CHAPTER 124: THE SPARRING SESSION
It was a beautiful morning.
Near the construction site of the Soul Combat Hub, three men in casual clothes—looking like "venerable drifters"—were taking a leisurely stroll.
As they passed the Shiroki property, the stout man in the lead twitched his ears. He heard the rhythmic thwack-thwack of fists hitting leather and the grunts of exertion coming from the yard. He turned his head and spotted the steel framework of a brand-new facility, its windows already being fitted with glass.
"Oh? When did a Dojo sprout up here? The renovation looks high-end!"
"SOUL COMBAT HUB: SC CENTER... Hmm. Doesn't look like it's officially open yet."
The middle-aged man closed his eyes, a serene, refreshed expression on his face. "Is someone practicing? The sound of those strikes... it's like music. So crisp!"
The man, Ootsuki, blinked his small eyes and grinned at the two men behind him. "Oi, Numakawa! Isawa! Next time we get a 'One-Day Pass,' let's find a gym and get a workout in!"
The two subordinates groaned instantly. "Are you serious, Foreman?! The labor in the underground camp is exhausting enough! Why would we spend our vacation time exercising?!"
"Idiots!" Ootsuki laughed heartily. "Exercise for health is a luxury, not labor! Sweating in a scientific, controlled environment is the ultimate way to relieve stress! It's 'Wellness'!"
The three men continued their chatter, wandering off into the city.
Today was a rest day for the construction crew, meaning they wouldn't be in the way of any training.
Mitsuyo Kureishi had timed his visit perfectly. He had brought his top student, Cosmo Imai, to the Hub for a "Technical Exchange" with Marco.
As a high-ranking Kengan fighter, Cosmo had plenty of match opportunities. But even in the Association, a physical specimen like Marco was a rare find. Kureishi wasn't about to miss a chance to sharpen his student against a biological monster.
Cosmo was a genius who evolved mid-fight, but he was still "green." His mindset and his technique needed to be tempered in the furnace of a real struggle.
SLAP!
Kureishi delivered a stinging palm-strike to Cosmo's back.
"Focus up, kid! Little Marco only started 'fighting' recently, but his battle experience is high-density, and he's been training under Ren-kun. If you drop your guard, he'll snap you in half."
Cosmo pulled off his hoodie, shadow-boxing as he warmed up. He grinned. "Started recently? So I'm technically his Senpai?"
Kureishi nodded. "I guess so. So try not to embarrass yourself in front of your junior."
"Not a chance!"
Cosmo laughed, kicked off his shoes, and stepped into the temporary sand-pit ring.
Marco was already there. He had finished his own warm-up and was wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel. He stepped forward and met Cosmo in a fist-bump.
"Please look after me," Cosmo said, his smile bright and energetic as he rolled his wrists.
From the sidelines, Kureishi called out, "Marco! Cosmo is a specialist in Jiu-Jitsu and strangulation! You've probably never fought a 'Grappler' before. Watch your neck!"
Cosmo looked back, exasperated. "Sensei! Whose side are you on?!"
"I'm the neutral Referee!" Kureishi chirped.
The two fighters took their positions.
Cosmo Imai. Height: 171cm (5'7"). Weight: 68kg (150 lbs).
He was a lightweight among monsters. But compared to the hulking Marco, Cosmo didn't look intimidated. He had the arrogant "Spark" of a natural prodigy. In the business world, that kind of attitude might get you fired, but for a fighter, it was a vital asset. If you don't believe in your own hands, you shouldn't be in the ring.
"Marco... the veteran of the Hub, huh?"
Cosmo adjusted his breathing, a faint smirk on his lips. "I'd love to fight his coach, Shiroki Ren, eventually. Kureishi-senpai says he's a beast. I probably can't win yet, but the technical data would be incredible..."
Kureishi noticed the "Dreamy" look in his student's eyes and his expression darkened.
This is the problem, Kureishi thought. He still thinks combat is a 'game.' He doesn't understand that a naive heart can't overcome a man like Ren.
"Ready... START!"
Cosmo splayed his hands, his body dropping into a low, fluid Jiu-Jitsu crouch. He focused 100% of his attention on his opponent.
Let's have a fun match! Cosmo thought.
The next second—
SHING!
A heavy, committed straight punch whistled through the air. Marco had lunged without a microsecond of hesitation.
Cosmo raised his forearms in a cross-block.
BANG!
The punch slammed into Cosmo's guard. His arms turned red and began to throb instantly. The speed and weight were far beyond anything he had calculated. His eyes widened in shock.
!?
Cosmo had fought heavyweights before. He had specialized training for overcoming the mass gap. But Marco's movements were... different. There was no "Wind-up." There was no "Tell."
And the weight? It felt like being hit by a wrecking ball.
"Ren-nii taught me," Marco rumbled, his steps becoming light and rhythmic as he circled Cosmo. "He told me to fight according to the 'Will' in my heart. I've remembered it!"
"So... Marco is telling Marco... I WILL NOT LOSE!"
BOOM!
Marco launched a flurry of punches and kicks that forced Cosmo into a frantic retreat. He was being pinned against the wooden perimeter, unable to find a window to counter the sheer biological pressure.
In a split second, Cosmo dropped for a low-line sweep. He caught Marco's right leg and tangled his own limbs around it, dragging the giant down into a ground-battle.
Newaza (ground-fighting) was Cosmo's domain. It was why they called him the King of Stranglers.
ZIP!
Cosmo prepared to transition into a full mount, his fingers already reaching for a choke. But Marco suddenly arched his back and bucked upward with a surge of raw, uncoordinated strength. Cosmo was tossed off his chest like a feather.
Marco scrambled back to his feet, widening the distance.
"Hoo... huff...!"
Hot steam curled from Marco's lips. His eyes were glowing with a predatory fire as he locked onto Cosmo.
The "King of Stranglers" froze. That wasn't the look of a sparring partner. It was the look of a seeker. The "Hunger" for the win was so thick it felt like a physical weight in the air.
Is this a senior member of the Hub? Cosmo wondered. If the student is this intense... then what the hell is the Coach like?
They traded more blows, the technical genius of Cosmo clashing against the prehistoric "Might" of Marco. Neither could find the finishing blow as the clock ticked down.
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP!
"Time! Session over!" Kureishi called out.
Cosmo sat in the sand, his arms swollen and aching. Marco was equally tired, but both men shared a weary, respectful grin.
"You're amazing...!" Cosmo panted. He stood up and looked around the yard. "Marco, where's your coach? I thought he'd be watching. I wanted to hear his thoughts on my guard."
"Ren-nii is over there," Marco said, pointing.
Cosmo and Kureishi turned to look at the far corner of the property.
Ren Shiroki was standing in a clear patch of dirt. He was alone. There was no bag, no dummy, no opponent. He was shadow-boxing, his limbs moving in a blur of alternating styles.
Sweat sprayed from his body as his intensity increased. He had been at it for hours, his focus so deep he seemed to have vanished into his own mind. It was a standard drill, but to Cosmo and Kureishi, the "Vibration" coming from him was terrifying.
Suddenly—
THUD!
Ren's head snapped back with a violent crack. Blood erupted from his nose as if he'd been hit by an invisible iron fist. He stumbled back, his eyes rolling.
"What the...?!"
Cosmo's jaw dropped. Did he just get knocked out by the air?
Kureishi shaded his eyes from the sun, his expression one of pure awe.
"Incredible... look at the neurological feedback! That's not just shadow-boxing, Cosmo. That's High-Level Imaging."
"Ren-kun isn't alone in that ring. He's currently being taken to school by a phantom."
☆☆☆
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