Mikey sat on the edge of the gym mat, sweat dripping down his face, bruises stinging from the fight with Kang. The memory of Kang's calm, sociopathic violence replayed in his mind. That kid… he's dangerous. But I'll get stronger. I have to.
Marcus approached, a towel over his shoulder. "You handled yourself well, Mikey. But Kang… he's different. Strong, ruthless, and smart. You need to train like your life depends on it."
Mikey nodded. "I know. I can't just rely on raw strength anymore. I need speed, technique… everything."
[Focused Training]
Over the next few days, Mikey dedicated himself to intense training. Every strike, block, and kick was precise, calculated. Marcus and Hana pushed him harder than ever, mixing Taekwondo drills with strength conditioning, sparring, and reaction exercises.
Precision Drills: Mikey practiced landing every kick and punch exactly where it would cause maximum impact, even against faster opponents.
Speed Training: Using reaction timers and shadow sparring, Mikey shaved milliseconds off his movements.
Endurance Conditioning: He ran sprints, lifted weights, and sparred until his muscles burned, preparing for long, punishing fights.
Even during rest, Mikey replayed the fight in his mind, analyzing Kang's style—the cold calculation, the overextensions, the way he exploited fear. If I want to survive and win next time, I have to anticipate him.
[Kang's Presence]
One afternoon, Kang appeared in the gym unexpectedly, leaning against the doorway with his usual casual smirk.
"Still alive, huh?" he said. "I like that. Means you've got some fight in you."
Mikey tightened his fists. "I'm not here to talk. I'm training."
Kang stepped onto the mat, cracking his knuckles. "Good. I was hoping you'd improve. Let's see if you've learned anything since last time."
Without warning, Kang launched a rapid combination of elbows and knees, forcing Mikey to block, dodge, and counter with everything he had learned. Each strike was precise, violent, and designed to test Mikey's limits.
[Sparring Outcome]
Mikey's strikes landed cleanly, forcing Kang to step back. But Kang's smirk never faded. "Not bad. You're improving fast… but I'm still faster, stronger, and meaner."
Mikey wiped sweat and blood from a small cut on his lip, eyes blazing. "Good. Means I've got more to aim for."
The sparring ended without a clear winner, but both boys understood the unspoken truth: this rivalry would push them to their absolute limits.
[Foreshadowing Jin]
Later that night, Mikey stared at the ceiling, bruises aching and muscles sore. Kang… he's strong, brutal, and unpredictable. But Jin… Jin is on another level. And next time, I won't let him win so easily.
He clenched his fists. Every fight, every opponent, every injury was a step forward. Mikey was no longer just a fighter—he was a warrior, preparing for the day he would face Jin again.