Verdane was a city of motion, and Kai had to move fast.
The System's warning echoed in his mind—seven days to secure a place or lose valuable system support. And in a city crawling with talent, wasting time was the same as falling behind.
He moved through the market district toward the Martial Crescent, the outer circle where beginner-level dojos and sect branches competed for attention.
[Side Quest Activated: "Choose Your Path"]View Registered Dojos? Y/NY
Three names rose in his vision:
1. Crimson Fang DojoFocus: Speed, pressure fighting, dagger-based stylesReputation: Ruthless. Accepts anyone willing to bleed.
Entry Requirement: 1v1 Spar vs InitiateReward: "Fang Step" Movement Skill
2. Jade Serpent PavilionFocus: Ki control, healing arts, soft-deflection martial formsReputation: Elitist, but well-connected. Only ten initiates accepted monthly.
Entry Requirement: Ki Control Test – Score 70%+Reward: "Serpent Coil" Passive: Ki Regen +3%
3. Ironroot TempleFocus: Body enhancement, brute strength, endurance cultivationReputation: Harsh physical training, but high survivability rate
Entry Requirement: Strength Test – Move the Trial Boulder (800 lb.)Reward: "Rooted Body" Buff: Knockback Resistance +10%
Kai studied the list carefully. All offered power—but in different forms.
Crimson Fang appealed to his instincts. Fast. Sharp. Merciless.
Jade Serpent offered refinement. Control. Intelligence.
Ironroot was the safest choice for raw survivability—but slow to grow.
He closed the menu, jaw tight.
"I didn't survive flame and beast just to take the safe path."
He made his decision.
The Crimson Fang Dojo was built like a trap.
Low, blood-colored walls. No windows. Only a single steel gate flanked by two guards with red bands around their arms and jagged blades at their hips.
Kai approached.
One guard sniffed. "Another brat with a death wish?"
Kai smiled. "No. Just here to win."
He was led to a round arena of packed dirt. A crowd of about twenty initiates watched from the sides, whispering. In the center stood a girl with a hood pulled back, twin daggers spinning in her hands like toys.
[Opponent: Lin Rae | Level 7 | Fang Trainee – Unstable Temperament]
The announcer barked:
"Trial Match. First blood or submission. Begin!"
Rae charged, blades flashing.
Kai's instincts screamed—too fast. He dodged the first strike, deflected the second with his sword's flat, and barely stepped past the third.
Her style was unpredictable, wild.
But Kai had data.
[Analyzing Pattern…]Counter Opportunity: Right Side Slash in 3 seconds]
He waited. Then struck low.
His blade sliced her thigh—not deep, but enough.
Blood hit the dirt.
"STOP!" the judge shouted.
[Victory]+80 XPSkill Unlocked: Fang Step Lv.1 – A burst dash with evasive invincibility frames.]Crimson Fang Dojo – Trial PassedNew Role: Outer Disciple
Rae limped off, snarling. But she smirked at him before she vanished behind the inner gate.
Kai stood alone in the center of the arena, sword lowered, chest heaving.
He had a place now.
A dojo.A style.A new enemy, probably.
But most of all—
A new beginning.