1. Unexpected Invitation
The streets of Naples were soaked in winter sunlight — gold streaking against worn stone.
Lacolone walked aimlessly, clothes torn, aura dimmed, each step a quiet defiance.
A gust of wind caught a piece of paper and slapped it against his face.
He peeled it off, frowning.
> "Grand Martial Arts Tournament — Prize: $20,000 + Free Meals!"
He stared at it blankly. "A tournament? How… boring."
Then his stomach roared — a sound that shook pigeons from the rooftops.
---
2. The Spark of Comedy
He squinted at the fine print.
"Free meals for all qualifiers."
His expression changed instantly — divine revelation.
> "Twenty thousand dollars... and food?"
He slammed his fist into his palm, aura flaring faintly.
> "To hell with noble principles — empty stomachs know no honor!"
He marched toward the address, fire in his eyes, hunger in his soul.
---
3. Registration Chaos
The registration hall buzzed with fighters — wrestlers, boxers, martial artists, and street thugs.
The clerk squinted. "Name?"
Lacolone smirked. "Write this down: The one who devours both souls... and buffets."
The room went silent — then erupted in laughter.
"Buffets?" one chuckled. "Is that a fighting style?"
He smiled faintly. "You'll find out."
---
4. The Qualifiers Begin
The arena thundered with energy.
> "From monks to mercenaries, the stage was set,"
Narration whispered. "But one walked not for glory — only for dinner."
Lacolone yawned, unimpressed.
"Too weak," he muttered as the first opponent lunged.
---
5. Crushing Domination
He didn't move much. Just a flick of his finger.
The opponent flew backward like a rag doll.
Gasps erupted from the stands.
Then another fighter fell. Then another.
Each clash shorter than the last — his movements effortless, elegant, terrifying.
"Unstoppable," the referee whispered, pale as chalk.
---
6. The Feast
"Here! Eat something before the finals!" a trainer said, handing over a plate.
Lacolone stared at the pasta like a starving saint beholding heaven.
He devoured it in seconds, tears streaming.
"Food... real food... after so long…"
He downed a bottle of cola in one gulp.
"Wait—!" the trainer gasped, "You'll choke!"
"Then I'll die fulfilled," Lacolone said solemnly.
---
7. Endless Appetite
Plate after plate vanished.
"More," he demanded.
Another arrived. Gone.
Another. Gone.
Plates piled like a temple of hunger.
The chef burst through the door, screaming,
"You'll empty my whole kitchen!"
Lacolone, cheeks full, bowed slightly.
"I'm... sincerely sorry... but I need power."
---
8. The Apology
Silence. Then laughter.
The chef crossed his arms, sighing.
"Power, eh? Then you'll need dessert too."
He handed him a plate of shimmering Italian jelly.
Lacolone's eyes widened. "This... is heaven incarnate."
For the first time in weeks, he smiled like a man, not a god.
---
9. Camaraderie
Around him, fighters cheered, laughed, drank.
They slapped his back, calling him "Pasta Monster."
The trainer chuckled. "You've earned a place tonight. Rest — finals tomorrow."
Lacolone ate one last spoonful of jelly, staring at the warmth around him.
> "Even gods," narration whispered, "need simple kindness."
---
10. Reflection Before Night
Later, moonlight painted the dormitory silver.
He stood by the window, eyes distant.
"Tomorrow... the prize will be mine," he murmured.
Then softer:
"But more importantly..."
A faint shimmer appeared beside him — Kyra's spirit, smiling through memory.
---
11. The Promise
Flashback — her laughter echoing through the void.
> "You said you would meet me here," he whispered. "In this world."
His fist clenched, crimson aura flickering like a heartbeat.
> "For love... I'd burn through hell again."
The moonlight trembled — as if agreeing.
---
12. Foreshadowing Conflict
Elsewhere, beneath the arena, shadows stirred.
A hooded fighter chuckled darkly. "That man... Lacolone... he won't see sunrise."
Behind him, faint scarlet shimmer — the echo of the King's malice.
> "Even in joy," narration murmured, "darkness waits to feast."
---
13. Comedy Interlude
Night fell heavy.
Then—
A monstrous snore echoed through the dorms.
"By the gods, he's louder than a cannon!" someone groaned.
The trainer covered his head with a pillow. "He's scarier asleep than awake!"
Lacolone rolled over, drooling, whispering dreamily:
"More pasta... with soul sauce..."
---
14. Training Montage
Dawn broke.
Fighters trained, sweat flying, the sound of strikes echoing like war drums.
Lacolone stretched once, cracked his neck, then sat down and ate bread.
> "While others bled," narration teased,
"he simply digested."
---
15. Rising Anticipation
By evening, posters already plastered walls:
"Lacolone — The Monster of the Qualifiers!"
The crowd roared as the lights blazed over the arena.
The referee's voice shook: "Tomorrow… the true battle begins!"
And for the first time since his exile, Lacolone felt alive again.
---
16. Emotional Setup
He sat alone later, the sound of distant cheers fading.
"Kyra," he whispered, staring at his hands. "If you're coming… I'll make sure the world itself kneels before us."
His eyes glowed faintly crimson — not in rage, but in purpose.
---
17. The Weight of Tomorrow
> "He entered for food," narration said,
"but fate fed him purpose instead."
His hand pressed against his heart.
Kyra's translucent silhouette shimmered beside him.
"For you," he murmured, "I'll endure everything."
The lights outside pulsed like the beat of destiny itself.
---
18. Cliffhanger
A dark alley.
The air warped.
A voice slithered from nowhere — the Scarlet King's whisper:
"Yes… feed your strength, vessel. Let hunger bind you to me."
Lacolone slept peacefully in the dorm, unaware.
The camera panned to the glowing arena in the distance — a feast of light awaiting a storm.
> "Tomorrow," narration intoned,
"the feast of fists begins…
and shadows will dine on souls."