The smoke had yet to settle, fragments of concrete still tumbling across the ruined ground. From within the wreckage, a figure emerged, staggering. His body was drenched in blood, cloak shredded to tatters—yet his face twisted into a deranged grin of exhilaration.
Rogan.
"You're interesting, Kaien… just as Lord Aigris said," he rasped, eyes glowing like a predator that had found its prey.
Across from him, Kaien stood silent. The young man's face was devoid of emotion, his gaze cold, unyielding. In his mind, only two words echoed: FIGHT.
Without warning, Kaien launched forward. A faint violet aura burst to life around his body, making the very air tremble.
BOOM!!!
Their fists collided, unleashing a shockwave that scattered smoke and flung rubble far into the distance.
But in the very next instant—
CRASH!!!
It was Rogan who went flying, hurled dozens of meters, smashing through steel walls behind him.
He staggered back to his feet, licking the blood from his lips. Madness flickered in his eyes.
"Fine then… playtime is over. Now, I'll get serious."
He lunged, fists striking with deadly precision. Yet Kaien moved like a phantom, slipping past every blow, countering with crushing strikes of his own. Each punch landed heavier, sharper—driving Rogan into desperation.
THUD!
A fist slammed into Kaien's face. His head snapped back, dust exploding outward. Rogan sneered, certain victory was his.
But Kaien slowly lifted his head… and smiled.
A smile that chilled Rogan's very bones. For though Kaien's body bore countless wounds, it was as if some unseen armor shielded him.
"No… impossible…" Rogan whispered.
BOOM!!!
Kaien's fist drilled into his stomach. Rogan vomited blood, body flung away like a rag doll.
Kaien didn't stop. He surged forward, eyes blazing crimson, fists raining down like a wild beast unleashed.
"What… what the hell are you?!" For the first time, Rogan tasted fear.
Desperate, he swung a counterpunch. Kaien answered with his own.
CRACK!!!
The sickening sound of shattering bone echoed. Rogan's arm dangled, broken to pieces.
"AAARGH!!!" his scream tore through the night.
But Kaien pressed on.
CRACK!!!
The other arm snapped, mangled beyond use. Blood sprayed, Rogan trembling in sheer terror.
"W-what are you?!" he shrieked, eyes wide with despair.
Kaien gave no reply. He only smiled—and unleashed a storm of savage blows.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Ribs caved, organs ruptured. Rogan coughed torrents of blood, eyes rolling back.
The final strike crushed his skull.
BOOM!!!
His body was hurled aside, lifeless in a pool of crimson.
The battle was over.
Kaien staggered, chest heaving, whole body trembling. Yet his eyes still glowed with bloodlust, as though the carnage had only just begun.
From afar, Cindra clutched her chest, shivering.
"Is this… really Kaien? Or has he become something far worse—a monster in human skin?"
Behind her, Aigris froze in horror. The mafia lord who once ruled the city… now cowered like prey.
But Kaien's gaze turned upon him.
"N-no…" Aigris stammered, stepping back. But it was too late.
Kaien blurred forward, fists crashing like a storm. The "kingpin" of the underworld was reduced to nothing more than a battered sack of flesh. The final blow obliterated his skull, blood painting the ruins like a grotesque mural.
At last, the violet aura faded. Kaien collapsed, drained of strength.
"Kaien!" Cindra rushed forward, catching him in her arms.
A faint smile touched his bloodied lips.
"I'm… fine, Cindra…"
"It's over now," she whispered, voice trembling, "We just need to reach the outskirts… join the rebellion… and we'll be free."
Together they staggered onward, each step heavy but filled with hope. Ahead, the sky burned red with fire, black smoke coiling like serpents. Beyond the flames lay a glimmer of freedom—the outskirts, where the rebels awaited.
"We're almost there, Kaien… just a little further…" Cindra whispered, clinging to hope.
Kaien forced a weak smile, blood seeping from his lips.
"Yeah… freedom… right before our eyes…"
Their footsteps echoed across the ruins, dragging on like eternity.
And then—
BANG!!!
A gunshot split the night.
Scarlet burst across Kaien's chest. His body jerked violently before collapsing into Cindra's arms.
"K… Kaien? No… no, no!" Cindra's voice cracked, eyes wide in shock.
His vision blurred, breaths shallow. His trembling hand reached for hers, trying to speak—but no words came.
The smoke ahead shifted. Figures emerged—each step heavy, merciless.
Thud… thud… thud…
A squad of armored soldiers appeared, clad in black combat suits, faces hidden behind masks, rifles aimed. Crimson visors glowed like the eyes of predators in the dark.
Government forces.
Cindra clutched Kaien tighter, heart racing, as despair swallowed her whole. The battlefield burned behind them, the air thick with death.
Freedom… once within reach… had twisted into a merciless nightmare.