The fire crackled softly in the dimly lit room, casting flickering shadows against the cracked walls. He sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, surrounded by Callen, Mira, and Finn. The air was thick with tension, a fragile alliance forged out of necessity rather than trust.
"You want to survive here?" Callen leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Then you need to learn the rules. And rule number one—don't stick your neck out for anyone unless you know what you're doing."
Mira scoffed. "Which you clearly don't."
He ignored the jab. "Then teach me."
Callen studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fine. You want food, coin, and shelter? You're not getting them by begging in the streets. You need a trade. Something valuable."
His stomach tightened. "And what trade would that be?"
Mira smirked. "You fight."
A notification appeared.
[Survival Instinct Activated: Potential Path Detected – Underground Fighting Circuit]
His jaw clenched. Of course it would come to this. He had barely survived a street scuffle; now they wanted him to fight for entertainment?
"Don't look so stiff," Callen said. "It's not a death match—most of the time. It's just a way to make a name for yourself. People bet on fighters. You win, you get paid. Lose, and… well, let's just say you don't want to make a habit of losing."
"Great," he muttered. "And if I say no?"
Mira shrugged. "Then you scavenge like the rest of the rats. Maybe find work hauling crates for a few copper coins a day—until someone robs you."
Finn shifted uncomfortably, but he didn't deny it.
He exhaled, weighing his options. There weren't many. The underground fights could be brutal, but they might also be his best shot at getting a foothold in this world.
"What do I need to do?" he finally asked.
Callen grinned. "That's the spirit. First, we need to get you in. The fights are held beneath The Hollow Den, a tavern near the west end of the district. No one fights for free. You either bring coin to enter or a sponsor vouches for you."
"Let me guess," he said. "I don't have coin, and you're not sponsoring me out of kindness."
Callen chuckled. "You're learning fast. You'll owe us. But if you win, you pay us back, plus interest."
"Interest?"
"Consider it an investment," Mira said, smirking.
[Quest Updated: Secure Entry into the Fighting Circuit]
He gritted his teeth. This was dangerous, but he had already seen how this world worked—there was no safety in hesitation.
"Fine," he said. "When do we start?"
Callen stood. "Tonight. If you're going to fight, you need to learn how to take a hit first."
Mira cracked her knuckles. "Try to keep up."
The night air was crisp as they moved through the slums. The streets were quieter now, but danger still lurked in the shadows. He followed Callen and Mira through winding alleyways until they reached a secluded courtyard surrounded by crumbling walls.
"Here's your first lesson," Callen said. "You're weak. You don't know how to fight, and that means you need to learn how to survive long enough to win."
Mira stepped forward, rolling her shoulders. "Come at me."
He hesitated. "What?"
"You heard me," she said. "Attack."
His instincts screamed that this was a bad idea, but he had no choice. He rushed forward, aiming a punch at her shoulder.
Mira sidestepped effortlessly, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back. Pain shot through his shoulder as she swept his legs out from under him, sending him crashing onto the cold stone.
[Adaptive Growth: Pain Tolerance Slightly Increased]
He groaned. "That was fast."
"Because you fight like a street rat," Mira said, releasing him. "No technique. No awareness. If you go into the pit like that, you'll last maybe ten seconds."
He forced himself up, gritting his teeth. "Then teach me."
Callen smirked. "That's what we're here for. Now, again."
For the next few hours, he learned the hard way. Mira was relentless, forcing him to block, dodge, and react. Every mistake was punished with a sharp strike, every failure a painful reminder of his weakness.
By the time they finished, his body was aching, bruises already forming.
[Adaptive Growth: Basic Combat Awareness Acquired]
"Not bad for a first lesson," Callen said. "But you're still not ready. Tomorrow, we head to The Hollow Den. If you want in, you better be prepared."
He exhaled, pushing through the pain.
He had taken his first steps. Now, it was time to prove he could survive.
[Quest Progress: Entry Into the Fighting Circuit – 50% Complete]