Chapter 28: The Path of No Return

The night was cold, the wind howling against the rooftop as Jackim faced the mysterious man. His words still lingered in the air.

"Step into this world, and there's no turning back."

Jackim's fingers twitched at his sides. He wasn't afraid—but he knew that this decision would change his life forever.

His mind raced. Who was this man? He had appeared out of nowhere after Jackim's underground fight, watching him like a predator evaluating its prey.

Jackim exhaled. "Who are you?"

The man smirked. "Names are useless in my world. But you can call me Master Zhou."

A name… but not a full answer.

Jackim's gaze sharpened. "Why me?"

Zhou's expression didn't change. "Because you have potential. Because I see a fire in you that most men lose before they even begin."

Jackim scoffed. "That's it? Just potential?"

Zhou's eyes gleamed. "That, and the fact that you have more enemies than you realize. If you stay weak, they'll devour you."

Jackim stiffened.

He thought of Melissa's return. Of the rich elites who mocked him. Of the people who saw him as nothing but a joke.

And then… he thought of the inheritance. The money, the power—the secret fortune left by someone unknown to him.

The world was watching him. Some waiting for him to fail. Others waiting to use him.

And then there were those who wanted him gone.

Jackim clenched his fists.

He wasn't going to let them win.

"I'll do it," he said.

Zhou's smirk widened. "Good."

---

The next morning, Jackim found himself standing in front of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The air smelled of rust and damp concrete.

"Not exactly a martial arts school," Jackim muttered.

Zhou, standing beside him, merely chuckled. "You think real fighters train in air-conditioned gyms?"

Jackim remained silent.

The moment they stepped inside, Jackim's instincts screamed.

There were people inside. And they were strong.

The sound of fists hitting heavy bags echoed through the space. Muscular men and lean fighters moved across the floor, each radiating a sharp, deadly aura.

Jackim had fought underground before, but this… this was different.

"These aren't just fighters. They're killers."

Zhou gestured for him to follow. They walked past several sparring rings, where men and women clashed with bone-crushing force. No referees. No rules. Only survival.

Jackim's skin prickled.

Zhou suddenly stopped and turned to him. "Your training starts now."

Jackim tensed. "What do you mean—"

BAM!

Before he could react, something slammed into his stomach.

Jackim staggered back, coughing violently.

His vision blurred, and his ears rang as he looked up—only to see a man built like a beast standing before him.

The man cracked his knuckles. "Weak."

Jackim gritted his teeth. "You bastard—"

BAM!

A fist crashed into his ribs, sending him skidding across the floor.

Pain exploded through his body.

Zhou watched calmly. "Lesson one: pain is your best teacher."

Jackim groaned. His entire body screamed in agony, but he forced himself up.

The beastly man smirked. "Not bad. You can still stand."

Jackim wiped the blood from his lip.

He wasn't done yet.

---

For hours, Jackim endured relentless attacks. Every time he fell, Zhou ordered him to get back up.

"Your body is weak."

"Your techniques are sloppy."

"Your pain tolerance is laughable."

Jackim's vision darkened, his muscles screaming.

But he never stayed down.

By the end of the session, his body was bruised and battered. His breath was ragged, but his eyes still burned with determination.

Zhou finally nodded. "That's enough for today."

Jackim collapsed onto the floor, panting.

The beastly man who had been beating him chuckled. "Kid's got guts."

Zhou crouched beside him. "This is just the beginning. If you can't handle this, walk away now."

Jackim gritted his teeth. He wasn't quitting.

Zhou smirked. "Good. Then be here at dawn. And next time, try not to get beaten so badly."

Jackim closed his eyes.

Pain spread through his body, but beneath it, something stirred.

A hunger.

A hunger to grow. To rise.

To become something no one could ever look down on again.