Nightborn Evolution

The abandoned metro tunnel stretched before them, dark and damp, with rusted tracks disappearing into the abyss. The air smelled of mold and decay, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the space.

Kairo winced as he pressed a hand against his ribs. His entire body ached from the Hunter's devastating kick, but he forced himself to keep moving. He couldn't afford to slow down now.

Lena glanced at him. "You're in bad shape."

"I'll live," Kairo muttered, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was true.

His body still hadn't fully adjusted to whatever he was becoming. He could feel the power coursing through him, but against the Hunter, it had felt like he was nothing.

That needed to change.

Lena sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "We need a plan. If those Syndicate assassins and that Hunter guy are after you, we can't just keep running forever."

Kairo clenched his fists. "I know. That's why I need to get stronger. Fast."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan on doing that? Because right now, you're one bad fight away from dropping dead."

Kairo hesitated. She had a point.

Then, as if sensing his thoughts, the system's voice rang in his head.

[ Host Evolution Progress: 12% ]

[ Conditions to Next Stage: Unlocked – Hunt, Kill, Evolve ]

Kairo's eyes narrowed. Hunt, kill, evolve?

He wasn't sure what it meant, but he had a feeling the answer was tied to the Voidborn—the alien creatures that had first triggered his transformation.

If the system wanted him to hunt…

Then he was going to find the biggest prey he could.

Lena led Kairo deeper into the tunnels, eventually stopping at an old maintenance door. With a quick scan of her palm on a rusted panel, the door clicked open.

Inside was a small, dimly lit hideout filled with old computers, scattered weapons, and a tattered couch. Kairo raised an eyebrow.

"You live here?"

Lena rolled her eyes. "It's temporary. Until I get enough credits to get off this planet."

Kairo didn't respond. He had no idea what his future looked like anymore.

As Lena dug through a pile of supplies, she tossed him a small injector filled with dark blue liquid.

"Here. Painkillers. Military grade."

Kairo hesitated before pressing the injector to his neck. A cold sensation spread through his body, dulling the pain almost instantly.

Lena sat on the couch, loading fresh bullets into her revolver. "So, you want to get stronger, huh?"

Kairo nodded. "I don't have a choice."

She smirked. "Then I might have something for you."

She grabbed a data tablet from the table and tossed it to him. Kairo caught it and glanced at the screen.

The document was labeled Underground Arena – Blood Trials.

Kairo frowned. "An arena?"

Lena leaned back, crossing her legs. "Not just any arena. The Blood Trials are where mercs, soldiers, and even ex-military freaks go to test their limits. No rules, no mercy. You fight, you win, you survive."

Kairo's grip tightened on the tablet.

A place where strong opponents gathered. A place where he could push himself.

It was exactly what he needed.

Lena watched him closely. "You sure about this? The people in those fights don't play fair. Some of them have Relic Arms, genetic mods, and who knows what else."

Kairo met her gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "I need to get stronger. No more hiding."

Lena smirked. "Well then, guess I better introduce you to the guy running the show."

The underground arena was nothing like Kairo expected.

It wasn't some run-down fight club—it was massive. A huge underground coliseum, packed with spectators from all walks of life. The crowd was wild, cheering as two fighters clashed in the center of the pit, their weapons sending sparks flying.

A massive electronic board hovered above, displaying fight rankings and upcoming matches.

Kairo could feel the energy in the air, the raw hunger for violence.

Lena nudged him. "Welcome to the real world, Voss."

As they walked through the arena's back corridors, Kairo noticed cybernetic mercenaries, heavily armed ex-soldiers, and even people wearing high-tech combat suits.

Lena stopped in front of a steel door and knocked twice.

The door slid open, revealing a massive man sitting behind a desk cluttered with betting chips and data tablets.

He was bald, covered in scars, and had one cybernetic eye glowing faintly red.

Lena crossed her arms. "Kairo, meet Roland Greaves. He runs the Blood Trials."

Greaves leaned back in his chair, studying Kairo. "This the kid you told me about?"

Lena nodded. "He wants in."

Greaves chuckled, the sound deep and rough. "You? You don't look like much."

Kairo met his gaze. "Let me prove it."

Greaves smirked. "Alright, kid. Let's see if you've got what it takes."

He pressed a button on his desk. The wall behind him shifted, revealing a holographic screen displaying the fight schedule.

"Your first match is in one hour," Greaves said. "Don't die too fast."

Kairo exhaled slowly, his fists clenching.

This was it.

The first step toward his evolution.

No more hiding. No more running.

It was time to fight.