RING BORN

Chapter 17: Shadows of the Past

Ryo stepped into Z Block, his new home within the Ringborn Tower. The massive facility had everything—training areas, battlegrounds, and even a football and basketball field. It was a paradise for any fighter looking to improve. But for now, everyone was resting in their rooms.

Yuuma smirked as he leaned against the door. "Welcome, Ryo Alves."

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Uh… okay?"

Before he could ask anything, Julia, a girl with soft blonde hair, spoke up. "So, what's the plan?"

"Simple," Asahi said, cracking his knuckles. "We fight."

Gabriel grinned. "Oh, really? You think you can win against me?"

Without warning, Asahi clapped his hands together. A powerful soundwave exploded through the room. Gabriel clutched his ears, groaning in pain.

"Agh! Stop it, you're not HIM!" Gabriel shouted.

Julia sighed. "Can you guys stop fighting already?"

Yuuma chuckled. "Nah, this is fun. Keep going."

Gabriel growled and tackled Yuuma, slamming him into the floor.

"You little brat," Gabriel muttered.

Yuuma groaned. "Ahh… not again."

Before things could escalate further, the door burst open. A tall woman with sharp eyes and a commanding presence entered.

"From today onward, I'll be your guide," she announced.

Ryo crossed his arms. "And what exactly does a 'guide' do?"

The woman smirked. "I make sure you weaklings don't embarrass yourselves."

Yuuma scoffed. "Who are you calling weak?"

In a flash, the guide delivered a powerful kick to Yuuma's stomach, sending him flying into a wall.

"No raising your voice in front of me," she said coldly.

Yuuma groaned. "Ow… noted."

The guide folded her arms. "Now listen up. You all are the weakest team ever recorded. That's why you haven't been assigned missions yet."

Ryo clenched his fists. Weakest? That didn't sit well with him.

"Starting today, you'll be training. Hard. If you want to survive as Ringborns, you have no choice," the guide continued.

The team groaned.

"First stop—the gym."

---

Training Begins

The team arrived at the gym, a vast space filled with training equipment. Yuuma smirked. "Watch this, Julia."

He confidently grabbed a dumbbell… only to immediately drop it.

"Gah! So heavy!"

Ryo chuckled. "Maybe start smaller?"

The training session was intense. Weightlifting, endurance drills, combat exercises—no one was spared. Ryo could feel his muscles burning, but he refused to stop.

He glanced at Daiki, who was effortlessly lifting heavy weights.

"You're strong, Daiki."

Daiki shook his head. "Not strong enough."

The hours passed, and by the time night fell, the team collapsed onto their beds, exhausted.

But while Z Block was focused on training, something far more sinister was happening elsewhere.

---

The Haunted House Investigation

Meanwhile, in a remote part of Japan, the Cherubims were on a mission.

Their target? Mr. Cooper's Haunted House.

Ren Ayashi stood at the entrance, arms crossed. "Alright, everyone. Stay sharp."

Seichi, flashlight in hand, pushed the creaking door open. A chilling breeze blew past them.

"This place gives me the creeps," Zach muttered.

"Relax," Shura said. "It's just an abandoned house."

A sudden knock echoed through the hallway.

Seichi jumped. He turned to see Zach standing there.

"It's just me," Zach said, chuckling.

Seichi exhaled. "Damn it, don't scare me like that."

Meanwhile, Shura sat alone by the beach nearby, staring at the waves. Itoshi and Klaus were speaking with the locals, trying to gather information.

"This place has a dark history," Klaus murmured.

"Something about it just feels… wrong," Itoshi agreed.

But the real danger lurked in the backyard, where Haruna wandered alone.

A shadow flickered behind her. Something inhuman moved.

Before she could react—it grabbed her.

A bloodcurdling scream filled the air.