Night had fully settled over Virell Coast, but the city showed no sign of sleeping.
If anything… it had just awakened.
The deeper districts of the coastal metropolis pulsed with a different kind of life — one that thrived away from polished trade halls and noble estates. Lanterns burned in narrow mechanical streets, gears hummed beneath stone pathways, and crowds moved with purpose toward a destination most citizens pretended didn't exist.
At the center of that hidden flow…
…Eren led the way.
"This path," he said quietly, glancing back at the group, "isn't shown on any official map."
Kael folded his arms behind his head. "Yeah, I figured. Places that look this shady usually don't advertise."
Arelia gave him a small warning look.
Kael immediately coughed. "—Not that I'm scared or anything."
Aarna ignored their banter, her sharp eyes scanning every shadow. The deeper they moved underground, the heavier the air became. Not suffocating…
…but dense.
Like the atmosphere before a storm.
Beside her, Vicky walked in silence, crimson eyes half-lidded but alert. Even without visible reaction, the subtle distortion around his presence made nearby lantern flames flicker unnaturally.
Luka noticed.
But said nothing.
Finally—
They stopped.
Before them stood a massive circular gate carved into black alloy stone. Strange runic mechanisms rotated slowly along its surface, and above the entrance glowed a single phrase in cold silver letters:
UNDERWORLD ARENA
Kael exhaled slowly. "…okay yeah. This definitely isn't legal."
Eren smirked faintly.
"Welcome to the place where legality stops mattering."
• The Mask Rule
Inside the entrance hall, attendants in dark uniforms waited silently beside a long counter.
One of them stepped forward.
"All participants and observers must wear masks."
Without question, he presented a tray.
Rows of masks.
Different designs.
Different shapes.
Different identities waiting to be worn.
Aarna immediately grabbed one.
Then froze.
Her eyes slowly slid toward Vicky.
Then back to the mask.
Then back to Vicky again.
A slow, mischievous smile spread across her face.
Without a word, she picked a mask almost identical to Vicky's style — smooth, elegant, silver-lined.
She quickly put it on.
Then—
She stepped right beside him.
"Master…" she said sweetly.
Vicky glanced down slightly.
Aarna leaned closer, clearly pleased.
"Look~" she said, tilting her head. "Now we look the same."
Kael choked behind them.
Luka quietly looked away like he saw nothing.
Arelia covered her smile.
For the first time in a while…
Vicky's eyes softened just slightly.
"…you chose that on purpose," he said calmly.
Aarna puffed her cheeks a little. "Obviously."
Then she leaned closer again, voice softer.
"Matching with you feels nice."
For half a second—
The air around Vicky flickered faintly.
• The Arena Revealed
The moment they entered the main arena…
…the noise hit like thunder.
ROOOOOOAR—!!!
Thousands of masked spectators filled the massive underground coliseum. The structure was enormous — layered black stone platforms rising in perfect circles around the central battlefield.
Blue barrier fields shimmered around the fighting stage.
Containment.
Because whatever fought here…
…was not normal.
Kael's eyes widened. "Okay… this place is insane."
Eren crossed his arms. "Told you."
Down below—
Two fighters already stood facing each other.
And the moment Vicky's group settled into their viewing section…
…the match began.
• The Battle Begins
BOOM!!
The first clash exploded like compressed thunder.
The left fighter — tall, heavily built — swung a massive gauntlet fist forward, air pressure visibly compressing ahead of the strike.
His opponent vanished.
Not fast.
Clean.
Precise.
Appearing behind him—
SLASH!!
A thin arc of violet energy carved across the air, barely missing the larger fighter's shoulder.
The crowd roared louder.
Aarna leaned forward slightly, eyes bright. "They're strong…"
Down below, the heavy fighter stomped the ground—
CRAAACK!!
The arena floor fractured outward like a spiderweb, forcing his opponent into the air.
The second fighter twisted midair unnaturally—
Then descended like a falling blade.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The impact cratered the reinforced platform.
Dust exploded upward.
Shockwaves slammed into the barrier fields.
Even the audience seating vibrated.
Kael swallowed slowly. "…yeah, okay, these guys are monsters."
• Luka's Suspicion
But Luka's eyes had narrowed.
Sharp.
Focused.
This aura…
His gaze locked onto the two fighters below.
Why does it feel familiar…?
The heavy fighter's energy flared again — dark crimson pulses beating like a second heart.
The agile fighter responded — violet threads of power weaving unnaturally through space.
Luka's thoughts sharpened.
I've felt this before… somewhere.
But before the match could escalate further—
A loud mechanical chime echoed across the arena.
—TIME LIMIT REACHED—
Instantly—
Barrier fields intensified.
Both fighters froze mid-motion.
The announcer's voice boomed:
"Match concluded due to time cap!"
Kael blinked. "Wait… that's it?"
Eren nodded. "If there were no limits… fights here could last for days."
• The Recognition
Down in the arena…
One of the masked fighters slowly turned his head.
His gaze locked upward.
Directly at—
Vicky.
Even through the mask…
…he knew.
That presence…
That pressure…
It can't be…
The fighter's heartbeat subtly quickened.
Even with the mask…
Getting closer to him feels… wrong.
Beside him, the second fighter noticed.
"…you feel it too?" he muttered quietly.
The first one answered slowly.
"…yeah."
• VIP Invitation
Moments later—
An attendant approached Vicky's group.
"VIP guests," he said respectfully, "you are being invited to a private chamber."
Kael blinked. "…uh… why us?"
Eren frowned slightly. "That's what I'd like to know."
But curiosity won.
They followed.
• Inside the VIP Room
The private chamber was quiet.
Soundproof.
Luxurious.
Two masked figures already waited inside.
Eren stepped forward first.
His tone polite but cautious.
"You called us here… may I ask why?"
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
One of the masked men reached up slowly.
And removed his mask.
Kael's eyes widened instantly.
"…NO WAY—"
The man smiled slightly.
Sharp.
Familiar.
"Long time no see."
His golden eyes gleamed.
"It's me."
"Feno."
The room's atmosphere shifted instantly.
Before anyone could react—
The second man removed his mask too.
Calm face.
Sharp gaze.
"My name is Yome," he said smoothly. "Feno's friend."
• Luka's Memory Stirring
Luka's eyes narrowed immediately.
Locked onto Yome.
…where have I seen him…?
The feeling scratched at the edge of his memory.
Annoyingly familiar.
But just out of reach.
Meanwhile—
Kael leaned toward Feno slowly.
Then squinted.
Then leaned even closer.
"…bro," Kael said seriously, "why do you always appear in the most dramatic way possible?"
Feno blinked once.
Kael continued, deadpan:
"Do you have entrance practice sessions or something?"
For half a second—
Silence.
Then—
Arelia turned away, clearly holding back laughter.
Even Luka's shoulders shifted slightly.
Feno sighed deeply.
"…I regret coming here."
Kael grinned.
"Too late now."
The air in the VIP room slowly thickened.
Old connections.
New questions.
And something much bigger…
…quietly beginning to move beneath the surface.