In a vast training hall with walls reinforced to absorb high-impact blows, two figures blurred through the air, moving so swiftly that they seemed like fleeting shadows. The room itself was mostly barren, designed solely for combat and sparring.
In the center, the two combatants stood at the peak of human physical fitness. If an average human's strength could be ranked at a level of 5, these two were easily above level 10, their bodies obviously honed to perfection through rigorous training and cultivation. Of the two, one wielded a large greatsword while the other wielded a pair of machetes.
The brown skinned man wielding dual machetes was a small but agile fighter and he had a focused expression as red energy—his qi—pulsated around him like a living aura. The glow intensified every time he attacked with his machetes, a testament to his mastery of internal energy.
The other man was a mountain of muscle, taller and broader, but what was truly impressive was how he controlled his strength. Despite the obvious bulk and the added weight of his greatsword, his movements were just as fast, if not faster at times, than his opponent's.
This was impressive since he matched the smaller fighter's every move without even activating any origin abilities or techniques.
"AGAIN!" the smaller man, Kamji shouted as he dove in for another attack. He raised his twin machetes and sought to pressure his opponent with a barrage of quick and flexible strikes!
Clangs of metal hitting metal resounded around the room as the larger man deftly managed to deflect and evade the rapid attacks.
He did not feel pressured at all by the offensive. His greatsword, functioned as an effective shield due to its broad width.
"Is that all you've got?" he taunted.
"Not even close!"
Seeing that a frontal assault was futile, Kamji danced around him, looking for an opening to strike.
However, the man was much more experienced, anticipating every move. He countered each of Kamji's feints with deadly precision, forcing him to retreat. In fact, anytime Kamji thought he had found an opening, the man would exploit it with a swift and brutal counterattack.
In response to these tricky counterattacks, Kamji had to cross his machetes, using its strength to deflect a stab or rapidly pivot his body to the side in order to evade a threatening strike. The fact that he was currently using qi while his opponent wasn't did not make the battle any more advantageous for him. As it was, the red glow functioned little differently from a special effect at the moment.
At a point during the battle, he dodged a wide swing, sliding underneath his opponent's massive arm with a speed that could only be performed by one as well trained as him.
"[Charge Strike]!", he screamed as in a flash, he spun and aimed an attack directly at his opponent's midsection. His qi flared as a shockwave following the blow.
But his opponent didn't even flinch. Instead, in one fluid motion, he sidestepped the attack and grabbed the smaller man's arm, lifted him off his feet and throwing him across the room like a ragdoll.
Kamji flipped mid-air, landing on his feet with a graceful roll. His martial qi surged again, the red aura intensifying as he dashed forward, closing the distance in the blink of an eye.
A flurry of blows followed, each one faster and more precise than the last, aimed at vulnerable points on the larger man's body—his neck, ribs, and abdomen. The strikes should have crippled anyone else, but the larger man's sheer physical strength allowed him to parry each attack effortlessly. He dodged, weaved, and countered with crushing power, forcing his opponent to constantly stay on his toes.
For a moment, it seemed like Kamji had finally gained the upper hand. His qi-enhanced strikes moved faster, more intense, pushing the larger man back a few steps. But then the larger man grinned, his muscles rippling as he planted his feet and unleashed a brutal counterattack.
He didn't need martial qi to overpower his opponent; his raw physical might was enough. With a single, well-timed swing, he sent him staggering back, forcing him to retreat several steps to regain his balance.
Just as the two prepared to clash again, the door to the training room slid open. A figure entered, walking calmly toward the far side of the room. He stopped just short of the ongoing battle and folded his arms, clearly content to wait until the sparring match was over. Despite his arrival, neither of the fighters paid him any attention; they were too focused on their intense exchange of blows.
The sparring session continued, both men pushing their limits but controlling their strength with extreme care. Even in the heat of battle, they were mindful not to lose control. The room echoed with the sound of blade meeting blade, each impact sending ripples through the air. Their movements were so fast that an untrained eye would only see blurs of red and bronze darting across the room.
Eventually, Kamji decided to take a gamble and executed another origin technique.
"[Rapid Attacks]! [Charge]!" he shouted in unison as his red qi enveloped both his blades and let out a blinding glare. His muscles tensed, and the world around him seemed to slow. The pounding of his heart synchronized with the crackling energy coursing through him.
He moved.
One moment, he stood several paces away; the next, he became a blur of motion, his strikes raining down like a relentless storm.
But as if expecting it, the larger man raised his greatsword with minimal effort, blocking the rapid strikes with measured precision. Each slash, thrust, and feint was met with the impenetrable wall of steel. He didn't even bother to evade; he stood his ground, his massive weapon deflecting each glowing blade as though it were nothing more than a nuisance.
Kamji gritted his teeth, his pace quickening as frustration mounted. His movements became sharper, more aggressive, his twin machetes darting with deadly intent. Sparks erupted with each clash, and the air sizzled with energy as he poured everything into breaking his opponent's guard.
Then it happened.
Just as he lunged with increasing momentum, aiming to overwhelm his opponent's defense, the greatsword lashed out. The large man shifted, his massive blade swinging in a wide, calculated arc.
The strike was precise and brutal. The flat of the greatsword collided with Kamji's twin machetes, batting them aside with shocking force. He barely had time to react before the same blade struck his side with the flat edge.
The impact was like being hit by a battering ram. Air exploded from his lungs as he was hurled backward, his body skidding across the dirt. Dust and debris billowed around him as he came to a stop, gasping for breath. The glow of his machetes dimmed, the energy wavering under the sheer force of the blow.
Just as Kamji staggered to his feet, trying to steady his body, he saw that the larger man had raised a hand, signaling the end of the spar. He halted, the dim red glow surrounding his body and blades slowly fading.
"Do you understand what you did wrong?" the larger man asked in a calm tone.
Kamji wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest still heaving from the exertion. His pride was wounded, but he couldn't deny the lesson in his opponent's calm voice. Gritting his teeth, he straightened himself and met the larger man's gaze.
"I relied too much on my technique," Kamji admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I focused so much on overwhelming you with attacks to force an opening that I neglected my defenses."
"That is correct. Your skill is formidable, Kamji. Your speed, precision, and control over your qi are commendable," the larger man said, his deep voice carrying a tone of both praise and admonition. "But you lack adaptability. You commit too fully to one strategy, leaving yourself vulnerable when it fails."
If Rion were present, he would have instantly recognized the larger man. It was the same imposing figure who had swaggered out of the restaurant after Rion's altercation with Herbert, the spoiled young master who had foolishly activated his abilities in public. Back then, Rion had noticed this man's overwhelming presence, a warrior's confidence exuding from him without even needing to speak. Now, seeing him sparring with such power, Rion would understand why.
The man placed his greatsword on the ground, leaning it gently against the wall. His expression softened, though his towering presence remained imposing. "Power and technique are only tools. A true warrior uses their mind as much as their body. I am stronger and more experienced, yes, but I didn't defeat you through strength alone. I defeated you through patience, awareness, and precision. Traits you must cultivate if you wish to grow further."
Kamji's jaw tightened, but he nodded, absorbing the lesson. "I understand, Master. I'll work on it."
"Good. At least I can see that your control over your qi has improved. I'd say it won't take very long for you to condense your qi into a more solid form and break through to the second tier. Just participate in some true battles that can stimulate your potential."
Kamji smiled faintly, inclining his head in thanks. "I owe it all to your guidance," he said humbly, though his red qi still flickered slightly around him, showing his lingering adrenaline from the fight.
"There's no need to stand on ceremony," the larger man replied with a casual wave of his hand. "You've done the work. I just provided the push. Now, rest. The body needs time to recover, especially after using techniques like [Rapid Attacks]."
The two combatants moved to the side of the room, stretching their limbs and cooling down from the fight. The man who had entered earlier finally approached, bowing respectfully to both fighters before speaking.
"Master, Senior. I hope I'm not intruding."
The larger man nodded, his expression returning to its usual sternness. "Sumire, have there been any changes in the situation?"
Sumire straightened up, his eyes flicking between the two men before settling on the larger one. "Yes, Master Ganba. The coalition of Adli's Third Army and the other factions will begin their excursion to the base in a week. Our spies have identified a route that they could take without alerting the sentries guarding the area from outside interference."
Ganba's eyes narrowed, his mind clearly calculating the implications. "Eight days, huh? That doesn't give us much time to prepare." His voice was low, thoughtful. "Did the spies confirm the strength of their forces?"
Sumire nodded. "They estimate each factions controls about 100 troops, consisting mostly of high-tier mercenaries from different factions. As for if there are any 2nd-tiers among their troops, we have no idea."
Ganba sighed and crossed his arms. "It looks like we'll have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Whether they bring 2nd-tiers or not, that doesn't change what our mission is."
As Sumire turned to leave, Ganba's gaze shifted back to the center of the training hall, where faint cracks marred the otherwise pristine floor, evidence of the brutal sparring session. "It seems you'll have your chance soon," he said to the thin guy, his voice low and contemplative.
Kamji approached Ganba, his expression thoughtful. "Master, what are your thoughts on the leadership of this coalition? Do you think they're as united as they appear?"
Ganba's eyes darkened slightly. "United? Hardly. Adli's Third Army is notorious for internal strife. The other factions are opportunistic at best. They're working together out of necessity, not loyalty. In the face of benefits, they'll start turning on each other like rabid dogs."
Kamji smiled, a glint of anticipation in his eyes. "And then we swoop in and reap all the benefits."
Ganba nodded, his massive frame exuding calm confidence. "Exactly. They're not a threat if they can't work together. And if they try to hinder us, well…" He flexed his fists, his potent blue qi exploding for a fraction of a second. "Our side will show them the true power of the Cultivation Liberation Group."
Kamji chuckled softly, his red martial qi flickering around him as it got agitated by the brief display of power. "Understood. I'll make sure we're ready for either outcome."