(Saturday, November 4, 2020 – 1:07 PM)
The yard was buzzing with activity as inmates lifted weights, played basketball, or simply loitered around, but all of it slowly came to a stop. Whispers spread like wildfire, and soon, all eyes turned to two figures standing in the open space near the pull-up bars.
Jin and Gun faced each other, both stretching as if preparing for a casual exercise rather than an intense fight. Jin casually spread his legs apart, lowering himself into a deep stretch while looking at Gun.
"Make sure you go all out." Jin said in a calm but firm tone. "If you don't, you're gonna get beaten badly."
Gun, who was rolling his shoulders, simply nodded. "That's fine with me."
Jin nodded slightly. "Also, the one who loses has to do something for the winner."
Gun stopped stretching for a second, glancing at Jin. "Fine. I accept." He tightened the wraps around his fists. "I've been training harder since that bathroom fight. I won't lose easily."
Jin straightened up, rolling his neck with an audible crack. "Good. That makes it more fun."
The tension in the air thickened as the two stepped toward each other, stopping just a few feet apart. Their gazes locked, neither blinking, their expressions were neutral but intense. Around them, the inmates whispered among themselves, some nudging each other excitedly.
"Hey, isn't that Gun?" one inmate muttered.
"Yeah, and that's Jin Lee, the guy who wrecked Dojin a month ago!" another added.
"The two strongest in here are about to throw hands…"
"Shit, we need to get a better view!"
Even those inside the prison, currently not on break, pressed themselves against the windows, craning their necks to see the two prodigies about to clash.
More rumors spread.
"Gun's been fighting nonstop since he got here."
"Jin doesn't even look like he trains, but people say he's a monster."
"Gun's a martial artist, but Jin…? No one knows what the hell his style even is!"
The murmurs and speculation didn't reach Jin or Gun. Their world had already shrunk to just the two of them.
Gun exhaled slowly, his stance shifting slightly, his weight evenly distributed. Jin placed his hands on his hips, letting the moment settle.
(1:12 PM)
The yard was silent, anticipation thick in the air as the two inmates stood across from each other. Jin Lee, relaxed yet imposing, shifted his weight slightly with his gaze locked onto Gun, who stood in his signature Kyokushin Karate stance, fists clenched, feet firm against the cracked pavement.
Jin rolled his shoulders, feeling the weight of the moment. 'Blow for blow, huh? No dodging. Let's see how much he can take.' He steadied his breath, lowering into a balanced stance, neither offensive nor defensive, just pure readiness.
Gun moved first.
A step forward, a precise straight punch aimed directly at Jin's center. No wasted motion, no hesitation. Jin met it head-on, stepping into the strike and slamming his own fist forward. The two blows collided with a thunderous crack, a sharp gust of wind kicking up dust from the sheer force.
Gun barely faltered, already twisting his body into a tight Kyokushin elbow aimed for Jin's jaw. Jin took the hit without moving, his head snapping slightly to the side from the impact. He could feel the power behind it, Gun's growth was real. But before Gun could follow up, Jin's fist was already drilling into his ribs with a deep, resounding thud.
Gun gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain as his body moved instinctively. Aikido. His arm looped around Jin's extended arm, shifting the momentum and yanking him forward. Jin's balance was momentarily broken, his foot dragging an inch across the ground before he slammed his own weight downward, stopping Gun's throw mid-motion.
With a sharp twist, Jin wrenched his arm free and launched a brutal knee into Gun's stomach. Gun exhaled sharply, absorbing the impact, but Jin was relentless. His fist followed, a devastating hook that crashed against Gun's temple, forcing him back several steps.
Gun steadied himself, shaking off the strike. 'He hits like a truck… but I can take it.'
He surged forward, this time closing the distance with a rapid Kyokushin combination, low kick, straight punch, body shot. Each strike was precise, aimed at breaking Jin's defenses. Jin didn't dodge, taking every hit with his body. The low kick cracked against his shin, the straight punch bruised his ribs, and the body shot thudded against his abdomen. He felt the force, the skill behind it, but his endurance was monstrous.
Gun barely finished his combo before Jin retaliated. His right hand shot out like a bullet, slamming into Gun's jaw with a force that made his head snap sideways. Gun staggered, but his feet remained planted with his reverse eyes sharpening.
Aikido again.
Gun shifted, guiding Jin's momentum, redirecting his next strike just enough to slip past it. But Jin didn't let up. His left leg whipped up in a devastating roundhouse, aiming for Gun's ribs. Gun barely had time to brace before the impact sent shockwaves through his body, forcing him back. He nearly lost balance, but his instinct kicked in. Instead of resisting, he let his body flow with the force, twisting mid-air and landing in a stable stance.
Jin narrowed his eyes. 'He's improving mid-fight. Good. But not enough.'
Gun exhaled, blood dripping from his lips, but his expression remained the same, focused, precise. He stepped forward again, faster, sharper. His fists blurred, attacking every opening, his movements a seamless flow between Karate and Aikido. A straight to the gut, a low kick, a palm strike to the chin. Each strike was backed with intent, calculated to break Jin down.
But Jin absorbed it all.
His fists clenched, and he suddenly exploded forward, ramming his forehead directly into Gun's face. The brutal headbutt sent Gun stumbling back with blood trickling from his nose. Jin didn't stop. His left foot slammed down, cracking the concrete beneath, as he launched forward with a crushing knee to Gun's ribs. The impact sent Gun's body arching backward with his breath hitching from the sheer force.
Jin followed up with a right hook, this time putting real strength behind it. The punch connected cleanly, sending Gun skidding back, his prison shoes scraping against the ground, leaving a faint trail of dust.
Gun shook his head, steadying himself, but Jin was already in front of him again. A kick slammed into his side, the sheer impact lifting him off the ground for a second before he crashed down.
Jin stood over him, his breathing steady, not a single bead of sweat on his brow. Gun lay on his side, blood dripping from his lips with his body aching from the relentless blows.
Jin looked down at him, voice calm yet firm. "You still have a lot to catch up to me." His eyes gleamed slightly as he spoke his next words. "I will be your wall."