The jungle buzzed with life, sunlight spilling through thick leaves as Sushe Stro tightened his grip on the rusted katana. He swung it lazily, muttering, "If Sosre saw me now… he'd probably facepalm… again."
A sudden burst of wind whipped through the clearing. Leaves spun, birds screeched, and a startled snake shot from a tree branch. Sushe froze, eyes wide, as his Ancient Divine Curse Mark pulsed sharply, sending a tingle up his arm. "Oh… great… now even the jungle's conspiring against me," he groaned.
A loud, booming voice rang from the shadows. "Hah! Who dares swing a rusty blade like that?!"
From the trees stepped a young swordsman with a ridiculous flair: cape fluttering, katana held high like he was posing for a festival poster. "Name's Korran! And you… you look like you've never touched a real sword in your life!" he taunted, grinning like he'd already won.
Sushe blinked, mud caked on his cheek, and muttered sarcastically, "Oh fantastic… someone came to humiliate me in the jungle too. Could my life get any better?"
Korran lunged with an exaggerated spin, katana slicing the air with sparks that startled a flock of birds. Sushe barely dodged, jumping back as leaves flew around him like a storm. "Whoa, okay, okay! Over-the-top much?" he yelled, gripping his katana tighter.
Their blades clashed. Sparks flew. Trees shook. A monkey screeched in terror and ran up the nearest tree. "Is that all?" Korran shouted mid-spin. "My grandma hits harder than that!"
Sushe grinned through gritted teeth, sweat dripping from his brow. "Then your grandma should fight me instead!" His Curse Mark pulsed again, aura flaring faintly, sending a small shockwave through the clearing.
The fight continued with fast, clashing swings, both laughing, yelling, and occasionally tripping over roots in ridiculous fashion. Jungle animals scattered in panic.
Suddenly, Korran's expression shifted. He leapt back with a theatrical bow, laughing loudly. "Hah! Another time, rusty kid. I've got better prey waiting!" With that, he vanished into the shadows.
Sushe's chest heaved, heart pounding. He looked toward the dense jungle where movement lingered unseen. A small, uneasy smile crept across his face. The days behind my life… the struggles, the exile… they were nothing compared to this. I'm ready. I'll become a Qorva, and nobody will laugh at me ever again.