land a hit!”
“Are you already tired out?”
Wrong.
Right now, if Jaso-gyeong turned aggressive, they wouldn’t land a proper hit. The energy that’s vital for their dominant right arm was already invaded, and while I couldn’t ascertain the level of infiltration, it was enough to restrict a counter-attack. Hence, they must be holding back.
Is this how battles reach the peak stage?
Before my eyes lay a realm of genuine combat where one harnesses energy, something I couldn’t recognize by mere observation.
Must I step into this world and fight alongside these individuals?
Lost in such thoughts, I followed the swirling energy of the two fighters.
Da Jeryong abruptly halted his relentless assault.
“Tch.”
Jaso-gyeong clicked their tongue, their right fist tightly balled up. Had they been waiting for a chance to spring a surprise while pretending to have their energy unresolved?
As I absentmindedly chased the energy of the two in their calming motions, Miss Yeo Il-ye’s words pierced my ears.
“In the case of Sacheon Outcast No. 1, the technique demands so much energy that there’s hardly any room for an energy battle. However, this limitation on No. 1’s response isn’t entirely a boon to Da Jeryong. Even while he can easily dominate the space, he risks being taken down in one blow, no matter how advantageous his energy position.”
“Despite the space controlled by Da Jeryong’s energy, these two are continuously fighting for distance. Even among martial artists, such extreme differences in tendencies… intriguing indeed.”
The Black Cat also chimed in lightly.
“It can be seen as a fight of area versus point. One who dominates the space and another striving to break through it in an instant. But that only serves as a metaphor. Even if one sprays energy, it does not mean they have truly conquered the space, and even if someone focuses on tactics, they don’t genuinely become a point.”
“That’s right. Even when we compare it to an area, it’s not truly an area, and when we liken it to a line, it’s not truly a line either. It’s merely a pursuit of the path one wishes to follow based on the truths they’ve discerned.”
“Perfect lines and areas cannot exist. Thus, while we immerse ourselves in it believing and trusting, we must never become blind believers. Both lines and areas are merely shapes of the moment, and the essence that forms them is energy while the will that holds them is our own. The moment we forget that, the form loses its foundation and becomes disordered.”
“And that disorder is what martial artists refer to as openings or flaws.”
Listening attentively to their talk while instinctively chasing the flow of energy on stage.
“Hahhh!”
“Chahhh!”
The concentrations of energy from the two were building up. Da Jeryong collected his energy, preparing for impact, while Jaso-gyeong stretched out their fist with all their force!
Kuwuung!!
A heavy sound echoed as Jaso-gyeong’s fist and palm collided with Da Jeryong’s!
“Ughhh!!”
“Kuhhhh!!”
Fwooshhh!!
Both fighters were using every ounce of strength. Da Jeryong’s left hand sought to strike as Jaso-gyeong wrapped their hand around it.
“Oooooo!”
“It’s a duel of energies!”
As if engaged in a true clash of powers, Jaso-gyeong’s hand turned a shade of red but did not ignite Da Jeryong’s hand nor burn his sleeves.
This was definitive proof that their energies were at an equilibrium.
As the bodies of the two fighters began tilting gradually, their faces drew increasingly nearer.
