"The first day of training won't be this easy."
That was something Haruto never expected. After being sent flying several meters away, he slowly stood back up, rubbing the side of his face.
"I better stick with counterattacks," he muttered to himself. Just as he was about to step forward toward his opponent—O Yong—
Woosh!
Before he could react, O Yong was already within striking range, locking eyes with him. She smirked mockingly before launching another attack.
When Haruto realized her right leg wasn't on the ground, it was already too late. As he looked up toward the sky, he saw her leg descending, aiming straight for his nose.
An axe kick.
"Take this!!"
Boom!!!
"THE FALLEN AXE!!"
She shouted the name of her move as her heel crashed down onto Haruto, creating an impact strong enough to crack the ground beneath him and send dust flying into the air.
There was no doubt—no normal human could withstand such a powerful blow.
"Hehe…" O Yong smiled confidently, her heel still resting where Haruto's head should have been. As the dust began to settle, she expected him to be unconscious.
But—
"Huh…?" Her eyes widened.
Haruto was still standing. No—that wasn't what shocked her.
He tanked it?
Haruto hadn't moved an inch. Instead, he had tilted his head slightly to the left, letting the kick land on his shoulder—his trapezius.
It looked like the attack had done little to no damage.
"Don't underestimate us—karate fighters, you brat." His eyes were sharp, filled with intensity as he locked eyes with her. A smirk formed on his face.
O Yong's right side was completely exposed.
Haruto didn't let the opportunity slip. He grabbed her leg and threw it aside—
Bang!
He lifted his left leg and swung it in a semicircular motion, striking with his shin directly into her ribs—right at the liver.
"Ugh—!"
O Yong stumbled back several steps, clutching her side. "I can't believe you responded to that…" she said, impressed.
"Heh." Haruto smirked silently.
Still—
Tank The Fallen Axe?
That shouldn't be possible. But what O Yong didn't understand was Haruto's training—Kyokushin karate.
Unlike other styles, Kyokushin focuses on building extreme durability, conditioning the body to withstand powerful strikes to the arms, legs, and torso.
That was why Haruto could endure her attack.
From the side, Alex watched quietly, a faint smile forming.
That was unexpected, kid.
Haruto slowly approached O Yong, who was still recovering from the blow to her ribs, her guard lowered. Another chance.
As soon as he entered striking range—
Whoosh…
He dashed forward, just like at the start of the fight.
O Yong immediately stepped back to counter—
But—
Boom!
"Ah—!"
A sharp pain hit her thigh. She was forced to retreat several meters, gritting her teeth.
The truth was, Haruto hadn't attacked during his first dash. He dashed again the moment she stepped back—following up with a low kick to her thigh.
A clean, powerful strike.
"I told you," Haruto said, smirking, "when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, you don't stand a chance."
"You're just lucky this time, flame boy!" O Yong shot back, refusing to back down. But her leg trembled slightly.
Then she realized something.
His head…
Karate—and even Taekwondo—shared a weakness. They rarely guard their heads like boxers. And in many styles, head strikes aren't emphasized as much.
That was it. His weakness.
O Yong steadied herself with a deep breath, pushing through the pain.
This time—
She had a plan.
Haruto moved forward as well, ready to finish the fight. As they both entered striking range—
Whoosh…
They dashed at the same time. O Yong swung her right leg toward his head.
Haruto immediately stepped back, sensing danger.
But—
"Got you, flame boy!!"
O Yong spun her body, briefly exposing her back—then snapped back around, lifting her left knee.
For a split second, everything slowed in Haruto's eyes.
Too fast. He miscalculated.
Bang…!
She launched forward by pushing against the ground and struck his jaw cleanly with a flying right round house. A hundred and eighty degree kick.
The impact sent him flying several meters across the field. He hit the ground hard, dust rising around him.
His vision blurred. His breathing grew heavy. His body wouldn't respond.
And then—
Darkness.
"That's enough." Alex called the match and ran toward Haruto. "O Yong, help me. We're heading back."
"…Okay."
Alex lifted Haruto onto his shoulder. "You've got a long way to go, Haruto." They walked away from the training ground, disappearing into the forest.
But—
They weren't alone.
From the trees nearby, a man stood watching silently. "That's right… you've got a long way to go, Haruto."
His deep voice carried through the quiet forest. "I've been watching you… ever since you were summoned into this world." He stepped forward slightly, eyes fixed on the empty field.
"I'll be waiting." With that, he leapt down—
And vanished.
Leaving only silence behind.