The ring wasn't just a cage.
It was a gate.
A threshold of fire that turned soft men into corpses or monsters.
The cold metal mesh vibrated under Jace's fingers as he stepped inside. Every clang of the gate behind him echoed in his chest. The lights above buzzed with fluorescent cruelty, casting long, predatory shadows on the mat.
Across from him stood a mountain disguised as a man.
Tetsuo "The Ogre" Murata.
Forge Rank: #18 KO Rate: 72% Style: Brawler-Grappler Hybrid Former Occupation: Debt Enforcer for the Shinjuku Black Lotus
His jaw was square, scarred, with teeth like chipped cement. Muscles coiled under tattoos that crawled across his arms like black snakes. One cauliflowered ear, one eye cloudy from an old break and a smile that didn't reach it.
He looked down at Jace with the calm cruelty of a man who'd choked tougher guys out in alleyways for less reason than this.
Jace bounced lightly on his heels, ignoring the knot of anxiety in his gut.
This wasn't sparring.
This was war.
Voice From Above – Coach Ryuu on PA
The overhead speakers crackled.
Ryuu's voice, cold and dry, spilled through the Den like judgment.
"Forge Ranked Match: Probationary Fighter versus Ranked Combatant. Stakes: Advancement or expulsion."
The other trainees were already gathering at the cage edges, whispering, making bets.
Sayaka leaned over the chain-link wall, sipping from a water bottle like it was sake at a festival.
"You see those knuckles?" she said. "He breaks noses for warm-up. Don't let him warm up."
Jace cracked his neck. "I'll try not to die with elegance."
[MARTIAL ASCENSION SYSTEM – RANKED FIGHT DETECTED] Opponent: Tetsuo Murata (#18) Combat Data: Known KO Artist – Aggressive Opening Pattern Detected Stat Differential: Major Disadvantage Detected – Bonus XP Modifier Active
Rewards (on win):
+300 XP New Combat Slot +30 Reputation 1 Combat Token (System Draw)
Penalty (on loss):
Forge Expulsion Major Physical Damage Likely System Access Restricted
[Confirm Entry?]
Y / N
Jace stared at the alert hovering in front of him like a glowing execution order.
Then… he clicked Y.
ROUND ONE: Welcome to Hell
The bell rang.
No time to breathe. Tetsuo didn't posture, didn't test range.
He charged.
Like a freight train laced with rebar.
Jace tried to pivot too slow.
A shovel hook landed in his ribs like a falling anvil.
[HP –12]
[Pain Tolerance Activated]
[Status: Winded – Rib Bruise Confirmed]
[Grappling XP: +4 (Defensive Engagement Logged)]
The air flew from Jace's lungs.
He stumbled, trying to clinch, but Tetsuo shoved him off like a ragdoll and spit on the mat.
"Too easy," he muttered.
Sayaka's voice cracked through the static in his head.
"He's slow! MOVE YOUR DAMN FEET!"
Jace rolled out of the way of the next strike, gasping.
His vision sharpened. Everything slowed a beat.
Footwork.
Distance.
Angle.
He dropped low, planted his lead foot wide, and shot forward.
His shoulder slammed into Tetsuo's thighs.
Takedown.
The big man hit the canvas with a meaty thud. The crowd noise spiked.
[Successful Takedown! XP +33]
[New Combat Fragment Acquired: Wrestling Transition I]
[Trait Unlocked: Underdog Grit I] → Incoming damage reduced by 10% vs higher-ranked opponents
ROUND TWO: The Rookie Bites Back
They rolled. Jace scrambled to half-guard, wrapped an arm over Tetsuo's neck, and squeezed.
The bigger man bucked upward. Pure brute strength. But Jace elbowed the jaw once a thud. Then again a crack.
Tetsuo growled, blood dribbling from his lip.
They rolled again.
Now it was ugly.
Fists. Elbows. Screaming joints. Guttural breaths.
Tetsuo slammed a forearm across Jace's face.
Jace headbutted him in return, catching him just above the eye.
[Strike Landed – Critical Location]
[Bleed Effect Applied: Target Vision –10%]
[Combat Sense XP +27]
[Hidden Trait Progress: Dirty Clinch Fighter – 38%]
Tetsuo blinked blood, hissed through broken teeth.
Coach Ryuu leaned toward the cage wall, eyes narrowing.
"He's got the devil in him after all…"
Sayaka didn't cheer.
She stared.
Like she saw something being born.
ROUND THREE: Not Talent. Hunger.
Jace stood slower than before. His left leg ached. His nose gushed. His breath came ragged.
But he didn't step back.
Tetsuo charged again. Wide swings. Sloppy now. Blood in his eyes. Panic creeping in.
Jace sidestepped, caught the inside of Tetsuo's knee, and swept.
The ogre dropped.
Jace pounced, mounted, and rained down elbows until the cage shook with every impact.
One. Two. Three. Four.
The bell rang.
And for a moment
The Forge was silent.
Tetsuo lay on the mat, unmoving, his chest rising in shallow, shuddering gasps.
Jace sat upright on his knees, covered in someone else's blood.
And then…
Applause.
Sparse at first. Then stronger. A few claps. A cheer from the back.
[SYSTEM ALERT – RANKED MATCH COMPLETE] Result: Win – Technical Decision (Takedown Control + Critical Damage) XP Gained: +312 Reputation Boost: +30 New Rank: #18
Rewards Unlocked:
Combat Slot Unlocked (Equip Passive or Active Technique) Combat Token (Redeemable for System Technique Draw)
Trait Progressions:
Pain Tolerance II → Pain Tolerance III Underdog Grit I → Increased Bonus vs Higher Rank Hidden Title Progress: Forge-Blooded Rookie (Locked – 78%)
System Notification:
"Congratulations. You are now a Ranked Fighter in the Iron Forge."
Aftermath – Earning the Name
Later that night, long after the mats had been cleaned, Jace sat on the back steps of the Iron Den.
The alley behind the gym was damp, lit only by the flicker of a dying neon sign overhead.
His hands were wrapped in fresh tape. His knuckles cracked open again from gripping the cage. His hoodie was soaked through.
His body was wrecked.
But he felt more alive than he had in years.
Sayaka stepped out from the side door, silent as always, and tossed him a cold pack.
"Not bad," she said.
He didn't look at her.
"I got lucky."
She crouched beside him, her voice softer now. "No. You got mean."
She met his eyes. "That's better."
Jace chuckled, wiped a line of blood from his lip. "You're hard to impress."
Sayaka stood again, stretching.
"I'm not impressed yet."
She started to walk away, then paused.
"Next time…" she said without looking back, "…I'm your opponent."
The door clicked shut behind her.
Jace leaned his head back against the cold concrete wall.
Looked up at the flickering purple sky.
And smiled through a split lip.
One down.
Seventeen to go.