Jungkook stood at the center of the coliseum, body aching but victorious.

Blood dripped from a shallow cut on his cheek, staining his lips red. He exhaled sharply, letting his dagger spin between his fingers before sheathing it.

The crowd was still reeling, torn between awe and disbelief. A mere outsider had bested the twin princes of the empire.

Atop his high throne, the Emperor finally rose.

"Jungkook."

The single name rang out, commanding absolute silence.

Jungkook flicked his gaze up lazily, meeting the Emperor's sharp eyes. His posture remained relaxed, almost defiant. He wasn't one to bow easily-not even to royalty.

"You have surprised me," the Emperor continued, his voice rich with amusement and calculation. "Few warriors have ever stood against my sons and emerged victorious."

Jungkook tilted his head, wiping his bloody lip with his thumb. "Guess I'm not just any warrior, huh?"

A ripple of whispers spread through the nobles, scandalized by his casual tone. Lyra, watching from the stands, smirked. That's my bestfriend🤧.

Taehyung, now standing with his sword retrieved, let out a low chuckle. "Sassy even in victory? I should've expected that."

V, standing beside him, watched Jungkook with dark, unreadable eyes. His fingers flexed slightly, as if itching for a rematch.

The Emperor studied Jungkook, then descended the stairs from his throne. As he stepped onto the arena floor, even the highest nobles sucked in a breath.

The Emperor rarely left his throne-yet here he was, approaching the victor himself.

Jungkook didn't move. If anything, his smirk widened. So, mighty emperor wants a closer look?

The older man stopped in front of him, eyes narrowing. "Tell me, Jungkook-who trained you?"

Jungkook arched an eyebrow. "Do I look like the kind of guy who gives away all his secrets?"

The tension in the coliseum thickened. Several knights tensed, as if expecting the Emperor to strike him down for his insolence.

But the Emperor merely chuckled. "Bold. You remind me of someone."

Jungkook's smirk faltered for just a fraction of a second.

The Emperor knew.

The realization slithered down Jungkook's spine like a blade against skin. But he refused to show weakness. He rolled his shoulders, feigning nonchalance. "I get that a lot."

The Emperor hummed. "I imagine you do."

A pause maybe a calculated silence.

Then-

"You are not from here, yet you fight as if you belong."

Jungkook finally crossed his arms. "Maybe I do belong. Or maybe your fancy princes just aren't as unbeatable as everyone thinks."

Taehyung chuckled, stepping closer. "You wound me, darling."

V simply stared at him, unreadable as always.

The Emperor's lips twitched in amusement, but his eyes remained sharp. "Tell me, Jungkook. What would you do if I offered you a place in my court?"

The entire coliseum stilled.

A place in the royal court. The chance to rise beyond the sands of the arena.

Jungkook could practically feel Lyra holding her breath.

He tapped his chin, pretending to consider it. "Hmm. Fancy meals? Soft beds? A bunch of annoying nobles whispering behind my back?" He wrinkled his nose. "Sounds boring."

A few nobles gasped audibly. Taehyung outright laughed.

V's lips twitched. "You're amusing."

Jungkook grinned, tilting his head. "That's not the first time I've heard that, Pretty Boy."

V's expression didn't change, but his fingers curled just slightly.

The Emperor, however, wasn't done. "You may have won today, but strength alone does not determine one's place in the world."

Jungkook's smirk never wavered. "And yet, here I am, still standing."

The Emperor stared at him for a long moment. Then, he smiled.

"I will give you time to decide," he said, turning. "Until then, you are a guest of the palace."

Jungkook arched an eyebrow. "I'm not a prisoner?"

"If you were," the Emperor said without looking back, "you would not have a choice at all."

The unspoken warning lingered in the air as he strode away.

Jungkook exhaled, only now realizing how closely Taehyung was watching him.

"You're dangerous," Taehyung murmured.

Jungkook smirked. "You love it."

V let out a low hum, his unreadable gaze locked onto Jungkook. "We'll see."

Lyra finally broke through the crowd, shoving past a few guards. "There you are!" She grabbed Jungkook's arm, inspecting his injuries. "What the hell were you thinking, dumbass Bunny?!"

Jungkook winced. "Ouch-Ly, I just fought royalty, maybe go easy on me?"

Lyra scoffed. "And yet, you're still a reckless idiot."

Before Jungkook could retort, another voice cut through the crowd.

"You fought well, son."

Jungkook's breath caught.

He turned sharply, his heart pounding at the sight of his father standing near the edge of the coliseum, watching him with a rare, proud expression.

"Father," Jungkook breathed.

Lyra stepped back, giving them space as Jungkook's father approached.

The older man had the same sharp gaze, the same confident stance-but unlike the Emperor, his expression held something warmer. Something proud.

You've always been reckless."

Jungkook scoffed. "Reckless is just another word for creative."

His father chuckled. "Creative, huh? I'd say foolishly daring, but fine, we'll call it that."

"You held your own against the princes," his father continued. "Few can say the same."

Jungkook shrugged. "Eh. They weren't that hard."

Lyra smacked his arm. "Kook, shut up before they decide to kill you after all."

Jungkook's father only chuckled. "And yet, you still have your sharp tongue."

Jungkook winked. "It's my best weapon."

His father placed a firm hand on his shoulder, squeezing once. "You have done well. But be careful, Jungkook. This world you've stepped into is not as simple as a fight in the arena. It is a war of politics. Of power. The Emperor does not offer places lightly."

Jungkook exhaled, his smirk faltering just slightly.

He knew. He knew this wasn't just a game anymore.

Taehyung and V weren:t just strong opponents they were royalty. And the Emperor wasn't a man who gave second chances.

"I can handle myself," Jungkook finally said.

His father smirked. "I know."

Jungkook let out a slow breath, watching as his father turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Lyra nudged his side. "You okay?"

Jungkook hummed. "Yeah. Just... thinking."

"That's new."

"Ha ha. You're so funny, Lyra."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Just don't die, alright?"

Jungkook grinned. "Nah. I have way too much chaos left to cause."

As he turned back towards the arena, he caught V watching him from the stands, expression unreadable. Taehyung stood beside him, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Jungkook met their gazes and winked. Taehyung's smirk widened. V's lips pressed into a thin line.

And Jungkook?...He just laughed.

Because this game was only just beginning

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