Ryuuto stood perfectly still in the ruined nightclub, letting the darkness press against him. Broken lights sparked. Dust drifted through the air. Somewhere in that pitch-black mess, his opponent breathed like a cornered beast.
"So that's it? You power up in the dark?"
His voice echoed lazily, as if he were commenting on the weather.
"Die!"
Night Vision burst forward like a bullet fired by a vengeful god, muscles doubled in size, eyes glowing with that eerie cold light.
Their fists collided.
Boom.
The shockwave tore cracks across the floor and punched holes in the walls. Tables flipped. Glass exploded. A whole section of ceiling caved in.
Night Vision staggered back a few steps, snarling.
"Boy, that's all you've got? You dare act arrogant with strength like this?!"
Then he lunged again, faster, wilder, claws out like he wanted to peel Ryuuto alive.
Ryuuto spat a curse under his breath. "Damn. Do you seriously want to kill me tonight?"
The two clashed, smashing through furniture, pillars, even what remained of the bar counter. Smoke and dust billowed everywhere.
"I said sit down, baldy!" Ryuuto snapped.
Human Boulder Technique!
His body expanded instantly, swelling into a massive sphere of muscle and momentum. He rolled straight into Night Vision and slammed him through a concrete wall hard enough to make the whole building tremble.
Night Vision crashed out into the street, coughing blood and rubble.
"You… you dare humiliate me like this? I'll make you pay twice over!"
His wounds knit in the dark almost as fast as they appeared, but the rage twisting his face was pure human.
He tore a telephone pole out of the sidewalk and swung it like a giant spear.
Ryuuto exhaled sharply. "You poor idiot. You really don't get it. You're not even close."
Lightning Style — Raikiri!
Thunder roared across Ryuuto's arm, crackling like a wild storm. He charged straight through the swinging telephone pole, splitting it in half. Shattered metal sprayed across the street.
The bolt of lightning ripped into Night Vision's chest.
"You… lightning too?!"
Night Vision's scream punched a hole in the night as electricity burned through him. He staggered, legs buckling.
Ryuuto tilted his head. "How's that feel? Stomach sizzling yet? You look like overcooked barbecue."
But pain only made Night Vision more reckless.
He grabbed Ryuuto's wrist with his shaking left hand and wound back a punch with the last of his strength.
"Even if I die— I'll take you with me!"
Ryuuto didn't dodge.
He didn't even flinch.
"Fine. I'll let you have one punch. After this, we're done."
He dropped Raikiri, inhaled once, and ignited every limit inside his body.
Eight Inner Gates — First Gate: Open!
Second Gate: Open!
Third Gate: Open!
Fourth Gate: Open!
Fifth Gate: Open!
Sixth Gate: Open!
Seventh Gate: Open!
Power detonated through him like a volcanic eruption. His aura warped the air, cracking the pavement beneath his feet.
Night Vision's fist slammed into Ryuuto's forehead.
It broke instantly.
Bone splintered. Skin tore. His scream echoed through the entire block.
Ryuuto didn't move an inch.
Night Vision collapsed backward, clutching the ruined limb, eyes wide with genuine terror for the first time in his life.
Ryuuto stepped forward, aura burning like a black sun.
"So? Still want to fight? Or are you finally done?"
Night Vision dropped to his knees, shaking. "I— I surrender! Enough! I surrender!"
"Smart."
Ryuuto tapped his shoulder once like he was congratulating a child for not running into traffic.
"Be a decent guy from now on. I don't want to see your face again."
He vanished into the night, leaving Night Vision pale and unconscious on the cold street.
[Ding! Mission complete. Rewards distributed: ten Life Potions, 30,000 system experience. Title unlocked: Task Master. One Lucky Spin obtained.]
"Oh? Nice. Today feels lucky."
Ryuuto cracked his knuckles and hit the Start button.
[Congratulations, Host! You have drawn: S-Rank Mystery Mission. Double reward potential!]
Ryuuto blinked. "Double rewards? Alright, Shion. Lay it on me."
[Target: A mutant headhunter aggressively recruiting criminals. Objective: track her down, destroy her operation, and eliminate her. Rewards: massive.]
A slow grin cut across Ryuuto's face.
"Great. Guess someone's dying tonight."