Devil's den 3

**The end…**

I pressed my sword across his neck, my breathing deep but even. He looked up at me, his eyes blinded by confusion, as if he hadn't so much as noticed what had happened.

"What… what the hell?" he grumbled.

A voice echoed through the arena, cutting through the tension.

**"The victor of the fight—Hunter Kai!"**

Kai. The name I had used while they were doing my assessment. In the black market's underworld and mainly in the den anonymity was really important.

"Oi, kid—"

A cutting voice pierced my thoughts. My opponent, still lying on the ground, glared up at me, rage flickering in his eyes.

"What the fuck did you do to me?" he growled, bracing himself upward.

I stared back at him, unwavering. "I won."

"You said this place wasn't for someone like me, right?"

I didn't wait for an answer. A slow grin curled my lip before I turned and left.

My body protested with a scream at each step. The technique I used—**Nighthade**— one which Asmodeus had drilled into my body continuously. It was why he'd kept me awake for days.

**Nightshade** wasn't just a sword technique alone—it is connected with**Inner Sloth**. The more I nurtured that sloth, the more naturally it came.

But learning it had been a living nightmare. Every step counted—breathing, mana control, the way I focused the darkness. One wrong move, and I'd shred myself apart.

I didn't think that I would have to use nightshade in the very first battle but unfortunately I had to..

And now I was paying the price. My eyes went blurred for an instant, my heart racing. My first serious fight using**Nightshade**, and it was like I'd been torn apart from the inside out.

"You did well."

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was .

"But don't get ahead of yourself. You still fought like an amateur," Asmodeus said, his voice impossible to read.

Tch… I clicked my tongue. "You think I don't know that?"

Despite everything I put into this battle, I still felt pathetically weak. It wasn't enough. I must be stronger. Quicker.

As I walked out of the arena, a masked Man was standing by the door, with a relaxed posture.

"Congratulations on your first victor ."

I stood before him and nodded slightly. Without speaking, he drew a small pouch from beneath his cloak and dropped it into my hand.

"I wish you luck, dear customer."

Without saying anything anymore ,He turned and disappeared into the darkness.

I untied the drawstrings of the bag and looked inside—**gold coins. Twenty of them.**

Prior to the battle, I had wagered—**ten gold coins.** The others must have been my opponent's, forfeited on his loss.

A smile spread across my face.

**My first serious fight… and I won.**

---

"Like I said, don't get ahead of yourself," Asmodeus growled as we walked.

"You hardly won. If you believe this is worth celebrating, you're in for a wake-up call."

I sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I know."

"You must improve your instincts. Master **Nightshade** properly. Otherwise, the next opponent you face won't just let you off."

I breathed out of my nose, irritated but knowing he was correct.

Asmodeus smirked. "Good. From now on, you fight at night and train during the day."

I stopped in my tracks. **"The fuck?!"**

"You heard me." His grin widened. "No complaints. This is what you signed up for."

**Fucking bastard.**

But I couldn't argue. There were only a few days left.

If I was going to have any chance against the monsters who were waiting for me at the academy, I needed to push myself beyond my limits.

I had finally reached **F+ rank**, but it still wasn't enough. Before I stepped into that academy, I needed to reach **E rank**—or else I'd be destroyed.

"Hey," I called. "Do you think I can make it to E rank before we're out of time?"

Asmodeus let out a low sigh. "It's possible, brat… but you're looking at this the wrong way."

I frowned "What do you mean?"

" Don't Focus on your rank for now. Concentrate on honing your technique and instincts first."

He looked at me, his face serious for the first time. "The more you fight, the more your instincts grow. And once they do." He paused, then declared with confidence, "No matter how skilled your opponent is, they won't be able to stand a chance against you."

I clenched my teeth, trying to comprehend his words.

**Shit…**

As much as I hate to admit it, the son of a bitch was a damn good teacher.

I met his gaze and slowly gave him a node.

Forcing myself to breathe, I calmed down. He was correct. Strength wasn't merely about the ranks. It was control, instinct, mastery. To survive, I needed more than brute strength.

"Alright," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Let's do this."

Asmodeus smirked. "Good. You have the whole night ahead of you—fight as many battles as you can. At dawn, we train."

Tch. Bastard.

**Fucking bastard really knows how to kill a good moment.**

All cracking my knuckles. "Let's fucking do this."

I headed in the direction of the exit, my head already racing. The academy was only days away. A battlefield with opponents significantly stronger than me.

This victory was merely the start.

No more fear. No more hesitation.

By the time I walked through those academy gates, I wouldn't just be another fighter.

**I'd make sure I became a monster.**.