Kai's body dangled helplessly in the air, suspended by invisible threads of Chi. His limbs hung limp, his chest heaving with shallow breaths. The arena lights glared down on him, harsh and unforgiving, illuminating every streak of blood across his face. The man in the suit walked calmly through the tunnel, his polished shoes echoing against the stone floor. He moved with the kind of confidence that belonged to someone who had never once doubted his place in the world. His aura pressed against Kai like a suffocating weight, heavy with power. "You fight like someone desperate to prove himself," the man said, his voice smooth but edged with authority. "But desperation alone won't keep you alive.
"Kai tried to speak, but blood filled his mouth. He coughed violently, crimson spilling down his chin. His katana clattered to the ground, the sound sharp and final, as if mocking his weakness. The man studied him for a moment, eyes sharp and calculating. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he released the binding. Kai collapsed onto the cold floor, gasping, his body trembling from exhaustion. "You're weak," the man continued, crouching so his sharp eyes met Kai's. "But weakness can be… useful. Tell me, Kai, do you want to die here in obscurity, or do you want to rise? "Kai's pale eyes flickered. He had heard those words before—mockery from foster parents, jeers from the slums, taunts from the crowd. But this man's tone was different. It wasn't pity. It wasn't cruelty. It was something else: opportunity.
"I… want to rise," Kai whispered, his voice barely audible. The man smiled faintly, though it was not a warm smile. It was the kind of smile that promised danger and change. "Good. Then you'll come with me. "Wait, I need to go and collect my money," Kai said weakly. The man fished out ten Ria coins—the exact amount Kai was supposed to receive. Kai was confused and deeply skeptical. Behind them, the underground fight club roared as stronger warriors clashed, steel ringing against steel and Chi flaring in bursts of light. The crowd's cheers echoed through the cavernous arena, but Kai's world had shifted. He stumbled after the man, each step heavy, his mind racing. His body screamed for rest, but his heart pounded with a strange new energy.
Who was this stranger? Why had he intervened? And what did he mean by "rise"? Why had he given him his own money? The tunnel was long and dimly lit, lined with flickering torches that cast shadows across the stone walls. The air smelled of sweat, blood, and damp earth. Kai's footsteps dragged, his body threatening to collapse at any moment. The man finally spoke, his voice cutting through the silence. "I am Dominic… but you can call me Dom. I represent Lombardia's hidden order—the Dominion of Blades. We seek those who fight not because they are strong, but because they refuse to surrender. "Kai's heart pounded. Lombardia was the human kingdom, but he had never heard of such an order. The slums whispered of gangs, mercenaries, and corrupt nobles, but never of a secret order. Dominic's gaze hardened.
"You are E-rank, yes. But ranks are not destiny. With the right training, even the weakest can carve their place in Astoria. If you accept, your life will change forever. If you refuse…" He gestured back toward the arena. "You'll die like the rest. "Kai clenched his fists, blood still dripping from his wounds. His dream of becoming the strongest E-rank flickered inside him, fragile but unbroken."I accept," he said, his voice trembling but resolute. Dominic's smile widened, though his eyes remained cold. "Then your journey begins now. "They continued taking turns through the tunnel until they reached an area of the fight club Kai had never seen. As they walked deeper, Kai noticed a faint hum of Chi in the air. It was different from the chaotic energy of the arena; this was controlled, refined, and disciplined. Dominic performed a few hand seals upon reaching a dead end and injected a minimal amount of Chi into the wall. With a heavy creak, a hidden passage opened. Dom led him through, past iron doors guarded by men whose eyes glowed faintly with Chi. They bowed slightly as Dominic passed, their respect evident. Kai's breath caught.
These were not ordinary fighters. Their presence alone radiated strength far beyond anything he had ever seen. Dominic glanced at him. "You see it, don't you? Power. Discipline. Purpose. That is what the Dominion of Blades offers. But it comes at a cost. You will bleed. You will suffer. And you may die before you ever rise. "Kai swallowed hard. He had already bled. He had already suffered. Death had stalked him since childhood. None of this was new. "I'll endure it," he said quietly. Dom's expression softened for the first time, though only slightly. "Good. Then perhaps you are worth the risk. "They stopped before a massive iron gate etched with symbols that pulsed faintly with Chi. Dominic placed a hand on the gate, and it opened with a low groan, revealing a vast underground fortress lit by glowing crystals. Warriors trained in silence, their blades cutting arcs of light through the air. Kai's eyes widened; he had never seen anything like it. This was not the slums or the fight clubs. This was something greater.
Dominic turned to him. "This is the Dominion of Blades. If you step through this gate, you leave behind the life you knew. You will no longer be a slum rat, a weakling, or an E-rank. You will be a recruit. And recruits either rise… or they die. "Kai stared at the fortress, his heart pounding. His dream of becoming the strongest E-rank burned brighter than ever. "I'll rise," he said firmly. Dom's smile returned, sharp and dangerous. "Then welcome, Kai. Your true battle begins now."