Nightborn Evolution

Kairo sat in the dimly lit medical bay, his body aching from the brutal fight against Dante Renzal. His knuckles were bruised, his ribs sore, and a deep gash on his shoulder was being stitched up by an old medic with cybernetic hands.

Despite the pain, a small smirk played on his lips.

He won. Again.

Lena stood nearby, arms crossed, shaking her head. "You're reckless, you know that?"

Kairo winced as the medic tightened the stitches. "Still alive, though."

"Yeah, and barely," Lena shot back. "Dante almost turned you into minced meat. If your system hadn't kicked in, you'd be on the floor with a broken skull."

Kairo frowned. She wasn't wrong. His system had activated something new during the fight.

[ Adaptive Response Activated. ]

[ Analyzing Opponent's Attack Patterns… ]

[ Enhanced Reflexes Unlocked. ]

He had started predicting Dante's attacks before they even fully formed.

That wasn't just skill—it was something more.

Something unnatural.

Lena sighed. "Look, I get it. You're getting stronger fast, but you need to understand something—this is only round two. The next fight will be even worse."

Kairo nodded. He knew the rules. The deeper he went into the Blood Trials, the deadlier the opponents would be.

And the next one…

Would be the hardest yet.

The next morning, Kairo woke up feeling different.

His body didn't just feel healed—it felt stronger. Like his muscles had reformed, his reflexes sharper than before.

As he sat up, his system notifications popped up.

[ Nightborn Adaptation in Progress… ]

[ Combat Instincts Enhanced. ]

[ Partial Physical Reinforcement Achieved. ]

Partial Physical Reinforcement?

Kairo clenched his fist, watching his veins pulse with dark energy for a brief moment before fading.

Whatever was happening to him… it wasn't normal.

But before he could think too much about it, Lena burst into the room.

"We have a problem."

Kairo blinked. "Already?"

She tossed a small holographic tablet onto his bed. The screen displayed a heavily armored man with piercing red eyes and a scarred face.

[ Next Opponent: Malthus – The Forsaken Beast ]

Kairo's breath caught.

Forsaken.

The word sent a chill down his spine.

Forsaken were failed Nightborns—people who had tried to evolve but had been consumed by their powers instead. They were dangerous, unpredictable, and inhuman in many ways.

And now… he had to fight one.

Lena looked at him. "You still think you've got this?"

Kairo clenched his fists. His system was evolving, his body was growing stronger—but was it enough?

He had 24 hours to find out.

Before the next fight, Kairo received an unexpected message.

A private invitation to meet someone known only as "The Kingpin."

Lena narrowed her eyes when she saw the name. "You sure about this? No one meets the Kingpin and walks away the same."

Kairo raised an eyebrow. "That supposed to scare me?"

"It should," she said seriously. "This guy runs half the underground circuits. If he wants to see you, it's not for fun."

Kairo exhaled. More trouble.

But if the Kingpin had information… he couldn't ignore it.

Kairo arrived at an underground club beneath the city—one of the many places the Kingpin controlled.

The room was filled with dark figures, mercenaries, and criminals, all watching him as he entered.

At the center of the room, sitting on a massive throne-like chair, was a bald man in a black coat, his fingers covered in rings. His sharp eyes studied Kairo with amusement.

"You've made quite a name for yourself, kid," the Kingpin said, swirling a glass of dark red liquid. "Two fights. Two wins. And now you're about to face a Forsaken."

Kairo crossed his arms. "You called me here for a reason. What is it?"

The Kingpin chuckled. "Straight to business. I like that." He leaned forward. "I have an offer for you."

Kairo narrowed his eyes. "What kind of offer?"

The Kingpin smiled. "A way to guarantee your victory."

He snapped his fingers, and a small case was placed on the table. When it opened, Kairo's breath caught.

Inside was a Relic Arm.

A weapon infused with supernatural energy, forged from the remains of fallen Nightborns.

Lena cursed under her breath. "That's not just any relic—that's a Void Artifact."

Kairo's eyes darkened. He had heard about Void Artifacts before. They were extremely powerful… but they came with risks.

The Kingpin smirked. "It'll make you stronger. Faster. Unstoppable."

Kairo knew this was a test.

If he took the artifact, he'd be in the Kingpin's debt—and people who owed the Kingpin never got free.

If he refused, he'd have to face Malthus on his own.

Silence filled the room.

The choice was his.

Kairo slowly exhaled.

His fingers hovered over the Void Artifact.

It pulsed with dark energy, almost like it was calling to him.

Lena's voice was quiet but firm. "Kairo… be careful."

The Kingpin watched with interest.

Kairo's mind raced.

Was he willing to risk it? Was he strong enough without it?

Either way…

His next fight would decide everything.