The Mysterious Invitation

Noah walked into class, feeling the weight of exhaustion in his bones. Every inch of his body ached from last night's training session with Xander. His muscles protested every movement, but what lingered more than the pain was Xander's words.

"It's about learning how to kill."

Noah had been in fights before. He had faced brutal opponents, pushed himself past his limits. But this… this was different. Xander wasn't training him to win anymore—he was training him to survive.

He exhaled, dropping into his seat, rubbing his temples as the dull headache behind his eyes pulsed. That's when he noticed it.

A small, folded piece of paper sat on his desk.

Noah frowned.

He glanced around, but no one was paying him any special attention.

Carefully, he picked it up and unfolded it.

"Meet me at the Déjà Vu Café after school. I need to speak with you. - A Friend"

No name. No explanation. Just a vague request.

Tch.

His instincts immediately went on high alert.

After everything that had been happening—Adrian Black's warning, Marcus's threats, Xander's ruthless training—Noah wasn't about to brush this off as some harmless invitation.

Someone was watching him.

And they wanted his attention.

---

A Shadow of Doubt

Noah spent the rest of the day keeping an eye on his surroundings.

He was used to people staring. Ever since he took down Ryan Miller and Kai Dawson, the whole school had been treating him differently—like some untouchable force. Some looked at him with admiration. Others, with fear.

But today felt different.

The whispers were quieter. The glances were sharper.

At the back of the classroom, Adrian Black sat with his usual air of boredom, absentmindedly twirling a pen between his fingers.

Their eyes met.

Adrian smirked.

Noah clenched his jaw.

Was this his doing?

Or was someone else pulling the strings?

The thought stuck with him the rest of the day.

And by the time the final bell rang, Noah had already made his decision.

He was going.

---

The Déjà Vu Café

The Déjà Vu Café wasn't too far from school. A quiet, tucked-away place with dim lighting and the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air.

When Noah stepped inside, a soft chime rang overhead.

The café was nearly empty.

A few students sat by the windows, chatting over their drinks. A tired-looking barista wiped down the counter.

And in the farthest corner—

A girl sat alone.

She had long, dark hair tied into a loose ponytail. Her eyes were sharp, watching him the moment he walked in.

She had been waiting for him.

Noah narrowed his eyes.

He had never seen this girl before.

So why did she know him?

After a brief pause, he walked over.

"You're the one who left the letter?" he asked, pulling out the chair across from her.

She smiled slightly. "Glad you came."

Her voice was steady. Confident.

Noah leaned back. "Who are you?"

She stirred her coffee absentmindedly. "My name's Evelyn Ross. But that's not important."

Noah raised an eyebrow. "Not important? Then what is important?"

She leaned forward, her expression serious.

"I've heard a lot about you, Noah. I've seen your fights. And I need your help with something."

Noah tensed.

Here we go.

---

A Dangerous Request

Evelyn tapped her fingers against her cup.

"I know what kind of world you're involved in," she said quietly. "The Underground Tournament. The hierarchy of fighters. The people who control it from the shadows."

Noah didn't react, but his mind was racing.

How did she know about that?

Evelyn continued, lowering her voice even more.

"And I know you fought Adrian Black."

Noah's fingers twitched.

That wasn't public knowledge.

Only a handful of people knew about that fight.

For her to mention it so casually—

She had connections.

Noah's voice was cold. "You still haven't told me what you want."

Evelyn exhaled slowly.

Then, for the first time, the confidence in her expression wavered.

Desperation flickered in her eyes.

"I need you to help me find someone," she said. "My brother."

Noah frowned.

"Your brother?"

She nodded. "He disappeared six months ago. Right after he got involved in the Underground Tournament."

Noah's breath caught.

The Tournament.

His gaze darkened.

If someone had disappeared after joining the Tournament, that meant one of two things.

Either they ran.

Or they were eliminated.

"What was his name?" Noah asked.

She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Daniel Ross."

Silence.

Noah had never heard that name before.

But something about the way she said it—

Like she already knew the answer.

Like she already knew he was dead.

But she refused to accept it.

Noah let out a slow breath.

"Why me?" he asked. "Why not go to the police?"

Evelyn laughed, but there was no humor in it.

"You think the police can do anything against them?" she said bitterly. "Against the people running the tournament?"

Noah didn't respond.

Because she was right.

The Underground Tournament wasn't just an illegal fight club.

It was a controlled system.

Run by powerful people.

People who could erase anyone who stepped out of line.

And now—

Noah had just gotten even deeper into their world.

Tch.

Of course.

He sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair.

"You're asking for a lot," he muttered. "I don't even know where to start."

Evelyn clenched her fists. "Then find out. Please."

Noah studied her carefully.

She was scared.

But she was determined.

And something about her request…

It didn't feel like a coincidence.

First, Adrian Black.

Then Marcus's warning.

Now, a missing fighter.

Something was happening.

Something bigger than he had realized.

Noah exhaled sharply.

He didn't want to get involved in this.

But he already was.

"...Fine," he said at last.

Evelyn's eyes widened. "You'll help?"

Noah nodded. "But if I do this, you need to be honest with me. Tell me everything you know."

Evelyn hesitated.

Then, after a moment—

She nodded.

"Deal."

Noah sat back in his chair.

Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse—

Now he was searching for a ghost.

---