Mike was standing in front of Mars, who stared at him with emotionless red eyes.
Mars – Before you say anything, Mike, let me tell you—you're dead. Smith's father shot you, and I brought you to Controlium's Judgment Palace. Here, your fate will be decided. You'll either go to heaven, hell, or remain here in 'Gowntown' with the other lower-class spirits. There's no other choice—you must undergo judgment.
Mike – Yeah, yeah, whatever. What kind of judgment are we talking about?
Mars – There are three types—your soul can be judged through your mind, through battle, or—
Misa suddenly entered the Judgment Palace, accompanied by a cloaked judge named Mr. Popo.
Misa – Mars! Is it ready?!
Mars – Just about! Mike, make your choice!
Mike – Do I even have a real choice? Fine, I'll fight.
Mars – As you wish.
With a wave of his scythe, a dark aura engulfed the room. He slammed the weapon to the ground, and within moments, the Judgment Palace transformed into a fighting arena.
Mars – The rules are simple—fight or die!
Mike – We're already dead.
Misa – This should be fun, Mike.
Misa stepped into the ring.
Mike – My opponent?
Mars – She's already in there.
Mike – Misa? Well, you sure live up to my expectations.
Misa – Huh, don't spare me based on my gender!
Mike – Well, I really don't care!
Mike entered the ring, stretching his arms. Mr. Popo, hidden beneath his cloak, sat back in his chair. Mars started the match.
Mike – I quit. She wins.
Misa – Are you scared?
Mike – It's pointless. This was your plan all along, wasn't it? You set everything up—killing Smith just to make his father come after me. Isn't that right?
Misa – Well then, I quit too. You win.
Mike – Ah, you're in pain.
Misa – Suit yourself.
Mike – Take this, you bastard!
Mike threw a punch at Misa's face. She caught it mid-air, but Mike anticipated it, leaping up and aiming another strike at her. Misa countered with a kick, sending Mike crashing onto the floor, coughing blood.
Mike – That's not fair! Misa's been a spirit longer than me—she has powers and experience.
Mars – No, Mike. She only got here before you, and she was strong enough to make it to 'Gowntown' for judgment. No other humans worthy of judgment have died since her. You're the first one in years. Judgment is absolute. We can't skip it.
Mr. Popo – Continue the fight!
Mike pushed himself up, determination flashing in his eyes. He dashed toward Misa, sweeping her leg. She tumbled, and before she could recover, Mike launched a kick at her face. She slid across the floor but remained conscious. Mike sprinted forward, aiming a final blow to her chest.
Their eyes met.
Misa reacted fast, grabbing Mike's collar mid-fall. He stumbled, and before he could regain his footing, she drove her knee into his stomach. Mike gritted his teeth as he hit the ground again.
Misa – Tired already?
Mike – How are we even feeling anything?
Misa – You feel pain?
Mike – Pain isn't just physical.
Misa lunged with a punch, but this time, Mike blocked it. She lost balance, tripping over him—accidentally kissing him in the process.
Both of them immediately recoiled, spitting in disgust.
Mike – What the hell is wrong with you?!
Misa – Who do you think is responsible?!
They resumed the fight, but in the end, Misa won. Mike lay on the floor, beaten but strangely at peace.
Mars – And the winner is... Misa!
Mr. Popo – Wait, Mars. I enjoyed that fight. Misa, I will grant you one wish—if it is within my power.
Misa – I don't really have any wish... but can you allow Mike to stay here with me as my partner instead of sending him to hell?
Mike – Do you have feelings for me?
Misa – Certainly. But not in a romantic way. More... practical.
Mike – So I'm just a tool to you?
Misa – If you want to look at it that way.
Mike – For now.
Mr. Popo – That's... not the healthiest dynamic. But fine. Wish granted.
Mike – So now what? You're keeping me around just to kill me emotionally?
Misa – Not a bad idea, actually. But no. I'm going to train with you. And you're going to help me fight our future enemies.
Mike – Yeah, whatever. Not like I have a say in it.
Meanwhile, in Hell—a landscape of molten lava, endless fire, and rivers of blood—a colossal red castle loomed. A young boy knelt before it, praying to the Devil.
Moments later, the monstrous entity emerged, his twisted, horned visage illuminated by the infernal glow of the underworld.
Boy – King of Hell. The great and powerful Devil. I bring news. A new spirit, Mike Jones, has entered Controlium. Rumors are spreading that he intends to stop Infinity.
Devil – Infinity? Do they really think they can challenge him? No human—no Shinigami—has the power to defeat him.
Boy – You may want to reconsider, sire. That boy is...