The space between them remained stable for one more instant, as if both finished adjusting a distance they had already calculated without words. Natasha’s pressure remained present, pushing body downward, forcing each muscle to work even at rest. In that environment, any movement demanded more control, more precision.

Bīng Xuě was first to break stillness.

Didn’t attack directly.

Shifted front foot few centimeters right, altering entry angle. Center of gravity remained low, hip aligned and knees flexed to absorb any abrupt change. That small adjustment forced Aku to recalibrate distance.

Aku responded with short step backward, maintaining high guard. Shoulders tensed just enough to protect jaw, while gaze remained fixed on Bīng Xuě’s torso, avoiding distractions in hands or feet.

Bīng Xuě advanced.

First real movement was entry feint with left shoulder. Didn’t seek impact. Sought reaction. Arm rose just enough to simulate high grab, forcing Aku to slightly close guard.

Aku didn’t fully bite the bait, but did adjust elbows inward.

That was enough.

Bīng Xuě changed level.

Descended center of gravity in instant, flexing knees more and projecting body forward in low line. Right hand directed toward middle zone, not as strike, but as contact. Fingers closed briefly on uniform fabric, marking Aku’s torso position.

Aku reacted with lateral displacement, trying to exit entry line. Rear foot rotated, opening angle, and left arm descended attempting to deflect contact.

Bīng Xuě had already changed intention.

Initial contact had given sufficient information about Aku’s center position. Right knee ascended in compact movement, directed toward torso’s lower side.

Hepatic zone.

Liver, situated on abdomen’s right side, is partially protected by ribs, but presents areas where soft tissue remains more exposed. Well-placed impact on that point generates immediate neurological response: involuntary diaphragm contraction, momentary air loss and decreased reaction capacity.

Aku turned torso at last instant.

Blow didn’t impact fully.

Grazed zone, enough to transmit part of force, but without reaching exact point. Even so, vibration ran through his side, generating brief breathing interruption.

He took advantage of contact.

Right arm came out in straight strike, directed toward Bīng Xuě’s face. Didn’t seek to bring down. Sought to create space. Fist displaced in direct line, shoulder accompanying movement to maximize force transfer.

Bīng Xuě tilted head to one side.

Blow passed grazing.

Left hand intercepted Aku’s forearm, not to completely block it, but to deflect its trajectory. Contact was brief, enough to alter arm’s return line.

With other hand, sought neck.

Not as complete strangling, but as control point. Fingers placed on lateral zone, near sternocleidomastoid, where pressure can affect balance and orientation.

Aku reacted quickly.

Lowered center of gravity, flexing knees and pushing with rear foot to break closeness. Left elbow ascended in short movement, directed toward Bīng Xuě’s forearm, seeking to free contact.

Impact was dry.

Grip released.

Both separated half step.

Exchange had lasted barely few seconds, but obtained information was clear.

Bīng Xuě didn’t waste time.

Entered again.

This time with different pattern.

Front foot advanced diagonally, closing distance on Aku’s external side. Torso tilted slightly, reducing exposed area. Hands moved in sequence, one high, other low, alternating levels to hinder defense.

Aku maintained guard.

Left arm intercepted first contact attempt, deflecting Bīng Xuě’s hand outward. Rear foot displaced, adjusting distance without losing balance.

Second movement came from below.

Short strike directed at solar plexus.

That zone, located in abdomen’s central part, just below sternum, is highly sensitive. Precise impact can provoke temporary breathing interruption by affecting phrenic nerve.

Aku closed elbows.

Blow impacted against protection.

Force dispersed, but pressure was felt.

He responded with short hook from right, directed toward jaw. Movement was compact, without wide trajectory, seeking to take advantage of closeness.

Bīng Xuě turned torso.

Blow passed in front of face.

Took advantage of rotation to hook Aku’s arm with his, creating contact point at elbow joint. Hand slid toward wrist, establishing momentary control.

Attempted projection.

Not complete.

Imbalance.

Hip placed in front of Aku’s, seeking to raise center of gravity and break base.

Aku reacted with step backward and deeper knee flexion. Weight descended, hindering elevation. At same time, free hand pressed against Bīng Xuě’s shoulder, generating opposite force.

Attempt broke.

Both separated again.

Rhythm increased.

Bīng Xuě began combining faster displacements with constant level changes. Style wasn’t rigid. Flowed between grabs, short strikes and control movements. Each action sought specific reaction.

Aku remained more contained.

Style was more linear, but effective in simplicity. Direct strikes, closed guard, short displacements. Didn’t seek to dominate space with variety, but with precision at key moments.

Next exchange was more intense.

Bīng Xuě launched rapid combination, alternating open and closed hands, seeking pressure points on neck and collarbone. Fingers directed toward zones where superficial nerves can generate acute pain with little force.

Aku blocked most, but one contact reached neck base. Wasn’t enough to incapacitate, but to generate brief interference in muscular signal.

He took advantage of that instant.

Body strike.

Direct.

Fist impacted Bīng Xuě’s abdomen, just below ribs. Force was contained, but precise. Air left Bīng Xuě’s lungs in short sound.

Didn’t retreat.

Absorbed impact.

Body tensed instant then responded.

Knee ascended again, this time with closer angle, directed toward Aku’s thigh. Objective wasn’t to cause immediate damage, but to affect quadriceps, reducing displacement capacity.

Impact was clean.

Aku felt involuntary muscle contraction.

Support became less stable for second.

That second was enough for Bīng Xuě to close distance again.

Arm partially surrounded Aku’s neck, seeking lateral control position. Wasn’t complete strangling yet, but intention was clear.

Aku lowered chin.

Hand placed between Bīng Xuě’s arm and neck, creating space. Body turned, seeking to exit through less pressured side.

Contact maintained.

Pressure increased slightly.

Both were now at short distance, almost body to body, where each minimal adjustment had immediate consequences.

Combat hadn’t reached highest point.

But base was already established.

And neither had shown everything yet. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

***

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