Night. The underground arena lights weren't the kind that dazzled the eyes.
On the contrary… they were harsh and cold, forcing everyone watching to adjust to the darkness.
Lina Valen stood in the center of the ring.
Her breathing was steady. Her heartbeat calm. The roar of the crowd was nothing but a distant echo to her.
The man in front of her was on his knees.
The final punch.
Clean. Controlled. Decisive.
The referee raised her hand.
"Winner… Lina Valen."
The crowd erupted. But Lina didn't react.
She simply lowered her gloves, wiped the sweat from her face, turned her back, and stepped out of the ring.
This wasn't a victory for her.
Just a task.
When she entered the locker room, Mira was waiting by the door.
"Finished early again," Mira said with a smile. "Are your opponents getting weaker, or are you just getting stronger?"
Lina looked at herself in the mirror.
"Neither," she said in a calm voice. "They're just… predictable."
Mira glanced at her from the corner of her eye.
But there was something she didn't say.
That something wasn't right.
Today, she had felt that someone was watching Lina.
At that moment, on the top floor of the arena, behind the glass, a silhouette stood.
Kael Varyn.
Even in the darkness, his gaze was sharp enough to be seen.
He was watching Lina.
From the very first moment he saw her.
And for the first time…
he realized there was something he couldn't control.
"This is… different," Darian murmured beside him.
Kael didn't respond.
He just kept watching.
And the only thing on his mind was:
I have to have her.
I kiss you, my babies. Enjoy reading.