Vikram looked into the woman's eyes. They were cold and cruel, like a predator playing with its prey. Vikram knew that if he made one wrong move now, both he and Master Yu would be killed in an instant. He didn't have the strength left in his body to even lift a finger.
So, he pulled out his greatest weapon—his acting.
The tension vanished from Vikram's face. He filled his eyes with a deep sense of melancholy and respect. He slowly bowed his head, as if surrendering before a higher power.
"Forgive my impudence, My Lady," Vikram said in a weak voice. "I am no ordinary slave. I am... an unfortunate disciple of the 'Shadow Sect'."
The woman's brows furrowed. She loosened her grip on the whip slightly. "Shadow Sect? I haven't heard of any such sect. You are lying."
"It was a small and secretive sect, which has now been destroyed," Vikram immediately fabricated a story. "My cultivation went wrong. While practicing the 'Void Arts,' my meridians ruptured, and I lost all my power. I wandered into this world and ended up here, where these mine owners enslaved me."
He raised his arm, where his veins had turned black from using the 'Void Slash'—which was actually a sign of energy overload.
"Look," Vikram said, feigning pain. "That technique... it was my last remaining life force. Now I am empty."
The woman examined his blackened veins closely. She didn't fully believe Vikram's story, but what she had seen—a slave slicing an Elite Spider in a single strike—was no ordinary feat. If this boy really possessed knowledge of a secret technique, then he was too valuable to be breaking stones in a mine.
She smiled. A smile that held no mercy, only greed.
"My name is Lady Scarlet," she said, tying her whip back at her waist. "I am the Chief Enforcer of 'Iron-Cliff City'. You are lucky, 'Disciple'. I don't like useless trash, but I do like broken toys... especially if they are dangerous."
She signaled her guards. "Pick this boy up. And that old man too. We are going back to the city."
Vikram breathed a sigh of relief. At least they weren't killed.
The guards hoisted Vikram up like a sack and threw him into a 'Hover-Craft'. Master Yu was seated next to him.
As the vehicle exited the mine and ascended toward the sky, Vikram got his first proper look at this 'Origin Universe'.
The sky above the mine was purple, with two large suns shining brightly. On the distant horizon, a massive Floating City was visible. That was 'Iron-Cliff City'. Massive metal walls, towering spires, and ships floating in the air—the view was like something out of a dream.
"We made it out of hell," Master Yu whispered in Vikram's ear. "But Lady Scarlet... she is more dangerous than that spider. She will induct you into her private army. And training there means—death."
Vikram closed his eyes and pretended to meditate.
"Don't worry, Master," Vikram thought to himself. "I am just buying time."
He secretly focused his consciousness on his System.
[Status Report]
Name: Vikram
Rank: Newborn
Origin Gene: 14/100
Techniques: Dongxuan Sutra (Modified), Low-Breathing (Level 2), Void Slash (Incomplete)
Beast Soul:
Elite Blue-Blood Spider (Armor): Increases physical defense by 50% when activated and grants Poison Resistance.
Vikram smiled a devilish smile internally. He had obtained an Elite Beast Soul. In the old world, getting an Elite Beast Soul was a huge deal, and it shouldn't be weak here either. Most importantly, Lady Scarlet didn't know about it.
The Hover-Craft passed over the city walls and landed in the courtyard of a massive palace.
"Welcome to your new home," Lady Scarlet said as she disembarked. "Take him to the 'Blood Arena' barracks. Feed him and give him water. Three days from now... I want to see what that 'Shadow Technique' of his can do in the arena."
Vikram's heart sank. Arena? He was being made into a gladiator.
The guards began dragging him away. Vikram looked back one last time. Master Yu was being taken in the opposite direction, toward the servants' quarters. They had been separated.
Now Vikram was alone. A new world, a new city, and three days later—a game of death.