After dusting myself off from the last Nightcreature hunt, I grinned and cracked my knuckles. "That was a decent warm-up." But I wasn't done yet.
I brought up the system screen, the glowing blue interface floating in front of me.
"System, activate Quest No. 3."
[Quest Activated: The Underground Arena]
Objective: Enter the secret fight club in the slums. Investigate its true purpose and uncover the hidden truth.
Reward: Special Martial Arts Technique, +5 Strength, +5 Charisma
Location: West District, Abandoned Warehouse #17
I smirked as I read the details.
"A fight club, huh? Sounds like a good way to pass the time."
The thought of getting my hands dirty in a real fight—even without using my full strength—was intriguing. But this wasn't just about fighting. There was something darker lurking beneath the surface, and I was going to find out what.
I turned and started walking toward the West District.
Arriving at the Underground Arena
The slums were filthy, reeking of sweat, alcohol, and desperation. A place where people came to escape, to gamble, and to lose themselves.
As I approached Warehouse #17, I saw a line of men waiting to get inside. Some were fighters, their muscles tense with anticipation. Others were just spectators, eager to watch the bloodshed.
Two bouncers stood at the entrance—massive guys, built like tanks. One of them eyed me up and down before sneering.
"You lost, pretty boy?"
I chuckled, slipping my hands into my pockets. "Nah, I'm exactly where I need to be."
The other bouncer crossed his arms. "Only fighters get in without a fee. You fighting or watching?"
I tilted my head. "What do you think?"
The first bouncer let out a short laugh. "Hah! Alright, smartass. What's your name?"
I smirked. "Samuel Gebb."
Their faces changed instantly.
The air around us shifted.
They knew that name. Everyone did now.
The first bouncer hesitated for a second before stepping aside. "Tch… go in. But don't cry when you get your ass handed to you."
I grinned. "We'll see about that."
I walked past them and into the arena.
Inside the Underground Arena
The moment I stepped inside, the stench of blood and sweat filled the air. The arena was built inside the old warehouse, a massive cage sitting in the center. Hundreds of people gathered around, shouting, drinking, and placing bets on the fighters.
Inside the cage, two men were already fighting. One threw a brutal punch, sending the other crashing into the ground. Blood splattered onto the sand.
I smirked. "Looks fun."
As I scanned the crowd, I spotted the organizer—a man in a sleek suit, standing near the betting station. He was surrounded by bodyguards, his sharp eyes watching the fights closely.
"That's my guy."
I walked toward him.
The moment I got close, his gaze snapped to me. He knew who I was.
He smirked. "Well, well. Samuel Gebb. Didn't expect to see you here."
I shrugged. "Figured I'd drop by. I heard this place was interesting."
He chuckled. "It is. And it gets more interesting for those who survive."
I met his gaze head-on. "Then sign me up. Let's see how much fun we can have."
The crowd roared as another fight ended, the loser being dragged out of the cage.
The organizer nodded. "Fine. You're up next."
I smirked, rolling my shoulders.
"Perfect."
The Underground Arena – Samuel's Bloodstained Victory
The crowd roared as I stepped into the cage. The metallic scent of blood and sweat filled the air, mixing with the stench of alcohol and desperation from the gamblers around the ring.
"Samuel Gebb, huh?" My opponent smirked as he cracked his knuckles. He was a mountain of muscle, covered in scars, a clear veteran of the arena.
I tilted my head, a lazy smirk on my lips. "That's me. And you are?"
"Doesn't matter." He grinned, stepping forward. "You won't remember my name after I break your skull."
I chuckled. "Talk is cheap. Let's get this over with."
The bell rang, and he charged at me like a raging bull.
The First Kill – A Message to the Arena
I didn't move until the last second. The moment he threw a wild punch, I casually sidestepped, letting his massive fist sail past my face.
"Too slow."
I grabbed his wrist and twisted, my other fist slamming into his ribs like a hammer. A sickening crack echoed through the cage.
He gasped, stumbling back. The crowd gasped.
"WHAT?! THAT FAST?!"
I didn't give him time to recover. I spun and delivered a brutal kick to his jaw, sending him flying into the cage wall. He collapsed like a ragdoll, unconscious.
The entire arena fell silent.
Then—an eruption of cheers.
"HOLY SHIT! ONE HIT?!"
"THIS GUY ISN'T HUMAN!"
The announcer barely had time to process what happened before another fighter entered the cage. Then another.
And another.
"Winners stay, losers get dragged out!".
The organizer grinned from his VIP seat.
"Looks like Mr. Gebb will be here for a while!"
I smirked, rolling my shoulders. "Good. I was getting bored."
One vs. Dozens – The Arena Becomes a Slaughterhouse
They came at me in waves.
- The second fighter? A boxer. I dodged his jabs with minimal effort, stepping in and shattering his ribs with a single knee strike.
- The third? A wrestler. I let him grab me just to see his expression when I effortlessly lifted him off his feet and slammed him headfirst into the floor.
- The fourth, fifth, and sixth? I took them down simultaneously, weaving through their attacks like a ghost before dropping them one by one.
The crowd was losing their minds.
"HOW MANY CAN HE FIGHT?!"
"HE HASN'T EVEN BROKEN A SWEAT!"
"THIS IS INSANE!"
But I wasn't done.
The Champion Enters – A Final Test
As the bodies piled up, the organizer finally stood and raised his hand. The crowd fell silent.
The cage door opened. A single man walked in.
He was different. Calm. Controlled. Deadly.
"So you're the final boss?" I asked, cracking my knuckles.
He didn't respond.
The bell rang.
He moved. Fast.
I smiled.
Finally… a challenge.
Breaking the Legend
His first punch came at me like a bullet. I barely dodged it, feeling the wind cut past my face. He was fast.
Good.
I countered with a low kick, but he dodged, twisting his body with perfect precision.
The crowd held its breath.
"This is different… He's matching him!"
I grinned. "You're better than the others. I'll give you that."
He finally spoke. "You talk too much."
He lunged.
I met him head-on.
The cage shook as we clashed, fists colliding, dodging, countering, striking.
- He went for my ribs. I blocked, spun, and elbowed his temple.
- He tried to grapple me. I reversed it and slammed him into the floor.
- He kicked. I caught his leg and snapped his knee backward.
CRACK.
He screamed. The crowd lost it.
"HE BROKE THE CHAMPION!"
I stepped over him, grabbing his collar and lifting him up.
I whispered, "You were good. But not good enough."
Then I knocked him out cold with a single punch.
Silence.
Then—an explosion of cheers.
[QUEST COMPLETED: THE UNDERGROUND ARENA]
[REWARDS: Special Martial Arts Technique, +5 Strength, +5 Charisma]
I turned to the organizer, wiping some blood off my knuckles.
"That enough entertainment for tonight?"
He stared at me, expression unreadable, before grinning.
"Samuel Gebb…"he said, leaning forward. "You're something else."
I smirked. "I know."
Then I walked out, leaving behind a bloody legend.