The next day.
After breakfast, Kaizen and Sally tidied up.
"No need to see us off. We’ll be fine from here."
Nina and Shizuku had originally planned to escort them to the airship station, but Kaizen didn’t think it was necessary.
"Just stay in Heavens Arena," he added.
A car was already waiting at the entrance of Heavens Arena. Kaizen and Sally got in.
Both were heading to the airship station but taking different flights.
As the car’s engine humd, it smoothly pulled onto the road.
Then, Kaizen sensed it.
A subtle yet unmistakable disturbance in the air.
Beep!
Beep!
Beep!
His aura flared instinctively, warning him of imminent danger.
A large, invisible circle of presence spread outward, covering the entire vehicle.
Then, he pinpointed it—
A bomb.
It was attached to the car, positioned right beneath their seats.
Kaizen’s gaze flicked to the driver, but the man was just a regular chauffeur, utterly oblivious to the situation. That ant soone else had planted it beforehand.
Then, in a split second, Kaizen felt the bomb’s instability.
"Sally, run!"
He barked the order as he lunged forward, kicking the door open.
Both of them leaped out just as—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion tore through the street.
The car was obliterated in a fiery blast, its fra flipping violently as it erupted into twisted tal and flas. The driver never stood a chance.
Kaizen quickly concealed himself within the smoke and debris.
"Sally, keep quiet."
She nodded, her face set in a grim expression.
Kaizen’s mind worked fast. He focused his aura.
"Altan."
A shadowy figure materialized, rging into the surrounding area to tap into the nearby surveillance systems. With Kaizen’s own observations, he cross-checked the data.
A figure ca into view.
Soon, Altan relayed the gathered information.
"Roy. A fighter in Heavens Arena. mber of AKA."
Kaizen’s eyes darkened.
AKA—
Like TST, they were a faction within Heavens Arena, but unlike the dominant TST, AKA’s core leadership was composed of lower-tier fighters—three in total—who ranked at the bottom in terms of overall strength.
"These guys... Are they out of their minds?"
Kaizen quickly pieced together their intent, but their logic was baffling.
He was still a long way from qualifying for a Floor Master challenge. Even when the ti ca, he wouldn’t waste his opportunity on weak opponents.
Yet, these people had tried to kill him now? Over a hypothetical future match?
"They’re idiots."
Murderous intent rippled through him.
He had dealt with killers before. Cold-blooded assassins, ruthless rcenaries.
But this?
This wasn’t a professional hit. It was pure stupidity.
He moved.
At an inhuman speed, he closed the distance between himself and Roy.
The man never saw him coming.
"Don’t move."
Kaizen’s voice was low and deadly as he pressed a blade against Roy’s throat.
A shudder ran through Roy’s body. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Talk."
"I—I don’t know anything..."
Before he could finish, Kaizen exerted pressure, the sharp edge biting just slightly into his skin.
"Don’t insult my intelligence."
Roy hesitated before finally caving.
"It wasn’t ! The core mbers of AKA planned this! I was only sent to confirm the results."
Just then, Roy’s phone rang.
Kaizen gestured. "Answer it."
Roy obeyed, putting it on speaker.
"Did it go off?"
"Yeah."
"Kaizen’s dead?"
Roy hesitated.
He considered lying, considered playing along to stay in AKA’s good graces.
Then, he looked into Kaizen’s eyes.
That killing intent.
He realized Kaizen wouldn’t hesitate to end him right there.
"Yes."
"Good. Get back here. We’ll talk about your cut."
The call ended.
Kaizen smirked.
"You’re smarter than I thought."
Roy exhaled shakily. "I’ll tell you everything."
"Go on."
"I’m part of AKA. This was ordered by the three leaders."
"Their reason?"
"They’re afraid you’ll challenge them."
Kaizen frowned. "My challenge rights are at least six months away. Even then, I wouldn’t waste my ti on them. And they still attacked ?"
"If you’re dead, you definitely won’t challenge them."
Kaizen exhaled sharply through his nose.
This level of paranoia? He’d seen mafia bosses act with more restraint.
"Here’s what’s going to happen," Kaizen said, his voice calm but firm. "You’re going to make sure they leave Heavens Arena. If you do that, I’ll let you live. But if I ever see you again..."
Roy swallowed hard. "Understood. I promise."
Kaizen wasn’t putting all his faith in Roy, though. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Kaizen?"
"Doppo, I need your advice."
"What’s the matter?"
"Soone just tried to blow up."
Doppo’s tone instantly shifted. "Are you alright?"
"I’m fine. Caught one of the guys involved. Apparently, it was ordered by the AKA core mbers."
"Those guys..." Doppo sounded irritated. "They’ve always been a nuisance. Weak, but annoying."
"I want to get rid of them. I told Roy to make them leave, but if that doesn’t work, I might have to handle it myself."
Doppo’s voice dropped. "In Heavens Arena? That’s risky. If you make too much noise, the Floor Masters will step in."
"So as long as I keep it quiet, it’s fine?"
A pause. "...Technically, yes."
Kaizen smiled slightly. "Got it. Thanks."
"Kaizen, be careful. I know you’re angry, but those three aren’t weak. You might not be able to take them all on yet."
"You misunderstood."
Kaizen’s voice was eerily calm.
"I’m not angry."
Doppo was silent.
"I just want to kill them."
And that was much worse.
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