Chapter 15: Bloodhoods' Resolve
The Blood Tournament was now the most anticipated event in the world. Posters of the grand battle spread across continents, plastered on buildings, digital billboards, and even television broadcasts. The Skull Association, an elite organization dedicated to training the strongest Blood Art users, had announced it as the ultimate test of power.
The reward? 1,000 billion yen.
The world had never seen such high stakes before. Tickets sold out within hours, and entire nations buzzed with excitement. In every country, warriors prepared, eager to prove themselves.
Far from Japan, in the heart of Europe, a masked figure sat silently in a dimly lit dojo. His fingers traced the edge of a Blood Tournament poster, his breath steady. His eyes, hidden beneath his mask, studied every detail.
"So, it begins…" he whispered.
Bloodhoods' Relentless Training
Meanwhile, back in Japan, the Bloodhoods trained harder than ever.
Eighteen days had passed since their brutal regimen began, and they had all grown stronger. Their martial arts, blood arts, and techniques had evolved, honed through sheer discipline and the drive to become champions.
Ardyn, however, was obsessed.
Ardyn's Struggle
Every day, he pushed himself past his limits, perfecting Godspeed. Yet, despite his best efforts, he had only reached sound-level speed.
His frustration was unbearable.
Ezra watched him from a distance and eventually spoke. "Ardyn, even reaching sound speed is an incredible feat. Many fail to even grasp the basics of Godspeed."
But Ardyn clenched his fists. He wasn't satisfied. "It's not enough. It's never enough."
His mind became flooded with memories. His mother's cries, his brother's death, his humiliating defeat against Toku—they haunted him every night.
He gritted his teeth, the emotions swirling like a violent storm.
"Why am I so weak?! I need to get stronger!"
That night, as the others rested, Ardyn sat alone beneath the stars. His breathing was sharp, his heart pounding.
Steel's Burden
Elsewhere, Steel leaned against a training post, lost in thought. The warm evening breeze brushed against his face, but it didn't calm the storm inside him. His mind drifted back to the past—to the blood, the pain, the ruthless survival.
He had been forced to grow up in a world where weakness meant death.
But more than anything, there was one reason he needed that 1,000 billion yen.
His little sister, Mita.
She was sick. Trapped in a battle against time. And only an expensive, rare cure could save her.
Steel clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around his training blade. "I have to win. No matter what."
A Nightmare Awakens
Later that night, Ardyn tossed and turned in his sleep. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Suddenly, his body shuddered violently.
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Hahaha… look at you. A motherless boy."
Ardyn's breath hitched. The voice was dark, mocking, filled with malice.
"You couldn't even kill the man who murdered your brother. You're nothing but a failure."
His pulse raced. His body felt trapped, like chains were wrapping around his limbs.
"Stop it… shut up…!"
But the voice continued.
"Weak. Useless. Nothing."
Ardyn's eyes shot open. His body jolted upright, his breath ragged. The room was dark, the only sound was the pounding of his heartbeat. His entire body ached, his muscles tight.
"What… was that…?"
He wiped his forehead, feeling the cold sweat. His hands trembled.
Shaking his head, he tried to push the feeling away. But as he moved to stand, pain shot through his legs.
"Ahhh…" he winced, gripping his shin.
Shin splints.
His relentless training was tearing his body apart.
"Damn it… how do I fix this?"
He bit his lip. The tournament was drawing closer, and he couldn't afford to fall behind.
The Blood Tournament Approaches
As the sun rose the next morning, the Bloodhoods gathered outside, ready to push themselves even further. The tournament was only days away, and the world was waiting.
Ardyn's hands clenched into fists.
Steel stared up at the sky.
Vex, Zion, Kai, and the rest of the Bloodhoods tightened their bandages, adjusted their stances, and steeled their resolve.
Because soon, they wouldn't just be training anymore.
They'd be fighting for their lives.
And the Blood Tournament would begun.