"IT IS THAT TIME OF DAY ONCE AGAIN. WELCOME, CITIZENS OF MELTONIA, TO THE THIRD DAY OF THE LOCK LEAGUE!"
Kelvin's voice echoed, marking the beginning of the third official match of the Lock League and Kai's debut.
"We're all aware that the match on the first day was canceled due to issues with the ranking system," he paused, twirling theatrically on stage. "But now that everything has been resolved, our fan-favorite, rank 87 will finally be competing in his first match."
The unfiltered cheers of Meltonians filled Kai's ears.
He stood before the white door that led into the match arena.
He adjusted his gloves as the door began to open.
The world behind it was unlike anything he had seen before.
Shattered buildings lay strewn across the landscape, green vines burst through concrete, and the sky was dyed a deep black, illuminated only by a crimson moon over the desolate scene.
Distant screams, monstrous roars, and guttural growls reverberated from where he stood.
The air was thick with the stench of decay and sulfur.
Even the faint presence of death lingered.
In ICUWSA, this floor of Xianan had a distinct name.
[Welcome to Erione, the land of the forgotten. I wish you good luck.]
Kai gave the world one final scan before heading south.
He already knew the layout of this floor, and with Alpha's navigation system, he could pass for a veteran guide.
'Let's find a place to hide first. After that, we can eliminate at least two of the five from the opposing team before failing.'
---
'Why are you suddenly quiet?'
[It's just that…]
A deafening shockwave interrupted Alpha's words.
'Seems like they ran into a monster, not that it's any of my concern.'
Kai quickened his pace, distancing himself from the growing disturbance.
He found a collapsed structure and crawled inside to take cover.
The match was already skewed against him, but that didn't mean he couldn't win. In fact, Kai was confident he could defeat most of the others pretty easily, except Rodri.
But he carried a burden.
'I can't let anyone discover my strength… at least not until Professor Dearhearth's incident is over.'
[Kai, I've been meaning to ask, are you sure that…]
'Wait, Alpha. Someone's approaching.'
[…I sense it too.]
'Let's catch our first prey, shall we?'
Kai crawled silently out from the rubble.
The trap had already been set; now he only needed the mouse to take the bait.
And just as he predicted, it happened. The foolish mouse had taken the bait.
"Damnit, let me go!" Ed shouted.
"Oh, young master Ed," Kai replied sarcastically.
"Kaiser, help me! I know we're enemies, but I'm stuck in this hole and can't get out," he pleaded, scrambling to free his lower half.
"What hole?" Kai asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Huh? Can't you see I'm trapped?"
"Oh, that? Why would I help you when I'm the one who put it there?"
"Hahaha… We're friends, right? I'm begging you. My father would kill me if I showed such a pathetic display," Ed cried.
"But the reason you were trapped in the first place is because of…"
"Because of what?" Ed snapped.
'Something's wrong. Alpha, scan the area.'
[Right away…]
But before Alpha could complete the scan, a sharp pain ripped through Kai's back.
'Damnit… I let my guard down.'
He twisted midair, barely regaining his balance.
"You're still standing? Impressive. It'll be even more fun to beat you to a pulp," said Rodri, his voice deep and smug, flanked by three followers.
"I did good, didn't I, Rodri?" Ed called from behind Kai.
"Yes, you did," Rodri replied with a smirk.
But Kai's attention was elsewhere. 'So it was her. No wonder…'
"Cassie, move forward already," Kai shouted toward the girl hiding behind one of Rodri's men.
The delicate girl flinched, stammering. "Y-Yes, young master…"
'Damn this bastard… he always manages to find the main cast.' Kai eyed the red-haired girl.
[The greatest strategist. Cassie.]
'I didn't even know she attended the academy.'
[Looks like Matthew only connected with them after they became famous.]
Kai frowned, brow furrowing.
"Don't you think it's pathetic to not only ambush someone but also gang up on them?" Kai asked, steadying his breath.
"Pathetic? Is that what you think?" Rodri grinned. "It's not my fault you're such a coward. And speaking of gifts… are you enjoying mine?"
"What?"
"Don't act clueless. That puppet you managed to tame, I never got to enjoy her before she ran off. Must've been fun for you."
Rodri stepped forward, his stride producing shockwaves in Kai's direction.
"Not that it matters," he went on. "When I'm done with you, I'll savor her myself. But don't worry, I'll send her back when I'm finished."
Kai clenched his teeth, frustration creasing his face, the veins at his temples pulsing faintly.
He wanted to unleash everything, but he held back.
It wasn't the right time. He needed to see the future more than he needed revenge.
"Bastard," Kai muttered.
"That's all you've got? How disappointing."
Rodri raised his hand, and the earth trembled as five stone pillars emerged.
"My trait is called Five Pillars of Stone. As you may know, it's an A-rank trait and yes, it's incredibly powerful."
[Kai, what do we do?]
'Nothing.'
[What?!]
Alpha's voice boomed louder than ever before.
He could sense the disappointment, not just from the crowd, but from Ivy herself.
And who could blame her? The man she had entrusted her future to now stood, seemingly defeated.
But Kai had to know what lay ahead especially now.
[What are you doing?]
Kai relaxed his breathing and let go of his stance.
"Have you accepted defeat already?" Rodri shouted, voice brimming with glee. "Didn't I tell you I'd teach you a lesson?"
He thrust his hands forward, one of the pillars slammed into Kai, hurling him into a collapsed wall.
'Yes… this is for the best.'
Another hit. Then another.
The pillars battered him mercilessly.
His body was shredded, bruised beyond recognition.
The world began to blur. His vision dimmed, and his ears rang with a single, shrill tone.
But then like a haunting lullaby, a voice echoed in his mind.
Don't try so hard.
You're not special.
Why do you even try?
I should have never given birth to you.
I was beautiful before you came into this world.
You were born to fade into the background… a worthless extra. Never forget that.
Kai knew his answer.
Unconsciously, he whispered, "Yes, mother."
Rodri and his team burst into laughter, Ed included.
"The idiot's gone mad!" Derek howled.
"Yeah… yeah," Ed echoed.
[Kai… Kai… Kai…]
'Was I always part of this match? Oh yeah… I was about to lose. That's the only way to survive the plot, by acting weak… But… but…'
Suddenly, a voice pierced through the arena speakers, a voice Kai never expected.
"What are you doing?!"
It was Anica, gentle, poised, and unapproachable.
'What am I even doing…?'
Kai glanced at his bleeding palm, his gloves torn to shreds by the brutal attacks.
'When did I start caring this much? I got a second chance at life… only to repeat my old mistakes.'
He rose slowly.
The audience stirred, energy building with each movement.
'I never wanted to be an extra. All my life, I wanted to be the protagonist. The one who delivers cold speeches. The one who gets all the girls I couldn't. The one with the coolest entrances. The one I always rooted for during aura-farming arcs.'
A dark chuckle escaped his lips. "Then what the hell am I doing?"
His eyes locked onto the figures ahead. "I really am a fool, aren't I?"
[You sure are.]
Alpha replied, her voice calm again.
"Oi," Kai said, pointing at Rodri's team. "Can someone tell me what time it is?"
"What?" Rodri responded, confused but he could feel it too: the shift in atmosphere, the overwhelming pressure radiating from the composed young man.
The thinning air… the thin threads visible to the naked eye.
'Why don't we go a little crazy? It's okay to be the badass extra maybe with a dash of psycho.'
[I like that mix.]
Cassie hesitated before replying, "It's one PM. Only ten minutes left in the match."
A smile curved across Kai's lips. "Then… you have thirty seconds."