"Goldman VS The Obsidian: Ending"

The tension in the air thickened as both men circled each other, their eyes locked with unflinching intensity. Goldman's stance was low, poised to strike. He moved first, throwing a sharp right cross aimed at Kai's temple. The movement was fluid, the punch coming in fast and precise.

Kai didn't flinch. His reflexes were lightning-quick. He leaned back just enough, the punch grazing past his cheek, and countered with a straight jab to Goldman's ribs. He felt the soft give of the muscle as his knuckles connected, but Goldman didn't flinch. Instead, he used the momentum of his body to pivot and unleash a brutal left hook aimed directly at Kai's jaw.

Damn, his technique is clean—he's calculating every move. He's testing me. I can't afford to get hit by that left hook.

Kai slipped to the side just in time, his own movements a blur of practiced fluidity. He kicked out with his right leg, aiming to hit Goldman's side—targeting his ribs once more, to exploit the area he'd just attacked. The kick landed with a sharp thud, but Goldman absorbed the blow, stepping back to recover and immediately closing the distance between them.

He's not giving me any room to breathe. I need to create an opening.

Goldman wasted no time. He retaliated with a fast series of strikes—a right hook, followed by a spinning backfist aimed at Kai's head. Each strike was deliberate, and each movement flowed into the next without hesitation. Kai blocked the hook, but the spinning backfist landed squarely on his temple, forcing him to stagger back for just a split second.

That was close. He's faster than I thought—his timing is flawless. But I can't let that throw me off. I need to keep my head in this.

As Goldman pressed forward, Kai assessed his options quickly. He feinted a jab, only to immediately drop low, aiming a sharp uppercut toward Goldman's ribs. His knuckles connected, but Goldman's reaction was instinctual. He blocked with a raised elbow, absorbing the blow and turning the attack back on Kai with a swift knee to the chest.

The knee. He's good. Damn good. This isn't just about power—it's about precision and timing.

The blow knocked the air out of Kai's lungs, but he recovered quickly. He pivoted on his heel, bringing up his knee to block Goldman's next strike—a sharp low kick aimed at his shin. The impact sent a shock through his leg, but he shifted his weight and countered with a spinning back kick aimed at Goldman's midsection. It connected, pushing Goldman back, but not enough to faze him.

I've got to keep him off balance. I've landed hits, but I need more. He's playing this perfectly. I need to find a way to make him slip up.

Goldman, his expression unchanged, circled back in. He launched into another series of attacks—a right hook, followed by a devastating low kick aimed at Kai's supporting leg. Kai tried to block the hook, but the kick found its mark. His leg buckled slightly under the force of the blow, and before he could react, Goldman was on him again, pushing forward with another knee aimed at Kai's abdomen.

He's relentless. My leg—shit, I can't get my balance back. He's driving me into the corner, and I can't afford to keep defending. I need to turn this around.

Kai stumbled back, his body feeling the effects of the rapid assault. He shifted his weight to his other leg, trying to regain his footing, but Goldman anticipated the move. With a quick step forward, he launched a high kick aimed directly at Kai's head. Kai ducked low just in time, but as he did, Goldman swept his leg from under him with a swift, calculated trip.

No—!

Kai's legs were swept out from under him, and in an instant, his back hit the cold concrete floor of the warehouse. His head cracked against the ground with a jarring impact, the blow ringing through his skull. The world spun for a moment, and he could feel the blood rushing in his ears, but he was already moving—rolling to his side, trying to push himself back up.

But it was too late.

Goldman was already on him, straddling him with lightning speed. His fist came down in a controlled arc, driving into Kai's ribs. Kai barely had time to react. His arms were too slow, and the punch landed with a sickening thud.

He's... too fast...

Goldman smirked down at him, his breath steady, his body poised. "You fought well," he said, voice dripping with cold amusement. "But it's not enough." With that, he delivered one final, crushing blow to Kai's chest, knocking the wind out of him. Kai's body went limp, the fight finally leaving him.

Goldman stood over him, breathing steadily, his expression unreadable as he looked down at the fallen Kai. The battle had been fierce, but in the end, Goldman's skill, precision, and relentless pressure had won out.

I lost... but I'll live. He's better. But not by much. One mistake... just one...

Kai groaned as he pushed himself off the ground, blood trickling from his split lip. His legs felt like lead, his body screaming for rest, but his will remained unbroken. He staggered upright, his chest heaving as he fixed his gaze on Gold Man, who stood unscathed, calm, and infuriatingly composed.

"You held back," Kai said, his voice raw but steady.

Gold Man didn't react immediately, his gray eyes scrutinizing Kai with an unreadable expression. Kai's mind raced, replaying flashes of the fight—those moments where Gold Man could've finished him but didn't. The punches that stopped just shy of devastation. The hesitation that lingered between each move.

"Why?" Kai demanded, his fists trembling at his sides. "Why didn't you finish it? You had me."

Gold Man remained silent, his jaw tightening as he regarded Kai. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "Because I feared your dying."

The words hung in the air like a sharp blade. Kai's breath hitched, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. Feared my dying? He replayed the fight in his head again, this time with a sharper focus.

The strike to my ribs—he didn't follow up. The sweep to my legs—he held back. He… he didn't want to kill me.

Kai's fists unclenched, confusion mingling with the pain in his chest. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

Gold Man's gaze hardened for a moment before he let out a slow breath. "I know you want to save Mina."

The mention of Mina jolted Kai like a shockwave. His jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed. "How do you know that? Why would you care?"

Gold Man crossed his arms, his gold insignia glinting under the dim light. "It doesn't matter why. What matters is that you're here for her. You'll find her alive."

Kai's mind churned, unease bubbling beneath the surface. "Do they know?" he asked sharply, stepping forward. "Do the Black Lotus know about our plans?"

Gold Man shook his head, his calm demeanor unbroken. "No. I'm the only one who knows."

The answer was both reassuring and unsettling. Kai studied Gold Man's face, searching for any sign of deceit, but his expression remained unreadable.

"Why would you tell me this?" Kai pressed, his voice laced with suspicion. "Why would you help me? You're one of them."

Gold Man's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Because I know you."

Kai's breath caught, and for a moment, the air felt heavier. The cryptic response sent a ripple of questions through his mind. "What does that even mean? How do you know me?"

Gold Man didn't answer. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating as he locked eyes with Kai. "You'll understand when it's time," he said, his voice a whisper that carried the weight of certainty.

Kai's body stiffened, every fiber of his being screaming for answers he wasn't sure he wanted. Before he could ask another question, Gold Man turned, his coat swaying as he began to walk away, he passed by his briefcase.

"Wait!" Kai called out, his voice echoing in the empty warehouse. "Who are you really? Why are you doing this?"

Gold Man paused but didn't look back. "Stay alive, Obsidian," he said, his tone softer than before. "That's all you need to do."

He know my codename?

And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving his briefcase behind—a silent reminder of his presence and the countless unanswered questions that now consumed Kai.