The next few moments passed in a blur, my head spinning like I'd taken a fist to the temple.
I was caught in a state of disbelief, questioning my own reality.
"Why me?" I kept muttering.
Jepon was crawling with thousands of professional fighters. So why the hell would Haruki pick me?
The short man stepped into my apartment uninvited, his black cat still perched on his shoulder, eyeing me like I was prey. I didn't care about the intrusion; I was too busy wrestling with my doubts.
Haruki's sharp eyes scanned my room, as if searching for something.
"Why you?" he echoed, voice calm. "Well, because our goals align. You hunt bullies, smash them into the dirt. I help the students they've broken. Teaming up makes sense, don't you think?"
I stood there, frozen, his words sinking in. He was right, our paths did cross in a way that felt almost destined.
But still…
"I'm no professional fighter," I said, shrugging. "My style's just brutal, messy violence. Shit, I don't even know if I'm throwing punches right. As long as they hit hard, it works for me."
Haruki turned, wagging a finger at me, his stern face almost comical on such a small frame.
"143 fights is no joke, boy. And this contest? It's nothing like professional fighting. Rules don't apply here. Eye gouging, nut shots, scratching, biting, headbutts: all fair game. If anything, following pro rules your whole life would've crippled you for this."
My eyes lit up, and I swear my mouth started watering.
He was right. King's speech had promised pure, unshackled violence. No weight classes, no point systems, just the will to dominate until your opponent could fight no more.
This was my world.
"Of course, you'll need training. Loads of it," Haruki continued. "But it's your brutality I want, Red. You might just have what it takes."
I wondered what this tiny therapist could possibly know about fighting.
Probably nothing, but i didn't care.
This opportunity spoke to me, louder than the promise of 'infinite wealth.' The chance to fight, to break, to conquer, was enough.
"I'm in," I decided, my voice firm.
Haruki's lips curled into a faint smile. He slipped his hands into his pockets and headed for the door.
"Good. Let's move. We've got to prep for your first fight. Whenever King announces it."
---
Haruki dragged me to a nearby hospital first.
They poked me, drawing blood and measuring every inch of my body.
At 178 cm (5'10") and 78 kg (172 lbs), I was lean but ripped, my muscles carved from years of street brawls, protein, and sports.
My face was sharp and angular, handsome in a rugged way. My bright red hair, same as my unnatural, piercing eyes, earned me my name, Red.
At the hospital, Haruki was handed a strange device, like a tablet but locked to information about the Association of the Gods.
He clutched it like it held the keys to the world. I thought I noticed a look of worry on his face as he glanced at its screen, before quickly turning it off.
Next, we headed to the Wind and Hope headquarters, my new home. It was a sleek complex located in a towering skyscraper in the heart of Jenton City, where the streets bustled with energy.
"Get settled in your room, then meet me at the head office," Haruki said, shutting the door behind him. "There's someone I want you to meet."
The room was unreal. A king-sized bed, a cinema-sized television, a small kitchen, a pristine bathroom, and a bird's-eye view of Jenton's glittering city below. It felt like a dream I didn't belong in, especially with my upbringing as an orphan.
A wardrobe stuffed with clothes waited for me, all perfectly tailored. But I stuck with my usual gear: black jeans, white shirt, black trainers.
I dropped my bag and navigated the tower's maze of corridors. Through windows, I glimpsed men and women in suits counselling distressed students across desks.
This place was a machine, raking in cash while helping depressed kids. I could only imagine what Haruki's net worth was.
After climbing to the top floor, I faced a lone wooden door, a golden plate reading "CEO's Office" above it. I knocked softly and stepped inside when called.
"Red, I hope the room's to your liking. It'll be your home for the next few years," Haruki said, seated behind a massive desk, his black cat now sprawled across his balding head like a nest.
My eyes, though, were more focused on the woman beside him.
She was beautiful, dressed in a sharp pencil skirt and black suit jacket. Her hair was a bright red, like mine, and her cheeks were flushed, hinting at nerves.
She stood as tall as she could, but barely reached my shoulder.
"This is who I mentioned," Haruki said. "Asuna, your personal… well, everything, I suppose. Doctor, assistant, masseuse, therapist. A proper talent she is."
My gaze met hers, and for a moment, words failed me.
"Nice to meet you," I managed, my voice rougher than I meant.
"Nice to meet you too," she replied, her tone soft.
Why does she look so familiar?
Behind them, the sun set below the horizon, casting a golden glow through the office's massive windows. On a distant skyscraper, a billboard displayed the 'Association of the Gods' symbol, the words 'Fighter of the Gods' scrawled inside for everyone to see.
Similar billboards had been erupted all across the world.
My heart pounded with anticipation.
"Tomorrow, it begins," Haruki said, flipping open the tablet. "King's announced that the first fights are ready to take place, but more information is to be given promptly."
My pulse was already racing, but now it felt like it might rip through my chest.
"I wanted more time, but we've got no choice," Haruki continued. "Every investor's chosen their fighter. You ready?"
I nodded without hesitation. I was always ready to fight.
Haruki smirked. "Good. We'll talk tomorrow morning. For now, call Asuna if you need anything."
Asuna's cheeks flushed brighter.
Why was she so nervous?
"I'll be fine," I said. "Just need a good night's sleep."
Haruki dismissed me, and I returned to my room.
...
That night, as I lay in the massive bed, anticipation kept me awake.
Questions flooded my mind.
Who would I be fighting?
Where would it go down?
How big would the crowd be?
And the big one: Would I be strong enough to win?
———
CEO's Office, Moments After Red Left...
Asuna spun toward Haruki, defiance flashing in her eyes.
The small man lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of grey smoke. "What?"
Asuna tugged at her skirt, irritation heavy in her voice. "Why didn't you tell him?"
Haruki's face stayed cold, his eyes flicking to the tablet on his desk. Its screen glowed with text:
---
First Round Matchups:
Red Takahen, Wind and Hope
VS
Vagat Ananada, Find a Home
Location: Yokohan Arena
Time: 11:00 AM
---
Haruki took another pull from his cigarette, unbothered.
"He's up against Vagat, a trained amateur fighter." Asuna started. "He's going to get—"
"Beaten?" Haruki cut in, voice cold, sending a shiver through Asuna. "You think he'll lose?"
Asuna clutched her skirt tighter, fear evident.
Haruki stood and walked to the window, gazing toward the Yokohan Arena, where Red and many others would clash tomorrow.
Excitement surged through him.
"You haven't seen Red fight," he said, his tone casual and certain. "Save your doubts until you do."