The Trial of Survival

Adam stood in the dimly lit training area, taking in his surroundings. Across from him was a young man, about 18 years old, who appeared anything but friendly.

The boy's intense, narrowed eyes held a challenging gleam as he sized up Adam, a sneer twisting his face.

The young man's name was Kella, his hair a messy black that fell haphazardly over his forehead.

He exuded an air of rough defiance, a product of years spent fending for himself on the streets.

Orphaned and hardened, he was no stranger to survival in the cruel underbelly of the capital.

Kella had been in training practically since he could walk, his experiences on the streets teaching him harsh lessons.

He learned early that in a world like this, if you wanted something, you took it—from someone weaker if possible.

He knew better than to challenge those stronger than him, but with the right tactics, the weak always had a chance.

Growing up in the capital's dangerous outer layers, where crime thrived, Kella had become something of a known figure in the city's criminal world.

He was infamous for his street fighting skills, using cunning tricks to outmaneuver and defeat his opponents.

Recently, however, he had taken things a step too far. Leaving the outer layer, Kella ventured to the capital's inner regions and killed a merchant, sealing his fate when the city guards caught him.

Sent to prison, he'd thought he'd never see daylight again—until Ryker showed up.

In his cell, Ryker made Kella an offer he couldn't refuse: freedom, or life in the kingdom's prison.

Kella hadn't hesitated for a second; he accepted without knowing what was waiting for him.

But before he even left the prison grounds, Ryker slapped a slave neckband on him. Kella had barely registered the sharp electric shock before losing consciousness.

When he awoke, he found himself here, in the Organization's training compound. Ryker had briefed him only on the trial and his new room but offered little else.

Kella had been left in the training area alone for a while, giving him time to seethe. "When I got this offer, it felt like freedom," Kella thought bitterly. "But I didn't realize this bastard was just putting me in chains again."

Just then, Ryker reappeared, a young boy at his side. Kella sized up the newcomer with a quick, disdainful glance. "This kid? Do I really have to fight this kid? I'll finish this trial in no time."

The sneer on his face deepened, and he threw a look at Ryker. "You're kidding, right? When I saw your training, I thought you'd at least bring me a real challenge, maybe someone tough. Instead, you bring me a girl—what is she, ten?"

Adam froze, the insult hitting him with a jolt. "Did he… just call me a girl?" He glanced down at himself, genuinely baffled. "From what angle do I look like a girl to him?"

Kella caught Adam's reaction and laughed, his confidence growing. "If I hit him even a little hard, he'll break like glass. What's the point, huh?" Kella sneered. "I could crush this kid without trying. Can I, Ryker?"

Adam heard the taunt and clenched his fists. "Don't judge—"

But Kella cut him off sharply, waving a hand dismissively. "Shut up, kid. When adults are talking, children don't interrupt. Don't you know even that much?"

Adam's face flushed with anger, his jaw clenching tightly. 'I'm not letting him get away with this.'

Ryker's stern voice cut through the tension. "Listen carefully, both of you. The rules of this trial are simple: you'll fight each other, and the one who survives to the end will pass."

Adam's eyes widened. "Wait, what? We have to kill each other?"

Ryker nodded, unfazed. "The objective isn't only to kill your opponent—it's to stay alive against them."

Adam's stomach churned. 'This bastard. I shouldn't have trusted him. I've only ever seen people killed in movies… and now I'm supposed to actually do it myself?'

Adam's reaction only fueled Kella's confidence further. Whatever small doubt he might have had about this fight dissolved. He wasn't just going to win—he'd enjoy teaching this kid a lesson.

And he didn't like Adam's face, either. The kid was annoyingly good-looking, a face like that didn't belong in this world, Kella thought. He decided he'd break that pretty face before he finished him off.

Just then, a faint sound caught Adam's attention—a small ding, followed by a system window opening up before him.

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Mission: Eliminate Kella

Objective 1: Defeat Kella within 1 minute

Reward: Unique skill "Mana Eyes," 100 EXP

Objective 2: Defeat Kella within 15 minutes

Reward: 80 EXP

Objective 3: Defeat Kella within 1 hour

Reward: 50 EXP

Penalty: Death

Adam stared at the mission window, trying to process the information. As he looked over the objectives, his gaze wandered to Ryker, who stood watching.

Ryker must have noticed his uncertainty, as he only offered a cold remark.

"That's just how the world works, kid. You don't have a choice. Look at me all you want; I'm not helping you."

Adam bristled at Ryker's indifference, steeling himself as he turned back to face Kella. 'I don't need your help anyway, you bastard.'

Ryker's voice cut through his thoughts, commanding, "The match starts now."

Adam took a deep breath, lowering himself into a fighting stance. Across from him, Kella just smirked, hands casually stuffed in his pockets as he began strolling toward Adam with lazy steps.

As he neared, Kella sneered, "First, I'm going to ruin that pretty face of yours. Then, once I'm satisfied, I'll kill you."

Adam's anger flared, and he felt a familiar surge within him as he muttered under his breath, "Kinetic Enigma... Five times kinetic energy." With a fierce focus, Adam activated his skill.

[Host Skill Activated: Kinetic Enigma]

Energy surged from Adam's mana reserve, channeling into his fists and converting into raw kinetic power.

Adam could feel the energy coursing through his hand, intensifying his strength.

He took advantage of Kella's arrogance, catching him by surprise with a quick, powerful punch to the stomach.

Kella could have dodged the punch easily, but he didn't bother; he intended to crush any hope Adam might have. 'Let him throw his little punch,' Kella thought. 'It won't make a difference.'

But he hadn't counted on the sheer power behind Adam's strike. As Adam's fist collided with Kella's stomach, kinetic force rippled from his hand and through Kella's entire body.

The impact was devastating. Kella was launched backward, slamming into the training area's wall with bone-crushing force. He slumped to the ground, lifeless.

Ryker and Adam stared at the body, momentarily stunned by the outcome. Adam's gaze lingered on his own hand, horrified. 'I… I killed someone.'

Ryker, snapping out of his surprise, looked down at Adam with a mix of respect and caution. "Well, kid, you've passed the trial," he said, his voice oddly approving.

He stepped forward, pulling Adam to his feet. "You'll learn to control those emotions, kid. They don't serve you here."

Adam's mind reeled, flashes of his previous life—of Earth—flooding back to him. 'At least there, I never had to live like this.'

Just then, another notification popped up.

_______________________________________

System Notification

Mission: Eliminate Kella - Successful

Objective 1: Completed

Reward: Unique Skill "Mana Eyes," 100 EXP

________________________________________

A new notification appeared right after.

[Host Level Up]

Adam, still shaken, barely registered the notification before the window changed, showing his updated stats. He thought, Status.

_________________________________________

Status Update

Name: Adam Bak

Level: 2

Health: 500/500

Mana Points: 80/200

Experience: 0/200

Attributes

Strength: 7

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 9

Endurance: 5

Luck: 3

Unassigned Stat Points: 3

Skills

Kinetic Enigma (Legendary)

Mana Eyes (Unique)

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Ryker looked at Adam with a calculating gaze. "You're one step closer to being trained by the Organization," he said, his tone unreadable.