Alex approached the masked fighter, keeping his steps light.
The man sat with his arms crossed, his aura restrained—but Alex could feel it.
Even though he wasn't actively releasing power, his very presence carried an invisible pressure.
Alex had seen plenty of braggarts in the Underground before. But this guy? He was different.
"New face," the masked fighter muttered without looking up. "You lost?"
Alex didn't flinch. "Looking for information."
The man chuckled. "Everyone is. What makes you special?"
Alex wasn't about to reveal anything about himself. Instead, he pulled a small silver card from his pocket—the currency used for underground betting.
"Enough for a conversation?"
The masked fighter glanced at the card, then smirked. "Depends on what you're asking."
Alex sat beside him, lowering his voice. "Aura—how do you awaken it?"
The man finally turned to face him, his sharp eyes gleaming behind the mask.
"You're serious?"
Alex nodded.
For a moment, the masked fighter studied him, as if trying to see through him.
Then, he chuckled. "You're in the wrong place, kid. Awakening isn't something you can just 'learn.'"
"Then how does it happen?" Alex pressed.
The masked fighter leaned back. "Some people are born with a strong aura core, so awakening happens naturally. Others awaken through extreme life-or-death situations."
Alex's fingers tapped against his knee. He had experienced death before—why hadn't he awakened?
"Of course," the man continued, "there's another method."
Alex looked up. "What is it?"
The masked fighter smirked. "Win a fight in the ring, and I'll tell you."
Alex's breath slowed.
He wasn't planning to fight tonight. But now, he had no choice.
The masked fighter raised a hand and gestured toward the ring.
"Step in. Show me if you're worth answering."