Chapter 2: The first match.

The morning sun barely pierced the heavy clouds hanging over the arena. The Iron Fist Championship had chosen a secluded location—a private estate surrounded by dense forests, far from the prying eyes of the world. The arena itself was an architectural marvel, a blend of modern design and ancient aesthetics, with towering stone pillars encircling a massive, circular fighting platform.

Jihoon stood at the edge of the platform, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the space. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that seeped into your bones and quickened your pulse. The other fighters were already present, scattered around the arena, each lost in their own thoughts.

Yamada Asuka, her expression unreadable, leaned against one of the pillars, stretching her limbs with the fluidity of a dancer. Nguyen Bao sat cross-legged, eyes closed, as if meditating. Kim Daeho, a Korean fighter known for his ferocious strength, was shadowboxing near the entrance, his muscles rippling with each punch.

A deep, resonant gong echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the first match. All eyes turned to the center of the platform, where Ryuji stood, his presence commanding as always.

"Welcome to the Iron Fist Championship," he began, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Today, we commence the first round of battles. Each fight will be decided by knockout, submission, or until one of you can no longer continue. The rules are simple—there are none. Your goal is to win, by any means necessary."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The first match will be between Yamada Asuka and Park Jihoon."

Jihoon's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself. He had expected to fight early on, but not against Asuka, the rising star of the Japanese martial arts world. He stepped forward, meeting her gaze with a respectful nod.

Asuka returned the nod, her expression calm but focused. There was no malice in her eyes, only the determination of a warrior prepared for battle.

The fighters took their positions at the center of the platform, the distance between them a mere few feet. The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable as the other fighters watched intently, sizing up their potential opponents.

"Begin!" Ryuji's command was sharp and immediate.

Asuka was the first to move, her speed astonishing as she closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. Jihoon barely had time to react, raising his arms to block a series of rapid strikes aimed at his head and torso. Each blow was precise, powerful, and relentless, forcing Jihoon to retreat a few steps.

But Jihoon wasn't just any fighter. His time in the military had honed his reflexes and instincts, and he quickly adjusted, deflecting Asuka's strikes with calculated precision. He waited for the right moment, then countered with a powerful kick aimed at her midsection.

Asuka twisted her body at the last second, narrowly avoiding the kick, and used the momentum to spin around and deliver a sweeping leg strike aimed at Jihoon's ankles. Jihoon jumped, barely dodging the attack, and retaliated with a quick jab to Asuka's shoulder.

The blow landed, causing Asuka to stagger slightly, but she recovered almost instantly, her eyes flashing with renewed intensity. Jihoon knew then that this wasn't going to be an easy fight. Asuka was skilled, incredibly so, but more than that, she was adaptable—every time he thought he had her figured out, she changed her approach.

The battle continued, a flurry of punches, kicks, and evasions, each fighter testing the other's limits. The crowd watched in awe as the two combatants moved with almost supernatural speed and agility, their movements a blur to the untrained eye.

Jihoon's muscles burned, his breath coming in ragged gasps, but he could see that Asuka was starting to tire as well. Sweat glistened on her brow, her breathing heavy, but her resolve remained unbroken.

Asuka launched into another series of rapid strikes, but this time, Jihoon was ready. He caught her arm mid-punch and used her momentum to flip her over his shoulder. Asuka hit the ground hard, the impact reverberating through the arena.

But before Jihoon could capitalize on the move, Asuka twisted her body and kicked out, striking Jihoon in the knee. He stumbled, his leg buckling slightly, and Asuka used the opportunity to roll away and regain her footing.

For a moment, they both stood there, panting heavily, eyeing each other with newfound respect. This was no ordinary fight—both knew it would take more than brute strength or speed to win.

Jihoon wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind racing. He needed to end this, and soon. Asuka was relentless, and if he let the fight drag on, she might outlast him. But he had one advantage—his experience in combat situations where every move counted.

He took a deep breath, focusing all his energy on his next move. When Asuka lunged at him again, he didn't try to dodge or block. Instead, he stepped into her strike, absorbing the blow to his shoulder, and in the same motion, he brought his elbow down hard on the back of her neck.

The impact was enough to stagger Asuka, and before she could recover, Jihoon swept her legs out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground again. This time, he didn't hesitate—he pinned her down, locking her in a chokehold.

Asuka struggled, but Jihoon's grip was ironclad. Slowly, her movements became weaker, until finally, she tapped out, signaling her surrender.

The gong sounded, and Ryuji stepped forward, raising his hand. "Winner: Park Jihoon."

Jihoon released Asuka and stood up, extending a hand to help her to her feet. She accepted it, her expression unreadable, but there was a glint of respect in her eyes.

"You're strong," she said quietly, rubbing her neck.

"So are you," Jihoon replied, his voice equally calm.

Asuka nodded, then turned and walked off the platform, leaving Jihoon to savor his victory, however brief it might be. The first match was over, but the tournament had only just begun.

Jihoon knew that the battles ahead would be even more challenging, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He had proven himself, and he was ready for whatever came next.