Path to the top
Wei Liang didn't celebrate his victory. He didn't even acknowledge the cheers.
One fight down. Many more to go.
He stepped out of the cage, wiping sweat from his face, and scanned the crowd. Somewhere in the sea of spectators, there were people who mattered.
Gun Park.
Tom Lee.
Suho Kim.
If they weren't here now, they would hear about him soon enough.
The Next Opponent
Wei barely had time to rest before his name was called again.
"Wei Liang vs. Choi Min-Jun!"
Choi Min-Jun was a Taekwondo specialist. Tall, wiry, with deadly kicks that had knocked out half his opponents.
Wei studied him as they stepped into the cage.
Long reach. Fast legs. But how does he handle pressure?
The bell rang.
Min-Jun didn't waste time. He launched a spinning kick, aiming straight for Wei's head. It was fast too fast for an average fighter to react to.
Wei ducked.
A blur of movement. Min-Jun was already following up with a side kick. Wei sidestepped, closing the distance.
Taekwondo fighters needed space.
Wei didn't give it to him.
A sharp boxing combination jab, cross, hook. Min-Jun tried to lean away, but Wei was too close. The hook connected, rattling his skull.
The crowd gasped.
Min-Jun stumbled back, trying to reset. Wei didn't let him.
He stepped in.
A clinch. Muay Thai elbows. One. Two. Three. Each strike snapped Min-Jun's head back. His guard crumbled.
Wei finished it with a sweeping leg trip. Min-Jun hit the ground. Wei was on him in an instant, locking in a guillotine choke.
Ten seconds later, Min-Jun tapped.
Wei let go and stood up. Another win. Another step forward.
The Storm is Coming
By the time the night ended, Wei had fought three more times.
Three wins. No losses.
But the final fight left him bruised. His ribs ached. His right eye was swelling. He had barely won his opponent, a Russian combat sambo fighter, had nearly broken his arm with a kimura lock.
Wei had escaped. Barely.
He exhaled, stretching his shoulders.
He wasn't invincible.
Not yet.
As he was wrapping his hands for the next fight, he felt someone watching him.
He turned.
A man stood at the edge of the room.
Tall. Muscular. His presence alone made the air heavier.
Wei recognized him instantly.
Gun Park.
Their eyes met.
Gun didn't speak. He didn't need to. His gaze said everything.
Soon.
Wei nodded.
The storm was coming.
And he would be ready.