Kai stood under the steaming shower, the fog curling around him like a shroud. His thoughts were heavy, but the warm water offered a brief reprieve from the day’s chaos. A man in a suit had led him to the suite he was now occupying—a luxurious one nestled in a different wing of the Draco building, which doubled as a high-end hotel for distinguished guests.

The suite was a masterpiece of futuristic design, blending sleek functionality with unmatched opulence. The walls were made of smooth, polished alloy, their metallic sheen subtly illuminated by soft, ambient lights that adjusted to Kai’s presence. A sprawling floor to ceiling window offered a breathtaking view of the city, the shimmering skyline stretching out under a blanket of stars.

The furniture was both minimalistic and sophisticated, with clean lines and soft curves. The sofa seemed to hover slightly above the floor, its base hidden by discreet magnetic technology. The bed, larger than any Kai had ever seen, was dressed in fabric that shimmered like liquid silver, promising comfort beyond his imagination. A holographic interface on the wall allowed full control of the suite—lighting, climate, even entertainment at the touch of a finger or a simple voice command.

The bathroom was equally extravagant. The shower Kai stood in was enclosed in glass that frosted for privacy at the wave of a hand. A mirror displayed real-time readouts of his vitals and could even project soothing visuals or news updates if he desired. The floors were warmed beneath his feet, and every surface seemed to exude a quiet luxury.

Kai couldn’t believe how a place like this could coexist with the barren, unforgiving planet outside. The contrast was staggering. Despite the luxury surrounding him, his mind refused to settle. Ever since his discovery of the strange liquid that had invaded his body, his life had been a whirlwind of danger and uncertainty.

What exactly have I gotten myself into? he wondered, letting the warm water wash over him, hoping it could rinse away his troubling thoughts. What he needed now was food and some rest.

He turned off the shower and reached for a clean towel. Drying himself off, he searched for a place to hang it but found none. Spotting a sleek basket in the corner, he tossed the towel in with a slight shake of his head. This place will always choose comfort over sustainability, he reminded himself.

Stepping out of the bathroom, he froze. His clothes were gone. His heart leaped, a surge of paranoia coursing through him. Had Kevin played him after all?

Kai rushed into the main room, still naked, scanning the room until his eyes landed on the desk. His bag sat exactly where he’d left it. He exhaled a shaky breath and hurried over, checking inside. Everything was still there, including the notebook. He stared at it for a moment, gripping it tightly. I need to be more careful, he thought. Just because he had struck a deal with Kevin didn’t mean they were friends.

Kai noticed a neatly folded set of clothes left outside the bathroom. On top of the clothes was a small note, written in precise, elegant handwriting:

Kai,

I trust you’ll find your accommodations to your liking. Please enjoy your stay and make full use of the facilities. Attached is your room key/credit card for any additional expenses you may incur during your time here. You cloth will return to you after cleaning. Consider it a gesture of goodwill and trust in our partnership.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

- Kevin

Clipped to the note was a sleek black credit card, embossed with a gold logo that matched the opulence of everything else in the suite. Kai stared at it for a moment, the gesture feeling both generous and calculated. A show of power and wealth, he thought, but he tucked the card into his pocket. For now, it was another resource in his arsenal.

Kai slipped into the clothes, finding that they struck a perfect balance between formal and casual. The suit was comfortable, made from a lightweight, durable material that hinted at practicality. The design subtly embodied the mining heritage of Draco—charcoal-gray fabric with fine gold stitching running along the seams, resembling the veins of precious metals found deep underground. The cuffs bore an embossed emblem of the company. It was attire meant to remind him of Draco’s dominance while ensuring he looked sharp enough to represent them.

Kai adjusted the suit, appreciating its fit, but he couldn’t help feeling a little too exposed without his usual jacket. It had been a staple of his wardrobe for years, and he hoped he’d reunite with it soon. He pocketed the sleek black card, straightened his cuffs, and opened the door to his guest room.

If he remembered correctly, the elevator was just down the hallway. He paused, debating his options: he could dine in one of the building’s restaurants or venture out into the city. The memory of feeling watched earlier came back to him, and the decision was easy. Staying inside the Draco building felt safer for now.

Kai stepped into the elevator and descended to the second floor, which housed a diner primarily used by Draco employees during the day. It was a practical space, a corporate cantina designed for efficiency rather than elegance. The smell of freshly prepared food greeted him as he stepped out, and the low hum of conversation filled the air.

Kai figured a quick meal here would do the trick. He’d eat, then head back to his room to rest. After all, the less attention he drew, the better.

Hunger gnawed at him again, sharper than usual. Whatever changes had occurred in his body seemed to demand more fuel. He grabbed a full tray of food, and found an empty table in a quiet corner, away from the bustling employees. Though he didn’t admire the unnecessary luxury of these people’s lives, he had to admit their food looked, and smelled—delicious. And since it was all free, why not indulge a little?

Halfway through devouring his meal, he heard the sharp, rhythmic clicking of high heels on the polished floor. His appetite paused as he looked up to see the receptionist from earlier approaching him.

She was just as delicately beautiful as before, with a face like a porcelain doll—perfectly composed, with flawless skin and softly painted lips. Her professional demeanor hadn’t faded, and her graceful movements seemed almost rehearsed. As her hazel eyes met his, Kai couldn’t help but smile at her.

Kai had to remind himself that the woman before him possessed a different kind of beauty—a beauty that provided leverage. Unlike the natural, unpretentious allure that Lily exuded from within, the beauty he witnessed now was carefully crafted, manmade, and potentially dangerous.

He put down his fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He didn’t speak, waiting for her to make the first move. When she pulled out the chair across from him and sat down, he didn’t offer assistance. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression.

“Oh, don’t let me stop you,” she said, placing a small plate of food on the table. It was barely a meal in Kai’s eyes. There’s no way that’s enough food for her, he thought, but he said nothing.

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The receptionist noticed his gaze and smiled, her expression polished yet disarming. “Oh, my manners,” she said lightly. “I’m Eliana. And if you don’t mind, may I have yours?”

“Kai,” he replied simply. Then, with a slight nod, he added, “Thanks for the help earlier, Eliana.”

"Don’t be so formal, Kai,” Eliana said, her tone light and friendly. “I was just doing my job. Speaking of which, I’m on my meal break now, so let’s talk like we’re off the clock, alright?” She flashed a practiced smile, her perfect white teeth catching the light. “I think you look good in that suit,” she added, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Kai nodded his thanks, but inwardly, he wondered if the blush was as practiced as the smile. Why had she chosen to sit at his table when there were plenty of other empty ones? A younger version of himself might have thought she was interested in him, but maturing had taught him otherwise. The world wasn’t just about hormones and desires.

Deciding not to beat around the bush, Kai leaned back slightly, his gaze steady. He didn’t care much for her opinion of him. He wasn’t here to impress her or make friends. He was here to do business, to make a profit, to achieve his dream.

“So,” he said, his tone direct, “what brings you to my table, Eliana?”

Kai studied Eliana carefully, noting that his direct question didn’t elicit even a flicker of surprise. If her answer seemed contrived or far-fetched, he was ready to end the conversation and leave.

Eliana, however, didn’t hesitate. “I was curious about what you found in the mine,” she said evenly. “It’s not every day someone comes in with a lead on a new vein. I just wanted to know how that feels.”

Kai paused, weighing her words. He remembered that he’d told her he’d found a vein earlier, which was why she had sent him up in the first place. Low-level employees probably don’t have access to sensitive information, he thought.

“The information still requires validation,” Kai replied calmly. “So, right now, it’s just my word against theirs. But... finding a vein is like winning the lottery—only it’s a lottery you play with your life.”

Eliana’s expression shifted, her smile fading slightly. “Must be exciting when you do find one,” she said softly, her tone laced with melancholy. “I can’t imagine what that feels like. My work... it’s the same every day. Nothing ever changes.”

Her eyes glistened slightly, and for a moment, Kai wasn’t sure if she was genuinely emotional or playing a part. He decided to keep it professional. “Trust me,” he said, his voice steady, “far more people lose their lives than find success. It’s not a life for someone like you.”

Eliana’s expression hardened, her tone sharpening. “Someone like me? What kind of person do you think I am?”

Kai raised his hands slightly in a gesture of peace. “Sorry, I meant no offense. I just meant... the mines are a different world. There’s usually more fighting than talking down there.” His words were straightforward, matter-of-fact.

For a moment, the tension hung in the air, and Kai waited to see how she would respond.

"Do you want to spar with me?" Eliana asked, her tone cool but laced with challenge.

"I'm sorry?" Kai blinked, certain he’d misheard her.

"Fight me," she clarified, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And see if I’m the kind of girl you think I am."

Kai’s gaze flicked to her plate—a delicate egg salad sandwich and a few pieces of fruit. The contrast between her bold words and her dainty meal caught him completely off guard.

Eliana noticed his glance and smiled. “I know a place,” she continued, leaning forward slightly, “but only if you accept the challenge. Or are you too scared?”

Kai chuckled, shaking his head. "A little exercise after lunch won’t hurt," he said with a smirk. “Fine. But what’s the prize for this fight?”

Eliana tilted her head thoughtfully, then her smile turned playful. “If I win, you’ll have to take me to the mine one day.”

Kai raised an eyebrow. “And if I win?”

Eliana paused, her gaze locking with his. Her voice dropped slightly, and a sly smile curled her lips. “If you win... I’ll let you know me better.”

Her suggestive tone wasn’t lost on Kai. He leaned back in his chair.

To say that Eliana's offer wasn’t tempting would have been a lie. Kai was a normal man with normal desires, and the way she presented her challenge stirred something primal in him. But he wasn’t naive. He knew there was more to her proposition than just flirtation.

What the hell, he thought. If she wants to play games, I’ll play along. Let’s find out what she’s really after.

He leaned forward slightly, his smirk unwavering. “Alright, Eliana. Let’s see if you can back up that confidence.”

"Alright, my shift ends in 30 minutes. I'll meet you at the training room on the 15th floor in an hour" Eliana said with a playful smile. She finished her food with surprising speed, flashed an innocent grin at Kai, and walked off, leaving him to ponder her boldness.

Kai stared after her for a moment, then turned his attention back to his tray. He didn’t want to waste the rest of the food, but he also didn’t want to fight with a full stomach. He flagged down a server, asked for some containers, and packed up the leftovers. With his meal stored away, he returned to his room to prepare.

---

Kevin—or as most called him, Mr. Draco—stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, his silhouette framed by the sprawling cityscape below. From his vantage point, he could see the entire city and even the barren horizon beyond. His hands were clasped behind his back, his posture rigid as he focused.

The miner who had come in earlier that morning had delivered news that far surpassed the value of any discovered vein. It was something that should only exist in legends.

“Mr. Draco,” a soft voice interrupted his thoughts. His assistant stood by the door, a stack of reports in her arms.

“Leave them on the table, thank you,” he said, waving a hand without turning. She nodded, setting them down quietly before leaving.

Kevin's mind was elsewhere. If the miner’s claims were true—if they aligned with the stories passed down from his father and grandfather—it could mean the resurfacing of something far more important than any resource or power struggle. A secret that, if discovered by the wrong people, could bring about the destruction of humanity itself.

He took a slow, deep breath, yet his heart continued to race. Kevin prided himself on being unshakable, a man who had seen and controlled much in his lifetime. But the thought of facing the legend sent an uncharacteristic rush of adrenaline through his veins.

He turned from the window, his expression unreadable. "I’ll just have to see it for myself," he murmured to himself.

---

Kai changed his cloth under a servers instructions and entered the training room, a serene space with polished wooden floors and paper-paneled walls that let in soft, golden light. At its center was a circular sparring stage, slightly elevated and marked with faint concentric rings, surrounded by neatly rolled mats and racks of training weapons.

Eliana knelt in the middle of the stage, her legs tucked neatly beneath her, eyes closed in meditation. Her posture was straight, her breathing steady, and she seemed completely focused, a calm energy radiating from her that contrasted with her earlier playful demeanor.

Kai felt a pang of guilt; perhaps he’d judged her too quickly. Still, it didn’t matter now. He would discover the truth of who she really was by testing her skills. Kai was no martial artist, but his years spent surviving on the streets of Velmorra had taught him to fight hard and fight to win. He wasn’t sure if Eliana was ready for that kind of raw, unrestrained combat.

He stepped into the circle, approaching Eliana. She had removed her makeup, and for the first time, Kai saw her natural face. Without the polish, her features were softer, her freckles visible, and her complexion more human, less doll-like. Her eyes, no longer framed by cosmetics, seemed clearer, more earnest. She looks better this way, Kai thought.

Eliana sensed Kai’s approach but didn’t open her eyes. “Sit and meditate with me,” she said softly. “Clear your mind and just focus on the fight. Don’t think about the prize, don’t think about winning or losing. Just feel your opponent—try to understand them.”

Kai hesitated, then knelt opposite her. On Velmorra, kneeling was often seen as a sign of defeat, but he recognized this was different—a gesture of mutual respect. He closed his eyes, letting Eliana’s words guide him. What kind of person is Eliana, really? he wondered. His initial impression was of a materialistic girl, preoccupied with appearances. Yet seeing her now, calm and focused in the training room, challenged that assumption. Was she playing a part earlier, or was this just another side of her? The question left him puzzled.

When he opened his eyes, he found Eliana watching him with a steady gaze.

She rose gracefully, brushing her hands over her legs. “Ready when you are,” she said with a faint smile.

Kai stood, shaking off his uncertainty, and got into a standard boxing stance. His feet moved in a rhythmic bounce, his body swaying lightly with motion. In contrast, Eliana’s stance was calm and deliberate. She placed one foot forward, her arms raised, hands in a loose, half-fist position. She radiated precision and control, a stark contrast to Kai’s more fluid and reactive approach.

The match was on.