Dark Dragon: The Summoned Hero Is A Villain

Snake's knuckles rapped three times against the wooden door before leaning back with a grin on his face.

The sounds of shuffling came from inside, then the door creaked open, revealing a gaunt man with sunken cheeks and tired eyes.

His hair was messy, and his left arm was stiff from an old injury.

"Marlon," Snake said warmly, spreading his arms. "It's been too long."

The man blinked, then recognition sparked in his weary gaze. "Snake? By the abyss, you actually came."

"Of course I came," Snake chuckled. "Would I miss seeing an old friend?"

Marlon's lips twitched into a weak smile. "Come in, come in."

He stepped aside, and Snake sauntered through, his red hair bouncing softly as he walked.

The house was cramped, and the walls patched in places where damp had eaten through.

A faint chill lingered in the air, but Marlon busied himself pouring tea into chipped cups, sliding one across the table.

Snake accepted it, though he hardly touched the rim, content to swirl it in his hand.

"So," Snake leaned forward, eyes twinkling, "how have you been holding up?"

Marlon gave a dry laugh. "Woefully."

"You know what it's like. You were there that day."

His eyes went distant, as if replaying an old memory.

"My fighting career's practically dead. The debts… they never stop piling. And tonight? I face him. The bastard behind it all."

Snake tilted his head. "Toboggan."

The name alone lit a fire in Marlon's eyes. His fists clenched on the table.

"That bastard broke my shoulder in the ring last year. Said it was just the fight, but we both know he did it on purpose."

"He sent me crawling into debt for treatment. And as if that wasn't enough, he stole my wife. My wife, Snake! Took her like I was nothing."

Snake sipped lightly from the tea, his grin widening. "And if you had the chance, just a moment, a single moment, to make him pay? To end him with your bare hands… would you take it?"

Marlon slammed a fist on the table, rattling the cups. "I'd grab it. I'd grab it with everything I have."

His breath came heavy, his chest heaving as if the thought alone burned through him.

"That's what I like to hear." Snake reached into his coat and pulled out a small vial.

The liquid inside shimmered faintly, swirling red and black like smoke trapped in glass.

He held it up, the faint light in the room reflecting off its surface.

Marlon's eyes widened. "What… what is that?"

Snake's grin widened. "An opportunity. The exact one you've been waiting for."

"Drink this at the critical moment, and it'll give you strength like you've never known. Speed. Power. Enough to crush Toboggan into the dirt and make him beg for mercy."

Marlon leaned back, his eyes darting nervously between the vial and Snake's face.

"An unknown drink? Snake, I've drunk poison before in this cursed life. How do I know this won't kill me?"

Snake leaned closer, his voice dropping into a whisper. "Because I've seen what it does."

"You know me, Marlon. I wouldn't offer you something that would end you before your revenge."

"You think I'd cheat an old friend out of the only thing he lives for now?"

His smile softened, though his eyes gleamed with passion. "All it takes is one swallow, Marlon. One swallow, and Toboggan's blood is yours."

Marlon stared at the vial, his trembling hands inching closer.

Doubt still flickered in his gaze, but the fire of hatred smoldered hotter in his heart.

Snake pushed the vial across the table, letting it slide until it tapped gently against Marlon's fingers.

"Do you want him to keep winning?" Snake murmured. "Or do you want to take back everything he stole?"

Marlon's throat worked as he swallowed hard. Then, with a hiss of breath, he snatched up the vial, his eyes blazing. "I'll take it."

Snake leaned back in his chair, smile widening in satisfaction. "Good man."

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Noah slipped into the shadows of a deserted alley, the already soft noise of the Broken Lantern district muffled around him.

He reached into his spatial ring, pulling out his leather cloak. He swung it around his shoulders, the black fabric settling like armor.

Next, he drew out the strip of dark cloth, tying it snugly around the lower half of his face until only his orange eyes remained visible.

The mask gave him anonymity, but more importantly, it marked the mindset he needed.

The predator.

He exhaled slowly, then activated Null Stride.

The world folded inward. A rift opened in his chest, pulling his atoms into a haze of distorted space.

An instant later, reality snapped back.

Noah stood in the gang leader's study, the faint distortion fading around him like ripples in water.

The man at the desk jolted upright, eyes wide.

"You...!"

His hand twitched toward a drawer, but he stopped himself when he saw Noah. "The six hours… you're back."

Noah stepped forward, his shadows curling faintly around him.

"And?" His voice was cold. "What have you found?"

The leader licked his lips nervously. "I haven't found his location… but I've learned more. The man you're looking for, this 'Snake', he's an underground ring fighter."

"Underground ring?" Noah tilted his head.

The man nodded quickly, eager to explain. "Illegal bouts, away from the eyes of the colosseum, the Monster Guild and the crown."

"There are few rules, and fewer limits. Fighters bet their lives as much as their fists."

"Snake is one of the rising stars. He appeared on the scene a few months ago, but supposedly vanished a few weeks ago."

"The crowd loves him. He's flashy, ruthless, and unpredictable."

"The underground ring huh?" Noah's eyes narrowed in thought. "How do I get into one of those?"

"There's a fight tonight." The leader's voice grew calmer, already knowing the information was his only shield.

"I can get you access. You'll need to go in as a spectator. The rings change location often, but I've already secured your entry."

Before Noah could reply, the study door slammed open.

A gang member stumbled in, panting hard, his face covered with sweat.

"Boss! We saw him! We saw Snake!"