Kael drifted through the crowded streets, a lone figure amidst the chaos of the city. The roads pulsed with activity—people of all species and appearances moved around him, some walking in clusters, others gliding effortlessly through the air with sleek jetpacks. Flying-mod cars hummed above the ground, weaving between buildings like dragonflies made of chrome and neon.
Despite the noise and bustle, Kael's thoughts were far away. Darius' face—rough, ugly, and familiar—played in his mind like a loop he couldn't shut off. They'd shared so much, in their own strange way. He remembered the time Darius handed him a lollipop. It had been in a shop so advanced it looked like a weapons lab, not a place for candy. But there it was, absurd and sweet. A lollipop. And somehow, Kael had loved it.
Darius was his only friend. The only one who really stuck around.
But Kael didn't have friends. Not really. He'd been forced to grow up early—barely ten years old when life shoved the weight of adulthood onto his shoulders. From that point on, it had been just him and Mikos, his brother. No time for bonding, no room for trust. Just survival.
I have to see Mikos in three nights... Kael thought, his brows twitching. But for what, exactly?
He exhaled, the breath slipping out his nose like a tired sigh. But then a smirk curved on his lips.
Still... I got rewarded. Hah. Kyler Voss—I'm coming for you.
---
Somewhere far from the streets, deep inside a highly secure compound lined with steel and scanners, a man sneezed. His face twisted in irritation.
He straightened, brushing his nose. "Who said my name?" muttered Kyler, brow furrowed with suspicion.
---
Kael stopped in front of a nightclub. The entrance pulsed with electric blue light, the music within a thumping heartbeat against the pavement. He stared at it for a moment, unmoving.
Should I go in? Get drunk?
He tilted his head, shrugged faintly. "Might as well try."
With little fanfare, he approached the entrance and knocked.
A moment later, the door swung open with a mechanical hiss, revealing a towering bouncer. The man—or creature—stood nearly eight feet tall, with four thick, muscular arms crossed over his armored chest. His eyes narrowed as he took in Kael's appearance: bloodstained clothes, ragged edges, bruises blooming across skin like artful decay.
"What do you want, dipshit?" the guard spat, looking Kael up and down like he was inspecting a wild dog.
Kael's jaw clenched slightly. He knew he was strong. But the memory of the head guard nearly killing him last time flashed through his mind. He wouldn't get cocky again.
> Mission: Defeat Guard
Success Rate: 60%
Reward: Access to Underground Fights
Other Reward: Get a Date
"_"
Kael didn't reply. His gaze flicked upward, silent. Talking to his chip. Ignoring the guard.
The bouncer's patience snapped. "You fuckin'—"
Kael moved like a spark from a wire—sudden and fierce. He jumped, twisting his body mid-air, and drove an elbow straight into the guard's jaw. The alien reeled, green blood spitting from his mouth.
"You're done for, you lil' shit!" the bouncer roared, slashing at Kael with one of his upper arms.
The blade bit shallowly into Kael's ribs, drawing a red line.
> NEUROTOXIC REFLEXES: [Engaged]
Kael's grin widened.
This is getting a little simple.
He retaliated with machine-like precision—fist after fist crashing into the bouncer's face and chest in rapid succession. Five seconds of unrelenting speed. When time caught up, the guard crumpled like a collapsed pillar.
Too bad I can't kill him...
> [User can kill and gain extra arm]
Tsk. Got an extra arm down.
People stood frozen around him. Some backed away slowly, eyes filled with fear. But one woman... she stared at him differently. Like he was a rising star.
So this is the date, huh?
> [Date Name: Luna Eclipse]
Kael's eye twitched.
Wtf...
> *[Luna sent you a date request: Y/N]
No, Kael thought. He'd been betrayed, murdered, brought back—hollow and broken. Then almost died again. There was no way he was—
> [User Accepted: Yes]
"_"
"What the hell is wrong with this system?!" he growled. "Yesterday you were acting strange—now this? How did my life turn into this in one damn day?!"
A booming voice thundered across the room.
"WHO DID THIS?!"
The crowd parted as a monstrous figure emerged—eight arms, each thick with muscle. His eyes landed on the unconscious four-armed bouncer... then settled on Kael.
Kael's blood chilled.
Ain't no way I'm beating this guy... Still, I'll try.
He braced to move, but then—
"Calm down, Kratts."
A woman stepped forward, calm yet commanding. Elegant and sharp like a dagger with a smile. It was her—Luna.
"But my queen—"
"I said stand down."
Kratts glared at Kael, his death stare promising vengeance. Then he slowly stepped back.
Kael exhaled, regaining his composure. He looked at Luna and walked toward her.
"I'm Kael," he said awkwardly. Even now, dulled emotions or not, he was still the shy guy. Fighting? Easy. Talking to a girl? Nerve-wracking.
"I'm Luna," she said. "You seem like a pro fighter... and fast. Would you like to join my underground company?"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "What's in it for me?"
"I'll tell you after our date," she replied with a grin. "Follow me."
They walked past crowds pressed tightly together, into a hidden lounge area—far removed from the chaos outside. It was lavish. Ornate. Velvet cushions, polished crystal, soft lighting.
Kael didn't care.
His eyes locked onto the cage ahead.
Two fighters were locked in combat. One was Kratts.
The other? A skinny, pale bug-looking man. Dull eyes. Quiet.
Three moves later, Kratts lay crumpled.
> Mission: Fight your way to the top and become Number One
Reward: New Skill
Kael's pulse quickened.
Something had started—and he was already too deep to stop now.