The city lights of Neo York flickered like a restless heartbeat as John Tan exited the penthouse. Rain had returned, tapping rhythmically against his coat and dripping from the brim of his hood. His mind replayed the rescue of Elise—six hours of tense concentration, near-death urgency, and the miraculous success that had left even seasoned medics in awe.
Yet triumph was fleeting.
From across the street, a sleek black sports car slid to a stop. Its engine purred low, almost predatory. The driver's door opened, and a tall man stepped out, his posture radiating confidence and arrogance. Sharp features, leather jacket, and a smirk that seemed to mock the very air around him. John recognized the face immediately. He had heard whispers in the medical underground: Max Carter, a healer of notorious skill and unscrupulous reputation.
Max's eyes locked onto John. "I've heard of you, little Tan," he called across the street, voice smooth and taunting. "Quite the miracle worker, saving the girl in six hours. Impressive. But can you do it again… under pressure?"
John felt a chill run down his spine. His recent victories had drawn attention, but now it had arrived in physical form—a rival, skilled and dangerous, coming to challenge him directly.
"I don't want trouble," John replied cautiously, keeping his distance. "I just… do what I can to help people."
Max laughed, the sound sharp and cutting through the night air. "Help people? You're entertaining yourself with heroics, but this is my world, Tan. Power, skill, reputation—they're not gifts, they're weapons. And you've stepped into territory that isn't yours to play in."
The crowd had begun to gather, intrigued by the tension radiating from the two men. Whispers spread quickly. Some recognized Max, murmuring about his past—healers defeated, rivals humiliated, and an aura of danger that preceded him wherever he went.
John's fists clenched instinctively, though he knew brute strength alone would not suffice. I have knowledge, skill, and instinct… I have the book.
Max reached into his coat and produced a small vial, the contents glowing faintly with a greenish hue. "Let's see how your precious book handles this," he said, tossing the vial toward John. The liquid splashed harmlessly at first—but he could feel its energy, the latent threat it carried.
John reacted instinctively, recalling a technique from the book: a combination of acupressure and rapid detoxification steps. His hands moved quickly, intercepting the energy pulse released by the vial and redirecting it harmlessly into the ground. The crowd gasped. Even Max's smirk faltered slightly.
"You're fast… I'll give you that," Max said, stepping back, his eyes narrowing. "But speed alone won't save you in the real world. Knowledge is power, yes—but understanding? That comes with experience. And I intend to test you, Tan. Hard."
John's mind raced. He had faced the Trial of Pain, saved Elise, and survived ambushes—but Max was different. Max wasn't just a challenge; he was a mirror showing the level he had yet to reach. And every instinct screamed that failure here would have consequences beyond humiliation.
"You're playing a dangerous game," John said calmly, masking the adrenaline pounding in his veins. "But if it's a challenge you want, I won't back down."
Max's eyes gleamed. "Good. I like a competent opponent. But remember this—your victories make you visible. Every enemy, every rival, every hidden observer… will know where to find you. Are you ready to face the consequences of skill, Tan?"
John stared back, feeling the familiar warmth of the book in his coat, a steadying presence amid the chaos. "I've survived worse. I'll face whatever comes."
The crowd parted slowly as the tension hung like static in the air. Max turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving a lingering sense of threat behind. John exhaled slowly, realizing the magnitude of what had just transpired: recognition had its price, and with every life he saved or challenge he met, the world became more dangerous.
As he walked back through the rain-soaked streets, his thoughts turned to the Society, the trials ahead, and the mysterious eyes that always seemed to watch. Max's challenge was just the beginning. The city, the Society, and the hidden world of powerful healers were converging on him, and he had to prepare—not just to survive, but to rise.
Cliffhanger: That night, as John studied the book by lamplight, a faint knock came at his door. A note slid under:
"The real test begins tomorrow. Be ready… or perish."