In the fighting pit, Aiden stood almost motionless, his body battered and bloodied from the intense match.


    His electric-blue eyes darted toward the Phenomenal who had opened the cage door, then shifted toward Ss, who was standing just beyond the railing.


    His fists clenched tightly at his sides, electricity sparking faintly between his fingers as he took a tentative step forward.


    Ss, unfazed, raised a hand in a gesture of calm. "Rx," he said evenly, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "I’m not here to control you. I’m here to help."


    Aiden didn’t respond immediately, his eyes narrowing as he studied Ss. "Help?" he echoed, his voice rough from exertion.


    "That’s a funny wording from someone who just bought me like a piece of meat."


    Ss nodded slightly, acknowledging the bitterness in Aiden’s tone. "You’re right. The circumstances aren’t exactly ideal. But I didn’t buy you to own you. I bought you to free you."


    Aiden’s shoulders tensed, his body still coiled with suspicion. "Why? What’s in it for you?"


    "Because I see potential in you," Ss replied. "And because people like us don’t belong in cages."


    Aiden looked at Ss for a brief moment, with filling up his head. He didn’t know what to make of ge situation. Why does this young man want him? And what for?


    Aiden was feeling veryplicated emotions right now. He was happy and relieved that this young man bought him as he would had died in the cage fight today.


    But he was also worried as he has no idea as to the reason why the young man bought him.


    Aiden hesitated for a long moment as he thought of all these. It was after a while before he finally came to term with his reality and stepped out of the cage.


    The crowd, now mostly dispersed, paid little attention to his exit. Ss watched him carefully, noting the wariness in his movements and the way his gaze flicked toward the Phenomenals stationed around the arena.


    As Aiden approached, Ss extended a hand. "I’m Ss."


    Aiden stared at the offered hand but didn’t take it. "I know who you are," he said tly. "The question is, why do you care?"


    Ss lowered his hand, unfazed by the rejection. "Because I know what it’s like to be used.


    And I know how dangerous you can be to the people who think they own you."


    Aiden’s jaw tightened, his eyes flickering with a mixture of anger and something resembling hope.


    After a moment, he nodded curtly. "Fine. I’lle with you. But if you’re lying—"


    "I’m not," Ss interjected, his tone firm. "And you’ll see that soon enough."


    .....


    As the two of them made their way toward the exit, Rin watched from her vantage point in the VIP section.


    Her sharp eyes followed Ss’s every movement, a faint smile ying at her lips.


    "He’s more dangerous than I thought," she murmured to herself, her tone tinged with both admiration and wariness.


    "But I wonder... what does someone like Ss Kurt want with a fighter like Aiden?"


    She leaned back in her chair, her mind already working through the implications of their encounter.


    The Ono n had dealt with many powerful figures over the years, but Ss was different. He wasn’t just powerful. He was someone very unpredictable and equally mysterious.


    Very little is known if him by the outside world and no matter how much they try to dig up on him, nothing everes up.


    The only thing that’s know about him is his face, his name and very little information on his family.


    Rin was very determined to know everything about Ss. First, she will start with tracking him through the bank ount that was used to send the money to her.


    .....


    Ss led Aiden through the dimly lit corridors of the underground arena, ignoring the curious nces of onlookers.


    Once they emerged into the cold Osaka night, Ss gged down a sleek ck car waiting for them nearby.


    The driver, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, stepped out and opened the door for them without a word.


    "Get in," Ss said simply, motioning for Aiden to enter first.


    Aiden hesitated, his gaze flickering between Ss and the car. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he climbed inside, sinking into the plush leather seat. Ss followed, shutting the door behind him.


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    As the car pulled away, the silence inside was heavy. Aiden stared out the window, his battered reflection staring back at him. His mind raced with questions, but none of them felt safe to ask.


    "Luna," Ss said suddenly, his voice breaking the quiet.


    A soft, feminine voice responded from the car’s speakers. {Yes, master?}


    "Prepare the medical equipment at the safe house. We’ll need everything ready by the time we arrive."


    {Understood. Shall I also prepare the profile briefing on Mr. Aiden?}


    Ss nced at Aiden, who was now looking at him with renewed suspicion.


    "No need," he said after a moment. "I already know enough."


    Aiden’s jaw tightened. "Do you always talk about people like they’re not sitting right next to you?"


    Ss raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the edge in Aiden’s tone. "Only when they’ve just stepped out of a death match and haven’t asked a single meaningful question about their situation."


    Aiden flinched at the uracy of the remark but quickly masked it with a scowl. "Fine. Then let me ask. Why did you buy me? What do you want?"


    Ss leaned back in his seat, his gaze steady. "I need someone like you—someone strong, skilled, and experienced. And someone who understands what it means to fight for survival."


    Aiden’s scowl deepened. "Sounds like you’re putting a lot of faith in someone you don’t know."


    "I know enough," Ss said evenly. "I know you’re not a killer. I know you’ve been forced into a life you didn’t choose. And I know you want out."


    The car fell silent again as Aiden processed Ss’s words. He hated how urate they were and how this stranger seemed to see through him with such ease.


    But there was something else in Ss’s tone—something genuine. It wasn’t pity. It was understanding.


    The car pulled up to a discreet building on the outskirts of the city. From the outside, it looked like a typical apartmentplex, but Aiden quickly realized it was anything but ordinary.


    Security cameras tracked their every move, and the locks on the doors were far more advanced than anything he’d seen before.


    Inside, Luna greeted them—or rather, her voice did. {Wee back, master. Medical suite is prepped and ready.}


    Ss guided Aiden to a sterile, state-of-the-art room that resembled a high-tech clinic. "Sit," he instructed, motioning to an exam chair.


    Aidenplied, too exhausted to argue. As Ss began tending to his injuries with surprising skill, Aiden finally broke the silence.


    "You didn’t answer my question earlier. Why me? There are plenty of fighters out there—better ones, probably."


    Ss didn’t look up as he worked. "Better fighters, maybe. But not better people. You’re not just strong—you’re principled. You have a line you won’t cross, even when it costs you. That’s rare."


    Aiden scoffed, wincing as Ss cleaned a particrly deep cut. "You make it sound like I’m some kind of hero. Newssh—I’m not."


    "I’m not looking for a hero," Ss said simply. "I’m looking for someone I can trust."


    Aiden fell silent, his thoughts a whirlwind of doubt and curiosity. For the first time in years, someone had seen him as more than just a weapon. It was unsettling—but also strangelyforting.