The Path Of A True King.

The breathing technique that Elijah and Ray had been using was never meant to be sustained for long periods without a Ki core.

It was a method designed to push the body to its absolute limits—not by exhausting Ki directly but by refining and enhancing their breathing to an extreme degree.

By utilizing their Ki to strengthen their respiratory functions, they could intake and circulate oxygen far more efficiently, drastically enhancing their physical capabilities. The heart pumped harder, circulation became faster, and the nervous system operated at heightened speeds.

For those without a Ki core, however, this technique had a steep cost. While they weren't burning their life force, their bodies were still enduring immense strain. The enhanced breathing kept them going, but without the ability to recover or sustain it indefinitely, the technique pushed them closer to complete exhaustion.

Once a Ki core was formed, a fighter could generate and replenish Ki freely, allowing them to sustain such techniques without risk. But for Elijah and Ray, every second they relied on this method brought them closer to their physical limit.

This was the trade-off: power now, but at the risk of collapsing later.

And Elijah and Ray had pushed themselves to their breaking point.

The Fight Reaches Its Limit

Elijah and Ray stood opposite each other, their bodies battered and bruised.

Every breath they took was sharp, labored.

Their enhanced states were slipping as exhaustion crept in, the strain of the breathing technique finally catching up to them.

Their auras flickered. The silver energy that had once swirled fiercely around them began to wane.

Then, simultaneously, they let it go.

The silver flames extinguished, their bodies returning to normal.

What remained were two fighters who had pushed themselves beyond their limits, now forced to rely purely on their skill and willpower.

Ray smirked, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Guess we're back to basics."

Elijah took a deep breath. His arms felt heavy. His legs ached. But he had no intention of stopping. "Guess so."

The crowd, sensing the shift, quieted for a moment. This was no longer a battle of enhanced strength—this was raw, unfiltered combat.

Ray lunged first, his muscles slower than before, but his strikes still dangerous.

Elijah barely managed to sidestep the first punch, countering with a sharp jab to Ray's ribs.

Ray grunted, twisting his body to absorb the impact before driving a knee toward Elijah's stomach.

Elijah blocked with his forearm, but the force made him stagger.

He retaliated with a quick hook to Ray's jaw. Ray reeled back but refused to fall.

He swung again—a straight punch to Elijah's chest.

Thud!

Elijah stumbled, his breath hitching as the impact rattled his bones.

His body screamed at him to stop, but he ignored it. He couldn't afford to stop.

Ray was relentless.

He threw another punch, but Elijah ducked under it, moving on instinct alone.

His vision was blurred at the edges, his limbs sluggish, but he willed himself forward.

A sharp kick to the side—Ray groaned, staggering.

Elijah pounced.

Left jab. Right hook. A feint—then a crushing elbow to Ray's temple.

Ray's knees buckled.

Elijah didn't stop. He clenched his fists, thinking of his mother.

Of Amy.

Of Kai.

Of everything he was fighting for.

He would not lose. Not now. Not ever.

With everything he had left, he twisted his body and launched a devastating uppercut.

CRACK!

Ray's head snapped back. His body swayed for a moment. Then—

Thud.

He collapsed.

The underground arena fell into silence.

Then—

"Winner—Elijah!" the announcer's voice rang out, cutting through the stillness.

The crowd erupted, cheers and shouts filling the space.

But Elijah barely registered it.

His body felt like lead, his vision swam, and his breathing was ragged.

Ray lay motionless on the ground, his chest rising and falling slowly. Even unconscious, he had fought like a monster.

Elijah exhaled, his knees trembling.

He had won.

But as he looked down at his battered hands, he knew this was only the beginning.