Chapter 10: It's a Long Story
Humiliated and furious, the Inverted Cross Legion member scrambled to his feet, ignoring the dust covering him.
He charged at Mord, fist aimed straight for his chest.
Gasps erupted from the surrounding patrons.
"Mord, watch out!"
Mord stood firm, eager to test the results of his recent training.
With a dull thud, the punch landed—but Mord didn't budge an inch, as if rooted to the ground.
The towering member of the Inverted Cross Legion froze in place. That punch just now felt like he had struck a solid boulder.
The commotion among the other Inverted Cross Legion members behind him was palpable.
Among those present, aside from Domen, this attacker was the strongest. Even Domen himself would likely hesitate to take such a full-powered punch head-on.
Yet this bartender had just done exactly that—how could they not be shocked?
Mord frowned slightly, as if dissatisfied with his own performance.
No matter how refined his aura or how strong his physical body, he was still far behind Madou.
He raised his head, grinning at his opponent. "My turn now."
With that, he threw a punch.
A terrifying gust of fist wind rushed forward. The man had no time to react—the blow landed squarely on the left side of his face. It felt as though his skull had been struck by a massive hammer, sending his body flying backward before crashing heavily outside the tavern.
This time, he didn't get back up.
How could such a small frame contain such immense power?
The onlookers struggled to believe what they had just witnessed.
Only Domen, a fellow Nen user, knew it was possible.
But he hadn't sensed Mord using Nen in that punch.
Could raw physical strength alone achieve this?
Domen's gaze sharpened as he studied Mord.
So the rumors were true—this was the man who had killed Chelsea.
Domen reached back with his right hand, gripping his cloak. With a swift motion, he tore it off and tossed it aside.
"I'll be your opponent now!"
Stripped of his outer garment, Domen revealed a lean, muscular physique. The white cloth wrapped around his forearms marked him as a close-combat specialist.
Most fighters like him were Enhancer-type Nen users.
Facing another Nen practitioner, Mord didn't underestimate his opponent—he immediately enveloped his entire body with aura.
Thud!
Domen's feet tapped rhythmically against the ground before he suddenly lunged forward, his body coiling like a spring as he shot toward Mord.
A Nen-infused fist followed.
Domen's punch was blindingly fast, its sheer force tearing through the air with a piercing shriek.
Even Madou, standing nearby, paled slightly.
"Bullet Fist!"
This was Domen's signature technique.
No feints, no tricks—just a killing blow. Enhancers didn't play games.
Mord's expression darkened as he made a critical decision. Instead of dodging, he chose to meet the attack head-on.
Boom!
Their fists collided with a metallic clang that reverberated through the tavern.
...He blocked it!
The impact was staggering—like a thousand-pound force, far beyond the limits of an ordinary human body.
This was the power of Nen-enhanced strength.
A faint numbness spread through Mord's right arm, but it faded almost instantly.
Seeing his first strike fail, Domen immediately followed up with another.
His feet moved with agile precision, circling Mord relentlessly.
Punch after punch rained down like a storm, leaving no room to breathe.
"Fist: Shotgun!"
Against such an onslaught, Mord could only defend.
"What's wrong? Not so tough now, are you?" Domen's wild laughter was the only sound in the silent tavern.
To the others in the tavern, the fight appeared to be nothing more than Mord being utterly dominated and beaten down by Domen.
It was indeed unwise to provoke the Inverted Cross Legion.
Domen's subordinates watched with admiration—this was the true strength of their captain.
Only Madou, peering through the flurry of punches, caught the look in Mord's eyes. That fervor was unmistakable—he was relishing the battle, using it to temper himself.
Moreover, with her keen perception, she could sense that Mord was gradually adapting to Domen's attacks.
He was beginning to match his opponent's rhythm, getting hit less frequently, and sustaining lighter injuries.
Yet Domen, caught in the heat of the moment, remained oblivious.
The outcome was already decided.
"Enough!"
At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.
Carrying absolute authority.
No matter how unwilling Domen was, he had no choice but to stop.
The flurry of fist shadows dissipated, revealing Mord and Domen once more.
The previously arrogant Domen now cowered like a frightened chick, not daring to utter a word.
"Didn't I say you're not allowed to cause trouble at the Shinjuku Tavern?"
A tall figure strode in from outside the tavern. As he passed Domen, he drove a fist downward like a pile driver, slamming into Domen's stomach. Domen instantly curled up like a shrimp, kneeling on the ground as he vomited bile.
Everyone in the tavern was stunned by the sudden turn of events.
In their eyes, Domen, who had seemed invincible, had been defeated in an instant—and so thoroughly at that.
"My apologies for failing to discipline my subordinates properly," the newcomer said as he approached Madou.
"The best apology you can give is to take your people and leave quickly, Noah," Madou replied, setting down the wine jug and looking at him.
"Still as cold as ever after all this time," Noah spread his arms and continued, "You know why I've returned, don't you? Isn't this the dream we all shared as kids?"
"What you're doing now will only lead Meteor Street—and those who trust you—to ruin," Madou's expression turned icy.
"Years of comfortable living have made you timid. Since you've made your choice, I won't force you."
Noah looked at Madou solemnly and said, "But I'll prove to you that your choice is wrong."
Without another word, Noah turned and left. As he passed Mord, he paused briefly.
"I admire you. Your talents shouldn't be wasted in a small tavern like this. Would you like to join us?"
"I can make you the second-in-command of the legion."
Mord shook his head.
"I prefer being a tavern waiter."
Noah stared into Mord's eyes for a moment, then walked straight out the door.
He had already seen the answer in the other's gaze.
Some people's decisions were unshakable.
Once the members of the Inverse Cross Legion had completely dispersed, the tavern patrons hurriedly left as well, afraid of getting caught up in the aftermath.
Mord silently cleaned up the mess in the tavern before stepping forward to close the door.
He turned to look at Madou.
"Care to explain now?"
"It's a long story."