Weeks had passed since Jin-ho's brutal encounter with Suho Seong, and during that time, the relentless pain had slowly transformed into a burning resolve. Despite his injuries, he couldn't shake the nagging curiosity about the enigmatic underground world known as Zen. It was time to confront the unknown and perhaps find some answers.
On a crisp evening, Jin-ho decided to venture into the heart of the city's underbelly, where rumors of Zen had been whispered among the shadows. The winding streets led him to a nondescript entrance—a heavy metal door with a simple emblem etched onto its surface.
He pushed open the door and stepped into a dimly lit corridor. The air was thick with anticipation, and the distant echoes of cheers and jeers reverberated through the passage. Jin-ho followed the sound until he reached a massive underground arena, bathed in the eerie glow of overhead spotlights.
The crowd was a sea of faces, their cheers and roars echoing off the concrete walls. Fighters of all shapes and sizes clashed in the center of the arena, locked in fierce battles. The atmosphere was electrifying, a stark contrast to the sterile hospital room he had been confined to for weeks.
As Jin-ho took in the chaotic scene, he couldn't help but feel a sense of displacement. What had brought him here? What was the purpose of this place? Before he could contemplate further, a figure in the shadows approached.
It was the CEO of Zen, a man whose eyes held the secrets of the underground world. He cast a quizzical glance at Jin-ho. "Are you here for your debut match?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity.
Jin-ho hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. "Debut match? No, I'm just here to..."
But the CEO interrupted, mistaking Jin-ho's intentions. "Excellent! We have an eager newcomer, everyone!" he announced, his voice echoing through the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Jin-ho felt trapped, his escape route closed off.
The CEO leaned in, whispering to Jin-ho, "You've got a unique opportunity. Zen operates on Battle Points, and your debut match will be a chance to earn your first BP. Win, and you'll make a name for yourself here."
Before Jin-ho could protest or flee, he was led into the center of the arena. The crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch, and the spotlights focused on him, casting a harsh glare that blinded him momentarily.
From the opposite end of the arena, a hulking figure emerged—a giant of a man named Goliath, nearly 7 feet tall and made of pure muscle. The roar of the crowd filled the air as Jin-ho realized there was no turning back.
The fight that followed was a brutal ballet of strength and strategy. Jin-ho, determined to prove himself, faced the towering Goliath with unwavering resolve. Goliath, a mountain of a man, swung his massive fists, but Jin-ho danced nimbly around him, dodging and weaving.
Each attack from Goliath was met with a swift counter from Jin-ho. A jab to the ribs, a roundhouse kick to the thigh—the arena trembled with each collision. The audience watched in awe as Jin-ho's strikes landed with precision, targeting Goliath's weaknesses.
Their duel continued, a grueling test of stamina and skill. Goliath's sheer power clashed with Jin-ho's agility and determination. The crowd's roars reached a crescendo as they witnessed the underdog's ascendancy.
In a climactic moment, Jin-ho leaped into the air, delivering a spinning kick that connected with Goliath's jaw. The giant of a man stumbled backward, crashing to the ground with a thunderous thud. The arena fell silent, then erupted into a cacophony of cheers, the walls shaking with their approval.
Jin-ho had won his debut match, earning an additional 300 BP. He stood victorious, battered but unbroken, while Goliath lay defeated, his bones shattered in the ferocious battle. As Jin-ho gazed at the fallen giant, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for his opponent.
The CEO approached Jin-ho, a glimmer of respect in his eyes. "You've earned your place in Zen, young fighter," he said. "But remember, the path to becoming a true challenger is long and unforgiving. The Challenger's Match is the ultimate goal, where you can challenge the current champion. Do you have what it takes?"
Jin-ho nodded, his determination burning brighter than ever. His journey into the depths of Zen had just begun, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, no matter how brutal or unforgiving.
As the crowd roared in approval, the CEO gestured toward a large digital display board that loomed over the arena. "Before you begin your ascent, you should understand the Battle Points ranking system of Zen."
Jin-ho's gaze shifted to the massive screen, where a complex web of names, numbers, and categories were displayed. The CEO continued, "BP, or Battle Points, are the lifeblood of Zen. They determine a fighter's standing and reputation within our world. A fighter's BP can range from 0 to 10,000."
He pointed to various sections of the display. "0 to 1,000 BP is considered common, where most newcomers start. From 1,000 to 5,000, fighters are deemed rare and have proven themselves to some extent. The elite fighters fall into the 5,000 to 8,000 range, known as legendary. And at the pinnacle, there's the 9,999 to 10,000 range—the Challenger."
Jin-ho's eyes widened as he grasped the significance of these rankings. It was a ladder he now found himself on, starting at the very bottom with his newfound 300 BP. The journey to the top would be long and perilous, filled with formidable opponents and the burning desire to reach the Challenger's Match, where the true test of his mettle awaited.