Alpha Phantom took one step.
His leg almost gave out.
[Warning: Structural Damage Detected.]
[Body Tempering: Incomplete.]
Pain flared, sharp and unforgiving—but it no longer controlled him. It was there, acknowledged, filed away.
Alpha straightened.
The alley looked different now. Not brighter. Clearer. He could hear footsteps at the mouth of the alley—retreating, careless. They thought he was finished.
He wasn't.
[Host Focus Level: High.]
[Initiating Basic Body Tempering — Phase One.]
Heat exploded inside his chest.
It spread fast—through his arms, his spine, his legs. His muscles tightened, bones humming as if something old had been awakened.
Alpha exhaled slowly.
The crack in his rib sealed with a wet, grinding sensation. Not healed—reinforced.
"So this is cultivation," he murmured.
His foot scraped the ground.
Kane froze at the alley entrance.
"You hear something?" one of the men asked.
Alpha stepped into the light.
Blood streaked his face. His jacket hung torn. His posture, however, was straight. Grounded. Dominant.
The men turned.
One of them swore. "He's still up?"
Kane's eyes widened. "That's—no. I watched him—"
Alpha tilted his head.
"Kane," he said calmly. "You forgot something."
Kane swallowed. "Forgot what?"
Alpha smiled.
"I don't stay down."
The closest man charged, faster this time.
Wrong choice.
Alpha moved.
Not faster—earlier.
He stepped inside the man's reach and drove his elbow up. Bone cracked. The man collapsed without a sound.
[First Dominance Registered.]
[Reward: +5% Body Tempering Efficiency.]
The second man hesitated.
Alpha didn't.
A fist. A knee. A final shove into the wall.
The man slid down, unconscious and bleeding.
Silence returned to the alley.
Only Kane remained.
His bravado was gone now. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the rain. "Listen, Phantom… we can talk."
Alpha walked toward him.
Each step felt heavier—and stronger.
"Talking was your chance," Alpha said. "You spent it."
Kane backed up. "They made me do it. You know how it is. If I didn't—"
Alpha grabbed his collar and slammed him against the wall.
The sound echoed.
Kane gasped, feet dangling.
"You sold my life," Alpha said quietly. "For balance."
He released him.
Kane dropped to his knees, coughing. "I'm sorry," he choked. "I swear—"
Alpha turned away.
Kane looked up, hope flickering.
Then—
[Threat Assessment: Active.]
[Recommended Action: Eliminate or Cripple.]
Alpha stopped.
He glanced back.
"Stand up," he said.
Kane did, shaking.
Alpha's fist connected with Kane's jaw.
The crack was loud. Final.
Kane crumpled.
Alpha stared down at him for a long moment.
[First Blood Confirmed.]
[Body Tempering Realm — Entered.]
The system interface pulsed.
[Remaining Time: 00:02:41]
[Stability: Low.]
Alpha leaned against the wall, breathing steadily. His vision swam, but he stayed upright.
Two minutes left.
Enough.
[New Function Unlocked: Shadow Sense (Passive).]
He could feel it now—the city's undercurrent. Violence. Fear. Opportunity.
Somewhere far above street level, powerful people would soon realize something went wrong.
Alpha Phantom smiled faintly.
"Next time," he whispered, "send more."
The rain kept falling.