Bully Lord

Part-109

Just as James managed to bridge to regain some space, Coach Gin was on him again, transitioning seamlessly into ground fighting. A relentless barrage of pins and submission holds rained down on James. He tried to escape, to counter, but Coach Gin was a step ahead every time. The pressure on his joints intensified, the pain a constant throb in his ears. His vision blurred at the edges, sweat stinging his eyes. With a final, agonizing squeeze on his arm, Coach Gin applied a ude garami (arm lock). The pain became unbearable.

"Tap!" Coach Gin's voice boomed, a sharp contrast to the whirlwind of attacks.

James, his body spent and his mind clouded with pain, could only whimper in defeat. The pressure on his arm eased, and blessed relief washed over him. He lay on the mat, gasping for breath, as the enormity of the situation sunk in. It wasn't even close. Coach Gin, despite his age, was in a league of his own. James had just experienced the true power of a Judo master.

Before James could process anything, he sank into darkness. He didn't even realize he had lost consciousness. Everything happened in 50 seconds, despite Coach Gin holding back.

----

James lay on the mat, his body a quivering mass of pain. The world seemed to spin around him, the lights blurring at the edges of his vision. He struggled to take a deep breath, each inhalation a sharp stab of pain in his lungs. Slowly, consciousness returned, and with it, a wave of disbelief washed over him. He had been utterly dominated, his skills and determination no match for Coach Gin's raw power and experience.

A bitter smile crept across his face. This wasn't a defeat; it was a reality check. The System had thrown him a curveball, a reminder that his journey was far from over. He had underestimated the gap between him and a true master.

As he pushed himself up, wincing at the pain in his limbs, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot. He looked like he'd been through a war. Yet, strangely, he felt a surge of determination. This wasn't the end; it was just the beginning.

As he was leaving the dojo, Ryan caught up with him. "Hey," he said, a hint of concern in his voice, "You alright? You look like you got run over by a truck."

James managed a weak smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, his body still protesting the ordeal. "Just a little rough sparring session."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "A little rough? You looked like you were getting your ass handed to you."

James couldn't help but laugh. "Something like that," he admitted. "But hey, that's what practice is for, right?"

Ryan nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We learn from our failures."

As they walked out of the dojo, James couldn't shake the feeling that this would be a hell of a mission to complete