Chapter 1: Blood on the Streets
The neon lights of Shibuya flickered against the darkening sky, casting reflections on the rain-soaked pavement. Airi Vance, a bright and cheerful girl, walked with her friends, arms filled with shopping bags. She laughed as they crossed the bustling street—completely unaware of the looming disaster.
From the left, a massive delivery truck thundered through the red light.
The world seemed to slow.
The blaring horn.
The piercing screams.
The moment of impact.
CRASH!
The sound of flesh meeting steel echoed through the street. Bags flew, and bodies scattered. Airi was thrown into the air before crashing onto the pavement—motionless.
Bystanders rushed in. A man pulled out his phone, shouting for an ambulance. Someone wrapped their coat around her bleeding head.
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The Hospital Call
A cheap, dimly lit apartment. A young man sat on a creaky chair, his head resting on his palm, eyes weary from another day of struggling to make ends meet.
The phone rang.
"Hello?" His voice was rough.
"Sir, your sister has been in an accident. Please come to Shibuya Central Hospital immediately."
Kairos "Kai" Vance felt the air leave his lungs.
By the time he got there, the smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils. His heart pounded as he reached the reception.
"Where is she?!"
A doctor, dressed in white, approached him. His voice was professional but cold.
"Your sister is stable, but her injuries are severe. She needs extended treatment."
Kai felt relief—until the next words hit him like a hammer.
"The treatment costs ¥900,000. You must pay within two days."
His hands clenched into fists. He had nothing. No job, no savings, no one to turn to. His world was collapsing.
"I'll get the money... just give me two days."
The doctor barely glanced at him. "If you fail, we stop the treatment."
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Alone in the Park
Kai sat on a rusted bench in an abandoned park, staring at the ground. The wind howled. His sister's face flashed in his mind—the only family he had left.
"How the hell am I supposed to make that much money?"
Suddenly—screams.
A girl ran into him, collapsing at his feet. Her uniform was torn, her breathing ragged.
"Please... help me, brother!" she begged.
Kai looked up. Two thugs swaggered toward them, grinning.
"Yo, she ran straight to some loser, hah! Hey, kid, step aside."
The taller one cracked his knuckles. The other laughed.
"Wait—this is funny. He wants to play hero? Let's break him first."
Kai clenched his teeth. He wasn't a fighter. But the girl—she was terrified.
"Hey, girl. Run! Don't look back!" he ordered.
She hesitated—then bolted.
The first thug swung—and Kai barely dodged.
But the second thug was faster. A steel-toed boot slammed into his ribs, sending him sprawling. Blood trickled from his mouth as he hit the pavement.
"Tch. Weak."
Another kick—this time to the face. Kai's head snapped back. His vision blurred.
The world faded.
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The Entrance of Power
A sudden gust of wind.
The air grew heavy.
Footsteps.
The two thugs froze. A presence loomed behind them.
"What a pathetic sight." A voice—deep, unbothered, dangerous.
The thugs turned. A figure stepped into the dim streetlights.
Jett Solace.
A legend in the underworld. The right hand of one of the strongest clans.
His golden eyes gleamed under his messy silver hair. A cigarette rested between his lips as he sized up the scene.
"Beating up nobodies? You guys are trash."
The first thug charged. Mistake.
Jett barely moved. His fist shot forward—blindingly fast. A loud CRACK! echoed as the thug's nose exploded in blood.
The second thug trembled.
"W-Wait—"
Jett grinned. A flash of movement—his elbow smashed into the thug's temple. He dropped like a ragdoll.
The street fell silent.
Jett looked down at Kai, who was barely conscious.
"Tch. You're weak, kid." He sighed, grabbing Kai's collar and pulling him up.
"But I like that fire in your eyes."
Kai's vision sharpened. For the first time—someone looked at him with interest, not pity.
Jett exhaled smoke.
"You need money, right? You wanna protect your sister? You wanna stop being a loser?"
Kai's fists clenched.
"Then get stronger. Earn your place. The streets only respect the powerful."
Jett smirked.
"And I'm giving you one chance—follow me."
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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