Chapter 4 – The Blood Runs Deeper
The night air was still heavy with the echoes of cheers as Kai stood, gripping the black flag with the silver dragon. Every fiber in his body throbbed from the fight, but the pain felt distant compared to the fire now burning inside him.
Jett clapped him on the back. "You impressed the King. That doesn't happen often."
Kai glanced at Auro, who had already turned and begun walking deeper into the garage. The crowd parted in silence as he passed—a trail of reverence and fear in his wake.
"Come on," Jett said, nodding his head. "Your real training starts now."
They walked through a steel door tucked behind a row of motorcycles. It opened into a stairwell leading underground, the air growing colder with each step. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting pale shadows along the concrete walls.
Kai rubbed his sore ribs. "How many people does Auro command?"
Jett gave him a sideways look. "In Solace Clan? Over three hundred active members across Tokyo. And he doesn't just command people. He controls entire sectors—businesses, clubs, ports. We're not just brawlers, Kai. We're a network. A kingdom in the shadows."
As they reached the bottom, the hallway opened into a vast underground training hall. Punching bags swung from iron beams. Target boards lined the walls. Fighters sparred in rings while others lifted weights or practiced knife combat.
Jett gestured around. "This is the Core. Only initiated members can train here. Everyone you see is ranked. You're starting at R-rank, but you've got the eyes of someone who can go much higher."
Kai nodded, absorbing every detail.
"From R to SS. S and SS are reserved for monsters," Jett said, lighting a cigarette. "You earn your rank through missions, fights, and loyalty. Screw up, and you're out—or worse."
Suddenly, a loud buzzer echoed through the hall. Everyone paused.
A tall woman in a crimson jacket strode into the room. Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail, and twin butterfly knives glinted at her hips. Her aura was cold, deadly—unlike anything Kai had felt before.
Several members bowed slightly.
Jett leaned in. "That's Sigma Rei. Auro's second-in-command. The Crimson Reaper. Don't mess with her."
Sigma's sharp eyes swept the room before settling on Kai. "So this is the rookie?"
Kai straightened. "Yes."
She walked up, slowly circling him. "You landed a hit on Koda. Impressive. But that's child's play."
Kai tensed as she suddenly grabbed his collar, lifting him an inch off the ground.
"Tell me, Kai Vance," she said, her voice low. "Would you kill if I asked you to?"
The room went silent again. Jett didn't intervene.
Kai stared into her eyes. "If it means protecting my sister…yes."
Sigma smiled, then dropped him. "Good answer."
She turned to Jett. "He's yours. Don't let him die."
With that, she vanished into the crowd like smoke.
Jett let out a low whistle. "You caught her interest. That's rare."
Kai exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow. "So what now?"
"Now," Jett said, tossing him a black card with a barcode on it, "we test your nerve."
Kai looked at the card. "What is this?"
"Your first mission," Jett said, walking away. "You'll infiltrate a rival clan's turf. No backup. No mercy. Bring back the package… or don't come back at all."
Kai stood alone in the training hall, the weight of the card heavy in his hand.
The game had truly begun.
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To be continued…