What’s Your Name, Mortal?

Jinhwan shot forward. His fist arced toward the Woodman's left side fast, aimed just below the ribs. But before it could land, the Woodman's right hand snapped down, catching it with a solid thud. Jinhwan didn't flinch. He immediately twisted, using the recoil to slam his other fist at the center of the Woodman's chest blocked.

Again, he spun, launching a hook toward the stomach blocked. He threw an uppercut toward the Woodman's jaw and this time, it connected with a heavy crack, snapping the creature's head slightly to the side.

But the Woodman grinned. "Now that's more like it."

Jinhwan didn't stop. He couldn't. He struck again straight punch, then another, then a flurry. His fists moved faster than thought, hammering the Woodman with sharp, precise blows.

Every time one strike was blocked, another followed immediately, from a different angle, with different weight.

Fist. Elbow. Hook. Jab. Twist. Duck. Strike again.

The ground trembled beneath their feet. Dust and dirt burst up in clouds as they shifted their weight, slid, pivoted, slammed into each other. The smoke from earlier was now swirling again, kicked up by their footwork and force.

Their feet were half-buried in the earth now each movement pressing them deeper into the cracked, broken ground beneath them.

The sounds of the fight echoed smack, thud, crack, wham blows landing and blocking in a rapid, violent rhythm.

Jinhwan was fighting like a man possessed. He weaved between the Woodman's counters, letting himself get clipped if it meant delivering two stronger strikes in return. Blood ran from his nose, his knuckles were split and raw, but his eyes were wide and blazing, and his movements only got faster.

The Woodman blocked one punch, then another but a third smashed against his ribs, causing him to stagger.

Then came a brutal combo: right hook to the side of the face, left jab to the chest, spin, and a backhand elbow that rattled the Woodman's jaw.

Jinhwan ducked under a wild counter-swing, slipped behind him, then jumped slightly to land a brutal knee in the Woodman's spine before flipping forward and landing back in front.

The Woodman cracked his neck, still grinning. His wooden face was chipped now splinters falling from where punches had landed clean.

Jinhwan didn't care. His arms ached. His lungs burned. But he was alive. He was winning the momentum.

"Come on." Jinhwan growled, wiping blood from his chin with the back of his hand. "I thought you said you would hold back."

The Woodman tilted his head.

"Oh, I did but you're just getting stronger, Mortal."

They lunged again. Fists clashed. Knees collided. The space between them turned into a storm of limbs, pressure, and raw fury. Each blow was heavier, faster, more desperate. Not a single second wasted.

Woodman's knuckles crashed into Jinhwan's wrist with a thud, forcing his arm back for a split second. The next blow came fast, aimed straight for his face but Jinhwan dropped low, legs sliding apart as his upper body dipped under the punch with barely an inch to spare.

Then something changed. A faint blue light flickered beneath the skin of Jinhwan's right arm. His veins lit up, surging from shoulder to fist. He didn't hesitate. He stepped in.

Woodman's eyes narrowed, catching on to the shift too late.

Jinhwan's fist came in like a bullet, aimed straight for the core.

Woodman crossed his arms, trying to shield the crystal. The punch met them but there was no stopping it.

CRACK!

The block shattered. Woods crunched. Jinhwan's fist plowed through both arms and slammed into the green crystal dead center.

BOOOOM!.

A shockwave burst out, tearing the air apart. The ground under their feet split open, chunks of dirt flinging outward. Woodman's body flew back, ragged, weightless for a moment before it crashed down across the battlefield like dead wood.

THUD!.

Jinhwan stood still. His shoulders shook. His breath came out rough and uneven, blood still trailing down his side. The blue glow on his arm faded, Jinhwan look forward Across the field, Woodman didn't move laying on the ground.

Beep.

A soft sound came from Jinhwan's wrist. He looked down slowly. The watch screen was glowing glow.

[Level Up]

[Level: 13]

[Mana Point: 44]

[Skills: Moonpierce]

[Quest Complete]

[Reward: Flarefrost]

[New Skill: Flarefrost]

[Description: Flarefrost creates a layer around the body that protects you from fire, cold, and poison.]

[How to use it: Push your mana out from your skin and try to keep it around your body.]

Jinhwan breathed slowly. His body still felt heavy, but the pain was fading. Dust floated in the air around him, and the battlefield had gone quiet. Too quiet.

"A new ability." he whispered, voice dry. "I'll try it later."

He looked up. The Woodman lay far ahead, not moving. That green crystal on his chest his core was crushed. Broken like shattered glass, with cracks running deep into his wooden body. His arms and legs were twisted like a puppet that had lost its strings.

Jinhwan took one step, then another. His legs felt weak, but he kept walking. He stopped in front of the Woodman and looked down at him.

"Now tell me," Jinhwan said.

Woodman slowly turned his eyes toward him. Even with his broken body, he smiled.

"You beat me, Mortal. That last punch was something else." he said quietly. "And like I promised, I'll tell you what you want to know about the person behind this and how to find him so wait till next time we meet."

He paused for a moment, breathing out slowly.

"But next time... I'll be in my real body. I have to go now, Mortal. So until then, get stronger. If you don't, that info and your rage will be useless."

He let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, before I forget... what's your name, Mortal?"

Jinhwan stared down at him.

"Kim Jinhwan. When will we meet again?"

The Woodman smiled.

"Kim Jinhwan... I'll see you soon.'

And then, his body stopped moving. His eyes went dark. He became still, like a lifeless puppet on the ground.

Jinhwan took a deep breath. His shoulders lowered just a little. He turned and looked around. His sword was lying on the broken ground a few steps away. He walked over, bent down, and picked it up.

The blade had small cracks. It was a little damaged, but still holding strong. Without saying anything more, Jinhwan turned and walked out of the boss room.

[Chapter 11 end]