Two people suddenly appeared in a deep alley. One of them, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, spoke. The other person wore a mixture of purple and red hooded sweatshirt, and both had their hoods on, making their faces and expressions unclear.
"The people who appear at this time... are either arrogant fools seeking death or arrogant fools who believe their strength surpasses mine."
Irumi's low and cold voice echoed in the alley as he turned to face the two individuals.
"So, which type do you think you are?"
"Oh, come on, don't say that."
The person wearing the white hood laughed and stepped forward, stopping seven meters from Irumi.
"You are a guest in this city. We won't do anything to you."
"On the contrary, we, as the owners of this city, are here to entertain you."
Irumi lowered his eyes, letting the fresh blood "drip, drip" from his hand, and spoke in a deep voice.
"The owners of the city?"
"Those are some pretty words, but…"
"You are nothing more than tumours lurking in the darkness of this city."
The person in the white hood spread his hands, not denying Irumi's assessment but instead agreeing with his words.
"Well, what you said is not wrong."
"Since you already knew that, why did you dare to strike with such force?"
Irumi's face grew dark. He knew exactly who the other person was referring to—the "formidable opponent", Yamashita Jin-oh, at the 150th level.
"To be able to have that kind of tattoo, it seems his position among your gang is not low."
Indeed, Irumi knew Yamashita was a member of the gang as soon as he saw the tattoo on his back during the competition. In certain countries of this world, just like in certain countries of the previous era, there is an unwritten rule among gangs that tattoos are not to be taken lightly.
The higher the position of those involved in the underworld, the larger the area they can tattoo. If one is not a true gang boss, one cannot have a tattoo as extensive as Yamashita's, let alone a tattoo of Yamashita himself.
"State your purpose."
Irumi intended to probe the other party's intentions and see what they wanted.
"It's simple."
The person wearing the white hood casually crossed his arms.
"Yamashita was supposed to participate in an underground boxing match tonight. Since you beat him half to death, taking his place naturally falls on you."
The words of the person in the white hood made Irumi understand what kind of gang they were. Obviously, they were a widely involved criminal organization.
Not only in Heaven's Arena but also in underground boxing matches, their people might even be on the 200th floor.
"And if I refuse?"
Irumi's lips curled up. He didn't like being forced into doing things, let alone being threatened.
"Oh~?"
Upon hearing Irumi's words, the person in the white hood lowered his head, chuckled darkly, stepped forward, and lifted the hood covering his head, revealing short golden hair.
"I'll take care of it. You don't have to."
"Ah~" The person in the purple hoodie, who had been silent all this time, sighed and stepped back, answering.
"I understand."
Irumi smiled and looked at the confident posture of the two individuals. He also took a step forward, confronting them.
"Oh~ You two create quite an atmosphere."
The person with short golden hair, with a world-weary expression appeared to be around 30 to 35 years old. His eyes were like sharp blades, scanning Irumi from head to toe.
"Let's start with introductions."
"My name is Ivan Douglas. I'm a gang enforcer and also a participant in underground boxing matches."
"First, let me make it clear that I'm not fighting you because of any personal grudge against that worthless Yamashita."
"It's not personal, just business, kid."
Ivan Douglas rubbed his shoulder, bouncing up and down, and swung a few punches with his fists. It was evident that he was someone who relied on his fists.
"I won't do anything to you, but you must take Yamashita's place in the competition. Otherwise, you can lie in the hospital morgue for me."
Irumi ignored it, and Ivan Douglas's expression turned cold. He swiftly rushed forward, throwing a series of jabs at Irumi.
*Swish, swish, swish, swish...!!*
Ivan Douglas relentlessly punched towards Irumi, but Irumi swiftly dodged and evaded his punches, moving his feet in a continuous dance. One attacking, one evading, they arrived at the intersection of the alley.
"Just like a mouse, always hiding."
Ivan Douglas frowned, observing Irumi's small and unusually agile body. Irumi always evaded the punches precisely, with barely any gap between him and the fists. Just as Irumi stepped back to the intersection, a flash of brilliance crossed Ivan Douglas's eyes. While throwing a punch, he lifted his right leg and aimed a kick at Irumi's head.
*Boom!*
With a loud noise, Ivan Douglas's kick created a dent in the wall at the corner of the alley, sending debris flying. Irumi had already sensed it when Ivan raised his leg. He crouched down as the kick was about to hit, narrowly avoiding it.
"Your kicking still needs work," Irumi taunted.
While Ivan created a dent in the wall, Irumi didn't remain idle. With a smirk on his face, he targeted Ivan's groin and threw a punch.
*Crack!*
The sound of flesh colliding echoed, accompanied by the cracking of an eggshell.
"Ah, ah, ah, aaah!!!"
Ivan Douglas let out a series of screams and howls, clutching his groin, and hopping back three steps while keeping one foot on the ground. Accidentally stepping on a banana peel, he fell to the ground with a thud and couldn't get up.
(T/N: Wtf?)
"You really didn't anticipate a high kick."
"Are all underground fighters of your calibre?" Irumi stood in place, clenched his fist, and taunted with a smile.
"You, my friend, may look tough, but you're actually a simpleton."
Ivan Douglas trembled as he lay on the ground, clutching his groin. After Irumi finished mocking him, he looked towards the purple-hooded figure behind him and chuckled lightly.
"What about you?"
"Don't you want to fight me?"
The person in the purple hoodie, their mouth obscured by the hood, showed a crack in their lips, revealing two rows of white and orderly teeth. They took a slow step forward and smiled.
"You're pretty good, kid."
"Really, quite impressive. It's making me itch for a fight."
*Smack!*
Suddenly, Ivan Douglas, lying on the ground, reached out and grabbed the purple-hooded figure's ankle, preventing them from moving forward.
"Huh?"
The person in the purple hoodie looked down at their feet, only to see Ivan Douglas gazing at them with a determined expression, his voice hoarse.
"I told you not to intervene, didn't I?"
"You're already done, right?"
The person in the purple hoodie looked at Ivan, their lips cracking open with a smile.
"You... You, don't underestimate me!"
Trembling, Ivan Douglas struggled to get up, grinding his teeth.
*Thud!*
With a light sound, Ivan Douglas's eyes rolled back, and he fell backwards, completely powerless.