The morning air over the training yard was thick with humidity and the faint smell of asphalt from the nearby streets. Einar's chest heaved, sweat dripping down his face. His arms shook violently, and the five Tigers lay sprawled on the ground, groaning and defeated.
Not a single weapon had touched Dean. No supernatural powers were used. Just hand-to-hand combat, and brutal efficiency.
Einar's jaw dropped.
"…S-Sensei… is this… real?!"
Dean casually wiped his knuckles. His black jacket hung loosely over his shoulders. The city skyline behind him reflected in the glass of the nearby abandoned warehouse. He was calm, almost bored.
"Yes. No tricks. No powers. Just pure technique. They're still breathing, aren't they?"
Einar's mind raced.
'The man I call Sensei… this is insane. Strong before… yes. But this? This is next-level… unbelievable!'
Dean bent down, grabbing the groaning Tigers by the collars.
"Drag them. We're taking them to Rita's safehouse."
Einar blinked.
"Safehouse… Rita gang hideout you mean ?"
Dean ignored the question, moving toward the shadows of the nearby alleyway. His eyes scanned the surrounding rooftops and streets.
The journey was tense. The Tigers whispered, terrified, as Einar carried one like a sack of bricks. Sirens wailed faintly in the distance, reminding them all that the city never truly sleeps.
When they arrived, the urban hideout was bustling. Guards armed with pistols and radios turned to see five beaten men being dragged through the front gate. Rita appeared atop the staircase, her phone in hand, looking every bit the confident gang leader who ran her streets with an iron fist.
"What the hell is this?" she shouted.
Dean set the gang members down in neat rows.
"See for yourself. And we have a test first."
Einar glanced at him, confused.
"Test?"
Rita's eyes blazed.
"Test?! You let him fight alone and now you talk about testing?!"
Dean's eyebrow lifted.
"He survived. That's the test. Preview of what's coming."
"Preview?!" Rita screamed, stepping down the stairs.
"He could've died, Dean! This isn't a video game!"
Dean shrugged.
"He's alive. That's what matters. Stop whining."
Einar, sweat dripping into his eyes, swallowed nervously.
'She's furious… and she's right… but I survived. That's all that matters.'
The shouting escalated.
"You let him fight them alone!" Rita yelled.
"Do you know how reckless that was?!"
Dean's expression didn't change.
"Do I? Yes. Will I change it? No. He's alive, and that's all you need to know. Lesson number one complete."
Rita clenched her fists.
"Lesson? Nearly getting killed is a lesson?!"
Dean smirked.
"Subjective definitions of learning vary."
Einar winced, caught in the crossfire of their verbal sparring.
Eventually, Rita huffed, crossing her arms.
"Fine… but don't push him too far."
Dean waved dismissively.
"Noted."
After the shouting match cooled, it was time for the interrogation.
Dean lined the Tigers up in front of the warehouse's exposed concrete wall. They were beaten, terrified, and clearly aware of the power difference.
"Start talking," Dean said, calm but commanding.
"Who's behind all this?"
The Tigers exchanged nervous glances.
"We… we were following orders…" one whispered.
Dean leaned forward slightly, sharp gaze cutting through the fear.
"Orders from who?"
"Lee…" The man trembled.
"Lee is the new leader… the mastermind. He's behind the gang wars. He wants to control the city… crush Rita's gang… he planned everything."
Rita's face went pale.
"Lee… the mastermind… orchestrating all of this?"
Dean nodded slowly.
"Smart, ruthless, organized. Every skirmish, every ambush, every street fight—it was part of his plan. And he underestimated me."
Einar's fists clenched.
'So all the chaos I've heard about in the city streets… it was planned? For one purpose?'
Dean's piercing gaze shifted to him.
"Exactly. This isn't random violence. This is urban gang war. And Einar… you're about to taste it."
Einar swallowed hard.
"…And you… won't interfere?"
Dean shook his head.
"No. I'll stay in the shadows. Observe. You'll learn consequences for yourself."
Rita's glare didn't soften.
"Dean! Letting him fight alone is unacceptable!"
Dean shrugged.
"Not my problem. Survival isn't about safety. It's about understanding danger and fear."
Einar felt a spark ignite deep inside him.
'I have to survive. I have to get stronger. I can't rely on Dean entirely.'
Dean's cold eyes scanned the Tigers.
"Now… tell us everything. Start with Lee. Why he wanted to destroy Rita's gang and control the city."
The Tigers trembled violently.
"Lee… he's been orchestrating everything to weaken Rita… so all of us would fall in line… he wanted the city for himself. Every gang war… every fight… it was his plan."
Dean's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Interesting."
Einar's eyes narrowed, heart pounding.
'This is worse than I imagined… and it's only the beginning.'
Rita's glare didn't leave Dean.
"You… you are impossible!" she shouted.
Dean raised a hand, stopping her.
"I've got this. Watch, learn, and don't interfere."
The shadows of the modern city stretched around them. The stage for the coming storm had been set, and Einar realized one thing with cold clarity:
This was just the beginning of the urban gang war he would have to survive.