In the business district of City Z, a striking woman stepped out of a building, flanked by a few men in sharp black suits.
Her presence was impossible to ignore.
She wore a tight-fitting dress that hugged her curves, with a long white fur coat draped elegantly over her shoulders.
The dark green accents in her outfit stood out, a signature that was known by anyone familiar with the city.
As she walked through the street, people couldn't help but stop and stare. Men blushed at her beauty, and even women looked at her with awe.
Her face was cold and composed, exuding authority and power.
She wasn't just any woman—this was Fubuki, also known as the "Blizzard of Hell." Her nickname alone made people step aside when she passed.
The whispers started almost immediately.
"It's the Blizzard of Hell!" a young girl said in an excited voice. "She looks so cool!"
The murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire. People knew her well—her name, her power, her reputation.
"She leads the Blizzard Group. That guy with the goatee? He's Eyelashes, Rank 2 B-Class. And the big guy? That's Mountain Ape, Rank 3 B-Class."
Fubuki didn't seem to care about the attention. She walked with purpose, her expression unchanging as she moved forward.
Her gaze was fixed straight ahead, her every step filled with confidence.
"Eyelashes," she called out to one of her subordinates, not even glancing at him.
The man with the goatee straightened up immediately, ready to answer. "Yes, Miss Blizzard?"
"Who are we visiting today?" she asked, her voice sharp but calm.
Eyelashes didn't hesitate. "It's Iron Tank Man, Miss Blizzard. He's a new B-Class hero."
Fubuki's response was simple, yet commanding. "We'll deal with him after we eat."
With that, she led the group toward the car they had rented. There was a sense of practicality in how she moved, like everything she did was part of a well-thought-out plan.
Even though she was the leader of one of the most respected groups in the Hero Association, she was aware of the financial difficulties her group faced.
The Blizzard Group took on tasks and bounties to stay afloat, but sometimes it was still hard to make ends meet.
When they reached the car, Eyelashes opened the door for her with a respectful gesture. Fubuki sat inside, but before they left, she turned to him.
"Eyelashes, take on some more bounties," she ordered. "We need money. Get us a car for the group."
Her words were firm, but her subordinate didn't respond right away. His attention was caught by something in the sky.
Fubuki followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing as she looked up.
The crowd that had been focused on her now turned their attention elsewhere. Fubuki felt a strange feeling run down her spine. Something was happening.
She watched as a figure descended from the sky, glowing with an intense brilliance.
It was hard to see the person clearly, but there was something about the way they moved that caught her attention.
The crowd's murmurs shifted from admiration to alarm.
"Is that... a monster?" someone whispered.
But Fubuki's sharp eyes saw more than just a glowing figure. She realized it wasn't a monster at all—it was a man.
He landed lightly in front of her group, his confident stance radiating power. The moment he landed, the people around him fell silent, taken in by his presence.
Fubuki felt a strange tingle on the back of her neck. She was used to being the center of attention, used to having power and influence wherever she went.
But this man was different. His gaze met hers, and she felt something unexpected—something that made her freeze for a moment.
It wasn't just his strength that she could feel—it was his confidence. His presence was overwhelming.
He wasn't intimidated by her reputation or her authority. In fact, it felt like he was looking straight through her.
The onlookers stared, unsure of what to make of the situation, but Fubuki kept her composure. She wasn't easily intimidated.
She had seen it all before, but there was something about this man that stirred her curiosity.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice cold and steady, though there was a trace of suspicion in her tone.
I chuckled lightly, noticing the way the crowd had gone quiet, their eyes shifting between us.
It was clear they were expecting something big, but I wasn't here to cause chaos—at least, not yet.
"I'm Kai," I said, my voice calm and even, "And I'd like to talk to you, Fubuki."
The crowd was still hanging on every word, but Fubuki didn't flinch. She stood tall, her gaze locked onto me with careful calculation.
She wasn't one to back down from anything.
I took a step closer, my tone easy, but there was a sharpness in it that caught her attention.
"How about we sit down somewhere? It's not really the place for a conversation."
Fubuki hesitated for a moment, clearly considering her options. The curiosity in her eyes didn't go unnoticed.
She wasn't used to someone who could stand toe-to-toe with her without breaking a sweat.
It was rare for anyone to make her feel this way—intrigued, unsettled, maybe even a little challenged.
A few moments passed, and she finally spoke, her voice still cautious but with a hint of intrigue. "Alright," she said, her lips curling into a small, knowing smile.
"But you'll have to explain yourself. Who are you, really? And what do you want with me?"
I met her gaze without hesitation. "I want to own the Blizzard Group."
Fubuki's eyes narrowed. The air around us seemed to grow tense, as if the entire world was holding its breath, waiting for her response.
She tilted her head slightly, a slight smirk forming on her face.
"You want to own the Blizzard Group? The strongest faction in the Hero Association?" Her voice was laced with a challenge, but there was also something else—respect, perhaps.
I didn't back down. I wasn't here to make small talk. "Yes," I said simply, "I think it's time someone stronger takes control. You're the leader, but I'm stronger than you."
Fubuki's smile faded slightly, but she didn't back down. She was the type to meet challenges head-on, not shy away from them.
"You're bold, I'll give you that," she said, her tone sharp. "But you think you can just waltz in and take over? Why should I let you?"
I smiled, my eyes gleaming with confidence. "I'm not asking you to let me. I'm offering you a chance to test me.
How about a fight? You and me. If you win, I'll leave. If I win... well, you'll be my first acquisition."
Fubuki's gaze never wavered. She had seen many challengers before, but something about this felt different.
She had a reputation to uphold as the
"Newbie Crusher," and no one had ever successfully taken anything from her. Still, she was smart enough to recognize the danger in my words.
"You think I'll just fight you on a whim?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I'll take you on, but don't think you'll get off so easily."
I chuckled. "That's all I ask."
The challenge hung in the air, and for a brief moment, it seemed like everything around us faded into the background.
We were both sizing each other up, waiting for the other to make the next move.
Fubuki's lips curled into a faint smile, the challenge accepted. "Let's see if you're as strong as you think you are," she said, her voice steady and full of anticipation.