The coast of Cheoliang was no longer quiet.
Beneath the white-hot sun, battles erupted like waves crashing against cliffs unforgiving and constant.
Near the Old Pier – Jay vs. Logan
Jay's breath came heavy. His sleeves were rolled, his eyes sharp. Across from him, Logan cracked his neck, a smirk creeping across his face.
"Didn't think I'd have to teach the quiet guy a lesson," Logan said.
Jay didn't respond. He stepped in with a sudden jab, clean and precise. Logan grunted and responded with a spinning kick that Jay narrowly ducked under. They traded blows rapidly Jay's elegant, strategic strikes meeting Logan's brute power and unpredictable movement.
Suddenly, figures emerged from the dunes Hostel grunts, closing in like hyenas.
"Trouble," Logan muttered. He looked at Jay.
"Remember the plan."
"…Sorry about this."
Before Jay could question it Logan faked knocking him out cold. The Hostel members rushed over, impressed.
"Thought you were fighting?"
Logan grinned, faking a limp. "Was teaching him a lesson. I'm too hurt to keep going. Take me back I've got info."
They nodded, dragging Logan toward the beach hideout. His eyes narrowed. Time to get inside.
On the Outskirts Vin & Vasco
Vin slammed a Hostel punk into the wall, smirking. "I could do this all day."
Vasco wiped blood from his cheek. "Me too."
Suddenly, an ambush about 30 Hostel members rushed in from both alley ends, pipes and bats in hand.
Vin and Vasco instinctively stepped back-to-back.
"Lets finish them off first." Vin muttered.
The two fought in harmony Vasco absorbing blows and countering with disciplined strikes, Vin dancing wildly between enemies with his unique rhythm. Pipes clanged against fists. Blood splattered on the concrete.
Within minutes, Hostel's ambush had crumbled.
They stood victoriousbarely scratched.
Back to Zack vs. Daniel
In the shadow of an abandoned shipping warehouse, Zack attacked with renewed focus. His movements were no longer reckless they were sharp, efficient, and precise. Daniel struggled, barely dodging a left hook before taking a knee to the ribs.
Zack's face was pained, but firm.
"She needs me to do this."
Daniel collapsed to one knee, wheezing.
Then a shadow fell over them.
It was Jerry Kwon, eyes cold. Without warning, he rushed in and delivered a brutal kick to Daniel's ribs, launching him across the ground.
He spun toward Zack, swinging hard.
Zack and Jerry clashed, two elite fighters trading heavy blows.
After several brutal hits, Zack stumbled and Jerry turned to finish Daniel.
But Daniel wasn't on the ground anymore.
He stood calm, silent, unmoving.
Jerry's fist froze midair.
"…What the hell?"
Daniel's eyes were jet black, void of light or emotion.
The wind picked up along the coast.
From the shattered warehouse windows to the crashing waves, a shift was coming.
Jalen smiled "Time for some fun."