LOOKISM - OVERPOWERD [DROPPED]

ch 19: Vin vs Lin

The street was dimly lit, casting shadows as Lin stood across from Vin. The tension was thick, each word exchanged between them a potential spark to set off the impending clash. Lin's smirk was barely visible in the low light, but it was unmistakably there, mocking and confident.

"Seongji-ssi must be proud," Lin taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Vin's eyes widened in shock, a flash of anger crossing his face. "How did you know?" he demanded, his voice raising. This wasn't something just anyone knew; only Mary was aware of this.

Before Vin could process it, Lin continued, cutting him off, "Look at you, wasting your potential instead of searching for that man-the one who killed Kim Sujin."

Those words hit Vin like a freight train. Rage surged through him, blinding his reason. Everything Lin said was like a dagger twisting in an old, still-raw wound.

"DON'T SAY THAT NAME WITH THAT MOUTH OF YOURS!" Vin roared, charging at Lin with a fierce judo tackle.

It should have worked. Vin knew the strength behind his tackle, yet somehow Lin stood firm, his feet rooted to the ground as if he hadn't just been hit with the full force of Vin's attack. Vin tried to lift him, but Lin didn't budge.

Chuckling darkly, Lin looked down at him. "Did you really try to end him with these pathetic techniques? No wonder he's still alive."

Vin's fury boiled over. "He's dead! I made sure of that!" Vin shouted back, but his voice betrayed his doubt.

Before Vin could react, Lin flipped him into the air with a swift movement, his technique precise and effortless. Vin hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him for a moment. Lin squatted down to Vin's level, casually removing his glasses.

"Your mouth speaks more than your limbs," Lin said calmly. "But don't worry, I'll straighten you up for... Seongji."

Vin's mind was racing. This guy knew too much. He spoke about things that shouldn't be known. And worst of all, he was right. Vin had been running on pure rage, not skill.

"You know the murderer of your love is still roaming around," Lin continued, his voice low, taunting. "And the fact that he never stopped training."

That was the final straw. With a burst of anger, Vin lashed out with a straight punch, aiming directly at Lin's face. But Lin, almost lazily, blocked it with one hand, his expression unchanged.

Vin pushed off the ground, trying to create some distance between them. He needed to think, to regroup. But Lin didn't give him much time. Vin rushed forward again, this time grabbing at Lin's ribcage with Mujin Sserieum, his father's technique. It was a brutal move, designed to grab the bones and toss the opponent around like a ragdoll.

But Lin was ready. As Vin locked onto him, Lin twisted, using the momentum to counter with a jujutsu headlock. The shift was so smooth, so fluid, that for a moment, Vin felt the control slipping away from him.

But he fought back, throwing a series of punches with his free hand, connecting a few solid hits to Lin's side and face. Lin grunted as one punch landed on his cheek, the impact enough to bruise.

"Not bad," Lin muttered, his voice still maddeningly calm. But he wasn't done yet.

Breaking the headlock, Lin stepped back, only to counter with a roundhouse kick to Vin's side, followed by a swift elbow strike to his back. Vin staggered but quickly retaliated with a kick of his own, aiming for Lin's knee. The blow connected, making Lin falter slightly.

Seizing the opportunity, Vin went for another Mujin Sserieum technique, aiming to throw Lin off balance. He managed to grab Lin's arm, twisting it in a painful grip, and went to slam him down. But Lin was too fast. He shifted his weight, turning the move against Vin, and threw him down instead.

Lin's moves were a mix of different martial arts-judo, muay thai, jujutsu, boxing-and he switched between them with ease, keeping Vin off balance. Every time Vin tried to use his strength, Lin countered with technique. Every time Vin used speed, Lin matched it with precision.

The fight continued, Vin managing to land a few more hits-a punch to Lin's ribs, a kick to his thigh-but Lin was always one step ahead, his strikes just a bit sharper, his blocks just a bit stronger. The battle wasn't one-sided; Vin fought hard, his fury fueling him, but it wasn't enough.

In the end, Lin landed a powerful punch to Vin's solar plexus, followed by a knee to the chin, and a Mujin Sserieum technique which he copied not that long ago finally brought Vin down to his knees, gasping for breath. Lin, breathing heavily himself, stood over him, a slight bruise forming on his left cheek from Vin's earlier punch.

Lin looked down at the beaten Vin, his expression softening slightly. "I know you want to take his life," Lin said quietly, extending his hand toward Vin. "So join me. Join my crew. You don't have to answer now-you can do it tomorrow."

Vin, still panting, looked up at Lin's outstretched hand but didn't move to take it. He remained silent, his mind swirling with thoughts and emotions.

Lin nodded, understanding the conflict in Vin's eyes. He turned and began walking away, leaving Vin to make his decision alone in the dark, empty street.

"If yes, come to the park beside the school," Lin called over his shoulder. "If not, then don't come."

With that, Lin disappeared into the night, leaving Vin to contemplate his next move. The weight of Lin's words-and the offer-hung heavily in the air.