Chapter 7: Fighting Daniel Park

Jin-Ho walked confidently to the designated meeting spot, eager to see his friend Taeyoung. As he approached, he spotted Taeyoung waiting there and waved excitedly.

"Hey Taeyoung!" Jin-Ho called out, a grin spreading across his face.

Taeyoung turned and smiled in return, acknowledging Jin-Ho's presence. "Oh, you're here! Just wait a bit, they'll be here soon," he said, gesturing for Jin-Ho to be patient.

After a short while, another figure arrived at the location. It was Daniel, a man Jin-Ho and Taeyoung were expecting to meet.

"Nice to meet you guys," Daniel greeted them warmly.

Jin-Ho and Taeyoung reciprocated the greeting. "Likewise," they said in unison.

Curious about Jin-Ho's companion, Daniel inquired, "And who might this man be, Taeyoung?"

Jin-Ho stepped forward, introducing himself. "He's my friend," he explained. "He's here to join us."

Daniel's expression turned serious. "You know we can't just let anyone in," he reminded them. "This is dangerous territory. Who are you, anyway?"

With a calm demeanor, Jin-Ho responded, "I'm Jin-Ho Park. I understand the risks involved, but I assure you, I'm skilled in hand-to-hand combat. I'll do whatever it takes to help."

Daniel, still cautious, introduced himself as well. "I'm Daniel Park," he said. "It's reassuring to know you're capable, Jin-Ho. But I need to see for myself what you're capable of."

Taeyoung, sensing the tension, interjected, "Are you really going to test Jin-Ho?"

Daniel nodded firmly. "Yes, I am."

Taeyoung turned to Jin-Ho with a concerned expression. "Be careful, man," he warned. "Daniel's not one to take things lightly."

Jin-Ho nodded in understanding. "Don't worry," he assured Taeyoung. "I won't hold back."

Daniel echoed Jin-Ho's sentiment. "Neither will I."

Both Jin-Ho and Daniel began their preparations for the impending test of skill. They each took a moment to do some stretches, loosening up their muscles and getting their bodies ready for the bout ahead.

As they squared off, Jin-Ho decided to make the first move. With lightning speed, he launched a straight punch towards Daniel.

However, Daniel, displaying impressive reflexes, swiftly dodged the blow and countered with a punch of his own, catching Jin-Ho off guard and sending him stumbling backward.

Seizing the opportunity, Daniel closed the distance between them and unleashed a series of strikes using a martial art called Systema.

His blows rained down on Jin-Ho, striking his body repeatedly and leaving him momentarily unable to retaliate.

Not one to be deterred, Jin-Ho adjusted his tactics.

He observed Daniel adopting a peculiar stance, characterized by a rhythmic swaying motion from side to side, with one leg positioned in front of the other—a stance known as Ginga in Capoeira.

In response, Jin-Ho leaped into the air, executing a textbook front kick with precision and control.

However, Daniel was prepared and swiftly blocked the attack with a cross-arm defense.

Undeterred by the block, Jin-Ho swiftly transitioned into another technique.

He raised his knee and executed a sweeping leg motion in a circular arc—a move known as a Crescent Kick. Daniel, momentarily confused about the trajectory of the kick, attempted to defend himself, but the strike found its mark, connecting with his face.

Just as Daniel was about to launch a counterattack, Jin-Ho demonstrated his agility and quick thinking.

He spun 180 degrees and delivered a powerful strike with the heel of his foot—a Back Kick—catching Daniel off guard and demonstrating his prowess in both offense and defense.

The intensity of the exchange between Jin-Ho and Daniel only seemed to escalate as they continued their martial arts duel.

Daniel, still recovering from the previous blow, found himself momentarily staggered by the force of Jin-Ho's attack.

With determination in his eyes, Jin-Ho lifted his knee high, preparing for his next move.

With a swift motion, he brought his foot down in a powerful strike known as an Axe Kick.

The blow landed squarely on Daniel's shoulder, eliciting a grunt of pain, though Daniel managed to maintain his footing, refusing to succumb to the pressure.

Despite the setback, Daniel struggled to regain his composure, his eyes fixed firmly on Jin-Ho, searching for an opportunity to retaliate.

But Jin-Ho wasn't about to let up. Drawing inspiration from the Systema technique Daniel had employed earlier, Jin-Ho unleashed a flurry of consecutive strikes, Copying the style he had just seen from Daniel.

It was a calculated move, aimed at catching Daniel off guard.

Reacting impulsively, Daniel lunged forward with a reckless punch, hoping to regain control of the situation.

However, Jin-Ho anticipated the move and deftly evaded the attack, seizing the opportunity to counter with a punch of his own—a move he had copied from observing Daniel's earlier counterattack.

The blow landed squarely on Daniel's face, causing him to stagger backward, his stance visibly weakened.

As Jin-Ho observed Daniel's reaction, a sense of unease began to settle in.

He noticed a change in Daniel's demeanor, a shift in his focus that sent a shiver down Jin-Ho's spine.

"His aura is totally different from before," Jin-Ho remarked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

In that moment, Jin-Ho felt a surge of something primal, something instinctual—an overwhelming sense of dread that gripped him with the realization that he was facing an opponent who had tapped into a power beyond his comprehension.

Daniel had entered a state of heightened awareness, a state of being that transcended the limitations of ordinary combat. He had tapped into what some might call "Ultra Instinct,"

And with that realization, Jin-Ho knew that the true battle had only just begun.