He sat quietly at the back of the room, in a corner where the shadows cast by the lights barely reached. His eyes followed the battles of his classmates in silence. Some were far worse than he expected, while others surprised him in ways he hadn't imagined—especially Bakugo and Midoriya.
The two of them didn't speak a word, yet they coordinated flawlessly, as if they had practiced together hundreds of times. Even though their start had seemed filled with conflict, they somehow found a rhythm together. Their past history might explain it, but it wasn't important to him.
Momo… the most watched of them all. She started the match by deploying a flashbang that left their instructor momentarily blinded, followed by Todoroki's close-range assault. Their teamwork was decent, even if their individual fighting skills weren't exceptional.
Before the exam, she had almost no confidence. He had tried to encourage her, but she never responded, not even with a glance. She had walked out quietly beside Todoroki, looking more ready to fail than to fight.
Yet when the match began, she froze for a moment, leaving Todoroki to handle everything. Then suddenly, something sparked within her. He didn't know if it was Todoroki's words or her own inner fear that ignited it, but she stood again.
He didn't fully understand why, but in a corner of his mind, he thought—if he weren't here, if he hadn't slipped into this world, perhaps Todoroki would be the one most suited for her. And the more he observed, the more he noticed the way Todoroki looked at her. It wasn't the gaze of a teammate.
He didn't usually concern himself with things like that, but lately, it had begun to intrude on his thoughts.
The others performed better than expected, except for a few pairs who completely faltered. Mina faced off against the smartest teacher in the school, while Mineta, who seemed ready to give up, turned the tables with an unexpected strategy and won.
Until his own name was called. The voice was calm, cold, and sharp. He lifted his head and walked past his classmates, who followed his movements with quiet, intense attention.
No one spoke, but every gaze seemed to say the same thing—there was something about him now. He was no longer just an "ordinary student."
"Damn butterfly! Don't you dare lose!" Bakugo shouted, his voice booming. "I'll be the one to take you down myself, got it, you crazy bastard!"
Midoriya's words were short but sincere: "Good luck… Kazuma-kun."
"Boss! Good luck, boss!" Kaminari and Mineta shouted together, pumping their fists.
Ryujin stood still, neither smiling nor responding. He merely glanced at each of them, then flicked his eyes toward the monitor ahead—which displayed the name of his opponent for this round.
Mirko… or Rumiko Usagiyama.
He knew her too well. He had once ordered "The Thumb"'s informants to report on the movements of all the top heroes, and there had been an incident where she attacked a group of criminals in a remote province—one of whom was a former operative of his.
She had landed a single kick… skull shattered, liver torn, brain stopped instantly.
He had thought it was an exaggeration. But after watching the full footage, he changed his mind.It wasn't an exaggeration at all—her thighs were like steel rods, her speed and strength almost superhuman.
Even he could feel the pressure radiating before the door even opened.
Ryujin exhaled softly.At that moment, Momo reached for his arm and wrapped him in a side hug.
It was a gentle embrace, but it carried something that seemed to quiet the noises around them. People exhaled in amusement—some clapped, others whistled teasingly.
But she didn't care. She gave him a small smile, blinking slowly.
"Earlier… thank you," Momo said softly. "For encouraging me. But I didn't say anything, and I just walked away… I'm really sorry. I was… too scared."
He looked at her."Hm… it's okay, Mo. But I have to go now."
Mina was approaching, seemingly about to say something, but he raised a hand slightly, signaling that he was fine, then walked past them without looking back.
He didn't want to ignore anyone, but right now his mind was consumed with an unexplainable unease.
It was a strange mix of anger and jealousy—emotions he barely recognized in himself.
He pictured Todoroki comforting Momo on the monitor again…It was just reassurance, he knew that, yet why did it feel like a sharp ache in his chest?
He walked on quietly, saying nothing.But in his mind, the questions repeated themselves:
"Should I let her go…?""Or is it not the right time…?"
His hands clenched into fists, though he didn't even know yet… if he had to fight the rabbit girl, or his own feelings first.
.
.
.
[Mina's perspective]
I walked back to my friends after catching that smile from Ryuu.
…but for some reason, his smile felt… off.
He smiled at me, yes. But the moment he glanced at Yao Momo, his expression changed instantly.It wasn't just neutral—it was… anger.
I wasn't sure if Momo had done something to upset him, or… maybe I was just overthinking it.
But feelings don't lie.I looked at Momo—she seemed to sense it too.
Maybe… I need to step in and talk to both of them.If this isn't cleared up now, it could only get worse.
[Momo's perspective]
I stood watching Ryuu walk onto the battlefield, feeling a sense of unease I couldn't explain.
I didn't know why… but something felt wrong.It wasn't just the tension before a fight—it was like he was angry… at me.
I didn't understand.I had just hugged him. I thought he would feel the encouragement I was trying to give him.But instead… his gaze wasn't warm.
No. It was cold… yet deeper than that. It was as if he was holding some sort of anger toward me.
Had I done something wrong?
Or… was it because of the hug Todoroki gave me the other day?It was just a simple gesture of comfort… nothing more.
I hated it when he went silent like this.Ryuu was usually playful, teasing, always speaking his mind.But now he was calm, collected… cold. Someone completely different.
I felt uneasy, truly uneasy.When this fight ends, I need to talk to him. Just… talk.
Bakugo spoke up, floating his words casually.
"Looks like that damn butterfly's pissed off…"
He chuckled lightly and turned, seemingly unconcerned.
"So… which extra just made it blow its top like that?"
I rolled my eyes at Bakugo.Thanks for the comment… it didn't help one bit.
Now everyone turned to watch the screen. No one said a word. Everyone could feel it.
Ryuu… he wasn't the same.He had changed, and it wasn't for the better.
The clash between "the strongest fighter" and "the number 6 hero of the country" might be exciting for everyone else.
But for me… I just wanted Ryuu to be safe.Not just his body—but his heart too.
.
.
.
He stood there—facing the number 6 hero of the country. No hesitation. Not a trace of fear. Only shadows draped over his form, and a silence that gnawed at the hearts of the onlookers.
Mirko smirked."Not running, huh? Kids these days sure are bold."
He didn't answer. Not a word. Only the shifting darkness across his body, the tattered cloak transforming into the twisted structure of EGO Dimension Shredder. In a single blink, he vanished from sight, warping behind her, aiming to end the fight with a single strike.
But he miscalculated…
She spun instinctively, like a predator sensing the hunt. Her bare hands met his blade—it shattered instantly. Her elbow slammed into his ribs with a crunching crack. He flew back, hitting the ground hard—only for her right leg to shoot toward his head.
He blocked… but his mask shattered completely.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He staggered back, gathering himself, no trace left of the playful youth he once was.
Mirko's gaze flicked at him."I've seen this on TV… so you can do it."
He deactivated the EGO Shredder and drew a silent pistol. The weight of the quiet pressed heavier than any explosion.
She lunged again, faster than before. Her kicks rained down. He dodged only half of them. His gun was slapped away, and her fist struck his gut with crushing force.
Blood spewed from his mouth.
Mirko: "Is that it? I thought you'd be stronger."
Before she could advance further, a black spear shot toward her—she barely dodged. He followed up with a knee strike—but she blocked it.
Another spear swung from a different angle, aiming for her midsection—she kicked it aside, spun, and countered with a devastating kick to his face.
Blood sprayed.
And yet, he laughed… grinning wide, as if alive for the first time.
Ryuu: "That was close… you damn rabbit."
She laughed back."Kids these days really do have guts and legs to match."
The battle, without a clear end, had begun. Both surged toward each other like untamed beasts. Only fists, blood, and the echoing crash of bodies filled the air.
He took more hits—but did not retreat.
A punch snapped across his face. A knee drilled into his stomach. He rammed his head into her nose—blood sprayed—but their smiles only grew wider.
The clash of fists thundered through the air.
No one held back. No one wanted to stop.
.
.
The student dorm room had become a dark, silent pit, as if every soul had been sucked out along with the tolling bell of morality. Every eye was locked on the screen. The flickering lights from the live broadcast of the arena splashed across their faces. They weren't watching a "fight"—they were witnessing a "hunt."
Ryuu Kazuma—merciless and untamed—looked like a blood-soaked, frenzied beast. Retreat was never in his mind. Even as his body was slammed through walls, crashing into the abandoned classroom, every chair, metal desk, and blackboard became a weapon in his hands.
He struck back with everything. Blood smeared his face. Limbs battered. Teeth missing. His body bruised to the point of barely standing. Yet in his eyes—there was a horrifying gleam… he was enjoying it.
The clash of metal against bone rang out as Mirko kicked him across the room, then rained down a flurry of punches. Lying on the floor, Ryuu laughed—yes, laughed as if being beaten was his favorite pastime. And in a moment no one expected, his elbow struck the female hero's face, forcing her to step back.
Blood trickled from his forehead, streaking the grin across his face… as if he fought not for victory, but to savor suffering.
Some girls shut their eyes, covering their mouths to stifle screams. Some boys froze, as if witnessing a ghost materialize in broad daylight.
Yes, on that screen, Ryuu Kazuma seemed addicted to a substance called violence.
Sero: "No way… he's still standing? After all that?"
Tokoyami: "Not just standing… he's enjoying it."
Jirou: "Is this… a test?"
Momo watched the screen, trying not to look—but she couldn't stop worrying about Ryuu.
As the surrounding noise slowly rose, "Recovery Girl" pressed the button to open the arena audio.
"All right—since this is the final fight, listen to what they're saying."
The room went silent. The first words came—low, slow, and full of hellfire burning in their chests.
Ryuu: "I'm going to tear your legs off… and paint this whole room with your blood! Hahaha!"
Mirko: "You think you can? I'll pull every tooth from your mouth…"
Ryuu: "Before you touch my teeth… I'm gouging your eyes out, you little—!"
Mirko: "If you've got the guts, come get it, brat!"
Now they weren't just insulting each other—they were fighting like wild animals. Punching, shoving, sometimes even biting.
Gone was the polished image of Japan's number 6 hero, and the composed, well-dressed man. All that remained was raw, unrestrained carnage.
.
.
The classroom floor, once neatly lined with desks and metal chairs, had become a chaotic wreck. Twisted debris, splattered blood—like a battlefield in miniature. In one corner, sharp metal spikes jutted out from a desk, like a human trap. In another, a pool of congealed blood marked where someone had fallen moments before.
We were like street dogs, biting at each other until exhaustion—breathing heavily, sweat and blood stinging our eyes.
Mirko stood across from him, panting but eyes still wild with fury."So… what now, brat?" she laughed mockingly. "Looks like you're done for."
He didn't respond. But the smile on his face said it all—every curse, every insult, every challenge.
"Better tell yourself that first, you damn rabbit."
Around him, twisted scraps of metal littered the ground. Amid the debris, he picked up a long iron rod, flipping it in his hands.
The system notified him instantly:
'This can be counted as a spear.'
A spear, huh? Perfect.
He grinned, madness rising within him once more. Only one final minute remained. Survive it, and he would pass.
"The sadistic bastard who designed this test probably wants to watch us tear each other apart…""But too bad—I don't let go that easily."
He beckoned with a hand."If you're brave enough, come at me again."
Mirko didn't waste words. She lunged instantly, a storm in motion, unleashing her ultimate—Luna Arc.
[Geirskogul]
Strike the target with a lightning-fast spear thrust.
Drains blood from the target, inflicting Stun for 0.5 seconds.
Condition: Must be wielding a spear.
Note: Spear breaks after one use.
ST cost: 200 per use
Coin cost: 50,000
…but that was exactly what he had been waiting for.
He lunged forward—thrusting the spear immediately!
She dodged—the spear shattered—metal fragments collapsed to the ground.He grabbed another without a word, without hesitation.Thrust again.She dodged.Again.She kicked back.He spun—using the momentum to fling a scrap of iron at her face.She dodged.He thrust once more.
Now his body had reached its limit.Like a decaying skeleton wrapped in skin.Hands trembling.Eyes blurring.But his heart still thirsted for the kill.
Mirko lunged again—and then…
"Time's up!!! Kazuma wins!!!!"
The announcement rang like a celestial bell.His body collapsed as if a rope had snapped midair,falling to the ground.
No strength to move. No strength to rise. No strength to laugh.
But inside… a strange satisfaction bloomed.It wasn't victory.It was "survival"—from the hell that both he and she had carved out together.
Everything went silent.Only the sound of his breath remained… slow, heavy, filled with the wild smile smeared with blood across his face.