'The Ring.' A place for those not entirely human, forced to fight one another.

The Ring was a place for Master's to bring their chosen fighters, (or commonly known as 'pets' amongst the people) to a pit for a battle to the death. However, what may look like ordinary people fighting one another in the pit, weren't ordinary at all, but beings that dressed in human skin that held a set of special abilities and the instincts the kill. 

The fights were popular events, that had began in the slums and worked their way up to be Seoul's main source of entertainment for the people higher up in the hierarchy. You weren't one of them. You were close to the bottom of the food chain along with your sister, Lisa. 

Lisa your only surviving family was fatally ill and was edging ever closer to her end date. Money was hard to come by in the slums and the jobs for women consisted of prostitution, escorts or begging. No one would hire a poor woman from the slums, that was just the world you lived in. 

However a ray of hope seemed to beam down on you the day you found the new job advertisement that was based in the Golden district. To put it flatly, the highest district in Seoul. 

The job was advertised by a famous man, a man that had his face everywhere, on billboards, t.vs and magazines. Someone famous for being like a king, but to you he was famous for being dirty. You didn't like the idea for working with someone like him, however you decided you would but your pride aside if you had the slightest chance to save your sister. 

It was a long shot and an ninety percent chance of failure, but to get the medicine you needed for Lisa, you had to try anything. Even if that meant putting yourself in danger. 

This man was Kwon Jiyong, mostly known as the King of the Ring. He was one of these 'Master's' that owned many strong 'pets' that had won him those victories. His prized fighter's, he treated like his trophies. It made you sick. 

With the longest run of winning streaks in the history of the fighting ring he was certainly worthy of having that title. Or was he? In your eyes, he wasn't. 

You adorned the smartest clothing you owned, which in the eyes of the rich were mere rags. The only good self-esteem you had was that your clothing was actually fairly smart for people of your wealth, so, there was that...

You looked yourself over once again in the small grubby mirror, psyching yourself up, forcing yourself to have a positive outlook. 

You had cleaned yourself with the single small bar of soap you and Lisa had to share sparingly in the shower that only ran cold water. However at least you felt refreshed afterwards. 

You nervously picked at non-existent threads on your shirt, doubt starting to cloud your thoughts. 

What if you didn't get the job? Surely there were so many other people applying for it? Why would a little street urchin like you be chosen for a job for such a celebrity? 

As a nervous tick, something you would usually do when you felt angsty or aggitated would be to scratch at the small blotchy triangle shaped birthmark on your neck, which was decorated just below your right ear. A hand caught yours before you could itch at it, causing you to turn.

    "You look great." 

A raspy feminine voice drew you out of your inner turmoil. 

Lisa gave you an encouraging smile that always took away your doubts. It almost made you sad, that she could always smile like that even in her condition. It made you frown.

"You should be resting." You replied back, taking in her weak, thin form, worry filling your gut. 

"I'm fine, but if you're going to make this interview on time, I would get going right now." She ushered you forward towards the front door of your small living quarters. 

Your 'house' was the extension of a restaurant you would usually help out in, in return for shelter.  

The restaurant was owned by a man you thought to be way too ethereal looking to be running a business in the slums. Each time you laid eyes on him would always bring you back to the same question - why was he here in the first place? You never once believed that it was merely to run a business.

Jin was his name. Just Jin. He had never mentioned his last name and you had never asked for it. You knew him simply as Jin, and as the man who brought you back to your sister on the brink of death.

Jin was an enigma to you and had remained as that since the day you first met him. He had found your beaten and broken form on the side of the road, and taken you back to his restaurant with him and cared for you. 

You had told him about the sister you had left behind in that little shack, and like a guardian angel, went to retrieve her too. He gave the both of you warmth, food and shelter, and in return you cooked cleaned and served.

Jin had saved you in more ways than one, too.

You exited your little living space, glancing at Lisa one last time before letting the heavy door close shut behind you. You made your way through the back of the kitchen and weaved through the marble counters and to the back of the restaurant into the dining area where customers would eat. It was too early in the morning for it to be open so the whole place seemed so quiet and empty, however sometimes it was nice to sit in this peace and quiet. 

You spotted Jin at on of the empty tables in the dining part of the restaurant, who looked to be going over his recipes and adding bits her and there with a sleek black pen that he tapped against the table in agitation. 

You silently slid into the seat opposite the much taller male and rested your forearms on the table, eyes raking over the scatters sheets of recipes. 

Jin looked up, his circular reading glasses slipping an inch down his nose as he regarded you. 

"Good morning, (Y/n)." His smile was always so alluring to you. It suited those plump pink lips of his. Again, you asked yourself why someone like him was in the slums. "Did you sleep well? I hope you did because today's the big day." 

It was Jin who in the first place had mentioned to you about the advertisement, urging you to go for it.

"I think I'm ready, just super nervous." You admitted sheepishly. "I think the only thing that will be my downfall is where I'm from. They won't like that." 

"I wouldn't be so sure." He mused, glancing back at his work. "I heard they were looking for anyone. They seem to be desperate. But you should never feel like being from here is a bad thing. Special things can come from dark places every once in a while."

His words gave you some courage, you felt grateful for that, and somewhat special. That lead you to a whole new question.

"Jin?" 

"Hm?" He answered, eyes still down at his work. 

"Where are you from?" The question was innocent enough, but the way Jin's pen stopped mid way through a word had you somewhat regretting asking it. 

He plastered another smile on his face, one that didn't quite reach his eyes as he looked back up at you. 

"Don't worry yourself about that. Focus on the interview. I have faith in you." 

Jin was never extremely open about himself, but he had never shot you down like that before. The older male made a sudden noise as if a light bulb went off in his head, wiping out the atmosphere that had started to thicken slightly. 

"I almost forgot! Take this, as a good luck present." 

He reached into his pocket and drew a closed fist back out and hovered it over the middle of the table, and opened his hand to show you. 

You studied the silver piece of jewellery in his large hand, enamoured with it. As plain and simple as it was, it was probably one of the rarest things you could come across in the slums. To you, it was beautiful. 

"J-Jin, I can't take that! That's worth more than me!" You exclaimed, wide eyes flickering between his handsome face and the ring. 

The male rolled his brown orbs and took your hand and lifted it to slid the ring onto your middle finger. It fit perfectly. 

You admired the pretty adornment that looked as if it belonged anywhere but your finger. Someone like you shouldn't be wearing anything like this. You looked up and opened your mouth to protest, and paused at the sudden finger that was placed over your lips. Your cheeks grew warm from the contact. 

"Please just accept it, (Y/n)." He said softly before removing his hand. 

You headed off through the dirty streets with your special new good luck charm, hidden in your pocket on your hand to keep it away from prying eyes. 

Thieves and muggers were common in your area, you always had to be careful when you went out, which is why there was a slight jog in your step as you made your way through to the first upper tier that separated the slums from the main highest class tier of the city. 

Catching a train or cab would've been five times quicker, but with what money? You would be able to make it on time, but the other thing that made you nervous was the security you would have to go through to get to your destination. 

As you continued, the environment around you gradually got cleaner and more modernised. The air seemed fresher to breathe and the buildings grew in height and deluxe. Clearly you were walking into an area of high class, and it scared you. Scared you by the degrading looks and opinions you would recieve. 

Each tier/district was separated by a white stone wall which had stationed security at each corner, watching and recording who entered and who left at all times. 

People of your tier were only allowed to enter such places if you had verified business to deal with. In your case you did, which was your invite to the interview at Kwon Jiyong's area of residence. The Golden Tier. 

They couldn't refuse you, right?

The towering white wall loomed ever higher as you drew closer, and as you finally reached it, you had to crane your neck to see where the top of it ended. That huge white wall concealed a supposedly beautiful part of the city and then beyond that, the centre. 

You made your way up to the short line that led to a set of huge bulletproof glass double doors, that slid open for each person that got accepted through. 

Your nerves heightened once again you reached into your jacket pocket for your invitation, having it ready for when they asked you for your business. 

The line shortened, and your anxiety spiked. 

I can't do this.

I can't do this!

Your hand gripped onto the letter as if it kept you grounded as it was almost you turn. 

You jumped out of your skin as the person a few people in front of you was suddenly thrown to the ground mercilessly. You watched with wide eyes as two soldiers kicked the poor man, even when he was already down. 

They forced him up and escorted him roughly away from the line and threw him back onto the street, like they were merely getting rid of a bit of trash.

Your breathing became short and quick as the person in front of you was easily accepted in, and that finally left you. 

"State your full name and business." You jumped at the deep curt voice in front of you, belonging to a man in uniform and a firm, stoic face.

You trembled, your eyes wide like a deer in headlights. 

Suck it up. Just say something!

"(Y-Y/n), sir!" You cursed yourself for allowing weakness to be shown in your voice. "I'm one of the interviewees for Kwon Jiyong." 

The man quite rudely snatched the letter from your hands and skimmed it over, took one grimace at you then nodded. 

"There's a special cab waiting for interviewees just through the gate," He started, grabbing a strange looking device. You glanced at it with furrowed brows, not exactly knowing what he was going to do until he suddenly gripped your arm and held it up towards the device. 

You hissed as a sudden sting sizzled on the skin of your wrist, and you drew it back quickly taking a look at the damage. A bar code like shape had been burned into your skin. You bit your lip trying to think of anything but the burning pain it left behind. 

"You may proceed, take her to Kwon's car with the others, I think she's the last one."

Last one? What did he mean by that? Were there other interviewee's waiting also? You were not so gently ushered through the futuristic like doors by one of the guards that had you on edge from the moment you had joined the line. 

You hadn't had the time to appreciate the stunning view of the first upper tier before you were hurried into a sleek black vehicle, where two other people sat in silence. 

A car? You had never ridden in a car before. Excitement bubbled up in your veins as the low thrum of an engine roared to life and the car began to move. You gripped onto your seat with the tang of fear from being in an unknown environment such as the vehicle. 

You trailed your thumb gently over the mark on your wrist to sooth the numbing pain.

The other two girls that sat near you disregarded you, turning their noses up and away.  You ignored them and instead admired the view from the tinted windows of the car, watching as the scenery flew past you at quick speeds. You had only heard about how fast cars were, but you had never imagined what it would be like sitting in one. It was fascinating. 

Not only that, the first upper tier was almost like a different world. Potted plants decorated smooth metallic like walls of tall buildings, which must be the residential area. The streets were clean and cars whizzed around like it was a normal day. There was none of this back in the slums. Lisa would have loved this. 

You sat back, managing to relax as you gazed out of the window for the rest of the journey. 

It was a quick journey, one that flew past you all too quickly, you hadn't a chance to take everything in. You hadn't even realised when you had entered the final stage of the second upper tier. The richest phase. The city centre. Kwon's car must have authorised access to pass between walls like that, never having to stop to be checked for ID. 

You thought back to the man who was beaten to the side from trying to enter. Would all the people in the golden district be that ruthless? Would that have been you if you hadn't had you letter? 

You shivered at the thought, pushing the horrid memory to the back of your mind.

The car came to a halt outside one of the tallest buildings in the city. All over again you felt overwhelmed with everything around you. 

The two girls you were with didn't seem the slightest bit phased by anything, one even snickering at your bewilderment as you stepped out of the car.

The three of you were led into the building by one of Kwon's personal security guards (You could tell by the gold 'GD' badge pinned to their suits. 'GD' was Kwon's signature logo. If anywhere adorned those letters, be it a night club, restaurant or company building, it meant that he owned it.

Upon entering the building's large marble floored foyer you examined every corner and inch, burning in the images to the back of your mind in case you fail the interview. You had so much to share with Lisa and Jin once you returned. 

You followed the group to an elevator, yet another thing you had never used before and stepped in cautiously. 

You fiddled anxiously with your single plain silver ring as the elevator went up, up and up, up to a height you had never even reached before.

The elevator stopped with a ding, indicating you had reached the top, the very of top of a very high building. You made sure to stay away from the large windows that seemed to fill the walls around you as it made you feel nauseous.

The four of you took your seats on the comfy lavish furniture that was dotted around the luxurious reception in front of a set of fine oak doors. 

The lion's den. Or, Kwon's office if you didn't want to be descriptive. 

Time passed as names were called, and sent away. You never once got to sneak a peek inside as people entered the office. You were so curious as to what you would find once it was your turn to be interviewed.

Your knee bounced up and down anxiously, waiting and waiting for you name to be called in. You were sure that the skin below your ear was red from scratching it consistently. 

What if I'm not good enough?

What questions will I be asked?

Will they make me do an activity?

Your mind buzzed, people mingled, people came in and out of the office, and your knee continued to bounce faster.

C'mon, c'mon, come o-

"Miss (Y/n)."

You shot up to attention, your mind alert and eyes wide. 

"Mr. Kwon wishes to interview you next." He stated voice void of emotion. 

You gulped as you stepped towards the lion's den, and raised your hand to knock. The door was opened for you, by a bodyguard on the other side, welcoming you in. This was it. This was your chance to save Lisa, and obtain a better life for the both of you. 

What had your attention as soon as you entered was the blazing red hair of the man lounging in an expensive leather office chair in the centre of the room. His attire consisted of a perfectly tailored suit worn like a CEO's and he had a feminine but striking face. 

You felt so small, like a mouse in a room of lions. It was then you wanted more than anything to shrink into the background and disappear.

This was Kwon Jiyong. The man whose face was plastered everywhere, and name was uttered among everyone. He might as well be the actual king of the city. 

He looked at you with a look only a predator would have. Sharp calculative eyes that dug right under you skin and pulled it apart little by little. His grin turned smirk wasn't kind in the slightest.

The silver merged gold glints of his rings that decorated long nimble fingers caught your attention and were almost hypnotising. A mere flaunt of the much wider expense of his wealth. It was only one of the many things that completely separated you from this man. He was from a whole other world. 

The way he smiled, the way he held himself and the way his eyes shredded you apart little by little, you could see how sadistic this man was underneath the beauty painted on his  features. 

He was dangerous. 

Your heart thudded in your chest as a reminder of your fear and a warning of what you were getting yourself into. However, that fear also brought you back to the reason why you had come to Kwon Jiyong in the first place. Your sister. 

This was you only chance of saving her, from the way you saw it. 

"Perfect." He muttered with a lazy but malicious grin. 

Had Jin had any idea about the level of danger he had put you in by telling you about this job? 

Had he any idea of what it entailed in the first place?

https://youtu.be/g5m59oQlEZ0

I just want to say I'm super excited to continue with this story, I have so many ideas for it and I hope you guys will enjoy it! Also any feedback is appreciated, I can take criticism too so feel free to say if there's anything you think I can improve on! -Rikki 

P.s I had planned for Seungri to make a cameo in this but after the whole scandal I've decided not to.

UNEDITED

Mar. 20. 2019