Exactly one week after receiving Ivan’s invitation.
Late at night, I slipped out of the house under the pretext of exercising and headed to the address written on the invitation.
I took the subway to ‘Kabukicho’ in Shinjuku, a huge entertainnt district.
Often referred to as ‘The Adult’s Street,’ it was filled with bars, cabarets, host clubs, okama bars, pachinko parlors, and adult entertainnt shops, where foreign gangs and yakuza frequently clashed over territory.
Near here was Shin-Okubo, Japan’s largest Koreatown. I had often visited during the day, but this was my first ti coming at night.
“Hey, man! I’ll give you a good deal; co stop by!”
The streets were filled with drunk salaryn wandering about, yakuza smoking cigarettes as they erged from pachinko parlors, black workers1 soliciting passersby, and touts handing out flyers.
For a high school student, the night scene in Kabukicho was nothing short of surreal.
Thud!
“Huh? Watch where you’re go—I’m sorry!”
A yakuza I accidentally bumped into turned to glare at , but then quickly ran off.
My hand, raised to apologize, hovered awkwardly in the air, and the eyes of people around montarily focused on .
“……”
An uncomfortable silence.
If I wasn’t mistaken, passersby quickened their pace, and the street hustlers around discreetly dispersed.
Having unintentionally attracted attention, I quickly pulled up the hood of my tracksuit.
It didn’t make the stares disappear, but it gave so peace of mind.
I hurried away before I could get into any more trouble.
My final destination was a club located in Kabukicho.
The club’s na was ‘Paradise,’ and its flashy neon sign, which looked oddly cheap, was its trademark, hinting at its age.
“This area is off-limits to unauthorized personnel.”
As I tried to descend to the underground club, a suit-clad guard stepped in front of , blocking the way.
I hesitated for a mont before pulling out the invitation Ivan had given and showing it to him.
The guard, after checking the invitation, imdiately dropped his stiff deanor and bowed deeply, displaying extre politeness.
“This way, please.”
Following his bow, I carefully descended the iron stairs, and soon I saw a thick tal door.
As I opened the door and stepped inside, I was greeted by a lavishly decorated club, completely contrasting its shabby exterior.
People were dancing to the loud club music under the garish spinning mirror ball.
A man dressed as a bartender, holding a tray of champagne, walked up to and asked.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Oh, no thanks.”
I politely declined and glanced around, looking for a familiar face.
Then I spotted a familiar redhead.
“Hello!”
As I approached and called out loudly, Karen’s father, Naoto, who had been chatting with others, recognized and waved warmly.
“Co on in, Yu-seong!”
It was none other than Karen’s father, Naoto, who had arranged this venue.
He had secured the fight venue at Ivan’s request, and as a result, there were quite a few people in the club who seed to be Naoto’s acquaintances.
An older man sitting next to Naoto looked at curiously, prompting Naoto to laugh and introduce .
“This is Yu-seong, a friend of my daughter’s! He’s recently beco famous for taking down Hattori Hanzo in Kyoto!”
“Oh! Is this Japan’s strongest, the one I’ve heard about?”
“He really does look as solid as they say.”
In truth, Karen’s father and I weren’t particularly close.
At most, we’d seen each other two or three tis when I visited Karen’s house, but he seed to know all about my recent activities.
“Haha! I’m looking forward to the fight today!”
Thud! Thud!
With Naoto enthusiastically patting my shoulder and laughing, I chuckled awkwardly and nodded.
After making my appearance in front of Naoto, one of the event organizers, everything moved smoothly.
Naoto, who had secured a location where Ivan and I could fight without the prying eyes of the public, kindly explained where the waiting room was and where we’d be fighting. 𝙧ÀƝɵΒËs
In the center of the club was a huge battle cage, about 30 pyeong (roughly 100 square ters).
It was usually the venue for illegal fight tournants where people bet fight money every night, but tonight, it had been cleared out just for my match with Ivan.
Even though this was supposed to be a love cody world, I felt a strange disconnect about the existence of such a place. But it was too late to be surprised now.
I headed to the waiting room to calm my nerves before the match, only to find unexpected guests waiting.
“Kim Yu-seong!”
“Welco.”
It was Senior Fuma and Sasha.
“What are you two doing here?”
When I looked at them in surprise, the two exchanged glances and shrugged.
“I ca with my father.”
“Sa here.”
I looked back and forth between the two, who seed strangely similar.
It was definitely an odd combination, yet there was a sense of familiarity.
“Did you two already know each other?”
Senior Fuma shook her head.
“We just t today.”
Sasha followed up.
“Strong people tend to bond quickly.”
That was an incredibly macho response.
But that was just like Sasha.
“So, Kim Yu-seong, how’s the Nagi training going?”
“Oh, that…”
I awkwardly avoided Senior Fuma’s gaze with a vague smile.
“I failed…”
No matter how hard I tried, learning a new technique in just a week seed impossible.
I had barely managed to sense the ‘wind’ within , but I failed to develop it into Nagi, the ultimate technique of Hayate.
The ti I had was just too short—it couldn’t be helped.
“Sigh… Well, that’s typical of my father. I’m not sure if this will help, but take this.”
As she spoke, Senior Fuma handed a red pill.
“It’s the latest version of the Ghost Pill. I’ve reduced the side effects as much as possible for you.”
“Reduced side effects?”
“It ans the effects won’t wear off imdiately like before.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Since the pill had proven useful in critical situations before, I bowed at a 90-degree angle to thank her. Then, noticing Sasha’s odd expression as she looked at the pill, I asked.
“Why are you looking at it like that?”
“Kim Yu-seong, doping is cheating.”
“……”
She was so right, and I had nothing to say.
As I awkwardly looked between the Ghost Pill and her face, Sasha finally chuckled and said.
“Well—Papa wouldn’t care either, as long as it helps him win.”
“Wow, you almost gave a heart attack.”
“Hehe, chances to tease you are rare.”
With a playful laugh, Sasha tapped my shoulder and turned to ask Senior Fuma.
“So, Senior Fuma? It looks like the match is about to start. Will you join in the VIP section?”
“…I guess I should.”
“Then you’re in for a treat. Papa invited so special guests from all over the world for this match.”
“Special guests?”
“The Seven Powers—you know what that ans, right?”
“…!”
Both Senior Fuma and I were shocked to hear that.
Who were the Seven Powers?
They were seven fighters renowned as the strongest in the underworld.
Of course, with Ivan, the God of Destruction, and Fuma Kotaro, the Black Yaksha, already here, it wasn’t strange for other mbers of the Seven Powers to show up. But I never imagined they’d be invited as guests to an exhibition match.
“Isn’t this getting too big?”
Sharing my thoughts, Senior Fuma asked, and Sasha shrugged nonchalantly.
“You’re underestimating yourself, Kim Yu-seong. You’ve been a rising star in the underworld for a while now. A man like you fighting Ivan again? Of course, it’s going to attract attention. Even the Japanese governnt probably sent people to watch.”
I didn’t recall becoming famous, but rumors have a way of spreading regardless of the person involved, so I couldn’t deny it.
“…This is crazy.”
Realizing the gravity of the situation, I covered my forehead with my palm and mumbled, while Sasha patted my shoulder.
“Just let it be.”
The event match with Ivan was set to begin exactly at midnight.
While I was in the waiting room, the club filled up with invited guests.
Earlier, it was mostly Japanese, but now it was packed with foreigners of various races and nationalities.
‘I should’ve brought so calming pills.’
Regretting it too late, I rubbed my queasy stomach and followed the staff mber who ca to escort to the arena.
A huge iron cage, reminiscent of an animal enclosure.
The circular stands surrounding the cage were packed with people.
As I walked through the noisy club, I looked around.
Countless eyes were on , watching as I headed to the stage to face Ivan.
‘Hattori Hanzo.’
Among the crowd, I spotted a familiar face.
It was Hattori Hanzo, the Iga ninja I had defeated in Kyoto.
Next to him stood his daughter, Aya. When our eyes t, she gave a slight wink to make her presence known.
I naturally shifted my gaze upward, where the VIP section was.
Not only were Senior Fuma and Sasha there, but also the legendary fighters known as the Seven Powers of the underworld.
Their faces were hidden in the shadows due to the lighting, but judging by the numbers, it seed not all of the Seven Powers were present.
“I’ve arrived.”
“Ah, okay.”
Nodding reflexively, I slowly stepped inside the iron door the staff had opened for .
Waaaah!!
Cheers erupted from all sides.
The heat of the atmosphere was so intense it made my skin tingle, just like a UFC match.
“So, you’re finally here.”
Ivan, entering the cage from the opposite side, cracked his neck left and right and grinned.
His ferocious aura was like that of a wild beast.
Even though he was well over forty, this man—still in his pri—shrugged off the leopard-print coat he had draped over his shoulders.
What was revealed underneath was a body honed to the extre—a physique so extraordinary that even Yujiro, the forr bodybuilder and gym owner, had been rendered speechless at their first eting.
In contrast, I was wearing the black tracksuit I usually trained in.
Thud, thud.
Ivan, his combat boots making heavy thudding sounds, walked to the center of the battle cage and motioned for with a flick of his hand.
“I’ll show you what true strength really is, kid.”
ED/N: Refers to foreign workers involved in the nightlife industry, particularly those engaged in *hawking* (soliciting custors) for bars, clubs, or other establishnts. ️
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