After both of their attacks clashed—
Junyu powered up his strike with everything he had, but it still wasn't enough to overpower Orin.
Junyu thought, "What is this power? It's like I can never defeat him… I've got to do something to overcome it!"
Their attacks were still clashing, but after a few seconds Junyu's energy began to drop.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Junyu remembered a flashback of his parents.
Flashback
Junyu's dad said, "Hey, Junyu… we don't know if we will return from this fight. But make sure you stay healthy."
His mom followed, "Son, I know when you grow up, you'll become a strong fighter. But remember—strength isn't measured by how hard you hit… it's measured by how many times you stand back up after the world knocks you down. So if you fall… stand up again. For the people around you. For everyone whose last hope is you."
Flashback ends
"I don't really understand the meaning of that," Junyu muttered, "but I know I have to fight for others… I have to fight for Tara."
I feel something coming.
Suddenly, Junyu's shirt burned away. His body ignited in flames, and with this newfound boost hepowered up one last time.
"DIE, ORINNNN!!!"
Junyu's attack broke Orin down.
The clash destroyed the entire town.
The Ashfang Alley is now in ashes…
After falling, Orin still managed to rise. Just as he punched Junyu, he staggered back and… shed a tear.
"Why… why am I crying?" Orin whispered.
Flashback
"Orin, you are not supposed to be a machine like me. You are a human being. Live your life as you want. Don't chase power…"
Flashback ends
Orin fell to the ground, his body burned by Junyu's fire.
Junyu stepped closer and said, "I knew you were human after all. Tell me… what did you see in the flashback? You're going to die in a few minutes. Please, tell me."
Orin's Backstory
Orin was born as the third son of the leader of the Black Fang Order.
From birth, Orin hated fighting because he saw too many people die.
Orin's brothers were extraordinary fighters, with great potential to become the strongest in the affiliation.
When Orin was six, his father forced him into training. Even when Orin said no, his father didn't care. Disappointed, he eventually kicked Orin out of the family.
Orin spent seven years alone, but eventually returned as a powerful warrior, determined to take his mother back.
When Orin arrived, he dueled his father… and lost. His father was about to kill him, but Orin's mom stepped in between and was killed instead.
Her last words were, "Orin, you are not supposed to be a machine like your brother. You are a human being. Live your life as you want. Don't chase power."
Following his mother's last words, Orin left everything behind. But his father saw potential in him and captured him.
They began brainwashing him to erase his memories. The mission was successful.
But when they were about to finish the brainwashing, Orin's older brother intervened and started a war against their father. He eventually won the fight—only to be stabbed by the oldest brother.
Before dying, his older brother said, "Orin… me and mom sacrificed our lives just so you could avoid fighting. Please… don't fight. Run from here."
But Orin refused. "No more running. I'll kill all of them."
He agreed to be brainwashed, but on one condition: that his father spare his older brother.
His father accepted and implanted a false memory in Orin's mind:
"Whenever you need power in life… unleash yourself."
"What does that mean?!"
"That means… remember me!"
This ensured Orin would never lose a fight.
Flashback ends
Junyu shed a tear of blood. "Orin… I promise to take revenge on your father and brother. For now, just rest. Close your eyes."
Orin coughed, "I will never forget you, Junyu. You were my best rival… Tell me, was I the strongest?"
Junyu shouted, "YOU WERE THE STRONGEST!"
Orin then shot a red flare into the sky—it meant the Iron Fang Syndicate had won.
Junyu whispered, "Thank you."
Orin thought to himself, "So this was life… I lived a great life."
And then—Orin died.
Day 1 of Junyu's Investigation Ends
Things Orin told Junyu before dying:
The main business of the Affiliation is to create Nit Energy Crystals.
They make them in Blackspire Docks, an underground operation where the crystals are smuggled and later sold outside Bloodveil Harbor. Now, they plan to sell them to the biggest crews in Bloodveil Harbor to gain more wealth.
Junyu then set out on a journey to Blackspire Docks.
When he arrived, he saw more than ten massive ships docked, each carrying hundreds of men.
The fog cleared, and as Junyu landed, he saw thousands of armed men surrounding him.
A board hung before him.
"KILL LACOD JUNYU."
Junyu gasped, "Who leaked that I was coming here…?"
The crowd roared, "HERE COME THE LEADERS OF THE AFFILIATION!"
The second son of the Black Fang leader—
SCARLET FANG!
And the commander of the Iron Fang Syndicate, the third son of the Black Fang leader—
ORIN FANGGGGGG!!!
"Yo, Junyu!"
Junyu's eyes widened. He realized—
Everything was a bait. The whole story was fake. It was a trap.
The death of Lacod Junyu begins…