The city of Neo-Seoul never truly slept. Neon lights flickered across towering skyscrapers, and the distant hum of traffic blended with the restless whispers of ambition. Tonight, however, something extraordinary stirred. A whisper ran through the city streets—a name, a promise, a challenge.
The Divine Arena was opening.
A massive stadium glowed in the city's heart, its lights cutting through the night like a beacon. Thousands of students had gathered, each clutching dreams, ambitions, and the hope of a single wish fulfilled. Rumors said the winners of the tournament would have any wish granted—wealth, power, revenge, or something far more personal. No one knew who controlled it, and no one truly knew the rules. Only that survival required skill, courage, and a spark of the extraordinary.
Among the crowd, a boy with messy black hair and dark eyes walked calmly, hands in his pockets. His expression was calm—almost bored—but the glint in his eyes suggested something far deeper.
"Watch where you're going!" shouted a voice.
Kai Ren looked up to see a girl with long black hair, wielding a wooden training sword. Three men lay groaning at her feet, bruised and beaten. Her stance was firm, but her eyes flickered with worry.
"Relax," Kai said casually. "I just wanted to see if the rumors were true."
The girl's brow furrowed. "Rumors? You attacked them?"
"I didn't touch them," Kai replied, grinning. "I just arrived."
Before she could respond, one of the men lunged at her again, desperation in his movements. Without a moment's hesitation, Kai shifted. In a blink, he appeared behind the attacker, delivering a precise kick. The man crashed into a nearby wall, leaving a dent and a stunned silence in the street.
The girl stared at him, wide-eyed. "…Who are you?"
"My name's Kai Ren," he said, stretching lazily. "And I'm here to win the Divine Arena."
Later that evening, both Kai and the girl received identical black envelopes sealed with a silver emblem resembling a fractured crown. Inside each was a card engraved with words that seemed to hum with energy:
You have been selected. Enter the Divine Arena. Your wish awaits.
The location was printed at the bottom.
The girl clenched her fists, determination flashing in her eyes. "My family's dojo… I'll restore it no matter what."
Kai smirked. "A wish, huh? Let's see if this is really worth the effort."
The tournament awaited.
The stadium buzzed with anticipation as fighters from every high school poured into the arena. The massive central platform gleamed under bright lights, and a tall man in a white suit appeared, his presence commanding silence instantly.
"Welcome, chosen warriors," he announced, his voice echoing through the arena. "This tournament will continue until one remains standing."
Screens flashed around the stadium, displaying rules in bold letters:
No weapons beyond personal skill.
No external interference.
Survival is not guaranteed.
The crowd murmured, excitement and fear blending into a single roar of energy.
Kai cracked his neck, readying himself. "Now that's interesting."
First Match: Kai Ren vs. Lee Jun-So
Kai stepped onto the platform, eyes scanning his opponent. Across from him stood a towering boy, muscular and confident, sneering like the world already belonged to him.
"You look weak," Jun-So taunted, cracking his knuckles.
Kai tilted his head. "Want to test that?"
The bell rang. Jun-So charged like a bull, the ground shaking beneath his feet. Yet Kai didn't move. His calm, deliberate stance unnerved the giant.
At the last second, Kai vanished from sight. Jun-So froze, panic flickering across his face.
Then—
A sharp impact struck his ribs.
Another.
Another.
A spinning kick sent him hurtling out of bounds. Silence fell over the arena.
And then—the crowd erupted.
"WINNER: KAI REN!"
High above the arena, hidden behind the VIP glass rooms, a group of masked figures watched in silence. One leaned forward.
"Interesting," he muttered.
Another whispered, "…His energy signature… it's awakening."
Kai walked away, brushing dust from his sleeves. He glanced down at his hands. A faint golden aura flickered, barely perceptible, wrapping around his skin like liquid light.
A voice echoed in his mind, soft but commanding:
You have finally stepped onto the path… Heir of the Forgotten Sky.
Kai froze. "…What was that?"
The tournament had only begun.
But far beyond the stadium lights, something far greater than a wish was stirring. And it had chosen him.
Kai clenched his fists, a grin spreading across his face. The Divine Arena wasn't just a tournament—it was the start of a path that would test his strength, his resolve, and the very limits of his power.
And for the first time, he felt truly alive.