"Transaction complete: 20,000 credits deducted."
"New credit info registered. Credit balance: 280,000."
The deduction was harsh, and Takumi clearly felt its impact. An ordinary purchase would have saved him nearly 10,000 credits, but the quality would have paled in comparison to what he'd bought. It was a decision driven by a hunch, a simple test. If he managed to sell it off at the auction house, it would be worth it by a long shot. If not, he'd simply use it himself—a Plan B he'd carefully calculated.
"Order processed. Delivery day: Friday."
"Tomorrow, I guess quality takes its sweet time," Takumi exclaimed, releasing a soft sigh as he turned off his screen.
"When will I ever read a magazine without you cutting through me with complaints?" Kurayami blurted out, dissolving into reality before closing her magazine to observe her pact-mate.
The moment her gaze fell upon Takumi, a sudden hush descended, justifiably so.
Takumi had undergone a remarkable glow-up, one seemingly impossible to achieve overnight. Yet, here he stood, evidence of his transformation apparent in every contour of his being. The distraction of the auction house, a mere side-quest in his relentless pursuit of improvement, had not deterred him from his goal. The result? A physique that defied expectations. Overnight, he had transcended from slightly slim to impressively fit—a feat that left even Kurayami in awe.
"Can you do anything other than read magazines all day? I could've used your help last night," Takumi griped, pulling on a T-shirt that now fit snugly against his fitter frame. "Those creatures were no match for me, and everyone around just stood there gaping. Next time, we're going together, and I won't take no for an answer."
His tone was commanding, a stark departure from his former self, his demeanor now exuding a sense of rogue confidence. Had he truly changed? Kurayami couldn't discern whether it was the influence of her previous advice or the manifestation of his newfound demonic energy, but one thing was certain: the Takumi standing before her bore little resemblance to the one she had formed a pact with. And, truth be told, she found this altered version infinitely more captivating.
"That's quite the 'thank you' for someone who helped you fend off monsters from another world," Kurayami teased, floating closer to inspect Takumi's transformed physique.
Every fiber of his being radiated with negative energy, a swirling vortex of hate, anger, arrogance, and pride seemingly drawn in by some mysterious force. Kurayami couldn't help but smirk at her handiwork, envisioning the thrilling adventures Takumi could now embark on.
"Well, the only 'thank you' you'll be getting today is for staying invisible or keeping quiet until I return. I have something important to take care of," Takumi declared, his tone carrying a playful edge akin to Kurayami's as he briskly exited his dorm room, leaving Kurayami to her solitude, which she promptly filled with the pages of her magazine.
Takumi was only a minute late, but he knew Kazuki would react with his usual flair. Despite his playful demeanor, Kazuki was meticulous about punctuality, always adhering strictly to the timeframes he set. Unlike his friend, Takumi was anything but time-conscious, often arriving late to scheduled events, much to Kazuki's chagrin. However, Takumi would simply shrug off the complaints with his trademark grin, a sight that only seemed to widen with each admonishment from Kazuki.
However, today, Kazuki's reaction took an unexpected turn. As he opened his mouth to complain, his words caught in his throat as he beheld Takumi before him. Despite being leaner than Kazuki, Takumi had noticeably bulked up—a transformation Kazuki never thought he'd see. Was it a trick of the light? Takumi had never been one to frequent the gym like Kazuki, so the idea of him achieving such physical growth without it seemed unfathomable.
"Alright, tough guy, when did you start hitting the gym without telling me?" Kazuki teased, playfully jabbing Takumi's chest with his fist. The impact was solid, confirming his suspicion.
"What, you wanted me to stay skinny forever?" Takumi retorted, matching Kazuki's playful tone with his own as he strolled past a crowd of people, all heading in the same direction.
Kazuki wasn't one to be left behind; he darted forward and looped one arm around Takumi's shoulders as they strolled past the crowd, their destination clear: the school's gymnasium. The event they were heading to marked an embarrassing moment from Takumi's past life, one he was determined to make amends for.
Though the memory was aged, its sting remained fresh. In the past, one of Takumi's primary antagonists had attended the program, managing to further tarnish Takumi's already beleaguered image. Knowing his opponent's prowess, Takumi had been coerced into a sparring match, practically forced into it by his adversary's cronies. No words could adequately describe the outcome; suffice it to say, Takumi had emerged from the encounter battered and bruised, with a face adorned by several unsightly lumps.
"I've seen it so many times, but it still feels epic being this close to it, especially today! Right, Takumi?" Kazuki exclaimed with joy, taking his reserved seat as he admired the ring before him, encircled by an unbreakable iron fence.
"Yeah... it's like something incredible is about to happen," Takumi exclaimed with a wide grin on his face, clearly expressing his excitement. It felt like his opportunity for payback was right in front of him!
Right on cue, the stage lights suddenly dimmed, prompting the audience to hush in anticipation.
"Ladies and gentlemen... get ready for today's adrenaline-packed event!" boomed a male voice from the speakers, igniting the crowd into a fervent uproar.
The stage lights flickered back to life, casting their glow onto the ring below. Two bulky, shirtless men now stood opposite each other, while a third, holding a microphone, stood behind them. His excitement was palpable as he surveyed the crowd before him.
"A fight of the century, 20 contestants and only 2 million credits on the line! Can we get a round of cheers for this night's contestants!" The announcer blurted out enthusiastically, lifting his mic towards the crowd as if to help them amplify their cheers.
The uproar was incredible, loud and perhaps grating to some, but Takumi found it oddly pleasing. The energy surrounding him was palpably negative; the crowd eagerly anticipated the sight of blood as one shirtless man pummeled another. Though this sentiment puzzled Takumi, he couldn't care less as long as it continued to fuel his demonic abilities. With plenty of time before the event he eagerly awaited, all he could do was relax and await his moment to shine.
"Kazuki, wake me up when all this drama flies by. None of this is going to be interesting." Takumi commented, kicking back his legs and reclining on his seat to have a short rest.
His comment went unheard as his friend was too caught up in his own excitement, shouting with joy towards the ring. Takumi couldn't help but smile slightly at the scene, though he paid little attention to the actual fight. Regardless of the outcome, nothing could alter the course of events. Takumi knew more about what would unfold than anyone present; the victor would be a young man from their own class who would nearly incapacitate his opponent with a precise jab to the neck.
With that, he simply closed his eyes and released a deep sigh. Instantly, the world around him seemed to fade into silence, and his muscles relaxed, feeling lighter and more at ease. His mind cleared, a cool sensation washing over him, bringing a sense of peace that had eluded him in the hustle and bustle of recent days. It was a fleeting tranquility, passing by faster than he had anticipated.
"Excuse me, you're blocking the way." A female voice suddenly broke into the moment, accompanied by a nudge to his foot. Her tone carried an air of irritation, and her voice hinted at a sense of entitlement. It was a familiar voice to Takumi, who lazily opened one eye to identify the interrupter.
"Hey, dumbass, you need her to tell you twice?" Another familiar voice interrupted. It was mischievous, arrogant and easily recognizable. The one person Takumi had been patiently awaiting.
With clear intentions, Takumi stretched his legs further and reclined onto the seat more comfortably, wearing an unbothered expression that clearly irritated those around him.
"It's just my feet, not a spike strip. If you want to pass, just step over them," he remarked arrogantly, a slight smirk adorning his smug face. "Or are you too dumb to realize that?"
A hush fell over the small area around them, drawing the attention of those nearby and rippling out to capture the entire arena-like gymnasium. Even the announcer and the winner, standing in the ring, turned to see what was happening. Murmurs began to spread among the crowd, each person trying to piece together the unfolding scene.
"Big brother, isn't that Ryuji Takeda? Which dumbass actually tried messing with him?" one voice sprung in whispers from one end.
"I found it hard to believe when I saw him first, but isn't that the trash of all trades?" another sprung from the other end.
"I was right! I knew i wasn't hallucinating!"
"Ryuji and Takumi about to fight? who would have thought I'd see that happen?"
"About to fight? brother Yang, move your seat a bit, I can't miss this!"
And soon, the crowd erupted into a cacophony of shouts, each voice clamoring to support their favored side. For them, Ryuji Takeda was the undisputed champion, his prowess unquestionable. They scoffed at Takumi, dubbing him the 'Trash of all trades,' a moniker that lingered from his past humiliations at Ryuji's hands.
"What did you say to my girl you little shit?" Ryuji blurted out in anger, mostly motivated by the crowd's support. His blood had yearned for action ever since he'd seen the fight and this just seemed to be an opportunity for him to let it all out.
"Deaf or dumb? Or both?" Takumi's retort cut through the air without hesitation, startling Kazuki, who had hoped to defuse the situation. But as Takumi rose to his feet, it became clear that intervention was futile. "I asked you to step over, not into my space. Too complicated for you?"
Reactions varied across the crowd, from stunned silence to wild cheers and boisterous shouts. Takumi's bold remark had struck a chord, garnering acknowledgment from all corners of the gymnasium. But rather than diffuse the tension, it seemed to stoke the flames of Ryuji's anger, drawing him closer until their faces were mere inches apart.
"Keep flapping those gums, and maybe I'll have to teach you a lesson you won't forget." Ryuji's voice was a growl, barely audible over the raucous cheers that goaded him further, fueling his fury with each passing moment.
"Boys, boys!" The announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, commanding attention and quelling the rising tension in the gymnasium. "Let's settle this like civilized folks, shall we?"
A hush fell over the crowd, all ears turned to the announcer, awaiting his proposal.
"State your terms and take it to the ring, gentlemen," he continued with a mischievous grin, knowing full well the excitement such a challenge would incite. "Are you with me, folks?"
The crowd erupted into cheers once more, the enthusiasm palpable as they eagerly anticipated the showdown. This merely caused Ryuji to smirk as he stared back at Takumi.
"What do you say, kid? Shall we take this spectacle to the world, or will you grovel for forgiveness and put an end to it here and now?" Ryuji's voice dripped with arrogance as he issued his challenge, leaving no doubt as to his intentions. Even if Takumi were to plead for mercy, he'd still end up on the receiving end of a beating. But begging was never Takumi's style, not now, not ever.
"Half a million credits and your phone," Takumi countered, brushing aside Ryuji's earlier remark.
"Half a million credits and Ryuji's cellphone! Contestant number 1, step into the ring!" The announcer's voice boomed with excitement. "What say you, contestant number 2?"
Ryuji emitted a menacing laugh before stripping off his shirt and tossing it to his female companion, who caught it with a gleeful expression as she watched her partner stride confidently toward the ring where Takumi stood.
"What could I possibly gain from him?" Ryuji retorted arrogantly, his eyes fixed icily on Takumi as he entered the ring. "Besides, I'll make quick work of him."
"Entering the ring clean? Fair enough," the announcer replied with a hint of disappointment, then cleared his throat and turned to the crowd. "Betting pool is open! Lights on! Crowd, get ready to cheer! Let us know when you're set, and we'll start the match!"
The crowd erupted into a deafening roar, each person fervently backing their chosen fighter and eagerly placing their bets in the pool. For Takumi, this moment heralded not just one opportunity, but multiple. Excitement surged through his veins, igniting a fire within him that burned with a fierce intensity. A menacing smile crept across his face, a sight never before seen, as if his very eyes hinted at a crimson glow. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation, and in this heated night, Takumi knew it was his time to seize every opportunity, to make it count in every possible way.