Noriko used her powers to heal Smash, her hands glowing softly as she channeled her energy. "You should know better than to get into fights like this, Taiki," she scolded, her tone a mixture of concern and irritation.
Meanwhile, Setsuo counted the cash handed to him by the manager. The manager tried to make another offer. "Your client has great potential. With my help, Taiki could make a name for himself in the world of street fighting."
Setsuo, unimpressed, flatly refused. "No, thank you."
The manager persisted. "Just think about it. It's clear your client has talent. He could become a legend."
Setsuo reaffirmed his stance. "I said no."
Desperate, the manager tried to argue further but Setsuo turned to leave. The manager, in a last-ditch effort, grabbed Setsuo's shoulder. Setsuo coldly turned to face him, his eyes glowing an eerie blue. The manager recoiled in fear.
"If I were you, I wouldn't get involved in things you don't understand," Setsuo warned, his voice icy. His eyes returned to normal. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be." He walked away, leaving the manager behind, who was now deep in thought.
*Was that a threat?* the manager wondered. Adjusting his glasses with an evil grin, he muttered to himself, "Very well then, let the game begin."
A voice echoed in Setsuo's mind, interrupting his thoughts. *Just had to scare him off, didn't you?* Yoshida chided.
*All I did was give him a simple warning. Nothing much,* Setsuo replied inwardly.
*I'll pretend to believe that,* Yoshida retorted.
Yoshida was known as the infamous incarnation of darkness, the ghoul lord himself. After being defeated by the Heavenly Board, he had reincarnated as Setsuo Yoshida. They shared a body, each one a distinct personality of the original Yoshida.
*What really has me thinking is how soon we'll encounter him again,* Setsuo pondered. *And it won't be so friendly next time.*
*A summoner, was it?* Yoshida queried.
*Hanada Haruto,* Setsuo confirmed. *Summoner and former professional fighter who retired after turning one of the matches into a massacre.*
*Seems like a fascinating soul to me,* Yoshida mused.
*I thought you said you were one with few words. Seems you're already getting fond of the human world,* Setsuo teased.
*As if I'd lower myself to the level of such a low class. I—* Yoshida began to grumble, but Setsuo shut him off.
*That's enough of you for one day,* Setsuo concluded, silencing Yoshida.
Noriko knelt beside The Smash, her hands glowing with healing light as she worked to mend his injuries. The towering fighter grunted in pain but found himself slowly regaining strength. With a reassuring smile, Noriko patted his shoulder. "You should be good for tonight's fight," she assured him.
The Smash looked up at her, surprised by her skill and the ease with which she had handled him. "Thanks," he muttered, still trying to process the day's events.
Setsuo approached, having wrapped up his conversation with the manager, and handed Taiki a thick envelope. "Here's the cash prize for the fight."
Taiki's eyes lit up as he took the envelope, flipping through the money with a grin. "Sweet! Looks like we're eating out tonight!"
Setsuo chuckled, shaking his head. "A foodie as always. Seems some things never change."
Taiki puffed out his chest in mock offense. "Hey, that's not fair. I'm just from fighting. I deserve a treat for all that hard work."
"Hard work?" Setsuo arched an eyebrow. "You barely did any damage."
"Barely?!" Taiki scoffed, showing his bruised knuckles. "Tell that to my knuckles."
As Taiki continued to banter, Setsuo's attention was drawn elsewhere. He scanned the arena, his eyes narrowing slightly. *Where is that energy coming from?* he thought, sensing something unusual in the air.
Later that night, the underground arena was packed with a buzzing crowd. Noriko, Taiki, Taejin, Setsuo, and Gene sat in the stands, eager for the night's main event. The atmosphere was electric, with the anticipation of the upcoming battles hanging thick in the air.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, plunging the arena into darkness. A hush fell over the crowd before two spotlights flicked on, illuminating the center of the ring where the host stood, microphone in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the host's voice boomed through the speakers, "we're back, and it's time for the one, the only… drumroll, please!"
The sound of drumrolls echoed through the arena, building the excitement.
"Ring's Underground Tournament!" the host declared, his voice rising above the cheers that erupted from the crowd. "Tonight, we'll be hosting the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals to declare the Ring's Underground Street Fighting Champion!"
The arena erupted into wild cheers, the excitement palpable.
"That's right, folks," the host continued, "tonight, it's all about the fighting champions. Right here, we've gathered the top eight best underground fighters representing different regions. I know what you're thinking—why eight? Why not nine, or maybe even ten? Well, the answer is simple. Arranging the matches between eight was an easier task than dealing with an odd number. Plus, our budget wasn't able to cover all nine of them. So one had to go."
Taejin leaned over to Gene, a puzzled look on his face. "Why is the arena larger than usual?"
Gene, ever the tactician, explained, "The host may have used expansion magic. It's a smart move—more space means a larger audience and a better range for the attacks. Pretty strategic if you ask me."
The host, finishing his introduction, grinned as he looked out at the roaring crowd. "So, without wasting any more time, let's get right to it. Let the tournament begin!"
The crowd's roar reached a deafening pitch as the first fighters prepared to take the stage. The night was young, and the battles ahead promised to be nothing short of legendary.
Meanwhile, outside in the late-night streets of Tokyo, the city buzzed with its usual energy, though the air carried an uneasy chill. Kian, ever the thrill-seeker, had a different plan for his night. Holding up his selfie stick, he adjusted the camera, ensuring the perfect angle for his viewers.
"Welcome back, dear viewers, to another episode of *Mystery Solving with K*," Kian announced with a playful grin. "It's your favorite streamer boy, Kian, streaming live from somewhere in Tokyo City. As you all know, there've been several reports of murders all over Tokyo lately. But what makes these murders stand out is that all the victims have one thing in common: one of the two halves of their bodies is never found."
He leaned closer to the camera, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "So it's our job to solve it."
As he continued down the dimly lit street, a garbage can suddenly toppled over with a loud crash, the clatter echoing through the empty alley. Kian flinched but quickly shrugged it off, chuckling nervously. "Must be the wind," he muttered before refocusing on the livestream.
"How are we gonna solve it, you ask? Well, by being a victim, of course!" he exclaimed, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And by 'being a victim,' I mean finding a way to draw out whatever the cause is. Since the culprit might not be a normal murderer, we'll be drawing it out using…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, ornate perfume bottle. "…this! The scent…" He gave himself a generous spray, the mist hanging in the air before settling on his clothes. "…of fear."
Kian tossed the empty bottle into a nearby trash bin, wiping a hand over his now slightly damp shirt. "Hopefully, we'll be able to attract whatever it is that we're looking for."
Half an hour later, Kian continued to wander the streets, his enthusiasm slowly waning. "I've been walking around for the past thirty minutes, and still, nothing," he grumbled into the camera. "Seems the rumor about it being a creature might not be real. But we can't go back now. Not until we've solved this case."
As he passed a particularly dark alley, a shadow flitted by in his peripheral vision. Kian froze, his heart skipping a beat. "What was that?" he whispered, glancing around nervously. Before he could react, the shadow darted by again, this time closer.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Kian muttered, feeling a sudden surge of adrenaline. "Who am I kidding? This is my best shot at gaining more followers."
But as the figure began to circle him, each pass bringing it nearer, Kian's bravado quickly evaporated. "On second thought, I change my mind…"
A low, menacing growl rumbled from behind him, sending a shiver down his spine. His muscles locked in place as fear took hold. With trembling hands, he slowly lifted his phone, angling the screen to catch a glimpse of whatever was behind him. Through the reflection, he saw it—a hulking, shadowy creature, its glowing eyes fixed on him, lips curled into a snarl.
Back at the fighting arena, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tension in the streets. The crowd roared with excitement as The Smash delivered a powerful blow, sending his opponent crashing out of the ring.
Taiki jumped to his feet, cupping his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice. "Go, Smash!" he shouted, his enthusiasm contagious as the audience joined in.
Setsuo, leaning back in his seat, watched with a raised eyebrow. "I'm surprised this match turned out to be so interesting."
Taiki grinned, still buzzing with energy. "The quarterfinals are almost up. Just one more match to go."
As the next competitors entered the ring—a martial artist and a spellcaster—the crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager to see who would advance to the semifinals.
The two fighters stood in the center of the ring, each taking their stance. The martial artist, a tall and composed man, exuded a calm confidence, while the spell caster, cloaked in robes and crackling with arcane energy, prepared to unleash his magic.
The host's voice boomed through the arena. *"Let the match begin!"*
The spell caster wasted no time. He hurled a barrage of spells—blazing fireballs, crackling bolts of lightning, and sharp, cutting winds—all aimed directly at the martial artist. But to everyone's astonishment, the martial artist merely flicked his hand, and the spells dissipated, as if they were nothing more than a gentle breeze. He continued his slow, deliberate advance, his expression unchanged.
Taiki leaned forward, his brow furrowed in confusion. "How is he doing that? I thought you could only dispel spells if you were using magic or had a powerful aura."
Taejin, watching with a knowing eye, shook his head slightly. "What you're seeing isn't magic or aura. It's technique. Something most fighters overlook in favor of raw power."
The martial artist continued his steady approach, undeterred by the spell caster's increasingly frantic attacks. And then, in the blink of an eye, it was over. The spell caster collapsed to the ground, his body crumpling as if all life had suddenly left him.
The host, taken aback but quick to recover, declared, *"And we have a winner!"*
But the crowd's cheers began to wane as they noticed something was wrong. The spell caster wasn't getting up. Noriko, her eyes wide with concern, glanced at her teammates. "He's not getting up. Is he really…?"
Setsuo, who had been silently observing, closed his eyes as he spoke calmly. "He's dead."
All four of them turned to Setsuo, stunned.
Noriko's voice wavered. "What do you mean, dead?"
Setsuo opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the lifeless body in the ring. "I don't fully understand it myself, but I'm certain that the spell caster is dead."
Taejin's eyes narrowed as he considered the possibilities. "Could it have been an evil eye?"
Setsuo shook his head. "You saw the fight yourself. The martial artist didn't transform, and his eyes remained the same throughout the match."
Before they could discuss it further, Taiki's phone rang, the screen flashing with an incoming video call from Kian. He quickly answered, still shaken by what they had just witnessed.
"Kian, you have no idea what you're missing out on—"
The image of Kian appeared on the screen, but instead of his usual confident smile, he was running, the camera shaking wildly. "Taiki… the streets… I'm being chased!"
Taiki blinked, confused. "Slow down, dude. I can barely hear you. What do you mean you're being chased?"
"I'm not gonna make it!" Kian's voice was filled with panic.
"Okay?" Taiki replied, trying to piece together what was happening.
"You remember the recent murder cases where only half a body was found?"
Taiki's expression darkened. "The one Setsuo was dealing with?"
"Exactly. Well, I think I found what caused it."
"What caused it? What are you going on about?" Taiki's voice was edged with concern.
Kian moved his phone, adjusting the angle so that the camera caught a glimpse of a dark, menacing figure pursuing him. Taiki's eyes widened as he recognized the creature immediately. *It can't be…*
**[FLASHBACK]**
Taiki, bruised and battered, lay in a pile of dumpsters, barely able to move. His breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to get up. *If I don't get up soon, I'll be dead meat…*
**[END OF FLASHBACK]**
Gene peered over Taiki's shoulder at the screen. "Is that Kian? What the hell is he running from?"
Kian's voice crackled through the phone, filled with terror. "Help!!"
Noriko, squinting at the screen, frowned. "Is that a dog chasing him?"
But Taiki knew better. "That's no dog. It's the creature I encountered the other night."
The realization hit them all like a cold wave.
All four of them spoke in unison. "You did what?!"
Taiki rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Oh, I forgot to tell you about that."
Setsuo, his eyes narrowing with realization, stepped closer. "That creature…"
Noriko, sensing something deeper, pressed him. "You know what it is, don't you?"
Setsuo nodded slightly, still lost in thought. "It was just a hunch, but now I'm sure of it."
Taiki turned to Setsuo, confused by his serious tone. "Yes?"
Setsuo's gaze was intense, focused. "Tell me, Taiki. When you faced it, were you unable to move?"
Taiki's breath hitched. "Yeah, how did you know?"
Setsuo's voice was grim as he delivered his conclusion. "It's just as I thought. What we're up against… is a demon dog."
Gene stared at the screen in disbelief. "I thought demons went extinct after the war."
Setsuo, his expression serious, shook his head. "A demon dog is an exception. What really surprises me is how your friend is still alive."
Taiki's face tightened with worry as he watched Kian's frantic movements on the screen. "But he might not be for much longer. I better get going."
Setsuo stepped forward, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'm coming with you; and that includes you too, Gene."
Gene blinked, taken aback. "Why do I have to come?"
Setsuo's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're a human, aren't you?"
Gene hesitated, searching for a way out. "Yes, but—"
"Then it's settled," Setsuo cut him off, turning to Taiki. "Taiki."
"On it." Taiki didn't waste a second. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a talisman. With a swift motion, he activated it, and the three of them were enveloped in a flash of light.
In an instant, they vanished from the arena, leaving Noriko and Taejin behind, still processing what had just happened.
*. *. *.
Kian sprinted down the dark, narrow streets of Tokyo, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the demon dog closed in. The creature's low growl echoed through the deserted alleyways, sending chills down his spine. Just as he heard the beast's claws scrape the pavement, ready to pounce, Kian was enveloped in a flash of light. The sensation of being weightless took over, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself teetering on the edge of a rooftop, far from the menace below.
He blinked, disoriented, then realized he was safe. "I made it... I'm alive!" he exclaimed, relief washing over him like a wave.
Setsuo, Taiki, and Gene stood a few feet away, watching him as if he had just escaped from the jaws of death—which, in fact, he had. His relief quickly turned to frustration as he turned to Taiki and delivered a playful, yet exasperated punch to his arm. "What took you so long? I nearly died back there!"
Setsuo barely glanced at the exchange, his focus drawn to the streets below as he walked to the edge of the rooftop, lost in thought. The night air was thick with tension, the distant city lights flickering like stars in the darkness.
"Please tell me you have a plan for this," Gene blurted out, his voice tinged with the nervousness he tried to hide.
"I do," Setsuo replied, his tone calm, almost detached, as he continued to stare into the distance.
Gene sighed in relief but quickly regretted it when Setsuo added, "We're taking it head-on."
Gene's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what?! How are we supposed to fight it when we can't even move around it?"
Setsuo turned to face them, his expression as calm as ever. "The reason you were paralyzed is because of the fear you felt in its presence—specifically, the fear of death. Demons thrive on fear, using it to immobilize their prey. But Kian... he wasn't running out of fear; he was running on pure adrenaline."
Taiki's curiosity piqued. "So, you're saying if we don't feel fear, we can fight it?"
"Exactly," Setsuo confirmed with a nod.
Gene, still skeptical, frowned. "Then why did you bring me along?"
Setsuo and Taiki exchanged a knowing glance, the answer hanging in the air between them. Gene's shoulders slumped in resignation as he muttered, "I don't like where this is going..."
Minutes later, Gene found himself tied to a pole in a deserted section of the rooftop, the very picture of displeasure.
"Why am I not surprised?" he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowed in irritation.
From the shadows, the demon dog emerged, its glowing eyes locked onto Gene as it stalked closer, each step deliberate, predatory. On the rooftop across the street, Setsuo and Taiki watched the scene unfold.
"Why couldn't we have just used Kian as bait?" Taiki whispered, his voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and concern.
Setsuo didn't take his eyes off the demon. "The demon dog only saw Kian as a plaything, not as food. That's why it wasn't in any hurry to catch him."
**Meanwhile, at the Shopping Mart**
While all this unfolded, Kian was pushing a shopping cart down the brightly lit aisles of a convenience store, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Go to the store, they said. You'll be fine, they said..." he grumbled to himself, tossing items into the cart with more force than necessary. The earlier events still played on his mind, but for now, the mundane task of grocery shopping was a welcome distraction from the chaos he had narrowly escaped.
Back on the rooftop, Setsuo handed Taiki a pair of sleek night vision glasses, their high-tech lenses gleaming under the moonlight.
"These should help you keep your fear in check," Setsuo said, his voice steady as he prepared for the inevitable confrontation.
Taiki slipped on the glasses, a grin spreading across his face as the world around him sharpened into view. "Sweet."
Setsuo, now fully focused, turned his attention back to the demon dog, which was steadily approaching Gene, its intent clear. The air crackled with tension as Setsuo spoke, "And that's our cue.
"
As the demon dog circled Gene, its growls reverberating across the rooftop, Setsuo and Taiki leaped from the building, landing silently behind the creature. The demon dog's ears twitched, detecting their presence, and it whipped around to face them.
Taiki didn't hesitate. He charged forward, a gleaming sword materializing in his hand, the blade effortlessly absorbing and deflecting the demon dog's initial barrage of slashes. The creature growled in frustration as its attacks failed to penetrate Taiki's defenses.
Then, with a snarl, the demon dog began to multiply. Dark shadows split from its form, creating several identical copies that surrounded Taiki and Setsuo. Taiki's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Guess it's my turn!" Taiki grinned, bringing his arms together in a quick stretch. "Let's do this!"
Taiki launched himself into the fray, meeting the onslaught of demon dogs head-on. He moved like a blur, his sword flashing as he sliced through the shadows, interspersing his strikes with powerful kicks, elbows, and punches. He dodged their counterattacks with ease, slipping between their strikes as if they were moving in slow motion.
One of the demon dogs charged up a blast of energy and fired it directly at him. Without a moment's hesitation, Taiki crossed his arms, forming a shield that absorbed the blast. The energy dissipated harmlessly, leaving Taiki unfazed.
With a swift motion, Taiki pulled out a basic talisman, its surface glowing with golden light as he traced a complex symbol in the air. The talisman responded, creating a powerful energy blast that shot forward, obliterating several of the demon dogs in a brilliant explosion. The shockwave rattled the rooftop, but Taiki stood firm, grinning at the chaos he had unleashed.
Nearby, Gene spotted a shard of broken glass and desperately tried to use it to cut through his bonds.
While Taiki danced through the battlefield, Setsuo moved with an almost disinterested air, casually slicing through the demon dogs as they charged at him. He didn't bother with weapons; his hands alone were more than enough. Each swipe of his hand was precise, cleaving through the shadowy forms with effortless grace. It was as if he were cutting through paper rather than facing monstrous creatures.
Taiki, still grinning from ear to ear, pulled out another talisman. This time, he used it to mark the remaining demon dogs, each one glowing faintly with mystical symbols. With a quick flick of his wrist, Taiki tossed the talisman into the air, where it caught fire but did not burn away.
Setsuo noticed the talisman and, with an almost imperceptible nod, slashed through it with an invisible technique. The marked demon dogs ignited, bursting into flames before crumbling to ash. Only one remained, snarling as it backed away from the two exorcists.
The ground began to tremble as the ashes of the fallen demon dogs were swept up by a gust of wind, swirling around the remaining creature. The ashes glowed red-hot as they merged with the demon dog, causing its body to expand and its form to warp. Flames licked its fur as it grew in size, transforming into a towering, flaming monstrosity.
**At the Arena**
Taejin's eyes snapped open, his senses tingling. "Did you feel that?" he asked, glancing at Noriko.
"Feel what?" Noriko replied, her brows furrowing.
**The Demon Dog's Final Form**
Back on the rooftop, the shaking subsided, and the dust settled to reveal the now-giant, flaming demon dog. It let out a vicious roar, its body radiating intense heat. The spikes along its back and the maw of its mouth glowed a fiery blue as it charged up an attack.
Taiki's eyes widened slightly. "If that thing fires, it'll destroy the entire city!"
Setsuo wasted no time, creating a massive domain around the area, containing the impending destruction. The demon dog unleashed its attack, a torrent of blue flames hurtling toward them. Taiki instantly summoned a series of talismans that surrounded the three of them, forming a protective barrier.
The flames collided with the barrier, and Taiki grunted as he struggled to maintain it. The force of the attack was overwhelming, pushing them back as the barrier flickered under the strain.
Seeing Taiki struggle, Setsuo reinforced the barrier with a simple wave of his hand, teleporting Gene away from the battlefield with a snap of his fingers. Together, they held firm as the flames finally dissipated, leaving the barrier scorched but intact.
However, the demon dog wasn't done. It scratched at the edges of Setsuo's domain, its claws tearing through the barrier as it fought to break free. Its eyes glowed a menacing red as it shattered the domain and charged toward the city below.
Taiki's heart skipped a beat as he saw the direction it was heading. "It's going straight for the arena!"
Setsuo's face paled, his eyes widening in fear. "Noriko..."
**At the Arena**
The stadium was a cacophony of cheers as the final match was about to begin. The host's voice boomed across the arena. "To your right, the martial artist, Master Shin! And to your left, the ring champion himself, the elite, the legendary, the one, the only... The Smash!"
The crowd erupted in a frenzy, their voices rising to a fever pitch as the bell rang, signaling the start of the match.
Smash grinned, his fists clenched as he prepared to charge. "It's time to..." The crowd joined in unison, "Clash, bang, and smash!"
Smash slammed his fists into the ground, propelling himself forward with incredible speed. But as he leaped toward Master Shin, he suddenly froze in mid-air, his body held aloft by an unseen force.
"I...can't move," Smash grunted, struggling to free himself.
Master Shin lowered his arm, and Smash was slammed to the ground with a resounding crash. "How disappointing," Shin said with a smirk. "I was expecting more from a Celestial."
Shin raised his foot to deliver a finishing blow, but Smash refused to stay down. With a roar of defiance, he pushed himself up, glaring at his opponent.
"Whatever trick you used, I won't stand for it. It's time to give the audience a show of a lifetime!"
Master Shin's eyes gleamed with malice as he released a powerful aura, causing the air to crackle with energy. "Let's see if you're worthy of your name."
The two fighters clashed in a blur of motion, exchanging rapid blows that sent shockwaves through the arena. Smash, fueled by his anger, unleashed a flurry of attacks, tossing Master Shin across the ring with sheer brute force. The ground beneath them cracked under the strain of their battle.
But as the dust settled, Master Shin slowly rose to his feet, an evil smirk curling on his lips.
**Flashback**
Earlier that day, Master Shin had bowed before a shadowy figure seated in a dimly lit room.
"My lord," Shin said reverently.
The figure opened his palm, revealing a flickering lilac flame. "Your loyalty remains unshaken, I see. All I need is for this flame to reach its destination—at the right place, at the right time. Can I trust you with this task?"
Master Shin's lips curled into a confident smile. "Such a task is nothing but an errand to me. I'll do as you wish, my lord."
**End of Flashback**
Now, back in the present, Master Shin's eyes glowed with a lilac hue as he prepared to end the fight. "Time to finish this."
Smash, still determined, charged forward, but his body suddenly collapsed at Master Shin's feet. The once-thunderous cheers of the crowd fell silent, replaced by a tense, uneasy hush.
Master Shin raised the lilac flame into the air, where it began to grow, casting a blinding light over the arena. The audience fell into a trance, their minds overwhelmed by the power of the flame.
Noriko, seated in the stands, felt her strength waning as she too began to succumb to the trance. But before the flame could fully take hold, a small blue blast struck it from afar, causing the flame to explode and shatter the trance.
"Impossible!" Master Shin snarled, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
His shock was short-lived as the arena wall suddenly caved in, a massive demon dog crashing through it with a roar. Taiki and Setsuo followed closely behind, their expressions determined.
"I'll handle the dog," Setsuo said calmly. "You take care of the martial artist."
Taiki nodded, wasting no time as he clambered up the rubble toward Master Shin. Setsuo rolled up his sleeves, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the demon dog. "Time to pick up where we left off."
With a swift motion, Setsuo grabbed the demon dog's tail, swinging it around and tossing it far away before closing following it from behind.
Amidst the chaos, the terrified audience scrambled for safety. Master Shin, his eyes wild with rage, reached out toward the remnants of his flame. "My flame!"
From atop the rubble, Taiki sat casually, observing the scene. "Sorry about that," he called down with a grin. "Didn't mean to burst your bubble—or should I say, your flame.
Taiki Ishiko stepped forward, his confident demeanor evident as he faced the man before him. "Right," he began with a slight smirk, "how rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself."
The martial artist's eyes narrowed, his patience thinning.
"Taiki Ishiko," he continued, his voice filled with a mix of cheerfulness and determination. "Exorcist and proud member of Team Aka, reporting for duty. And may I say, I haven't seen you around before, except for the ring, of course."
The martial artist's annoyance grew, his fists clenching in response. The air around them seemed to thicken with tension.
Undeterred, Taiki's grin widened. "Well, you must be really strong," he mused, his gaze flicking to the faint traces of the lilac flame still lingering in the air. "To create a flame like that and take down the Smash... that's impressive."
His excitement was palpable now, almost infectious. "This is so exciting," he admitted, unable to contain his enthusiasm. "Finally, a worthy opponent who isn't Setsuo or some bloodthirsty demon."
With a swift motion, Taiki summoned a talisman, the paper glowing faintly in his hand. He took a ready stance, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Now this," he said with a chuckle, "should be fun."