The underground arena pulsed with raw energy—dimly lit by neon strips, smoke swirling in the air as gamblers placed their bets, their voices a chaotic mix of excitement and greed. Aryan adjusted the mask covering his face, his heart pounding in rhythm with the roars of the crowd. Beside him, Rohan nudged his shoulder.

"Remember, don’t reveal your identity. If they find out who we are, our families won’t be safe," Rohan whispered. "And my father will break my bones if he finds out I’m here."

Aryan smirked but kept his focus forward. The underground fights weren’t just illegal—they were deadly. There were no rules, no referees. You either won or got carried out.

A massive, hulking figure stepped into the ring. The crowd erupted in deafening cheers.

"Titan! Titan! Titan!"

Aryan’s stomach twisted as he took in his opponent. Titan wasn’t just a name—he was a walking mountain of muscle, easily over six feet tall, his arms thick as tree trunks, his knuckles wrapped in bloodstained tape. He grinned, a row of jagged teeth gleaming under the dim light.

"They sent a damn kid to fight me?" Titan barked out a laugh. "This won’t even be a warm-up."

Aryan didn’t respond. He took a deep breath, stepping into the ring, eyes never leaving Titan’s towering form. A cold, calculated rage simmered inside him. The announcer barely had time to call the fight before Titan charged.

The Fight Begins

Titan lunged with terrifying speed for someone his size. His first punch tore through the air like a sledgehammer aimed at Aryan’s skull. Aryan barely ducked in time, feeling the rush of wind as the punch shattered the wooden railing behind him.

Titan grinned. "Run all you want, boy. When I catch you, I’ll break you."

Aryan didn’t waste breath on words. He danced backward, assessing his opponent’s movements. Titan was fast, but predictable. His attacks were wild, fueled by arrogance.

Then, Titan feinted left and swung his massive fist right. Aryan miscalculated—the punch smashed into his ribs. Pain exploded in his side as he was launched backward, crashing into the ground.

The crowd erupted. Blood trickled from Aryan’s mouth. He coughed, forcing himself to his feet.

"That’s all?" Titan taunted. "Get up so I can break you properly."

Aryan inhaled sharply, shaking off the pain. Something was different. As he focused on Titan, his vision shifted.

Everything slowed.

He could see Titan’s muscles tense before he moved. He could read his movements before they happened.

A new ability had awakened.

Aryan’s Awakening – Phantom Instinct

Titan roared, charging again, fists aiming to end Aryan. But this time, Aryan saw it before it happened.

A fraction of a second before Titan’s attack, Aryan’s body moved instinctively. He dodged, his body shifting in perfect response to Titan’s attack. A clean sidestep, then a counter-strike—

BAM!

Aryan’s fist slammed into Titan’s ribs. The crowd gasped as the hulking brute staggered.

Titan’s eyes widened in shock. "You…!"

Aryan didn’t let him recover. His body moved on its own, faster, sharper. His fists were blurs as he landed three rapid punches to Titan’s face. A final roundhouse kick sent the giant stumbling.

The crowd roared in disbelief.

Rohan, watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists. "Damn… he’s awakened something dangerous."

Titan’s Berserk Mode

Titan spat blood, rage igniting in his eyes. His muscles tensed, veins bulging. His entire body trembled—and then he roared.

A terrifying aura burst from him. "I’ll crush you!"

Titan entered Berserk Mode.

He charged like a rabid beast, swinging wildly. Aryan dodged—barely. Even with his ability, Titan was faster, stronger.

Aryan weaved through the attacks, but one punch clipped his shoulder. Pain flared. Another punch grazed his ribs. He couldn’t dodge forever.

Titan grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Aryan gasped for air.

"Let’s see you dodge this!" Titan sneered.

The Counterattack – Aryan’s Phantom Blow

As Titan tightened his grip, Aryan’s vision locked onto a single weak point—his jaw.

A voice whispered in his mind. Now.

Aryan’s body moved before he thought. He twisted, driving his knee into Titan’s elbow. The grip loosened just enough—

SMASH!

Aryan drove a crushing elbow into Titan’s jaw. A brutal impact.

Titan froze.

Then Aryan unleashed a flurry of strikes, every hit targeting Titan’s weakest spots.

The final punch landed square on Titan’s temple.

The giant collapsed.

A hush fell over the arena. Then—

The crowd erupted in chaos.

"The new guy won?!"

"No way! Titan lost?!"

The announcer, stunned, raised a trembling hand. "Winner… Shade!"

Aryan staggered, panting, his fists still clenched. He had won.

But before he could celebrate, his senses screamed danger.

The Mysterious Observer

Hidden in the shadows, a figure watched the fight unfold.

"So… he finally showed his true nature," the man whispered, his voice laced with amusement.

Another voice responded, colder, deadlier. "He’s not ready yet. But soon, he’ll be a threat. Should we eliminate him now?"

The first figure smirked. "No… Let him grow stronger. The Void Emperor will want to see this himself."

Aryan had no idea—

His victory had just painted a target on his back.

End of Chapter 10