Chapter 50 - Power-scaling

Quintin patted himself down before correcting his glasses. Li furrowed his eyes, a look of determination filling him. Quintin let out a sigh before looking around the stands. The audience looked puzzled by Quintin's now calm appearance.

Quintin's thoughts: Does no one else find this strange? Li has a record of twenty wins and twenty losses. Yet he's able to land heavy hits on me. Am I the only one that finds that strange?

Li: Something wrong, Mr. Planck? Have you decided to forfeit?

Quintin: Forfeit? You think you're special or something?

Li: Special? I'm just someone who loves martial arts. I won't let your legs scare me off.

Quintin immediately charged in, Li stepping back in shock of his sudden moves as Quintin swiftly moved into a middle roundhouse kick with his right. Li immediately prepared for the move, but only to feel one of Quintin's hands grab onto his shoulder as he quickly moved his attention before taking a punch across the face, stumbling back, and puzzled by Quintin's burst of energy.

Li's thoughts: I thought this guy was all about kicks. Why did he switch into a punch? It wasn't that strong, but that was still a punch.

Quintin didn't let up, immediately following up with a high kick. Li moved to avoid it, the robotic foot scraping past his forehead with blood spurting from it.

Gonzalez: Quintin only used the punch to delay Li. He must've concluded that Li is a threat.

Remy: A threat? I thought Quintin would have this in the bag.

Carrie: See? Told ya guys that Li was strong.

Mike: Shut up! This doesn't make any sense. I've seen that guy. He got himself hurt during the prelims. How is he pushing Quintin?

Theodore: That is a good question. Li may be someone who performs better depending on his opponent.

Carrie: What do you mean, Terry?

Theodore: I'm saying that he scales to his opponent. That's the only way I can see Li's performance in the preliminaries and here matching up.

Mike's thoughts: This bastard is hiding a lot. Just who is he?

Li raised his arms, taking a quick beatdown from the rhythm that Quintin had started to move his kicks in. Each time Li reached out when he had followed the rhythm, Quintin was quick to follow with a kick to an opening. Bruises formed quickly across his body as Quintin's face stared at him blankly. Doctor A pushed up her glasses as she wrote down in her notes.

Doctor A: Quintin is using the legs quite excellently. His movements are nothing short of outstanding. However, his speed leaves room to be desired. I may need to make adjustments later.

Quintin continued his beatdown before landing a clean hit to Li's abdomen, sending him flying back before his legs slowed his sliding. Placing a hand over his stomach, Li breathed heavily as he stared at Quintin.

Li's thoughts: Yup, I knew it. This guy is strong. Thong? Hugo? Mikey? Are you guys watching? I want to show you all my best.

Li moved his arm away, watching as Quintin charged in.

Li's thoughts: He's barely giving me room to breathe. That's alright. I can still fight.

Li stumbled a bit, Quintin immediately moving in with a middle kick aimed at the intersection only for Li to quickly push the kick away, Quintin looking in surprise. Li swayed inward, both of his fists moving inside to land two punches on Quintin's face whose head shot back. Li strode into Quintin's positioning once more.

Li's thoughts: Age tsuki!

With a powerful thud, Quintin's head shot into the air before he fell to the ground. Li let out a sigh as he looked down at Quintin, who rolled on the ground. Lorisian moved in his seat, shock filling his voice.

Lorisian: Little nephew!

Avi immediately pushed the knight back down. Xavier let out a sigh as he examined the few pieces of armor they were able to take off.

Avi: Stay down. Your recovery is still going on.

Li stared down at Quintin, a weak smile on his face.

Li's thoughts: I'm getting there, aren't I?

…

Reaching the level of master regarding a martial art is no easy feat. It takes decades of dedication to really be rewarded the title of master. Li spent most of his young years training heavily, learning all he could about his martial art that no school could possibly teach him. He had reached the level of black belt in only a few years, having the highest title of Judan. However, his masters didn't give him anything more. He had reached the peak of competitions and many nearby schools. Realizing he had learned all he could from the regular world, Li ventured out, looking for a greater height. He wished to truly be the best. Fighting random karate fighters, he noticed his skills were above them all. Li sat on the steps of a temple of the new town he had come to, his head dropping in disappointment.

Li: City after city, country after country… There's nothing. I don't get it. What am I missing? I can't be the peak. I know I'm not that strong. What is that I'm searching for?

A pair of shoes stopped in front of him, Li looking up to see a man of a large build. Looking to be around an upper middleweight to a heavyweight, Li looked at the man in confusion.

???: That belt on you. You reached the top of the schools, right?

Li: Yeah, there's nothing left for me in there. I'm looking for something else. Something higher. I want to feel the rush of being a beginner again.

???: How about you face me? I'm interested in what peak you've reached. I want to see if you're able to reach my world.

Li looked at the man with a puzzled expression, but nodded. He followed the man to an open area where the man laid out a simple mat. The man and Li both raised their hands, and before Li could register what was happening, he stared up at the sky, the man rubbing the back of his head.

???: That's the peak you've reached? You really are a beginner. Couldn't even respond to one of my sweeps properly.

Li: Wha… What happened?

???: You lost. You're outside the circle I made and you're on the ground. I think saying this is my victory is pretty clear. But here, have this.

Li looked up, grabbing the paper the man handed him.

???: From now on, your name's going to be Li. You will begin fresh in that world. If you truly make it higher, one day you might be able to fight me again, but if you're unable to reach my level, you'll be trapped in your own purgatory. So move forward, Li. Raise in the ranks in that organization, and I'll gladly accept your request for a rematch. Until then, I don't want to see you in China ever again.

Li moved to America, putting on a white belt as he entered his first match.

Li: Hi, this is going to be my first match here, so please go gentle on me.

…

Li rubbed his arms, fatigue beginning to catch up to him as the referee walked over to Quintin. He crouched down, placing a hand on Quintin's side.

Referee: Are you still able to fight? Or will you be forfeiting?

After hearing the referee's words, Li looked up, another kick just short from his face.

Li's thoughts: I didn't even hear him move. When did that happen?

Quintin: Forfeit? Not in your wildest dreams. I'm here to kick your ass.

Li stumbled back as Quintin quickly spun around, slamming his foot into the liver. Li immediately fell to one knee as Quintin stared at him from above.

Quintin: You think you can make a joke out of me? I'll end you.

Li held onto his side tightly, pain shooting throughout his body. Thong clenched his fists, fear filling his face.

Thong: Li! Get up!

Thong watched on desperately as Li tried to get up, only for Quintin to kick him across the face.

Quintin: Don't you ever think you're on the same level as me!

Blood came out of Li's mouth, but his determined look returned. Quintin moved in for another kick aimed for the head, only for Li to roll out of the way and to jump back onto his feet before charging in, throwing a punch that was quickly met by Quintin's kick. Blood spurted from Li's fist, but he kept his look of determination.

Doctor A: Performance is improving. I'll modify the legs to match the changes.