Nightfall hit like a fist.
The old warehouse where Koji held his fights smelled of sweat, blood, and cheap cigarettes. The makeshift ring in the center was not even a proper mat—just a duct-taped corners and a spit-soaked canvas.
I'd seen places like this before in my previous life.
The only difference now is that I wasn't watching from the shadows.
I was stepping into the ring.
Reina tugged my sleeve before I went in. "Koji's not a real martial artist. He's a brawler. Street rules."
"Good. I know the street."
She looked at me hard. "Don't try to win. Just survive. Prove that you belong."
I gave her a thumbs up.
Inside the Ring
Koji was already waiting.
A big man. Tattoos crawling up his neck like vines. His fists were wrapped tight, knuckles swollen like he'd never taken a break.
"You are the new brat?" he asked, cracking his neck.
"Yup, just a guy trying to learn how to punch."
He grinned. "You will learn today."
The bell rang—more like someone smacked a frying pan, Koji made the first move, he lunged.
I jumped back, barely dodging the first haymaker.
'He's fast. Big. But not clean.'
He swung again. I ducked.
My body moved on instinct. Not refined, not elegant—just pure reflex.
And for a moment, it felt good.
Then suddenly, he clipped my jaw.
The world tilted sideways.
But I didn't fall.
I caught myself, stumbled, and reset my stance.
Koji laughed. "You've got balls, kid. Let's see how big they are."
He charged.
It was like being inside a washing machine full of bricks.
Every punch he threw carried weight. Every step made the ring shake. My defense cracked, and my ribs took the beating.
But I stayed standing.
Because Reina was watching. Because Genzou let me fight. Because this was a test now.
And somewhere, deep under the pain.
I started to enjoy myself.
Koji noticed. "What the hell are you grinning at?"
"Nothing. It's just... this hurts less than being weak."
He hesitated.
I moved.
Left step. Shoulder roll. Elbow up.
I remembered a drill Genzou showed me two days ago—just a movement. No strikes. But it flowed.
And I threw my first real punch.
A jab. Straight to the nose.
Koji staggered.
I blinked.
'I hit him?'
He roared, he came at me like a freight train.
But I wasn't the same guy who walked in.
I pivoted, redirecting his momentum. He stumbled past me. I followed up with a weak but clean body shot.
Nothing fancy. But enough to make him grunt.
Reina yelled from the side. "Keep your guard up! Watch the left!"
Koji swung wide.
I ducked and countered.
A real counter.
He grunted. Stumbled back. Blood on his lip now.
The crowd around the ring gasped.
Koji wiped his mouth. Stared at me.
Then, to my shock, he laughed.
"Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands. "You pass."
I stared.
He walked over, slapped my shoulder.
"I didn't think a newbie would last this long. You've got guts."
Reina stepped into the ring. "That's enough. Master Genzou said ten minutes is max."
"We're done," Koji said. "The kid's got something."
Back outside, Reina handed me a towel.
"You're lucky he liked you. If he went full power, you'd be in a hospital by now."
"Noted." He grinned.
She hesitated, then smirked. "You're a little bit less trash than I thought."
"Compliment?"
"Don't push it."
We started walking back.
Then she asked, quietly, "Why do you smile like that in the fight earlier?"
I didn't answer right away.
Then I said, "Because for the first time... I'm not afraid to make an effort."
She didn't say anything.
But her steps slowed.
And for once, we walked side by side.