The recruits weren't talking anymore.
The air was heavy now, the weight of the final match pressing down on them. Every fight before this had been intense, but something about this one felt different.
Haneul rolled his shoulders, twirling his staff once. The wood spun smoothly in his grip, the weight of it grounding him. It wasn't his—it was Jin's—but he had been using it long enough that it felt like an extension of himself.
Hyunwoo, on the other hand, didn't even bother stretching. He just stood there, shaking out his wrists, a lazy smirk on his face.
"Man, you took your time," he said, cracking his knuckles. "I was starting to think I wouldn't even get a turn."
Haneul adjusted his stance, keeping his grip loose. "We can stop now if you're scared."
Hyunwoo's grin widened. "Cute."
Jin exhaled, raising a hand.
"Start."
The moment Jin's hand dropped, Haneul moved.
