Golden Horizon

The morning sun had barely risen, casting a soft light across the training grounds where Jin Seok and San Woo stood, locked in an intense sparring match. San Woo, agile and swift, moved like a shadow—quick, fluid, and almost invisible in his motions. His small swords were an extension of his body, slicing through the air with such speed that Jin Seok could barely track them. Each strike was precise, targeting weak points in Jin Seok's defense, forcing him to constantly shift his stance and block with his sword. San Woo's movements were calculated, almost like a dance, as he exploited Jin Seok's openings with deadly accuracy.

Jin Seok, though determined, had only been training for a week. His body was still adjusting to the grueling pace of martial arts, and he wasn't used to fighting against someone like San Woo. His movements were clumsy in comparison—he lacked the finesse, the speed, and the precision needed to match his opponent. San Woo seemed to anticipate his every move before Jin Seok even made it, forcing him to react frantically, often a step behind.

Sweat dripped down Jin Seok's face as he tried to keep up, his breath coming in sharp gasps. His arms were beginning to feel the strain of blocking and parrying San Woo's relentless strikes. Despite the exhaustion creeping into his muscles, Jin Seok refused to give up. Every time San Woo struck, Jin Seok forced himself to block or dodge, though each time, it felt like he was just a second too late.

San Woo, ever the assassin, danced around him, almost taunting him with his speed. He struck from every angle, forcing Jin Seok to stretch his arms and legs in ways that felt unnatural. The small swords were a blur, the air humming with the sound of metal cutting through it. Jin Seok's sword felt heavier than ever, and the more he swung it, the more it seemed to slow him down. He was strong, but his raw strength wasn't enough to keep up with San Woo's speed.

Every time Jin Seok tried to anticipate San Woo's next move, the assassin was already one step ahead. A blade flashed in front of Jin Seok's face, and he had to tilt his head back just in time to avoid getting cut. His arms burned from the constant blocking, and his legs ached from the rapid movements. He could feel the sweat pooling at his back, and his vision was starting to blur from exhaustion. He was growing desperate.

San Woo's taunting voice reached his ears. "Come on, Jin Seok! Keep up!" he teased, moving like a blur as he weaved in and out of Jin Seok's defenses. His tone was light, but there was a hint of respect in his eyes. "You've got spirit, but you need more than that to beat me."

Jin Seok gritted his teeth, trying to focus through the exhaustion. He couldn't afford to lose like this. Not after everything he had gone through to get here. He needed something more—something to give him the edge.

In a moment of desperation, Jin Seok lunged forward, attempting a powerful overhead strike, hoping to catch San Woo off guard. But as always, San Woo was ready. With a swift step to the side, he parried the strike with ease and countered with a quick thrust toward Jin Seok's ribs. Jin Seok barely managed to twist his body away, feeling the wind of the blade brush against his skin.

Jin Seok stumbled slightly, off-balance, and San Woo seized the opportunity. In an instant, San Woo was right in front of him, small swords flashing for a strike to his chest.

Jin Seok's heart raced. He was losing ground fast. His mind was frantically trying to catch up, but his body was betraying him. His movements were slower, more sluggish than before. He needed to find a way to even the odds, to level the playing field.

San Woo paused, his swords still in hand but relaxed. He studied Jin Seok, who was struggling to keep his balance. "Tired already?" San Woo teased, his voice light, though there was a flicker of respect in his eyes. "You've got the will, but you need more than that."

Jin Seok swallowed, his breath heavy. He was exhausted, but his resolve didn't waver. He had been training for just a week, but he couldn't let that stop him now. He needed to do something to turn the tide.

"Can I use that?" he asked, his voice strained but determined.

San Woo raised an eyebrow, considering the request. He knew exactly what Jin Seok was talking about—the double scythe. A weapon unlike any other. It was dangerous, and Jin Seok had only tried it once before, almost injuring himself in the process.

San Woo hesitated for a moment, then spoke, his voice cautious. "Will you be able to control it? You've only tryed it once, and you almost cut yourself."

Jin Seok nodded, his eyes steely with determination. "I can handle it."

San Woo studied him for a moment longer, then nodded, stepping back. "Alright. But be careful. That weapon isn't something you just pick up and start swinging."

Jin Seok's heart raced with anticipation. This was his chance. He needed to make it count.

San Woo looked at Jin Seok with a raised eyebrow before grinning. "Alright, but before,we will take a break, let's go eat something. You're going to need it if we're going to keep training." His voice was light, almost teasing, as if Jin Seok's exhaustion amused him.

Jin Seok blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden shift in pace. Is he really the same person he was a moment ago? he thought to himself, still processing the speed and intensity of their sparring match. The sudden offer to eat felt like a strange contrast to the relentless training they had been doing. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten yet.

With a sigh, Jin Seok slowly followed San Woo, trying to ignore the soreness creeping into his muscles. His body ached from the constant exertion, but he pushed through it, knowing there was no other option if he wanted to get stronger.

Their training routine was grueling, relentless. It was set in stone, no room for deviations or breaks. On weekdays, they woke up at dawn, ran for hours until the afternoon, and then ate a quick breakfast. Afterward, it was back to running with weights until nightfall, followed by another meal and then sleep, only to wake up and do it all over again. The intensity of it was wearing on him, but he had no choice. He needed to push himself.

And now, the sparring had been added to the routine, making it even more intense. Each day was a blur of training, with no room for rest or recovery. Even on the weekends, when others might have gotten a break, Jin Seok's schedule was just as unforgiving. Wake up, study, eat, study some more.

As they made their way to the eating area, Jin Seok glanced at San Woo, who seemed unaffected by the intense training.San Woo was as calm and composed as ever, as if this kind of routine was nothing more than a part of his daily life. Jin Seok envied that level of control, but he knew he had to earn it.

"Are you sure you can keep up with this pace?" San Woo asked, glancing over his shoulder with a teasing smile. "I mean, you're barely keeping it together after one week."

Jin Seok's expression hardened. "I'll keep up," he said through gritted teeth, more to himself than to San Woo. He wasn't about to let himself fall behind.

San Woo chuckled, clearly enjoying Jin Seok's stubbornness. "We'll see," he said lightly."

After eating, San Woo stood up and made his way toward the door, turning back only briefly to glance at Jin Seok. "Finish up and meet me outside," he said, his voice calm but firm, as if the day's training wasn't yet over.

Jin Seok nodded in acknowledgment, taking a moment to gather himself. His mind wandered back to the morning's sparring match, the relentless pace, and his struggle to keep up. But now, there was something else on his mind—the weapon.

As he finished his meal, Jin Seok's eyes fell on the Double Schytes he had earlier set aside. He reached for them, the weight of the chain connecting the two scythes pulling at his muscles as he gripped the cold metal handles. They weren't overwhelmingly heavy, but the dual blades felt unfamiliar in his hands. He tested their weight, swinging them in slow arcs to gauge the balance.

He remembered the chaos he had witnessed not long ago. The purple-haired lunatic—he couldn't forget how effortlessly that man wielded the weapon, swinging it with deadly precision. The way he clashed with So Hyeon and Lee Kang had left a lasting impression on Jin Seok. The power in that man's hands was undeniable. How does he make it look so easy?

Jin Seok shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. This weapon was his now, and he would learn to use it. He wasn't going to let the fear of failure hold him back. *Well, it's mine now,* he muttered under his breath, adjusting his grip and stepping out into the open air, where San Woo was waiting.

San Woo stood outside, his arms crossed, watching Jin Seok with a knowing smile. "You ready?" he asked, the faintest hint of a challenge in his voice.

Jin Seok tightened his grip on the Schytes. "Ready," he replied, his voice steady, though his heart raced with both anticipation and uncertainty. Today, he would begin mastering this weapon.

As he stepped forward, the weight of the blades didn't seem so heavy anymore. They were just another challenge to overcome.

The air was thick with tension as Jin Seok charged forward, his Schytes whipping through the air. San Woo, in his defensive stance, was quick to react, effortlessly dodging and deflecting each strike. Jin Seok's movements were frantic, still trying to find his rhythm with the unfamiliar weapon.

He swung the first Schyte, its chain slicing through the air, but San Woo bent low, narrowly avoiding the attack. Jin Seok gritted his teeth and yanked the chain back, trying to regain control. But this time, as the Schyte reached the end of its chain, something unexpected happened.

Jin Seok's hand instinctively pulled the chain toward him, and as the Schyte snapped back into his grasp, the chain wrapped around his arm, In that split second, he felt the weapon shift from a burden to an extension of his own body. The realization hit him like a jolt—he could control the chain. He could make it flow with him.

His heart raced as the Schyte returned to his grip, but it was still clumsy. He hadn't fully mastered it.The chain unwound from his arm, and he tried to steady himself, his confidence momentarily boosted by the unexpected success.

San Woo raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Interesting," he muttered, clearly recognizing that Jin Seok had just done something he hadn't been able to before.

Jin Seok, still catching his breath, didn't have time to dwell on it. He quickly pressed the attack again, this time more cautiously, knowing he had just discovered something important. But he was far from mastering it. The next swing of the Schyte wasn't as smooth, and the chain tangled awkwardly around his arm, causing him to stumble slightly.

San Woo, sensing the change in Jin Seok's approach, didn't give him a moment to recover. He darted forward with lightning speed, his small swords flashing in the morning light. Jin Seok barely had time to react, but this time, the Schytes felt more like an anchor than an ally. The chain was still unpredictable in his hands, but the memory of that moment kept him pressing forward, determined to figure out how to control it.

Jin Seok's body tensed as the voice echoed in his ear, cutting through the air like a sharp command. "FROM THE RIGHT, DUCK NOW!"

His heart skipped a beat. The voice was commanding, forceful, but it wasn't his own thoughts—it was something else. His muscles reacted instinctively, driven by the urgent tone, and he dropped low just as San Woo's blade swept through the air where his head had been a fraction of a second before. He could feel the air shift as the sword passed close to him. His pulse thundered in his ears.

Jin Seok glanced up, eyes wide with shock, his breath coming in shallow bursts. He couldn't fathom what had just happened. It wasn't San Woo's voice that had warned him—he hadn't heard a thing from his opponent. But that voice... that voice had been too clear, too precise.

His thoughts were still swirling when the voice spoke again, more urgent, more insistent. "NOW, ATTACK, KID!"

Jin Seok didn't hesitate. There was no time for doubt. His hand shot out, grabbing the handle of the Black Schyte. The weight of the weapon felt different this time—he could feel the chain's tension in his fingers, the coolness of the blackened metal against his skin.

He swung it with everything he had, the chain unraveling with a whip-like snap. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though the Schyte was an extension of his body, a part of him. The chain slithered through the air like a serpent, and Jin Seok's eyes locked onto San Woo, whose swift movements had kept him on the defensive until now.

The weapon coiled in the air, cutting through the space between them, and to his surprise, it found its mark. The schyte had cut the hair of San Woo severing a lock cleanly. Jin Seok's heart raced, a mix of shock and triumph flooding his chest. He had done it. He had actually landed a hit.

But before he could even fully process his success, the world around him blurred. San Woo's speed was blinding, and in the next moment, Jin Seok found himself on the receiving end of a brutal counterattack came from the reflexes of San Woo. His body crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. The impact reverberated through his skull, and everything around him seemed to spin out of control.

His vision darkened, and he fought to stay conscious, but his limbs felt heavy, his head throbbing from the sudden force of the blow. His thoughts were scattered, and the sharp pain in his head made it hard to focus on anything else.

San Woo stood above him, his face a mix of surprise and admiration. His breath was steady, his small swords held loosely at his sides. "What... How the hell did the kid manage to do that?" San Woo muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. He had expected Jin Seok to struggle, to fail, but instead, the kid had somehow pulled off something incredible at his level.

San Woo's reflexes had kicked in, and in the heat of the moment, he had struck without thinking, knocking Jin Seok out cold. He hadn't meant to hit him so hard, but the speed and precision of his movements had left no room for hesitation.

He watched as Jin Seok lay there, unconscious, his chest rising and falling in slow, shallow breaths. San Woo couldn't help but smile. He hadn't expected such progress, especially from someone who had only been training for a week.

"Guess I went a little too far..." San Woo chuckled to himself, a proud grin spreading across his face. He looked down at the kid with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. The kid had shown potential.

Bending down, San Woo patted Jin Seok's head lightly, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Alright, kid. As a reward... you can sleep today." He grinned, his voice light and teasing. The spar had been intense, but there was no denying the progress Jin Seok had made, even if it had been by sheer luck.

He stood up, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, and looked down at kid one last time before turning to leave. "Get some rest, Jin Seok. Tomorrow, ı will punch you harder.