RING BORN

Chapter 15 – The Dawn of a New Era

A dark fog loomed over a quiet village at the borders of Japan. The moon, half-hidden behind thick clouds, cast an eerie glow over the landscape. In the middle of the village, a monstrous figure crouched over a lifeless body, its sharp claws tearing into flesh. The creature had the head of a goat, its black eyes empty and soulless, its mouth soaked in blood.

It chewed slowly, savoring the taste of human flesh. Then, with a deep, guttural growl, it licked its lips.

"Delicious…" it muttered, its voice a horrific blend of human and beast. "I need more."

The wind howled, carrying its laughter into the night.

---

Meanwhile, in the city…

Ren Ayashi's eyes shot open. He had barely slept since his defeat in the tournament finals. His body still ached, but something inside him burned hotter than pain—determination. Today marked a new beginning.

He quickly got up and rushed to wake the others.

"Oi! Wake up, you lazy idiots! We're late!"

Ryo Alves, still half-asleep, grumbled, "Just… five more minutes…" before turning over and mumbling, "Messi…"

Hajime groaned, rubbing his eyes. "What the hell, Ren? It's barely morning—"

Ren didn't wait. He grabbed Akira by the collar and tossed him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Hajime sighed and did the same to Ryo, who remained in his sleepy, dream-like state.

As they dashed through the streets, still half-dressed and barely awake, they crashed into several people, almost knocking over an elderly man.

"Sorry, old man, we're in a rush!" Ren called out.

When they finally reached the Ringborn Tower, they stopped to catch their breath. The building stood tall and imposing, a massive skyscraper lined with glowing blue energy patterns, its structure a mix of modern steel and ancient engravings. The entrance was lined with guards, and inside, hundreds of Ringborns had already gathered.

They barely made it in time.

The large auditorium buzzed with chatter as hundreds of new and old Ringborns stood together. Some had been part of the tournament, others had just awakened their powers. The air was thick with excitement and tension.

Then, the stage lit up.

A mysterious man in a black suit stepped forward. His voice boomed across the hall, immediately commanding respect.

"Welcome, Ringborns," he announced. "You have been chosen to be the first line of defense against the threats to humanity. From this day forward, this tower will be your home, your battlefield, and your training ground."

The crowd whispered in excitement.

"The world government has established this facility to train and organize all Ringborns into a structured force. Some of you will become protectors, others will become hunters, taking on missions that will define the future of our species."

Murmurs spread through the room.

Then, he dropped the bombshell.

"You will all be divided into teams of seven, carefully selected based on your strengths, abilities, and personalities. These teams will train together, fight together, and grow stronger together. Every mission you complete will earn your team points, and your rank will be based on your performance, teamwork, and strength."

The crowd erupted in excitement.

"Wait, we get PAID?!" one Ringborn shouted.

The announcer smirked. "Yes. And not just a little. The world government will pay top-class Ringborns enough to live like kings."

The hall exploded with cheers.

"I'M NEVER LEAVING THIS PLACE!" someone yelled.

Ren grinned, feeling his blood rush with excitement. This was it. The start of something much bigger than a simple tournament.

Ryo, now fully awake, clenched his fists. "This is our chance to become stronger than ever."

Akira smirked. "I like the sound of that."

Hajime nodded seriously. "But this also means our enemies are going to be stronger too. We need to be ready."

As the new Ringborn generation officially began, far away, in the shadows, the goat-headed creature let out a sinister laugh.

"The hunt begins soon…"