Chapter 96: Bad Fate (3)

As I waited, more fighters emerged from the tunnel.

On closer look, they were event match participants from earlier.

Whether by their choice or the arena’s bosses, five of them faced me, brimming with hostility.

They formed a circle around me in the ring.

Propping my chin, I muttered boredly.

“You’re just side-show event fighters. No bad blood, no real killing. Why not step down?”

I’d climbed into the ring, despite the hassle and embarrassment, for one reason: to stop a real slaughter.

But these guys were just brawling for show—no need to interfere.

Why not leave?

Against my wishes, they gripped their weapons, flashing savage grins.

“No can do. They said if we take you down, we’re straight to the main roster.”

“Plus, the payout’s huge.”

“We’ll split it nice and even.”

“Oh. That’s how it is.”

I rubbed my face.

“Haa.”

A cliché situation drew a sigh.

Thought it was bravado, but there’s a deal behind it.

Bad blood’s trouble, but so’s teamwork.

“No choice.”

Standing slowly, I nodded at the tightening circle.

“I gave you a chance, right?”

They charged.

* * *

Under blazing lights, I stood in the ring’s center, wiping sweat from my brow.

“Phew.”

Hands on hips, I took a deep breath, steadying myself.

“Tough stuff.”

Around me, over twenty fighters lay unconscious, sprawled across the ring.

Student-level skills but real grit made them tricky.

I knocked them out, yet they kept getting up—some even with broken bones by the third try.

I was even impressed.

My kids could learn from that.

No more fighters came; the tunnel was quiet.

But the stands were loud.

“They’re down! Down again! The arena’s brave fighters can’t touch this challenger! Such overwhelming strength! Who could’ve imagined! It’s like watching our champion!”

The announcer jumped, ecstatic.

The arena might’ve been annoyed at an outsider trashing their fighters, but not really.

Since I stepped in, “New-Face” topped the betting board.

More bets than any match today—pure joy for the fee-eating arena bosses.

Plus, no serious injuries.

“Look at that face, that sweat! The challenger’s unstoppable, but he’s clearly struggling! His limit might’ve passed!”

I paused, then flipped the middle finger at the camera.

Security guards climbed up, not to fight, but to drag the unconscious fighters out.

I pointed at one.

“Hey, that guy’s spine’s cracked—go easy.”

They ignored me, dragging him roughly by the arms.

I shook my head, disgusted.

Typical low-rent arena—lousy fighter treatment.

A real coliseum would’ve used stretchers.

The ring was cleaned, blood wiped, looking pristine.

Fighters and guards are gone.

Thud—thud—

Heavy footsteps echoed from the tunnel, silencing the stands.

The crowd held their breath, waiting for the source.

Not real footsteps—amplified through speakers.

The nearing steps drew every spotlight to the tunnel’s exit.

Left in the dark, I smirked.

Fancy entrance for their star, unlike regular fighters.

I’d wait.

This was his retirement match.

At the tunnel’s end, under the lights, a man appeared.

Same wolf mask as before—Wolf Fang.

“He’s here! He’s here!”

The announcer screamed, thrilled.

“Our champion reveals himself! Can Wolf Fang take down New-Face, who wrecked the arena?”

Wolf Fang pointed at me, menacing.

“Cocky.”

His deep, threatening voice hit me.

I sighed in relief.

He didn’t remember my scent—or So-hee’s hug worked.

Either way, him not bolting meant this was half-won.

He strode into the ring.

“Take off the mask.”

Might as well see his face, I thought, saying it shortly.

He grinned under the mask.

“See beneath this, you die.”

“He says it! The champion’s signature—Dance of Death!”

“Oh.”

His words dazed me.

My legs wobbled, but I grabbed the cage to stand.

“Goddamn.”

“Not even the champion’s aura makes the challenger falter!”

Not the announcer’s take.

He meant it seriously, I knew.

I’d said the same as a masked villain.

He stole it, and it hit hard.

Saying it myself, I didn’t feel the cringe.

Hearing it?

Pathetic.

I barely held back laughter.

My old executives must’ve cracked up every time I said it.

I felt bad for them.

Snapping out of it, I nodded.

“Fine. I’ll rip it off myself.”

“A bold vow! He’ll unmask our champion, Wolf Fang—something no one’s done in two years!”

Wolf Fang transformed.

His body grew, snout, arms, legs, fingers shedding human form, becoming massive.

Thick gray fur covered him, eyes glowing red. Elongated fingers, snout, teeth, and claws gleamed sharply.

The mask, once loose to his collarbone, now fits tight.

Grrr—

A menacing growl filled the ring.

Its raw aura overwhelmed even the bloodthirsty crowd, choking their breath.

A killer instinct only a true villain, forged in countless life-or-death fights, could wield—different from any I’d faced.

But I, taking it head-on, stayed calm.

The chill of a blade at my neck felt oddly nostalgic.

I smirked.

“Ease up on the drool.”

It stinks—my taunt triggered him.

He swung his claws sideways.

I bent back 90 degrees, dodging.

Slash!—

A gust tore the cage and chains in half.

As the first strike missed, he spun, slamming his other hand down.

A lethal blow I couldn’t dodge in this stance.

Thwack!—

Balancing on one leg, I kicked his fist away.

A risky counter, but my power dominated.

His fist bounced back.

He kept swinging both hands, but I dodged easily.

His speed and space-rending claws surpassed human limits, crushing most foes.

But not me.

Calmly, without a wasted move, I evaded and parried.

The crowd watched, stunned, at the blinding exchange.

After several failed attacks, his eyes burned with rage.

Realizing claws weren’t enough, he crouched, charging low.

His teeth aimed for my neck.

I stepped back, making him bite air.

My first big retreat.

I clicked my tongue.

“Haa. Your fighting style hasn’t changed in ten years.”

I’d watched to see his growth.

Worse than I thought.

“You weren’t this slow back then.”

He’d gotten weaker—strength, speed, everything.

“Well, playing in this small pond…”

Lost to his beastly nature, my gripes didn’t reach him.

He swung both claws in an X at my face.

Just before they hit, I raised my hands, grabbing his wrists.

His full-force strike stopped so easily, his eyes wavered.

“Done. Boring.”

Roaring, he made a final move, kicking high at my waist. I twisted, dodging.

Instead, I spun, kicking his jaw hard.

Thwack!—

The heavy blow sent him flying to the ring’s edge, crumpling the cage.

His body went limp.

I straightened, smirking.

“Still tough, though.”

Thought I’d shatter his jaw—just cracked it.

“It’s over! Unbelievable! Am I seeing things?”

Under the announcer’s shocked cries, I approached Wolf Fang.

* * *

Clunk!—

Wolf Fang jolted awake.

Grimacing at the jaw pain, he clutched his head, piecing together memories.

Was it all a dream?

“Up already?”

A gruff voice snapped him out.

His neck hurt, unable to turn.

He twisted his upper body to find the voice.

The uninvited guest from the match sat, legs crossed, on a chair by the bed.

Memories clarified.

The intruder had dominated him, knocking him out in one blow.

Without the jaw pain, he’d never believe it.

“H-How…”

A question loaded with emotions and doubts.

I set down my papers, meeting his eyes.

I said nothing, just looked at my old subordinate like I used to.

That was enough.

Wolf Fang, more instinct than reason, felt his cells scream “danger” louder than any moment in

ten years.

No evidence, illogical, pure delusion.

But his instincts, not memories, revived old fear.

He opened his mouth cautiously, despite thinking it absurd.

“…Boss?”

A brief silence.

“Surprisingly…”

My lip curled slightly.

My low, flat voice was almost a whisper.

He shivered.

“Good memory.”

No need to confirm.

Every cell screamed that this was the monster who led the Organization.

Crash!—

He tumbled off the bed.

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