“Life where everything is granted, every wish is made true, what is the meaning of that kind of life? On the other hand, some people can’t even get a full-course meal daily. Their wishes and dreams are just luxury. People live in their respective different worlds, and this difference defines them as they are for their lives. But there are some people who don’t believe in destiny and want to defy the law of the world. The tradition made by humans for centuries is also broken by men himself.”

“Why bother resisting while being in the lowest end? Doing nothing is easier. Just because of that useless ego, that meaningless dignity, why is making one’s life hell? Just bend down on your knees and apologize, and you will be spared. At worst, you will have to face less harsh treatment from your superior one.”

“This kind of motive is also a kind of positivity, which can at least help to keep going and continue to the miserable life for some losers. I say my life is mine; why won’t I be able to live it as I want? Hell your rules, hell your customs. Even in hell, I will defy the hades himself.”

Erick closed his diary and kept it aside. He went to the side of his room and poured a glass of water. Suddenly his hand started shaking, and the glass fell from his hand. Luckily it was a steel glass, so there was no chance of it breaking. He bent down and lifted the glass and poured another glass of water and drank it. After that, he cleaned the wet floor and went to sleep. He lay down on the washed bedsheet and stared at the ceiling. “It would have been better if there was no roof above him,” he thought.

Unfortunately, the room is a basement room, even hulf of it under the ground. There are two rooms in Eric’s underground apartment. One for his bedding and study table, and the other is the kitchen and utility area attached with the tiny bathroom and wash area. Although it’s not as good as before, it's enough for a single person like himself.

“Life is not good, but who cares? I will fight back. Tomorrow I will have to go to see Mom. She is still waiting for Father to come back. Once Father comes back, everything will be alright. Even if we don’t have much money now, we can earn enough. Now I can even earn money for both me and mom. After dad comes back, there will be two hands for income. Mom’s surgery won’t postpone anymore. And after that, everything will be like before. We will live a normal, happy life. Once again.” Erick’s eyelids are drifting closer. Every tomorrow is wishful and dreamy for him. But the day he left behind was something he did not want to remember. Even though he knows deep down in his heart that his dream is not going to come true in the near future. Tomorrow is also going to be like today, but the dream is endless. Or he might think about the tomorrow he is going to make by putting on the hell every day.

"Erick, think about the deal. It won’t be a loss for you. "

“ Manager, I told you. Even though I am doing this for money, I will never sell my body. And also a body like this, how much is it worth?"

"But the client wants you.”

“Manager, you also have a son almost my age. Would you ever let him take this kind of offer, even if you are in big need of money? I still have my parents breathing, and they will never want me to do this.”

Erick threw the trash into the dustbin and entered the bar. He is a part-time bartender in the bar. His work is diligent and gives him some quick money. But some troublesome customers create problems sometimes. And the manager here also gives him a hard time sometimes. But they can’t do much about it. because on his first day he made one of those customers paralyzed for his perverted act toward another customer. Even though he had to pay for his recklessness, it was worthwhile. Other than that, Erick also participates in the midnight gambling boxing fight at the underworld boxing ring and also has a Nickname called ‘shadow night’. As the boxing ring is located in that street, almost everyone knows about his reputation. So, no one can force him to do anything.

Erick completes his shift and prepares to leave from the bar. The manager enters the bar with some customers. They were looking in the direction of Erick. He ignores them and packs his things and starts leaving. Suddenly, one of the customers grabs his hand and tries to drag him toward them. Erick shakes his hand and stares at them first and then the manager.

"Manager, I think I am not necessary for this bar anymore. If you want, I can resign now. But the income of this bar mostly relies on me. Are you sure to lose in the long run to make some quick money?"

"What are you talking about? We are all in the same boat. Do you really need to make things difficult for me?"

"The one who is making things difficult is you. From the beginning, I knew you were not a very good person. And I'm not a saint either. I remained silent all the time, mostly because of money, and I didn't want to lose this job. And also because I knew that all these dark activities of you are more or less supported by the superiors. But now you have targeted me personally. You tell me what I should do while I also have some solid evidence on your embezzlement. Will the superior circle still tolerate you?"

“Erick, you...”

"Manager, why bother? You know I am a good fighter. Even if I can't hurt these customers into the bar, do you think I will leave them alone outside? And also about you, I heard your son got into a college this year. "I should try to take care of him as a fello senior.”

“Erick, don't dare to lay a hand on my son. I was just suggesting you. I wasn't forcing you. But now that you don’t need my help, I will not bother anymore.”

“I hope you will be more understanding in the future.”

Saying that, Erick leaves the bar and walks towards the building where the underworld boxing ring is located. This road is where only two types of people come. One who has nothing to earn some quick money by illegal means. All kinds of things can occur here. And the other, who has too much money, to waste that money on some meaningless things. This kind of person also earns money over money through their cheats. Erick can be classified as one of those who mentioned first. Also, the people who give the twisted recreation to the latter are mentioned.

Erick enters the building, then turns left and takes stairs down to the underground boxing ring. The moment he enters the room, he hears the shouting and screaming of the crowds. He puts his bag in the locker and sits to wrap his hand. Sometimes later he hears some commotion outside and his coach Mr. Flynn enters the locker room. Erick looks up and sees him but says nothing. Mr. Flynn sat down and put his hand on Erick’s soldier and started talking almost to himself,

“Today’s game is not simple. Some big shots came earlier with their personal fighter. They are staying in the VIP room on the second floor.”

“Personal fighter?  But this club only lets the registered fighters get into the ring.”

“Well, I heard that they are friends with the owner. But that’s not the problem here. The problem is they are betting on their fighter and they want him to win; no, he must win."

“So what’s wrong with this?"

"You are the selected opponent of that fighter." And...”

"And I have to lose. Right?”

“So I have to lose. Right?” Erick asked, his tone calm but his eyes sharp as a blade.

Flynn sighed heavily, glancing at the closed locker room door as if to make sure no one was listening.

“Yes. That’s what they want. The payout is huge. The owner wants to keep them happy. If you fight back and win, you know what will happen.”

Erick finished wrapping his hands, then flexed his fingers, testing the tightness of the tape.

“Coach, when did we start selling fights like cheap street snacks?”

Flynn leaned in closer, voice low and rough. “Kid, listen to me. This is bigger than the usual back-alley fix. Those VIPs don’t just bet for fun. If you mess this up, you won’t just be banned from the ring. You’ll disappear. Do you understand?”

Erick tied off the wrap and looked at his reflection in the cracked mirror. The dim light caught the fresh bruises under his eyes — trophies from last night’s practice bout.

“Disappear?” He scoffed. “I’m already half invisible.”

Flynn grabbed his shoulder firmly. “Erick, I know you hate this, but take the fall tonight. We can fight another day. If you win against their man, you’ll make enemies you can’t punch your way out of.”

Erick didn’t answer. He shrugged off Flynn’s hand, stood up, and grabbed his gloves.

“Who’s the guy?”

Flynn hesitated. “He’s called Rex. They say he used to be a pro. Mean as a pitbull. They brought him in from another city.”

“Rex.” Erick rolled the name on his tongue like a bad taste. “Let them bet all they want.”

He opened his locker and pulled out his mouth guard.

Flynn grabbed him again, more desperate now. “Promise me, Erick. Promise you’ll lose clean. Take the hits, go down in the second round. Make it look real. Just do this one thing. You owe me that much.”

Erick paused. He remembered the day Flynn took him in — broke, hungry, hunted by loan sharks. He owed the old man more than he could repay.

He let out a breath, slow and controlled. “Second round. Got it.”

Flynn’s shoulders dropped in relief. “Good. Good. I’ll handle the payout. You just stay alive.”

Erick stepped past him and headed down the hallway that led to the roaring pit. The music was pounding now — heavy bass, drunken cheers, the smell of sweat and spilled beer.

Before he stepped out, he stopped by the chain-link gate. He closed his eyes for a second, breathing in the thick, charged air.

Lose. Go down in the second. Keep your head down. Live another day.

But deep in his gut, something twisted and burned.

Shadow Night doesn’t bow to anyone.

He stepped into the ring. The lights blinded him for a moment. On the other side, a mountain of muscle — Rex — flexed his arms and grinned like a wolf scenting blood. The VIP balcony above glittered with rich men’s laughter and clinking glasses.

The announcer’s voice boomed:

“Tonight’s main fight! The undefeated Shadow Night versus the Beast from the East — REX!”

Erick raised his fists. His heartbeat slowed. His grin matched Rex’s — sharp and hungry.

Second round, he reminded himself. But his fists itched. His blood roared.