Blood streamed from Kai's temple, dripping onto the ground as he struggled to breathe. His vision blurred, pale gray eyes clouded by the crimson veil. His red curls clung to his face, soaked in blood. A harsh cough escaped him, spattering the dirt with a clot of red.
Kai gripped his katana with trembling hands. Before him loomed the slime monster—eight feet tall, a quivering mass of menace. Compared to it, Kai looked like a child. "I have to do this," he muttered, forcing strength into his voice. He leapt into the air, blade flashing. "Ancient Technique—Cutting Edge!" Steel carved through slime before it could react. The monster collapsed, split open, and Kai fell to the ground beside it, his body weak and battered. From the tunnel, a man in an expensive suit stepped forward, his voice calm and cutting.
"You make it look so complex, even against an E-rank, don't you, Kai?"
In the year 2093, humanity endured World War IV, a conflict that annihilated three-quarters of the planet. Nations crumbled, and the population fell from ten billion to a mere ten million. From the ashes, something extraordinary awakened: Chi—a mysterious energy that every human could harness. With Chi came abilities beyond imagination, though only those with high affinity could truly absorb and grow stronger.
As humanity struggled to rebuild, portals began appearing in the wastelands. No one knew their origin, but from them emerged new races: orcs, dragons, elves, dwarves, goblins, and countless others. These beings claimed territories, forming kingdoms across the ruined Earth. The planet was renamed Astoria, divided into seven realms:
-Beastoria– home to goblins and lesser races.
-Eldia– the vast dominion of elves.
-Arvenia – the dwarves' stronghold, famed for blacksmithing.
-Ogor– the scarce but mighty dragons' domain.
-Lombardia– the last bastion of humanity.
-Moon Island– a secluded land of mysterious islanders.
-Pacifia – an underwater kingdom of aquatic races, welcoming to all.
Each race wielded Chi, and though power varied, balance was maintained. Abilities were ranked from E to S, with E the weakest. The average Astorian held a D rank. Those born E rank were scorned, treated as worthless.
Kai was one of them. His Chi storage was minuscule, barely enough to sustain him. Society branded him weak, and his life was misery. At three years old, his family compound was destroyed in an explosion. Kai alone survived. Foster homes took him in, but abuse drove him to escape. By seven, he lived in the slums, surviving on theft and scraps. He dreamed of strength, of leaving behind the cruelty and finding happiness. But at ten, the Chi potential test shattered that dream—he was confirmed E rank. Still, Kai refused to surrender. He vowed to become the strongest E rank Astoria had ever seen.
Now fourteen, Kai fought in underground arenas for money. Every battle was to the death, every victory a gamble with his life. The crowd barely watched his struggle against the slime monster. To them, fights between weaklings were dull. Only when stronger warriors entered did their attention sharpen. As Kai collapsed, the suited man raised a hand.
"Binding Pull," he whispered, and Chi lifted Kai's broken body into the air.The spectators sighed in relief. "Finally, that fight is over," one muttered, already turning to watch the next match—two D-rank warriors stepping into the arena.