The cracked pavement of Bloodfang High's entrance loomed ahead, surrounded by rusting gates and vandalized walls. Faint echoes of distant fights reverberated from within, accompanied by laughter and jeers. For many, Bloodfang High wasn't just a school — it was a battlefield.
But for Dikun Silver, it was his last chance.
At 18 years old, Dikun wasn't anyone special. No one feared him. No one respected him. His lanky frame and slouched posture made him an easy target. He had grown up in a rundown neighborhood, surviving off the bare minimum, while others clawed their way to the top through violence. Bloodfang High was notorious for producing gang leaders, criminals, and underground fighters. The only rule that mattered was strength — and Dikun had none.
Yet, he was here. Not because he wanted to be, but because every other school had shut its doors on him. No money, no connections, no prospects. Bloodfang High didn't care about background checks or academic records. They only cared if you could survive.
The enormous, rusted gate groaned open. Dikun took a shaky breath and stepped forward.
---
The Arena of the Damned
Inside, the school grounds resembled a war zone. The courtyard, once paved with clean concrete, was now cracked and stained with grime. Rusted bleachers lined the sides, where students gathered in clusters like packs of hyenas. Some laughed, others smoked, and a few even gambled on the next fight.
And fights were everywhere.
Two boys grappled near a broken fountain, one slamming the other's face into the concrete. A small crowd cheered, urging them on. Nearby, a girl with dyed crimson hair leaned against a wall, smirking as she twisted a pocketknife in her hands.
Dikun kept his head down, gripping the straps of his worn-out backpack. He had seen this before — how the weak were treated. He had no illusions about what awaited him.
"You new?"
The voice was low and mocking. Dikun froze as a group of older students approached. The leader was broad-shouldered, his muscular arms littered with jagged tattoos. A scar crossed his left cheek, giving him a permanent sneer. His eyes, like a predator's, locked onto Dikun.
"What's your name, fresh meat?"
"D-Dikun," he stammered.
The group erupted in laughter. "Dikun? Sounds like a rat's name."
"I'm not looking for trouble," Dikun muttered, lowering his gaze.
The senior's sneer widened. "But trouble's lookin' for you." He cracked his knuckles, relishing the fear in Dikun's eyes. "You know the rules. Weaklings don't get to walk around here. So…"
Without warning, the senior's fist lashed out. Dikun barely had time to flinch before a solid blow struck his stomach. Air fled his lungs. He stumbled, clutching his abdomen. The laughter grew louder.
"Welcome to Bloodfang High."
---
No Strength, No Future
Dikun limped his way into the school building, the echoes of laughter still ringing in his ears. The corridors were no better. Torn banners hung limply from the ceiling, bearing the school's insignia — a crimson fang dripping with blood. The walls were cracked, plastered with gang tags and threats.
He avoided eye contact with anyone. The last thing he needed was another beating. He'd learned early on that weakness had a smell, and predators like the students here could sense it.
The classroom was loud, filled with delinquents lounging over desks and chairs. No one paid attention to the empty blackboard. The teacher was absent — not unusual for Bloodfang High. Education was optional. Strength wasn't.
Dikun took a seat in the farthest corner, clutching his backpack. His hands trembled. There was no future for him here. He didn't have the guts to fight back, nor the strength to even try. He was powerless.
But just as despair tightened its grip on him, something changed.
---
[SYSTEM INITIALIZING…]
A sharp pulse struck through Dikun's mind, like a crack of lightning. His body stiffened. Before his eyes, glowing blue text appeared, hovering in mid-air.
> System Activated.
Welcome, Dikun Silver. Your path to strength begins now.
His heart pounded. Was this some kind of hallucination? He rubbed his eyes, but the glowing interface remained.
> Martial Mastery System
This system will allow you to learn and master martial arts through direct experience. Visit specialized gyms to acquire combat skills. The more you practice and fight, the stronger you become.
No Skills Acquired.
Visit a gym to unlock your first martial art.
Dikun's breathing quickened. A system? Like something out of a game? But the words were clear. If this was real, it could change everything.
The system had given him a choice. Strength was no longer beyond his reach.
> Objective Updated: Survive Bloodfang High.
Optional Objective: Create Your Own Gang.
Recruits: 0/10
A gang. The very thought was absurd. Dikun didn't have a single ally. But the system's words lingered.
> Only the strong may lead.
For the first time in years, something sparked inside Dikun — not fear, but determination. He clenched his fists, the bruises from his earlier beating throbbing in protest. He wouldn't survive by running. He needed strength.
And to gain strength, he needed to find a gym.
---
To Be Continued...
In the next chapter, Dikun will explore the streets in search of a boxing gym. His first experience with combat training will challenge his resolve, and the system will reveal how his skills grow through practice. The story will also introduce other key characters — rivals, potential allies, and enemies — as Bloodfang High's deadly hierarchy begins to take shape.