Rajiv's eyes flickered open. The dim light of the hideout's lanterns cast shadows on the ceiling. His body ached, every muscle screaming in protest as he tried to move. His arms felt heavy, his chest sore from the relentless battle against Liang Bai.
He exhaled sharply. I won… but at what cost?
Sitting up slowly, he noticed bandages wrapped around his arms and torso. His sword rested beside him, placed carefully on a wooden crate. Someone had tended to his wounds.
Footsteps echoed from the entrance.
"You're finally awake."
Rajiv turned his head. Yokudo stood at the doorway, arms crossed. His usual confident smirk was gone, replaced with something else—concern.
"You slept for almost a full day."
Rajiv blinked. A full day? The exhaustion must have hit him harder than he realized.
Yokudo stepped closer, tossing an apple toward him. Rajiv caught it with ease.
"Eat. You look half-dead," Yokudo muttered, sitting on the floor beside him.
Rajiv took a slow bite, his stomach growling in response. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the distant murmurs from outside—the city still bustling with life, unaware of the storm brewing beneath.
Then Yokudo broke the silence.
"Your fight… was insane."
Rajiv glanced at him. "You saw?"
Yokudo scoffed. "Of course, I saw. Everyone saw. That golden energy of yours… people are already talking about it."
Rajiv frowned. "Talking?"
Yokudo nodded. "Some think you're just a lucky fighter. Others… they're calling you something different."
Rajiv raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Yokudo smirked slightly, but his tone was serious. "The Energy Child."
Rajiv felt a weight settle in his chest. That name again.
Ever since he awakened his golden energy, people had labeled him with it—as if his strength was something unnatural, something separate from himself.
Yokudo leaned back. "You should be careful. The noble clan definitely noticed you now. And they don't like surprises."
Rajiv exhaled, finishing the apple. He already knew that.
The real fight hadn't even begun.
A Warning from an Unexpected Visitor
Before Rajiv could respond, the door creaked open again.
Jiro stepped in, his expression unreadable. "You have a visitor."
Rajiv blinked. "A visitor?"
Jiro stepped aside, revealing a familiar figure.
Liang Bai.
Rajiv sat up fully, his muscles protesting. The last time he saw Liang Bai, they were trying to destroy each other.
Liang Bai stepped forward, hands in his pockets. His white shirt was now clean, his injuries less severe than Rajiv's.
For a moment, he said nothing—just stared at Rajiv.
Then, he smirked. "You're stronger than I thought."
Rajiv narrowed his eyes. "You're here to fight again?"
Liang Bai shook his head. "No. I came to warn you."
Rajiv exchanged a glance with Yokudo. "Warn me?"
Liang Bai's smirk faded. "Your next fight… will be different."
Rajiv leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
Liang Bai crossed his arms. "You're not just fighting for yourself anymore. The noble clan doesn't like what you're doing. If you keep winning, they'll take action."
Rajiv felt a chill run down his spine. He already suspected the noble clan was watching him, but hearing it from someone like Liang Bai confirmed it.
Liang Bai turned to leave but paused at the door. "I fought you seriously, but I never fought you like them. They don't care about honor or fair fights. They will crush you."
Rajiv clenched his fists. "Let them try."
Liang Bai chuckled. "Your funeral."
Then, without another word, he left.
The Path Ahead
Yokudo let out a low whistle. "Well, that's not ominous at all."
Rajiv exhaled. Things were escalating faster than he expected.
The noble clan controlled the competition. If they saw him as a threat, they wouldn't just sit back and watch.
He had no choice. He had to keep fighting. He had to keep winning.
Even if it meant painting a bigger target on his back.
He reached for his sword, gripping the handle tightly. No matter what happens next, I'll be ready.
Because this war… is far from over.