The goal was not to win or lose but to stand one’s ground and endure the of facial cuts without flinching. The Result:

The elite know the truth:

: While the phrase is highly specific, general "painful duels" in popular media often refer to: Ghost of Tsushima

The first strike wasn't a physical blow. It was a ripple in the air, a high-pitched whine that made the teeth ache. Kaelen took the hit full in the chest. He didn't flinch. To flinch was to lose the "Elite" status. Instead, he absorbed the vibration, letting the white-hot agony settle into his marrow until it became a steady, thrumming heat.

difficulty, this fight becomes an "exclusive" challenge of patience and precision. Elite Difficulty Mechanics : On higher difficulties,