[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Scheduled Encounter Active.
Threat Class: B-Rank | Subject: "Kang Do-jun" (Ex-Gladiator; Expelled Fighter)
Intent: Kill or Cripple
Warning: Candidate is severely underleveled.
Observation Priority: HIGH
---
It was raining when Kitae stepped into the cage again.
Not metaphorically—literally. The rooftop arena where back-alley monsters fought for pocket money had no ceiling, and the storm above thrashed like a hungry god.
A crowd circled them—old fighters, dropout elites, gamblers, dealers, deviants.
And across from Kitae stood Kang Do-jun.
6'2". Covered in old scar tissue and prison ink. A steel nose ring. No gloves.
Just taped fists that looked like they'd buried people alive.
He grinned, slow and predatory. "You the reject cub?"
Kitae didn't respond.
He couldn't feel his right shoulder yet. It hadn't healed from last night.
Still, he stepped forward.
---
The bell clanged.
Do-jun didn't wait.
His elbow came like thunder. Kitae ducked—barely—but caught a knee to the ribs that lifted him off his feet.
The crowd roared.
Kitae hit the ground, spitting blood, lungs locked.
> Move, damn it!
He rolled, barely avoiding a stomp meant to crush his skull.
---
[SYSTEM: Monitoring.]
Pain Index: 96%
Blood Pressure: Spiking
Threshold: 28.4%
Warning: Heart wall microfracture detected.
---
Do-jun circled him.
"Still alive?" he sneered. "You fight like a ghost. Just fall already."
Kitae stumbled upright.
His vision swam.
His breathing was wet.
> I don't care if I die…
But not like this. Not without them knowing I stood.
He charged.
It was desperate. Sloppy.
But it caught Do-jun off guard.
A right hook landed. Weak—but it landed.
And for a second, the crowd went silent.
Then Do-jun's expression darkened.
He grabbed Kitae's face.
And slammed his head into the cage wall.
---
[SYSTEM TRIGGER WARNING]
Candidate Approaching DEATH STATE.
Threshold: 30.0%
Status: CRITICAL
Lion Bloodline: Stirring…
---
Far above, on a rusted ledge, Cynthia stood beneath the rain.
She watched it all, golden eyes glowing faintly.
"Come on," she whispered. "Come on, break already."
Her fingers twitched.
She was ready to jump in.
But if she did—he'd never awaken.
Not truly.
---
Do-jun lifted Kitae by the collar, limp and blood-soaked.
"Last words, cub?"
Kitae's eye cracked open.
One pupil was blown wide.
But there was something new in it.
A flicker.
> "Not words," he rasped.
"Just teeth."
He bit Do-jun's ear. Tore it.
The scream was feral.
Do-jun staggered back in disbelief.
And in that heartbeat, something snapped inside Kitae.
Not a bone.
A limit.
---
[SYSTEM OVERRIDE DETECTED]
Lion Bloodline (Sealed) — Reaction: UNSTABLE
Candidate has triggered: Micro-Awakening
Threshold: 33.6%
Enhancement: Temporary Neural Surge
Time Limit: 60 seconds. Begin now.
---
Kitae's body moved—faster than before.
He ducked Do-jun's hook and rammed an elbow into the side of his neck. Then another. And another.
He didn't feel the pain.
Didn't hear the crowd.
Just the blood.
The pulse.
He wasn't strong. But he was relentless.
Like a caged lion that finally tasted blood.
He drove his fist into Do-jun's throat.
The bigger man collapsed, choking.
Kitae dropped beside him, panting, blinking through blood and rain.
---
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Candidate has survived Class B Encounter.
System Access Level Unlocked: Basic Menu
Lion Bloodline: 3% Genetic Activation
New Stat Unlocked: Willpower
> Willpower: [★★☆☆☆]
Skill Unlocked: Instinctive Flow (Tier 0)
> Adrenaline-driven burst reflex. Triggers under extreme threat. Cooldown: 3 days.
---
Above, Cynthia smiled.
"He's bleeding properly now," she said.
---
In a dark room underground, the man in white leaned forward.
"Tell the Watchers," he murmured. "The Lion has roared."
---