In a well-equipped martial arts gym with Eastern architecture.
A handsome young male with black hair was intensely training against an elderly man with grey hair and a calm look.
His rapid blows were filled with a youthful power as their muscles tensed, bones snapped on connection, yet no matter how much power or trickery the young man used.
The more instantaneous their exchanges, the more frustrating it became for the young male.
"Not too bad, Young Master."
The young man did not know the meaning of restraint and attacked the elder continuously with powerful punches. Nevertheless, his opponent deflected each successive blow with light and extremely elegant strikes.
He tried everything, from the hidden moves of the Clan aiming at the vital points.
Yet, it never worked as the old man perfectly defended all his attacks and retaliated with a powerful and equally deadly counter.
"Is it magic? It's too mysterious; my sense cannot reach him."
"It is not magic, Young Master, but experience and insight."
'This doesn't exist in the Clan's techniques...' Ryu thought, remembering the assassination techniques that caused his family to be exiled to the West and somehow meeting his mother, a rich Caucasian noble from Ruzzel, a combative nation.
His body was dripping with sweat, the training outfit opening to show his muscular chest covered in sweat and dark bruises from the old man's training.
"Old man, you are ruthless to your future master!" Ryu joked, brushing his wet hair back, blinking his piercing red eyes before they returned to their narrow, violent gaze.
'Yet I can feel it. This Old man always helps me improve my weakest areas silently...'
He could feel the strain on his muscles, lowering his fists and bowing to the old man known as Sebastian, a retired martial artist from Chia.
"It is almost time for college Young Master—please shower quickly and meet me in 30 minutes. Today we are taking the Black Ferrara Aventadora."
'He knows I love that car, such a good butler.'
***
Ryu left the shower wearing a white robe, drying his hair with a black towel while walking into the kitchen, which made the young maid look away from the exciting view.
"Young Master, this morning's breakfast is Western style." The brown-haired maid sincerely bowed to him. "Please enjoy your meal," before stepping backwards and leaving the room.
He noticed that the place for his father was empty, and his mother hadn't been home in months due to her business.
'Another lonely meal. I imagine the fools at school who whine about me being rich and arrogant would love this scene.'
His eyes looked at the daily news, 'Terror in Barham strange sightings of huge black gates cause hysteria for the locals, now adamant the end is coming.'
"How stupid do people believe the things in these tabloids?" While eating his scrambled eggs, bacon with some mushrooms and wholemeal toast, Ryu wondered.
Suddenly his phone vibrated.
"Sigh....."
There was only one person whose number only vibrated. A number he didn't want to answer, the daughter of his family's rival, the Shirogane Divine Sword School and his fiancée.
Shirogane Aya.
[How long until you convince our parents to cancel our engagement?
You know I hate you, so why are you taking so fucking long? I want to enjoy my life and be free of this damn family!
Don't forget that our assignment for Thursday is due.]
Always like this, she was nothing like the 'Pure and Graceful' student that everyone else knew and desired as their girlfriend or wife.
The female national swordsmanship winner. Class representative for 3 years, discipline chairman for 2 years.
A real shining star, just like her family's martial arts.
"Why does this woman think I want to date some fake who smokes and takes part in illegal fights in the dark arena?"
'Damn mother... Why does everyone end up bending to your will? I love you, though... But not Aya...'
[I don't care, why should I act like your simp? Ask that Shinji kid.
How about we have sex a few more times, then you tell them I forced you, so they break it off?
I've already finished all this month's assignments, idiot.]
Ryu took exactly 35 minutes to finish his shower, eat his breakfast and brush his teeth before standing outside looking at the huge fountain as the black Aventadora came into sight, driving along his large drive with its humming engine.
With a smooth click, the back door opened, revealing the smooth leather seats and red highlights were Ryu's taste.
This car was his 18th birthday present, but he could only drive it on weekends or after school.
"Young Master, 10 minutes early. A good gentleman is always early and sharp." Old man Seb always gave him a once-over before helping him inside.
'Not like it's needed, but this old man is related to mother, and she's a perfectionist when it comes to me...'
A reverberating rumble sounded as the black aventadora set off, "Young Master. Would you like some music, or do you wish to meditate?"
"I am feeling a little agitated for some reason. Put something slow and soothing on; thank you, Sebastian."
"No problem, hoho. You are such a fine man. I don't understand why Miss Aya dislikes you so much."
Leaning back, Ryu just smiled bitterly.
'Of course, she hates me. The first time we met, we both went clubbing, got drunk in the city, and had sex all weekend...' His eyes watched the window with a complicated look.
As the beautiful tree's around his manor faded, they entered the bleak city filled with closing businesses, grey buildings and homeless people.
'Then we meet again only to find out we're engaged, and suddenly she's against the whole thing.'
"It's because women are annoying."
Ryu found remembering that weekend made his mood feel unpleasant.
Aya was so into it during the three days they spent at the hotel but became a bitch when he met her again.
'Forget it... enjoy the music.'
Gentle scores of the violin were soothingly followed with a deep baritone vocal as the classical piece about a man who chose his country over his beloved sings of regret to find she had passed away from illness when he returned from the war.
The strange feeling and frustration from practice and his fiancée caused him to drift into a light sleep.
***
"Young Master Kurogane, we will arrive at the academy in 3 minutes." Sebastian's voice sounded almost as soothing as the baritone vocalist on the radio.
"Nn... Thanks."
Sitting up, he quickly arranged his hair and face, topping up his moisturiser and hair before spraying a lightly branded cologne with a slightly fruity zest.
The Aventaroa pulled into the parking space, costing him over $30,000 yearly as the poor people and commoners gawped at his customised, bulletproof aventadora that could take a high-calibre bullet.
"Young Master, the keys."
With a light jangle, he tossed the fancy Ferrara keys in a light arc, easily catching them. Ryu gave Sebastian a thumbs up, seeing the car locked in a safe container.
"Thanks, Old Seb."
"No worry, Young Master. Have a good day at school; I will return with the usual black BWM M3 spare at your mother's company."
Despite his sharp and fierce exterior, Ryu regarded this old man like a second father or grandfather.
That's why he only smiled and waved back to the old man.
"Look, it's our Senior Ryu." A male whispered to his friends before they left, not wanting to get involved.
"Ah, let's go... didn't his little group get beat up by the martial artist Shinji? Even Senior Aya will be displeased with Senior Ryu this time."
'Why do the monkies all speak utter bullshit.' Ryu could only smirk to himself, ignoring the waves from the girls on the second floor rushing to their classes and clubs as he placed both hands in his pockets and headed to the bike shed.
'That woman hates me, and the part of me that reached her depths more than a dog hates cats.'
He looked at the many students who walked faster as he passed them; some would smile, others looked disgusted, and most girls normally looked flirtatious.
"I wonder who spread the rumours I slept with several members of the female swimming team... was it that woman's act?" Ryu muttered as he saw 3 males on the ground rolling around.
'Tsk.... three on one, and they lost.'
***
A rather handsome boy wearing a white shirt and black jeans stood with his arms behind his back, looking down on three thugs.
"Do you realise that making girls feel uncomfortable is wrong?"
"Ngh....we didn't. Ugh!?"
Before the boy could speak, a foot smashed into his chin, sending his back flying against the wall with a thud.
Although not strong enough to cause damage, it still rattled his brain.
"Now then, do you promise to stop harassing women for hookups? Don't act like your damn pathetic Master."
The gravel behind the boy with light brown hair and blue eyes suddenly made a sound as he quickly turned around, eyes widening at the sight of the male.
He was tall and athletic; even the black shirt and waistcoat couldn't hide his well-trained muscles.
Like small crimson jewels, a pair of evil-looking, red eyes stared at him through narrow slits.
"Pathetic Master?" Ryu asked, his right foot sliding forward so subtly that the boy who beat his three friends didn't realise.
"Shinji."
"As a disciplinary committee member, why do you take it upon yourself to use a heavy hand against such a minor crime..." Ryu stepped forward, his muscles tensing as he built momentum and force while approaching naturally.
"...Yet you treat them like rapists."
Tilting his head to the side caused Ryu's glossy black hair to sway over his shoulder. He gave a curious look before making a warped smile. "Or are you just jealous that Aya is my woman?"
"You scum!!!"
The moment Shinji moved, Ryu exploded with momentum, his fist leading with a curved blow to the right of his stomach, following up by snapping his body to the right, his elbow smashing Shinji's nose.
The tension in the air was palpable as Shinji and Ryu faced off, each a formidable force in their own right. As if in perfect harmony with the symphony of battle, the moment Shinji made his move, Ryu sprang into action like a coiled spring, an explosion of raw power and momentum.
Ryu's fist surged forward with unyielding determination, leading with a deadly curved blow aimed precisely to the right of Shinji's stomach.
The force behind the strike was immense, a testament to Ryu's strength.
He didn't stop there; the flow of his motion was a seamless dance of combat expertise moving swiftly, like a striking serpent. Ryu followed through, his body snapping to the right with a sudden and calculated precision.
His elbow became a fearsome weapon, an unstoppable force connected with a resounding impact, smashing into the vulnerable target of Shinji's nose.
The sound of bone colliding filled the air causing the three on the ground to gasp while the man hit looked stunned.
Shinji staggered back, momentarily stunned by the speed and ferocity of Ryu's counterattack.
The pain searing through his nose only fueled his determination, the taste of blood on his lips a bitter reminder that he was completely beaten instantly and unable to fight back.
Ryu's eyes were cold as his knee was pulled back, immense force building up in his body while stepping forward to finish the job as the true essence of the Kurogane unorthodox assassination school of combat was—Kill! Kill! Kill!
"Stop right there!"
Instantly a hard wooden sheath stopped Ryu's knee from crushing his face. Shirogane Aya's sword, licenced due to her father's position, blocked his blow as she lunged at him with a palm strike to his abdomen and knife palm to the throat.
Moving fluidly back and deflecting her knife palm Ryu grabbed her by the shoulders and flung her into a nearby tree, only for her to push herself off using both her feet and launch at him in inverted head scissors.
Spinning around, she caught his leg, intent on twisting his back out or snapping it if the torsion was enough. However, she was disappointed when her target stood firm despite the incredible inertia.
"Tsk..."
"Tch!"
Both clicked their tongues as they parted, a crowd slowly forming as the two gazed into each other's eyes.
He noticed her slightly tired look as their eyes were different shades of red.
Her eyes were bright and dazzling, while his dark and mysterious. 'She looks prettier with a ponytail, huh...' Ryu thought with a smirk.
"Aya, why did you stop me? This fool assaulted three boys only seeking true love."
"Ryu, you may think that justice is on your side, but you can't just start hitting others without provocation!"
"Provocation!?"
Looking past her, Ryu watched as Shin was dragged away by the other discipline committee members, writhing in pain as his ribs, probably all seven broken considering his size, made it hard for his companions to move him properly.
His mouth was trickled with blood, and various bruises were evident as his shoes seemed split, showcasing the depth of Ryu's beatdown.
"Ryu!"
"Shut up, Aya. I heard you."
"Keep that clown on a leash, or I will crush you." Ryu was annoyed because of that jumping clown attacking his friends.
He had to accept an earful from this woman.
Aya could only feel helpless as she watched Ryu carrying the three heavily injured boys alone and realised from their wounds she might have been wrong.
"..."
She began to type a message on her phone before kicking the wall several times, cursing, which made the other students avoid her.
Not too long after, Ryu sat in the classroom because he looked angry as he leaned forward on his desk, surrounded by happy classmates who he didn't want to ruin their mornings—so pretending to be sleeping, he closed his eyes.
***
It seemed he had fallen asleep at some point and was slowly waking up as he noticed everyone in the room was acting strange.
They were looking out the window with shocked faces.
'What's this? Even the teacher is pulling a practical joke?"
"Eh?"
He wasn't prepared for the sight that came into view... The peaceful town filled with beggars, closing shops, expensive stores and hotels was half destroyed.
Huge black gates extended into the sky, the surface like an ocean ebbing and flowing like the waves.
However, that wasn't the problem...
"What are they!?" Ryu's voice was identical to several other students, as thousands of strangely moving corpses with blood and meat hanging from their bodies began to enter from the black gates...
Only a few dozen police and army members stood shooting to keep them at bay.
Immediately after that, a sudden flash blinded Ryu as he looked away.
Two lights shot into the school, one black with red goo wrapping it and the other white with the same ooze.
The two orbs seemed to be targeted at certain individuals as one penetrated the abdomen of Ryu, and the other seemed to head towards the discipline committee.
Its force caused his body to fly back into the wall, slamming into a poor girl and causing a cracking sound as she and a male student were crushed behind him.
As he blacked out, he could only hear a strange mechanical voice in his mind.
[Ding! Supreme Villan System is now Activated!]
[Kill 1 Creature = 10 points]
[Kill 10 Creatures = 100 points]
[Kill 100 Creatures = 1000 points]
[Kill The Divine Hero = ??????]
[Bonus Points Given For Villainous Acts!]
⟪First Murder 1090 Bonus points added!⟫
—Current points 1100 (Shido Mayuri - Neck snapped)
Once the class saw the blood oozing from Mayuri's mouth and her spine poking through her neck, chaos descended into the classroom as the dead began to walk the earth.
The sounds of rifles, screaming and pistols served as the accompaniment to the massacre.