Defeat tasted bitter.
Kavish sat on the cold floor of an abandoned building near the government camp, staring at his bruised knuckles. Every ache in his body reminded him of one thing—
he wasn't strong enough.
Around them, the camp buzzed with uneasy life. Armed guards patrolled the fences. Survivors whispered. Somewhere far away, a gunshot echoed… then silence.
Dax broke the quiet. "We… we survived at least."
Kavish didn't answer.
Vishwa hugged her knees. "If they wanted, they could've killed us," she said softly. "That means next time… they won't hesitate."
That hit harder than any punch.
Kavish stood up slowly. "We train."
Dax blinked. "Right now?"
"No," Kavish said firmly. "Every day. Until losing isn't an option."
He turned to Dax. "You're stronger than you think. You just never fight back."
Dax swallowed. Years of being bullied flashed through his mind. Then he nodded.
"Okay. I'll try."
Kavish looked at Vishwa. "You don't know how to fight yet."
She stiffened. "I know."
"That changes," Kavish said. "You survive. That's enough reason."
The days that followed were brutal.
Inside abandoned warehouses and empty streets near the camp, The 37 trained relentlessly.
Punches. Dodges. Footwork. Balance.
Dax trained Vishwa in the basics—how to stand, how to strike, how to fall and get back up. She stumbled more than she stood, but she never quit.
Kavish pushed himself hardest. Bruised ribs. Sleepless nights. The memory of their first loss replayed again and again.
Zombies roamed the city beyond the barricades, but for now, the greater danger still came from humans.
And soon… that danger appeared again.
Seventeen figures blocked the road ahead.
Their jackets bore a rough white symbol, painted carelessly.
UNBEATABLE 17
One of them looked at the three of them and laughed loudly.
"Three people?" he said. "Is this some kind of joke?"
Another member smirked. "They don't even look armed properly."
Kavish stepped forward calmly. "Relax. We're not here to entertain you."
The leader of Unbeatable 17 walked ahead, eyes cold and sharp. "You don't look scared."
Kavish tilted his head. "Should I be?"
The leader smiled. "Everyone is. Eventually."
Dax clenched his fists but spoke up. "We're not here to join you."
The leader raised an eyebrow. "Then you're here to lose."
Vishwa took a breath. "We already lost once," she said quietly. "We won't do it again."
For a moment, the leader studied them.
Then he laughed.
"Alright," he said, raising his hand. "Let's see."
"Break them."
The fight exploded.
This time, it was different.
Kavish didn't rush blindly. He moved with control, taking on the leader and five others, his strikes precise, conserving energy.
Dax surprised himself. Fear was still there—but it no longer controlled him. His punches landed. One enemy fell… then another.
Vishwa hesitated only once before moving. She wasn't strong, but she was fast—and she trusted her training. Two opponents went down, stunned.
The remaining members panicked.
They ran.
Silence followed.
Heavy breathing. Blood on the ground.
Victory.
Dax laughed first, disbelief in his voice. "We… we actually won."
Vishwa stared at her trembling hands. "I fought…"
Kavish exhaled slowly. "No," he said. "We fought."
A government drone descended nearby, its screen flashing.
> Reward Credited: 15,000
The number felt unreal—but what mattered more was what they felt inside.
Confidence.
As they walked away, Kavish glanced at the darkened skyline.
Somewhere out there, something far older than gangs was watching.
He didn't know it yet—but The 37 had been noticed.
And far beyond human understanding, the ancient balance of darkness and light stirred once more.