Chapter 9

"Oh~ Martial Arts?"

Irumi, who had originally shown no interest, slightly raised her head to size up the opponent. The opponent's lips curled into a confident smile.

"A confident smile."

"Interesting."

"What school are you from?"

Irumi asked with a slight interest.

"Hmph, you only realize my strength now?"

Athlete Kriman's expression was arrogant. He brought his fists together in front of his chest, his left hand opened palm forward in a defensive stance, and his right hand clenched into a fist, ready to attack at any moment.

"It's too late. As for my school, a brat like you isn't worthy to know."

"You're in the Shugendo style, right?"

Irumi looked at the opponent's stance, which was indeed a posture that could only be achieved through years of practice, almost flawless.

"Oh~ I didn't expect a brat your age to recognize this style of martial arts."

Kriman was somewhat surprised. He had learned this style during his travels, and it was rarely recognized internationally.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Athlete Kriman, born in the north, has practiced martial arts since childhood."

At this moment, the commentator began to explain the origin of this martial art to the audience.

"Right now, Athlete Kriman is using a style of martial art popular in a certain island country in the East, called Shugendo!"

"Are you ready?"

While the commentator was explaining, the referee stood between the two, confirming their readiness.

Irumi was expressionless, while Kriman was full of confidence. The referee's raised right hand suddenly swung down.

"The match begins!"

"Hmph~"

As soon as the referee's arm swung down, Kriman let out a cold snort, took a step forward with his left foot, and swung his right fist, which was held in front of his chest, with great force.

"Shh..."

Irumi remained expressionless, slightly twisted her feet, and moved her body to the left, easily dodging the attack.

"Not finished yet!"

As Irumi dodged his attack, the opponent shouted, raised his right leg high, and slammed it down towards Irumi's shoulder.

"Bang!"

A heavy thud echoed as his foot hit the ground.

Kriman's eyes widened as he looked up and saw that Irumi had somehow moved to his back.

"Is this your martial arts?"

"What's different from ordinary martial arts?"

Irumi's lips curled up, and she began to mock Kriman, eager to see the martial arts he had spoken of.

"Just dodging two moves, don't get too cocky."

Kriman's expression turned serious. If it were an ordinary person, they would have been knocked out by his first punch. His Shugendo style was learned from a master known as the "One-Punch Knockout."

"This brat is not simple."

But the brat standing in front of him had not only dodged the first move but also the second. With this thought, Kriman changed his stance, holding his fists one in front and one behind his chest.

"Thud!"

Kriman stomped his foot and charged at Irumi, throwing punch after punch at her head, creating a series of "whoosh" sounds as they cut through the air.

"Too slow."

But Irumi just smiled and slowly retreated, as if she could predict his moves, often dodging his punches before they were even thrown.

"Hey..."

As Kriman was throwing punches, he suddenly smiled and pulled back his hands.

Irumi's eyes narrowed, and she quickly raised her left arm in front of her body.

"Bang!"

A kick flew through the air and hit Irumi's left arm, sending a cloud of dust flying.

"Bang, bang, bang...!"

Immediately after, Kriman launched a series of continuous kicks. Irumi raised both arms in front of her body to defend. Kriman's kicks hit her arms, pushing her body back slowly.

"This won't do."

Kriman looked at Irumi's calm and composed appearance and felt a sense of urgency.

To the untrained eye, Kriman seemed to have the upper hand.

But in reality, every one of his attacks was perfectly defended by Irumi.

"Ha!"

Suddenly, Kriman let out a light shout and changed his fighting style.

After landing, he no longer kicked but stepped forward and threw another punch at Irumi.

"Bang!"

But this time, Irumi did not dodge. Instead, she used her palm to block his punch firmly.

"Bang, bang, bang...!"

Kriman threw a series of rapid punches, but each one was steadily caught by Irumi's open palm.

Kriman and Irumi's hands and feet moved quickly, creating a series of afterimages.

The stage was filled with dust from their fight, and the referee had to retreat to the edge of the stage to avoid being hit.

"Oh~ Kriman, Kriman!!"

"Kriman is continuously attacking, elbow strikes! Knee strikes! Kicks! Flying kicks! Continuous flying kicks!"

"Irumi's defense is flawless. No matter what style Kriman uses, he cannot break through Irumi's defense!"

"Are these two gods of war~!!?"

The commentator's enthusiastic voice echoed throughout the arena, igniting the audience's passion in every corner.

"Kriman! Both are too strong!"

"Keep going, keep attacking, Kriman!"

"Cheer up, hold on, Irumi!"

The audience in the stands cheered wildly, the visceral impact of the fight making their blood boil. Many of them, with flushed faces, took off their outer clothes and cheered joyfully.

"Eight-Arm Fist?"

Irumi, while defending, suddenly spoke, causing Kriman to frown.

Indeed, Kriman was now using the Eight-Arm Fist, known for its ferocity, using his legs, fists, elbows, and knees as eight weapons for attack.

This style, originating from a small country in the southeastern region and popular worldwide, is known as the strongest stand-up fighting technique.

"Hmph!"

Kriman immediately let out a cold snort, quickly turned, and leaped into the air, kicking towards Irumi's temple.

"Whoosh!"

Irumi's head tilted back, but a small scratch still appeared, with a trickle of blood seeping out.

"Whoa~~"

Kriman, having landed a hit, opened his mouth in an O shape, making an "oh" sound and posing in a familiar way to Irumi.

Irumi's eyes narrowed, and she took the initiative to attack.

Kriman stomped his foot and charged at Irumi.

"Ha! Ha!"

Kriman's voice continuously echoed, changing his style and no longer being bound by form.

Punches, kicks, claw strikes, and straight punches, four types of attacks, freely changing and continuously targeting Irumi's vital points.

"Ah~!"

Kriman's straight kick hit Irumi's abdomen, sending her flying back with a "bang."

"Whoa~~"

Kriman stopped in place, his mouth again forming an O shape, making a strange sound.

At the critical moment, Irumi crossed her hands over her abdomen, blocking Kriman's straight kick. Just as she was about to be thrown off the stage, she used her legs to forcefully stop at the edge of the stage.

"Jeet Kune Do!?"

Irumi, standing at the edge of the stage, showed a look of surprise. That posture and habit were exactly like the martial arts master, Bruce Lee, from her previous life.