The old metal door creaked as Kaien and Cindra entered. The first thing they saw was a long, dark hallway, the light from the yellow incandescent bulbs flickering on the ceiling as if about to go out. On both sides of the hallway were sealed iron doors, behind which echoed the sounds of din, laughter, screams, and the sound of something being slammed against the wall.
The air was thick with the smell of cheap liquor, cigarette smoke, and blood. Cindra winced slightly, while Kaien glanced around warily. This was no place for mere mortals.
A tall, close-shaven man wearing a black tank top was leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette, looking at the two with disdain.
"Fresh meat?" he smirked at the man beside him, a shorter man with sharp eyes who was sharpening a small dagger on his belt.
The further inside, the louder the noise became: clinking glasses, shouting, and someone's hand slamming down on the table like they were being cheated at a card game.
The main room opened up: a bustling underground base that looked like a pirate's lair, complete with bars, mini-gambling rooms, martial arts arenas, and various types of thugs. Some sat smoking cigars, others laughing hysterically as they watched someone get kicked out of the ring.
Everyone turned as the door opened. Eyes likeHungry wild animals flocked towards Kaien and Cindra.
"Who is this kid?"
"Pretty girls too... heh heh..."
"This looks interesting."
Kaien felt every nerve in his body tense. Cindra gripped his hand. The feeling of danger beckoned.
From a staircase leading up, Aigris appeared. He was wearing a dark suit, his silver-gray hair was slicked back, his eyes were cold like someone who had killed without blinking. Next to him was a girl in a black suit, wearing sunglasses, holding a file in her arms - her personal assistant. Following behind were a few burly men holding guns, standing still as statues.
"Welcome," Aigris said, his voice hoarse and slow. "To the true den of humanity."
Kaien swallowed. "I didn't come here to beg. But if I have to stick my hands in the mud to continue living... then I accept it."
"Oh?" Aigris raised his eyebrows slightly, signaling his underlings to step back. "Then prove it. This place doesn't need people who come here just to beg for life."
His eyes shifted to Cindra.
"What about the other girl? The baggage? The burden?"
"She is my teammate." Kaien replied firmly.
A burst of laughter rang out in the distance. A man with a long scar on his face squinted: "Comrades? There are no such things as comrades here, kid. There are only the living... and the dead."
Aigris waved her hand. Immediately, two thugs from behind suddenly grabbed Cindra. She reacted by kicking one of them in the knee, causing him to groan. But before she could do anything else, a sudden blow from behind hit Kaien hard on the back of the head.
He collapsed, his eyes dark.
When Kaien woke up, the light was glaring from an old ceiling light. His head hurt and his body was stiff.
The room was filthy, bloodstained and the smell of mold hung in the air. He was in a large iron cage, facing a muscular man covered in tattoos, cackling like a wild animal.
Big, opposite was a muscular man covered in tattoos, laughing like a wild animal.
Kaien turned his head.
Cindra - tied to a chair, mouth gagged, eyes wide with worry. She was safe... but not sure for how long.
Aigris' laughter echoed from above, where he watched from an iron balcony.
"Welcome to the real test, kid."
"Let her go!" Kaien shouted.
Aigris coldly replied, "I want to know: do you dare to fight... for the life of another? Or will you let your survival instinct swallow up all ideals?"
The thug in the cage laughed. "I hope you choose to fight. I like the feeling of crushing children like you."
Kaien gasped, blood boiling in his chest.
There is no turning back. There is no choice.
Only fight for Cindra. For yourself.