Guided by his escort, Johnny trailed behind a group of individuals until they reached another section of the fighter area.
Here, amidst a throng of fellow combatants, the red-skinned men eyed Johnny and his companions with a mix of curiosity and disdain, whispers of speculation swirling in their wake.
"See that? The red-hairs are here. This kid's in for it..."
"Ain't that the truth? Those crimson brutes play by their own rules. Getting on their radar spells trouble, plain and simple."
Observing the scene, Johnny couldn't help but notice the clout wielded by these red-skinned enforcers in the fighter enclave – precisely what he sought.
"Inside, boss is waiting," a red-skinned man motioned, ushering Johnny towards a room conspicuously grander than his own.
As he was nudged forward, Johnny subtly exerted his strength, causing his pusher to stumble.
"Is this how you invite guests?" Johnny's tone remained even, unfazed by the rough treatment.
"Huh? Haha... Kid's got spirit. We like 'em with a bit of fire. Now that you're outta your hole, best behave and scram!" The red-skinned lackey chuckled, his eyes glinting with menace.
Undeterred, Johnny offered a wry smile and strode inside.
Within the spacious chamber, a congregation of red-skinned figures awaited, led by a towering bald man, his sinewy frame bared, save for a single, sightless eye and a network of scars etched into his visage.
"Fresh meat, eh? Step up, kid," the bald man bellowed, downing a goblet of wine, shattering it against the table before fixing his gaze on Johnny.
"Was it an invitation that brought me here?" Johnny's calm smile remained unwavering, seemingly oblivious to the dozens of hostile gazes trained on him.
In this chamber, save for the burly, bald individual who exuded an aura of menace, Johnny paid no heed to the others.
"Kid, watch your tongue when addressing the boss. He's the one with the red hair. He's offering you a chance to join us. When the knockout rounds roll around, he'll have your back, extending your lease on life! So, why don't you show some gratitude?" a companion of Johnny's growled, irked by Johnny's demeanor.
Johnny's smile barely shifted. Alliance?
These folks were clearly recruiting lackeys left and right, merely bolstering their ranks. But if anyone bought into their spiel, they'd likely be the first to bite the dust, cannon fodder for the knockout rounds.
"Red hair? More like where's your hair? Can a one-eyed blind man really call the shots?" Johnny's retort, delivered with understated sass, was calculated to rile them up.
"Brat! Asking for trouble!"
"Shut your trap!"
Johnny's biting words set off a firestorm among the crimson-skinned individuals. In an instant, they rose to their feet, weapons drawn, encircling Johnny.
The bald figure, presumed the leader, wasn't quite as hotheaded, but the flicker of murderous intent in his gaze didn't escape Johnny's notice.
"My eye was lost in a clash with the Eternal Titan. Though I didn't come out on top, I lived to tell the tale. Understand now why I'm fit to lead?" Red Hair, the bald man, boasted, recounting his exploits.
His words struck a chord with his crimson-skinned comrades, their expressions shifting to ones of reverence.
The Eternal Titan? One of the universe's mightiest races, epitomized by Thanos, the dark quadrant's reigning sovereign!
Surviving a skirmish with an Eternal Titan was no small feat, worthy of admiration indeed.
"But what about the Eternal Titan? You strut in here, missing an eye, and think you're hot stuff? You have the audacity to try recruiting a 'little brother'? Let me tell you, you and your crew will answer to me. And when the time comes, I'll make sure the Eternal Titan knows all about your antics."
Johnny remained silent, his indifference to the Eternal Titan evident in his demeanor. A glint of disdain flickered in his eyes as he regarded the bald man.
This hint of contempt sent the red-haired man into a frenzy. As a survivor of battles with the Eternal Titan, he couldn't tolerate anyone questioning his strength.
The bald man, known as the red-haired one, leaped to his feet, toppling the table before him. Flames erupted from his body, his anger amplifying his already fearsome presence.
"You're brave, I'll give you that. But soon, you'll learn the price of your insolence," the red-haired man growled, his crimson-hued skin pulsating with fiery energy. Strange red lines danced across his body, a testament to his fury.
"Remember my name, boy. I, the red-haired man, will teach you the true meaning of fear."
Standing over three meters tall, the red-haired man exuded an intimidating aura that often cowed his opponents into submission. But to Johnny, there was no fear—only an eagerness to face the challenge head-on.
"Spectre!" Johnny called silently, summoning the undead Spectre, which materialized behind him, ready for action.
"Clear the way. I'll deal with this punk myself!" the red-haired man bellowed, prompting the others to scatter, their faces twisted in mocking anticipation of Johnny's impending demise.
"Prepare to meet your end, boy!" the bald man roared, his muscular arms resembling steel pillars as he lunged forward.
.....
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