The Underground Arena
The next evening, Aryan stood before the entrance of the underground combat arena, hidden beneath the bustling streets of New Mumbai. The neon lights above flickered, and the faint sound of roaring crowds echoed through the narrow alley. His heart raced as he tightened his fists, feeling the raw power surging through his veins.
The Genetic Enhancement System had evolved him into something beyond human. But tonight, he would test the limits of his strength against the city's deadliest fighters.
He descended the metallic staircase, the air thick with smoke and the scent of adrenaline. As he reached the bottom, a massive hall unfolded before him—an arena surrounded by cages, roaring spectators, and a pit at the center where fighters battled mercilessly. Holographic screens displayed betting odds, flashing with faces of notorious combatants.
A burly man in a cybernetic exosuit approached, his metallic limbs whirring with each step. "You're new. Entry fee's 500 credits," he grunted, eyeing Aryan suspiciously.
Aryan transferred the credits using his wrist communicator. The man's eyes widened at the speed of the transaction, realizing Aryan's tech was far more advanced than what most fighters could afford.
"Name?" the man asked, recording the details.
"Aryan Singh," he replied, his voice steady.
The man raised an eyebrow. "No aliases? You've got guts, kid. You're up next."
Aryan stepped toward the pit, his senses heightened by the Genetic Enhancement System. He could hear the faint heartbeats of the audience, smell the metallic scent of blood, and feel the tension in the air.
His opponent stood in the center—a giant man covered in bio-armor with pulsating veins of neon green, his body augmented with illegal genetic enhancements. The announcer's voice boomed, "Next fight: The newcomer Aryan Singh versus the undefeated champion—Titan!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable. Aryan's eyes narrowed as he studied Titan's movements, analyzing his muscle patterns and reflex speed.
[System Analysis Activated]
Opponent: Titan
Strength Level: High
Speed: Moderate
Weakness: Joint Flexibility
The bell rang. Titan charged forward like a bulldozer, his fists swinging with enough force to shatter steel. Aryan's enhanced reflexes kicked in, his body moving faster than his mind could process. He sidestepped the attack, feeling the rush of wind as Titan's punch missed by mere inches.
Seizing the opening, Aryan countered with a swift jab to Titan's elbow joint. A loud crack echoed, and Titan roared in pain, stumbling backward.
The crowd gasped. No one had ever seen Titan falter.
Titan's eyes glowed with rage as he activated his bio-armor's defensive mode. A shield of neon green energy enveloped him, and his wounds began to heal rapidly.
Aryan smirked. "Regenerative abilities? This just got interesting."
He felt the surge of power within him, the Genetic Enhancement System urging him to push his limits. His muscles tensed, and his vision sharpened, every movement around him slowing down.
Titan lunged again, his speed amplified by his bio-armor. But Aryan was faster. He weaved through the flurry of attacks, his body flowing like water. With a powerful kick, he shattered Titan's energy shield, the neon fragments scattering into the air.
Titan staggered, his face twisting in disbelief. Aryan didn't give him a moment to recover. He unleashed a barrage of punches, each strike precise and devastating, targeting Titan's weak joints. The giant fell to his knees, his body convulsing as his enhancements malfunctioned.
The arena fell silent.
Aryan stood over his fallen opponent, his eyes cold and unyielding. He had won his first fight.
The announcer's voice echoed, "Winner—Aryan Singh!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting his name. Aryan looked up at the roaring spectators, his fists still clenched.
This was only the beginning. The underground arena was his first step toward power.
He would conquer them all.