The air inside the portal crackled with tension. The ground was torn apart, dust hanging heavy in the air. The blue glow of the training room flickered like a dying light, reflecting the battle that had dragged on far too long.
Eun-ak wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. His breathing was labored, but his eyes held a new sharpness — not the desperation from before, but focus.
He clenched his fists, feeling the heat radiating from his body. He was still standing.
The clone tilted its head slightly, expressionless as always. It raised its fists, taking the same stance Eun-ak had seen a hundred times by now. But this time, something felt different.
This time, the fight wasn't one-sided.
Eun-ak took a deep breath. His muscles screamed, his bones ached, but he didn't care. He was finally catching up.
As the clone charged forward, Eun-ak matched its pace. The two collided in a blur of fists and kicks.
A straight punch — Eun-ak parried it, countering with an elbow.
A low kick — he lifted his leg just in time and slammed his shin into the clone's thigh.
A right hook — this time, he ducked under it and threw a heavy punch into its ribs.
The impact echoed.
The clone staggered back slightly — not much, but enough.
For the first time since the fight began, it was backing up.
Eun-ak wiped the sweat from his brow, a small grin forming on his lips. "What's wrong?" he muttered. "Not so tough anymore?"
But the clone wasn't done. It launched forward again, faster this time, its fists blurring with speed. Eun-ak raised his arms to block, but the power behind the strikes still sent him sliding back.
His forearms throbbed from the impact, but he didn't fall. Not this time.
He exhaled sharply and reached into his system inventory. His hand closed around a glass vial — a bright red liquid shimmering inside.
Healing Potion.
Without hesitation, he downed it. The warmth spread through his body instantly. His wounds closed, the pain in his ribs disappeared, and his breathing steadied.
He flexed his fingers.
Perfect.
The clone came again, but this time Eun-ak didn't wait. He charged straight in.
They clashed in the center of the room.
Fists collided with bone.
Feet slammed into ribs.
Elbows cracked against jaws.
It wasn't a one-sided beating anymore — it was a war.
Eun-ak weaved through the punches, reading the rhythm he had spent hours memorizing. The clone was fast, but now it was predictable. Its speed was still overwhelming, but Eun-ak knew where to strike.
A jab — Eun-ak slipped inside and delivered a knee to its stomach.
A hook — he caught its arm and twisted, slamming his elbow down on its joint.
A kick — he spun with it, catching the clone off-balance before driving his heel into its ribs.
The impact sent the clone flying back, crashing into the ground with a thud.
Eun-ak didn't let up. He dashed forward, closing the distance. As the clone tried to rise, Eun-ak drove his knee into its chest, pinning it down.
For a moment, their eyes met.
It was like staring into a mirror.
"Not bad," Eun-ak panted. "But I'm not losing to myself."
He pulled his fist back, channeling every ounce of strength he had left. With a roar, he slammed it down.
The clone twisted at the last second. Eun-ak's fist cracked the ground instead, sending shards of stone flying. The clone countered instantly, wrapping its legs around his neck in a chokehold.
Eun-ak gasped, clawing at its grip, his vision darkening.
"Not yet…!"
With a growl, he shifted his weight, rising to his feet despite the choke. The clone hung from his back, tightening its hold, but Eun-ak took two steps forward… and then threw himself backward.
CRASH!
They hit the ground hard. The clone's grip loosened for just a second — it was all Eun-ak needed.
He rolled to his feet, gulping down air. His vision was blurry, but his determination burned brighter than ever.
This fight wasn't about strength anymore. It was about endurance.
And Eun-ak wasn't going to break.
The clone rose again, slower this time. Its movements were starting to falter. Its breaths were heavier.
Eun-ak cracked his knuckles. He could feel it — the tide had finally turned.
They charged at each other again.
A jab.
A cross.
A kick.
A knee.
They traded blows with everything they had, but this time, Eun-ak was holding his ground. Every punch that landed only fueled his determination. Every hit he took only made him stronger.
The clone swung wide — a heavy hook aimed at his temple. Eun-ak ducked under it and slammed his fist into its ribs. The clone staggered.
He followed up with a low kick, sweeping its legs. The clone hit the ground.
Eun-ak didn't hesitate. He leapt onto it, pinning it down. His fists rained down like hammers.
Bam!
Bam!
Bam!
The clone struggled, but its movements were slowing.
Eun-ak clenched his teeth. "This is where it ends."
One last punch — everything he had left.
His fist connected with the clone's jaw. The sound echoed through the training room.
And then…
Silence.
The clone's body flickered, breaking apart into shards of light. They floated upward, dissolving into the air until nothing remained.
Eun-ak collapsed onto his back, gasping for breath. His body felt like it was made of lead, his muscles trembling from exhaustion. But he was smiling.
He had done it.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[System Notification]
Quest Complete: Defeat Your Clone
Reward: Diamond Card Unlocked
Eun-ak closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion take over. His body ached, his breath was ragged, but in that moment…
He felt invincible.