In the heart of a hidden bunker deep beneath the ruins of Seoul, Kim Hansoo stood before the remnants of the human resistance. The holographic message from Gok had sparked something long lost in the hearts of the survivors—hope.
Though few in number, the resistance was determined to take the first step toward reclaiming their planet. The key lay in Gok's cryptic mention of the Infinite Blade fragments, but they needed more information to decipher his words.
A grizzled fighter named Jin Tae, who had once been a top-tier player before the Zodiacs' invasion, spoke up.
"We don't have much time. If the rumors are true, the first fragment is located in the Ironsteel Ball, a Zodiac stronghold used as both a gladiatorial arena and testing ground for their soldiers."
Hansoo clenched his fists. "Then we break in. We find the fragment, no matter the cost."
The Ironsteel Ball was a colossal, spherical fortress located on what used to be Jeju Island. Enclosed by layers of nearly impenetrable metal, it served as a proving ground for the Zodiacs' warriors and a deadly arena for entertainment. Human captives and aspiring Zodiac soldiers alike were thrown into its labyrinthine combat zones to prove their worth—or perish.
The resistance devised a daring plan to infiltrate the Ironsteel Ball. Hansoo, alongside a small team of skilled fighters, volunteered for the mission. Their objective was twofold: retrieve the fragment and identify potential allies among the enslaved gladiators.
Under the cover of night, Hansoo and his team approached the Ironsteel Ball disguised as slaves being transported for combat. The resistance had forged fake identification chips and stolen a transport vehicle, but the ruse was far from foolproof.
At the gates, a towering Zodiac guard inspected the group. His golden eyes lingered on Hansoo for a moment longer than the others.
"You look too... eager," the guard growled, his voice like grinding metal.
Hansoo forced himself to stay calm. "I'm ready to prove myself."
The guard smirked, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. "We'll see how long that confidence lasts."
/TEST!/
Once inside, the team was separated and sent to different sections of the arena. Hansoo found himself in a massive, circular chamber with walls that shifted and rearranged themselves like a giant puzzle. At its center stood a Zodiac overseer, holding a glowing shard—the fragment of the Infinite Blade.
"To claim this shard," the overseer announced, "you must survive the Test of Ironsteel Ball. Only the strongest will earn the right to wield its power."
Hansoo's heart pounded as he realized the true nature of the test. The chamber began to fill with Zodiac warriors, their weapons glinting ominously.
The test was brutal. Hansoo faced wave after wave of enemies, each more formidable than the last. Armed only with a makeshift blade, he relied on his wits and his mysterious ability—a power he had kept hidden even from the resistance.
As the battle raged on, Hansoo's movements grew sharper and more precise. He began to notice patterns in the arena's shifting walls, using them to outmaneuver his opponents.
In the stands above, the Zodiac overseer watched with growing interest.
"This human is... different," he muttered.
By the time he eached the final wave, his body was battered and bruised, but his determination burned brighter than ever. The last opponent was a massive, armored Zodiac warrior wielding a blade forged from a fragment of the Infinite Blade.
The clash was electrifying. Sparks flew as Hansoo's blade met the warrior's, the fragment's power radiating with each strike. Just as it seemed Hansoo would falter, he tapped into his hidden ability, releasing a burst of energy that shattered the warrior's weapon and brought him to his knees.
Hansoo staggered toward the shard, his vision blurring from exhaustion. As he reached out to claim it, the overseer descended into the arena, clapping slowly.
"Impressive," the overseer said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But do you truly think you can wield its power?"
Before Hansoo could respond, the shard glowed brightly, resonating with his touch. The overseer's smirk faded, replaced by a look of genuine surprise.
"It seems... you're more than just a human," the overseer said.
Hansoo clenched the shard tightly, a newfound determination in his eyes. "I'm more than that. I'm the start of your downfall."
To Be Continued
As alarms blared throughout the Ironsteel Ball, Hansoo and the resistance prepared for their escape. But deep within the fortress, a new threat stirred—a shadowy figure with a familiar aura, watching their every move.