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AN ENTIRE DAY HAD PASSED WITHOUT FOOD, WATER, OR REST. The students trudged up and down the steep staircase, backs bent under the brutal weight of sacks that strained their muscles and crushed any hope of relief. Their breaths grew ragged; even those with the most stamina felt their lungs ache as if on the verge of bursting. For hours, they endured, each tortured step a testament to one student's reckless words. Kreese had made it clear: they were all paying for Kwon's defiance, a punishment so grueling that even the usually hardhearted Sensei Kim cast a wary glance at her colleague.
But the culprit didn't flinch. While the others shot glares and muttered curses, resenting every stumble and sting, he simply continued. His eyes remained steady, refusing to let any weakness show, even as the heat pressed down, sweat mixing with dust across his skin. His defiance came at a brash cost.
At last, his restraint wore thin for the others. The lead student, Yoon, seized the opportunity Kreese had so perfectly orchestrated, shoving Kwon from the top of the stairs. Kwon crashed down, limbs scraping against hard concrete. Sacks of sand and stone cascaded after him, landing heavily on his back, his arms, even striking his head. His vision blurred momentarily, his pulse roaring in his ears, while around him the others chortled, momentarily distracted from their own misery. Yoon's gang took advantage, jeering as Kwon lay momentarily stunned. But he didn't rise. Every bone in his body screamed for rest, and he simply allowed himself to sink into the exhaustion, no energy left for retaliation.
The day ended with everyone but him dismissed, given rations, and sent to their tents to recover. They laughed and shared their grievances while Kwon was granted only a single glass of water. He took it in silence, grateful for the meager mercy. But once he had drained it, something simmered inside him. His exhaustion gave way to anger—a fierce, defiant burn that sent him storming to the fireside where Kreese sat, cigar in hand, watching the flames.
"Hey!" he called, stepping into the flickering glow.
Kreese turned slowly, his eyes cold and calculating as they fixed on the fiery resistance in the boy's stare.
"You tried to get students angry at me? You think I'm afraid of... them?" His voice dripped with disdain.
Kreese exhaled slowly, his gaze never wavering. "No, I don't. I don't think you're afraid of anybody." His voice was calm, laced with a dangerous promise. "I think you're cocky and disrespectful... but you combine that with your skills and strengths, I think you could be one of the most terrifying fighters in the Sekai Taikai."
