The Registration Hall in Sector 1 was a sea of elite players. Knights in shining power armor. Mages with floating grimoires. Beast Tamers with rare drakes.
Kaelen stood in line wearing a simple leather cloak. He looked like a nobody.
"Name?" the Registrar droid asked.
"Kael," he shortened it. "Class?" "Shadow Rogue."
The droid scanned him. [Level 20 verified. Qualifier Rank: D.]
"You are barely eligible," the droid droned. "You will be fodder for the nobles. Proceed to Arena 4."
Kaelen walked into the waiting room. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
"Look at this fresh meat," a voice boomed. It was a Level 28 Berserker. He was seven feet tall, holding an axe made of magma-glass. "Hey, little rogue. I'm Varg. If you forfeit now, I won't break your legs in the first round."
Kaelen looked at Varg's hand. The Hunger flared. Eat him, the Shadow whispered. Eat his strength.
Kaelen pushed the hunger down. "Save it for the ring, Varg," Kaelen said calmly. He stepped out from under the hand.
Varg blinked. He hadn't seen Kaelen move. "Fast," Varg muttered. "But speed breaks when it hits a wall."