The wind was cold that night.
Jin Haru stood in front of the old school building. It looked empty, like no one had been there for years. But behind the walls, something was happening.
"REI," Haru whispered, looking at the rusty door. "This is the place?"
"Yes, Creator. The underground arena is below this building," the AI answered inside his mind. "Be careful. They will test you."
Earlier that day, a tall boy from the student council had given him a small card. It was black, with a golden snake symbol on it. "You're invited to The Ring," he said. "Prove yourself, new guy."
Haru had no choice. People were watching him now. The fight in the forest, the win over the delinquents, and the rumors about the blue eyes—all of it had reached the top students.
He pushed the door open.
Creeeak.
It was dark inside. Dust floated in the air. He walked down the hallway until he found a stairway going down. The sound of cheering grew louder with every step.
Boom! Thud! Clap!
The basement was big. There were lights hanging from the ceiling, and a crowd of students circled around a ring in the center. The ring was made of old mats and ropes. It wasn't clean, but it was alive.
"Is that him?"
"That's Jin Haru!"
"He doesn't look that strong…"
"He's the one who knocked out the boxing gang."
Whispers followed him as he entered. Haru ignored them. His face was calm, but his heart beat fast.
Baek Jinho was waiting near the side. "Haru! You made it."
Haru gave a small smile. "So this is The Ring."
Jinho nodded. "They bring in strong fighters here. Not just students. Sometimes even outsiders."
Just then, a short girl with glasses and a long coat walked toward them. Her eyes were sharp.
"I'm Han Seora," she said. "Second-year. Student council's Combat Division."
She gave Haru a quick scan. "You've made quite the name for yourself."
Haru stayed silent.
She pointed to the ring. "We have rules. No weapons. No killing. But no mercy either."
A tall boy entered the ring. He wore a black belt and had sharp eyes. His stance was perfect. Taekwondo style.
"That's your opponent," Seora said. "Rank 6. Min Seokjun. Two-time youth champion."
Haru narrowed his eyes. REI spoke softly in his mind, "Warning: Opponent's techniques are advanced. Copy rate limited to 50% unless unconscious mode activates."
He took off his jacket and stepped into the ring.
The crowd got loud.
"Begin!" someone shouted.
Seokjun moved fast. His foot came flying toward Haru's head.
Haru ducked.
Another kick came—spinning and strong.
Haru blocked, but the force pushed him back.
He tried to copy the moves. His body moved slightly like Seokjun's, but not perfect.
Too fast…
Seokjun smiled. "You're good. But not good enough."
A kick hit Haru's chest. He flew back and hit the mat hard.
Pain. Blood from his lip.
"Haru!" Jinho shouted.
But Haru got up. His hands shook. His eyes burned.
Seokjun ran forward. Another spin kick.
Suddenly—
BANG!
The moment the kick was about to hit, Haru's eyes turned glacial blue.
Combat Mode: Activated.
His body moved like water.
He stepped aside and countered. His kick hit Seokjun in the ribs. The boy gasped.
Another move—perfect form.
Haru dodged everything now.
Copied Technique: 100%
The crowd was silent.
Haru's fists and legs moved too fast to follow.
Seokjun fell, gasping for breath.
The bell rang.
Match over.
Silence.
Then—cheers exploded.
"Who is he?!"
"That was insane!"
"The blue-eyed guy…"
Seora was watching, eyes wide. "Impossible…"
Haru stood in the middle of the ring, breathing heavily. His blue eyes slowly faded back to dark brown.
Jinho ran over. "You did it!"
But Haru didn't smile.
He looked up at the ceiling. "This… was supposed to be a quiet life."
REI's voice came, calm and cold: "Welcome to the stage, Creator. They will all come now."