Chapter 4: The First Step

Chapter 4: The First Step

The clanging of metal echoed through the dimly lit training hall, a sharp, jarring sound that cut through the early morning stillness. It wasn’t a bell or a siren—just the crude rhythm of iron meeting iron, a signal that the day had begun in this brutal world.

Mike shivered slightly as he stepped inside, his body still adjusting to the cold air. The hall stretched wide before him, filled with figures in motion—some practicing hand-to-hand combat, others wielding weapons with terrifying precision. Every strike, every grunt of exertion, felt raw and real. This wasn’t some controlled sparring match. This was survival training.

Lily stood at the far end, arms crossed, watching him with an unreadable expression.

“You’re on time. Good.”

Mike let out a breath, relieved that he hadn’t somehow failed her first test. But that relief didn’t last. Lily took one look at him—his slightly wrinkled clothes, his uneasy stance—and sighed.

“You look like you’ve never fought a day in your life.”

Mike forced a chuckle. “Yeah, well… that makes two of us.”

Lily arched an eyebrow. “You think this is funny?”

Before he could react, something flew toward him. A wooden training knife. He barely caught it, fumbling as he tried to grip it properly.

Lily shook her head. “Pathetic,” she muttered. “First lesson—stance.”

She moved so fast that Mike barely saw it coming. With a swift kick, she knocked his legs out of position. He stumbled but managed to stay upright.

“See? If I were an actual opponent, you’d already be dead.”

Mike tightened his grip on the wooden knife and exhaled. “Okay, okay. I get it.”

“Do you?” Lily challenged, stepping closer. “Because the way you’re standing says otherwise.”

Mike shifted his stance, doing his best to recall what he’d seen in movies or the fights he had witnessed growing up. Lily studied him for a moment, then gave a short nod.

“Better,” she admitted. “But nowhere near good enough.”

Before she could continue, the sound of clanging metal rang out again, louder this time. It wasn’t just an announcement—it was a call.

Mike turned toward the source of the noise. At the center of the hall stood a large iron cage, enclosed on all sides. Inside, two men circled each other, their bodies tense, their fists ready. The surrounding gang members cheered, some jeering, others shouting bets.

A fight.

Mike swallowed hard. He had never seen anything quite like this up close. The brutality, the raw aggression—it was terrifying, but at the same time… captivating.

Lily followed his gaze and smirked. “That’s your future, kid. If you live long enough to make it that far.”

Mike turned back to her, trying to ignore the unease settling in his stomach. “So, what now?”

“Now,” Lily said, gesturing for him to follow her, “we start making sure you don’t die on your first day.”

Sneak Peek – Chapter 5: Blood and Sweat

Mike’s muscles burned, his breaths coming out ragged as he struggled to keep up with Lily’s relentless training. Every time he slowed down, she was there, pushing him harder.

“You don’t get to be weak in this world,” she said coldly, her foot connecting with his stomach, sending him sprawling to the floor. “Get up.”

Mike groaned but forced himself to rise. He had chosen this life. Now, he had to survive it.

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