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"AGAIN... HARDER!"
Y/n dropped into a low stance, the ache in her battered legs flaring up again. Her opponent, a seasoned assistant of Sensei Kim's, Yoon Do-Jin, thrust the bo staff toward her midsection. She twisted sharply to dodge, gritting her teeth as the movement sent a jolt of pain through her already swollen knee. She threw out her arm to block the follow-up strike, her knuckles already raw and bloody, and grabbed at the weapon, only for it to be ripped away with brutal force, the staff grazing her forearm.
"You're weak in the legs. Weakness has no place here."
Kim's voice rang out like a whip, cutting through the cold air. She stood off to the side, arms crossed, her sharp gaze following y/n's every movement. This wasn't the structured training of tournaments or even Cobra Kai's regular sessions. This was war.
"Think with your feet, not your arms," Kim snapped. "Your opponent will aim for what you value most. And your arms? They're the easiest to break."
Yoon lunged again, swinging the bo toward y/n's torso. She tried to sidestep but was half a beat too slow. The blow grazed her ribs, stealing her breath for a moment. She stumbled back but didn't fall. Instead, she spat blood onto the dirt floor, her eyes fierce, and dropped back into position.
"Is this too much for you to handle, little girl?" Da-eun's tone was mocking, but her expression was deadly serious. "You came to me, remember? You wanted to learn the real way."
Y/n didn't respond, panting heavily, her chest heaving as she forced herself upright. The assistant pressed forward again, this time feinting a low strike before swinging high. The girl ducked, barely avoiding the hit, and managed to deliver a quick kick to his shin, throwing him slightly off balance.
"Karate is not a sport. It's a way of life. And in life, you don't get second chances."
Sensei Kim's words from a past session echoed in her mind. y/n could barely feel her fingers anymore as she raised her arms to block another series of attacks. Yoon moved like a machine—unrelenting, methodical, precise. Every hit, every swing was designed to exploit her vulnerabilities, to break her down piece by piece.
She twisted, managing to grab the staff for a second time. This time, instead of yanking it away, she used her momentum to push it upward, catching her opponent off guard. She delivered a sharp elbow to his chest and sent him stumbling back.
Kim's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Victory is earned through blood, sweat, and willpower. If you're not willing to bleed, you're not ready to win."
