A Descent into Darkness
Izuku followed Lord Varyn through the dimly lit corridors beneath the mansion. Each step felt heavier as they descended deeper into the underground levels of the Varyn estate. The torches flickered against the cold stone walls, casting elongated shadows that danced ominously with every flicker of the flames.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became. Unlike the bustling mansion above, this place was silent. The only sound was the faint dripping of water from somewhere in the distance, adding to the suffocating tension.
Izuku clenched his fists, his breath steady but his mind racing. He wasn't sure what awaited him, but Varyn's demeanor made it clear—this wasn't a place for weakness.
Finally, they arrived at a massive set of iron doors.
Varyn placed a hand on the cold metal, his golden eyes glinting with a hint of amusement.
"This is where true warriors are forged."
With a deep groan, the doors swung open—revealing a sight that made Izuku's heart pound.
The Hellish Training Grounds
The underground chamber was enormous, stretching far beyond what Izuku had imagined. The scent of sweat, iron, and dried blood filled the air, giving the place an almost primal atmosphere.
Weapons lined the walls—blunted swords, spears, daggers, and axes, each one bearing marks of use. The ground was uneven, filled with patches of dirt and areas stained deep red.
At the center, knights sparred violently. Their strikes echoed through the cavernous space, each clash of metal-on-metal carrying a weight that made Izuku's muscles tense instinctively.
Some of the knights bore fresh wounds, their armor dented and clothing torn. Others had bandaged arms, but their expressions were unfazed.
There was no mercy here.
Izuku's breath hitched.
This… wasn't training.
This was war.
"You Survive, or You Break"
Varyn strode forward, his cloak billowing slightly as he surveyed the warriors.
He gestured toward the brutal scene before them.
"This is the real training ground. There is no mercy here."
Izuku glanced at the warriors again. Their eyes held no hesitation. Each strike they delivered carried intent to kill.
"And if I get injured?" Izuku asked, keeping his voice steady.
Varyn smirked. "Then you'll learn faster."
"And if I die?"
Varyn's golden eyes gleamed. "Then you weren't worth saving."
Izuku clenched his fists.
He expected something harsh—but this? This was brutal.
But deep inside… something stirred.
A challenge. A trial. A place where only the strong survived.
He exhaled slowly. "Fine."
Varyn studied him for a moment before turning to one of the senior knights. "Bring me three of your best."
Izuku vs. The Wolves
Three figures stepped forward.
Big. Fast. Dangerous.
Each of them had a different build—one was towering and muscular, another was lean and quick, and the third had an air of discipline that reminded Izuku of seasoned warriors.
Their eyes held no kindness.
"A child?" The muscular knight scoffed. "You're wasting our time, Lord Varyn."
Varyn raised an eyebrow. "Don't hold back. He doesn't have time for soft training."
The knights hesitated for only a second before nodding.
Izuku exhaled. His body was already exhausted.
The duel with Edric had left his muscles sore and aching.
And now he had to fight three trained warriors?
A slow grin spread across his lips.
Fine. He would survive. Just like always.
The First Strike
The muscular knight was the first to move. He swung a wooden greatsword down with incredible force—
Izuku barely had time to sidestep.
A gust of wind rushed past him as the wooden blade struck the ground, leaving a deep dent in the dirt.
Fast. Strong. Deadly.
The second knight came in immediately, a spear jabbing toward Izuku's ribs.
Izuku twisted his body, barely avoiding the sharp wooden tip.
His body screamed in protest.
His muscles were already sore, his endurance pushed to its limit.
And the pain sensitivity curse didn't help. Every movement sent sharp waves of agony through his body.
But he had no choice.
The third knight—the disciplined one—watched carefully. He wasn't moving yet, waiting for an opening.
Izuku cursed internally.
Three opponents. No real weapon. No real strength.
But he had his mind.
And if there was one thing he had mastered…
It was survival.
Turning the Tide
Izuku feinted a retreat, taking three quick steps backward.
The muscular knight, thinking he was fleeing, rushed forward.
A mistake.
Izuku suddenly dropped low, kicking up a cloud of dirt as he swept his foot across the knight's ankle.
The knight stumbled, his balance breaking.
Izuku lunged forward. He drove his elbow into the man's ribs, forcing the air out of his lungs.
One down.
But before he could capitalize, the spear came again.
Izuku barely dodged, the wooden tip grazing his side. Pain flared, but he gritted his teeth.
The third knight, the one who had been watching—finally moved.
And his attack was lethal.
A Warrior's Instinct
Izuku barely had time to react.
The third knight's wooden blade came at him from the side—a perfect execution of a warrior's strike.
Izuku's instincts screamed. He twisted mid-air, barely avoiding the blow.
But he wasn't fast enough.
The wooden blade slammed into his ribs.
Crack.
Pain exploded.
Izuku gasped, his vision blurring.
A system prompt flashed.
[Pain Resistance +0.8%]
[Pain Resistance: 7.85%]
Tch.
Izuku clenched his fists.
The knights thought they had won.
They thought he would stay down.
But Izuku never stayed down.
To Be Continued in Chapter 25 – A Battle of Survival