Underworld Ascension: Martial Arts System

The air carried the jungle's humid, oppressive heat. Tae, young and clumsy, stumbled over roots and undergrowth, his breath hitched as he called out. 

"Dad!" 

His voice echoed, but there was no answer. He pushed forward, his small, dirt-streaked hands brushing against branches as he mloved. The clearing opened up ahead, and he burst through, panting and desperate. 

Then he froze. 

Before him, his father stood over a prone figure, the blade in his hand reflecting the dying sunlight. The other man was writhing, his face twisted in agony, his hands clawing at his father's wrists in a futile attempt to push him away. 

Tae's father brought the knife down again. 

And again. 

Blood splattered across his father's face, soaking into his tattered military fatigues. The sounds were wet, visceral, and sickeningly final. 

Tae stood there, his small frame still, but he couldn't look away. 

How many times has he seen a man get brutally killed? He could no longer keep track.

Finally, his father looked up. His face was calm, as if what he'd just done was no different from chopping wood. He wiped the blade against his pants and stepped over the body, his boots squelching in the blood-soaked earth. 

"This is a battlefield," he said flatly, his voice carrying no trace of remorse. "Don't just move around." 

Tae didn't respond. 

The sound of gunfire erupted in the distance, faint but unmistakable. 

"They're getting close," his father said, sliding the knife into its sheath. "Let's head back to camp." 

---

The campfire crackled softly, shadows danced across Tae's father's face. He sat cross-legged, sharpening the same knife he had used earlier, the rhythmic scraping sound filling the silence between them. 

Tae sat opposite him, his knees drawn to his chest, staring at the flames. His stomach churned, but he couldn't tell if it was from hunger or the memory of the countless deaths he had witnessed. 

His father finally broke the silence. "Sometimes," he said, his voice low and steady, "you have to do whatever it takes to survive. Even if it means taking the life of another." 

Tae let out a humorless scoff, nodding. "I understand." 

His father chuckled, the sound dry. "Of course you do. You've been here a while. You've seen things." 

He paused, his gaze drifting toward the horizon where the jungle stood like a dark, impenetrable wall. "But survival isn't everything," he continued. "There's more to it than just staying alive. You've got to protect, too. Protect the people who matter. Like your mother. Your sisters. You must do everything you can to p—" 

Tae woke with a gasp. 

---

He was on his back, his chest heaving, his vision blurry. The harsh fluorescent lights of the arena stung his eyes as he blinked rapidly, trying to orient himself. 

Above him, the steel claw user approached, his expression unreadable but his intent clear. His claw-like hand was raised, ready to deliver the final blow. 

Adrenaline surged through Tae's body as he rolled to the side, the claw narrowly missing him and tearing into the ground instead. Gritting his teeth, he scrambled to his feet, his legs shaky but holding. His breaths came in labored gasps as he squared off with his opponent again. 

Tae tilted his head slightly, his tone almost apologetic. "I wanted you to win," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "I really did. But some bastard would be pretty angry if I didn't try a bit harder." 

His lips twitched into a small, humorless smile. "So, I'm sorry. But to defeat me, you'll have to do more than that." 

The system's voice suddenly crackled in Tae's mind. 

[Adrenaline pumping. Focus increasing.] 

A faint blue glow flickered at the edge of his vision, growing brighter as the system's interface came to life. 

[Focus: 10%... 15%... 40%. Insight mode activated.] 

Tae's heart pounded as the overlay sharpened, highlighting his opponent. Red marks appeared on the boy's body—his throat, the inside of his elbows, his knees. The mechanical voice whispered again. 

[Exploits identified. Attack vulnerable points for maximum effect.] 

Tae's lips curled into a faint, bloodied grin. He whispered under his breath, "Got you, fucker." 

---

The boy lunged, his claws aimed at Tae's face, but this time Tae was ready. He sidestepped with precision, his movements sharper and more controlled, and countered with a quick jab to the boy's side. 

The blow landed cleanly on one of the highlighted red points, and the boy staggered, his eyes narrowing. Tae didn't give him a chance to recover. He darted in and out, striking with precision and retreating before the boy could grab him. 

A sharp kick to the back of the knee sent the boy stumbling forward, and Tae followed up with an elbow to the ribs. The boy grunted in pain, his movements becoming less fluid, more desperate. 

But Tae wasn't unscathed. His body screamed in protest with every movement, his breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps. The system's voice echoed in his mind. 

[Warning: Low health. Low stamina. Continued exertion will result in collapse.] 

Tae knew he couldn't keep this up for long. He had to end it. 

As the boy lunged again, Tae slipped under his outstretched arms and delivered a powerful, well-timed jab to his throat. The boy's eyes widened in shock as he staggered back, clutching his neck and choking. He collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. 

Tae stood over him, his body trembling, blood dripping from his wounds. He stared down at the boy, his vision swimming, but he managed to mutter through gritted teeth, "I guess you're not the one, either." 

With the last of his strength, he kicked the boy across the face, the impact knocking him unconscious. 

---

In the observation room, Nine leaned back in her chair, her silver hair falling around her shoulders as she stared at the screen in shock. 

"I didn't think he had it in him," she said, her voice almost a whisper. 

The man beside her stroked his chin, his expression thoughtful. "Interesting," he murmured. "Very interesting." 

Nine turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "You're intrigued, aren't you?" 

He didn't answer, his gaze fixed on the screen where Tae stood, bleeding and barely upright, but victorious.