Unveiled Potential

The world slowed.

To Jiro, it wasn't just instinct — it was control. Every twitch of Hyun-Seok's muscles, every shift in his stance, every subtle intake of breath was laid bare before him. His Perception Field buzzed with raw data, and his mind processed it all at lightning speed.

He's going low. No, that's a feint.

Hyun-Seok dragged his heel against the earth, his center of mass tipping to balance this. A regular opponent might interpret it as a portent of a low strike. Jiro knew more; with his Perception Field, he saw not only what was occurring but why.

Jiro stepped back. The very next instant, Hyun-Seok twisted, his leg snapping upward in a high roundhouse kick aimed for Jiro's head. The wind whipped past Jiro's cheek as he ducked under it.

He's testing me.

Jiro's eyes didn't leave Hyun-Seok's form for even a second. The moment his kick missed, Hyun-Seok spun with the momentum, seamlessly chaining it into a spinning backfist.

Fast. Fluid. No hesitation.

Jiro's arm shot up, blocking the strike with his forearm. The impact jarred his bones, making his teeth clench. The shockwave of pain rippled down his arm, but he stayed grounded, feet firm like roots in the earth.

Stronger than Woo-Sik. Faster too.

Hyun-Seok grinned wide. "You're sharp, Ghost-Eyes. But if all you do is dodge…

His hands shot forward in a flurry of jabs, each one precise, each one targeting Jiro's face. Jiro tilted his head, swayed his body, and leaned to the side, letting the strikes pass by like gusts of wind.

"…you'll never win."

Hyun-Seok's right hand suddenly shifted mid-punch, fingers splayed open like claws. He grabbed Jiro's hoodie with a firm yank, pulling him forward.

Trap.

Jiro's perception field crackled, buzzed. His eyes sharpened. He knew it. He saw it. But knowing didn't mean he could stop it.

Too close.

Hyun-Seok's head came down fast.

Headbutt!

Jiro threw his head to the side, avoiding a full impact, but the edge of Hyun-Seok's forehead clipped him on the temple.

CRACK!

Agony burst like a flare in Jiro's perception. He stumbled, falling out of balance. His Perception Field spasmed, static obscuring his awareness of the environment.

He's within my range, but I can't see him.

Move. MOVE.

Jiro stumbled back, shaking his head to clear it, but Hyun-Seok didn't let up. The predator pressed in like a wolf that smelled blood. His left foot stomped forward, closing the distance in a single step. His right knee shot upward, aimed squarely at Jiro's chest.

He's faster than me right now.

But speed wasn't everything.

Jiro's foot slid back, his body twisting at an angle. Hyun-Seok's knee brushed past his ribs, missing him by an inch. Before Hyun-Seok could pull back, Jiro's palm shot forward, fingers together like a spear. It wasn't a flashy strike — just a simple, direct hit to Hyun-Seok's exposed ribs. THUD!

Hyun-Seok's eyes widened. His body jerked back, arms raised to block, but it was too late. Jiro's Perception Field had fully returned, clearer than before.

I see you now.

Jiro pressed forward, his hands a blur of precise, short-range strikes aimed at Hyun-Seok's arms, chest, and shoulders. No wasted movement. Every hit calculated to disrupt his balance.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It wasn't about strength. It was about control. Hyun-Seok's grin faded, his gaze narrowing.

"Alright," he muttered, wiping his lip. "Guess you're not just running."

Jiro didn't reply. He didn't have to.

---

Down Below — School Courtyard

A crowd had formed. Dozens of students gathered, necks craned upward, eyes locked on the two figures on the rooftop.

"Is that Jiro up there?"

"Yeah, but… he's fighting him."

"Hyun-Seok from Jong-Il?! Are you serious? Why is he even here?"

"They're really going at it."

Whispers turned to murmurs. Murmurs turned to shouts. Word was spreading fast. People had their phones out, recording every second of it.

He's getting serious now.

Jiro saw it. Hyun-Seok's expression changed. His smile disappeared, replaced by a keen, hunting stare. No more feeling his opponent out. No more tentative probing. This was the moment every fighter dreaded — the moment a real predator latched onto its prey. He's all-in. Hyun-Seok came at him. This time, he was not looking for an opening. Each step was deliberate. Every blow had deathly purpose.

Left jab. Right elbow. Leg sweep.

Jiro dodged, blocked, and parried, but it was getting tough. The rhythm had shifted. It wasn't isolated moves anymore. It was a flow. Every attack led to the next, chaining up like a relentless storm.

He's forcing me to react.

Jiro's heart was pounding. His breath was quicker. Each time he dodged, blocked, or moved, it drained his energy.

He's going to wear me down.

Hyun-Seok's eyes sparkled. He saw it too. Jiro wasn't losing, but he wasn't winning either.

"You see everything, right?" Hyun-Seok taunted, his steps slow, deliberate. "But seeing doesn't matter if you can't keep up.

He dashed forward, blindingly fast. Faster than before.

Jiro's Perception Field went wild, red flags blaring from every direction. Hyun-Seok's body twisted mid-charge, his feint so clean it looked like two people attacking at once. Jiro's arms shot up to block his head, only to feel Hyun-Seok's foot slam into his ribs.

CRACK!

Pain shot through his side like fire. He stumbled back, breath hitching. His Perception Field flickered like a broken signal.

I can't… breathe…

"Can you see it now, Ghost-Eyes?" Hyun-Seok stood over him, eyes sharp as daggers. "Doesn't matter if you can see the storm coming if you don't have the strength to survive it."

Jiro's eyes flickered with pain, his ribs burning with every breath. But then, his breathing slowed. Deep inhale. Steady exhale. His Perception Field hummed steadily once more.

Calm breath. Calm mind.

His eyes opened, locked onto Hyun-Seok's. No fear. No doubt. Just clarity.

"Yeah," Jiro muttered, standing slowly, wiping blood from his lip. "I see it.

He shifted his stance, body low, legs steady, one hand forward, one hand back.

"But you forgot something."

Hyun-Seok raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's that?"

Jiro's gaze locked on him, eyes sharp as a hawk's.

"You're not the only predator here."