The space between them felt heavier than it had before. The recruits weren't just watching for entertainment anymore. They were studying. Learning. Every fight before this had shown them something new—who was strong, who was fast, who hesitated, and who fought without fear.
Now, there were only a few of them left. No more hiding in the crowd.
Jin's gaze flickered across the remaining fighters before settling on two.
"Areum. Byung-ho."
Areum tensed slightly at the sound of her name but stepped forward, rolling her wrists. She exhaled, her fingers twitching slightly as faint, glass-like energy flickered at her fingertips.
Byung-ho cracked his knuckles, rolling his broad shoulders. Unlike Areum, he didn't look nervous. If anything, he looked excited.
"Guess I'm finally up," he said, flexing his fingers. "Been waiting to stretch a little."
Areum glanced at him, then looked back at Jin. "Um… are we really fighting? Like—fighting, fighting?"
