The pit was darker tonight.Not because the lights were dimmed — but because the crowd was silent, waiting.
Kiro stood at the edge of the ring, visor down, helmet reflecting flickers of torchlight. Across from him stood the Mindbreaker — tall, lean, draped in a black cloak. His hair was white despite his youth, and his eyes… his eyes weren't human.
They were solid black.Like twin voids.
The bookie's voice boomed over the ring: "MAIN EVENT! In the red corner — undefeated in fifteen matches, the one they fear to face — the Mindbreaker!"
Cheers and whistles erupted, followed by nervous murmurs.
"And in the blue corner — the mystery, the ghost, the man with no Talent — Null!"
The crowd shouted his name in rhythm. "Null! Null! Null!"
The bell rang.
Mindbreaker didn't move. He just looked at Kiro.
Kiro felt it instantly — like a wave crashing into his skull. His thoughts stuttered, threads flickering.
Sit down.The command wasn't words. It was a weight, pressing on his spine, forcing his knees to bend.
Kiro gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright. Golden threads sparked back into clarity.
So that's how you work…
Mindbreaker tilted his head. "You resist. Interesting."
Kiro took a slow step forward. "You push too hard. That's your mistake."
The black-eyed man's lips curled into a smile. "We'll see."
The next pulse hit harder — a mental shove designed to make Kiro drop his guard. For a fraction of a second, his hands loosened.
Drop your weapon.Kiro's body almost obeyed — before his golden threads lashed out.
He caught the one tied to Mindbreaker's wrists.Tense fingers.
The man's hand froze mid-motion. His smile faltered.
The crowd didn't understand what was happening — but they could feel the tension. Two fighters standing still, staring at each other, while sweat beaded on their skin.
This wasn't a brawl.This was a duel inside the mind.
Mindbreaker struck again — rapid commands, one after another:Blink. Step back. Flinch.
Kiro dodged each like a dancer weaving through blades. Then he countered.Look left.The man's gaze shifted.Think of the crowd.His focus wavered.
Kiro closed the distance.
Mindbreaker tried to force him to stumble — Kiro tripped him instead, pulling the golden thread tied to his balance.
The man fell to one knee, cloak billowing. "What are you?" he hissed.
Kiro leaned down so only he could hear. "Better."
He yanked the strongest thread.Drop your will.
Mindbreaker's eyes widened — then dimmed. His shoulders slumped.
The bell rang.
The pit exploded in sound. Some were cheering, others confused, but all of them knew they'd just seen something different.
The bookie rushed in, grabbing Kiro's arm. "I don't know what you did, kid, but you just made enemies."
"I already had enemies," Kiro said, stepping out of the ring.
In the shadowed hallway outside, someone waited.
The armored Wosbildung officer from before.
He didn't clap, didn't smile — just studied Kiro. "Mind games," he said flatly. "And you beat the Mindbreaker."
Kiro kept walking. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The officer fell into step beside him. "We'll talk again soon."
Kiro didn't answer.But the golden threads in his mind were already tightening.