The room was unnaturally silent. The darkness, the temperature, the air—none of it seemed any different than usual. But Flame could sense it instinctively.
Someone had entered.
Slowly, he rose from his seat. Even in the stillness of the deep night, there was a subtle disturbance. A shift in the airflow, the slight sway of decorations, and—
Faint but undeniable, an unfamiliar breath.
A scornful smile tugged at Flame's lips.
They broke into my base? Whose orders are they following? A hunter? Or perhaps—
The Universe Special Investigation Bureau.
If it was them, then this had become quite the troublesome situation.
Either way, he had to confirm it.
A flicker of fire ignited at Flame's fingertips. The crimson glow surged, instantly dispelling the darkness.
Swish—
Yet still, nothing was revealed.
Impressive.
The rat concealed itself flawlessly, not a single misstep betraying its presence.
But such tricks won't work on me.
Clicking his tongue, Flame snapped his fingers.
Pop—!
A tiny spark leaped into the air, splitting into multiple embers that scattered throughout the room—into the cracks in the walls, the corners of the ceiling, beneath the shadows—
At that moment—
Thud!
Something leaped down from the ceiling.
Knew it.
Flame sneered. The fire in his palm roared to life, its flames burning even fiercer.
"Did you really think a petty trick like that could kill me?"
The crimson fire engulfed the room. His golden eyes blazed with fury.
The intruder rolled across the floor, absorbing the impact before swiftly gaining distance with agile movements.
Black clothing, light gear. A black mask.
"You're not a bounty hunter breaking into my hideout, are you?"
Flame scoffed. He recognized that face—or rather, that mask.
"It was you, wasn't it? Enforcer?"
"Depends on what you mean."
"You're the one who messed with my cash flow. That cocky little rat."
"That's right. But why do you think I did it?"
"A pathetic act of revenge, I assume."
"So, you remember."
"I thought you died back then too…"
Flame muttered with a sneer. A cold fire flickered in his eyes.
"You really are persistent. Like a cockroach that just won't die."
Flame took a step forward, flames dancing at his fingertips, scorching the air.
"Either way, you'll be joining your parents soon."
Despite the provocation, the intruder remained eerily calm.
'Let's see how long you can keep that up.'
As Flame raised his hand, the fire coiled around his arm, forming a massive inferno.
Whoosh—!
The temperature in the room skyrocketed.
The flames roared, walls glowing red-hot, the air thick with a dry, acrid scent.
"A new order can only rise from the ashes!"
His eyes gleamed dangerously.
And then—
Fwoom!!
Like an explosion, the room was swallowed by a fiery pillar. Yet, despite the searing flames, everything remained untouched.
"Inferno."
Flame's towering firestorm consumed the enforcer in an instant.
Boom!
For a while, Flame's hideout remained engulfed in fire. Judging by the intensity, the intruder should have been reduced to ashes by now. But as the flames gradually receded, an unbelievable sight emerged. Through the dissipating fire, a dark silhouette slowly appeared.
He survived? Even against my flames?
"Is that all you've got?"
The enforcer's voice was calm.
"What's your awakened ability?"
"Hmm, there are too many to name."
Flame frowned.
Too many? How is that—
Before he could finish his thought, the enforcer disappeared in a blur.
Flame's eyes widened.
Fast—!
Bang!
A fist hurtled toward him. Flame jerked back, but the strike grazed his chin, sending embers scattering.
Thud!
His body staggered backward.
Yet he quickly regained his footing, a smirk playing on his lips.
Wiping the blood from his lips, Flame smeared it between his fingers, his expression one of intrigue.
"Now we're talking."
Flame extended his hand, flames coiling around him.
"Flame Orb!"
Fire surged along his arms, spreading across his body. But the moment it reached the enforcer—
It vanished without a trace.
As if it had never existed.
"How…?"
Flame's smirk froze.
"I had a hunch. This won't be enough to kill me, will it? Though, rather than saying my abilities are special… I'd say I'm just lucky."
Flame's heart pounded with unease.
"No way… That's impossible—"
He barely had time to react before the enforcer was in front of him.
Boom!
A brutal punch drove into Flame's gut.
"Urgh—!!"
His body flew through the air.
Crash!
Slamming through the wall, he tumbled roughly onto the floor.
"…Haa."
Gritting his teeth, Flame steadied himself.
Damn rat, what the hell are you?
For the first time, he faced an opponent like no other. His attacks were nullified, his flames ineffective. But more than the powerlessness—
"The hell do you think you're doing, toying with me?!"
Whoosh—!
As Flame sharpened his focus, the air shifted.
The enforcer disappeared again.
"Shit! Fire Wall!"
Instinctively, he erected a wall of flames around himself. The entire room was bathed in firelight. But inside, there was no sign of the enforcer.
Crack!
A blow landed from behind.
"Guh…! You broke through that too?! Then, Hellflame Armor!"
He encased himself in fire, boosting his defense.
As Flame turned, the enforcer's fist flew toward him again.
"Hah! My flame armor will pro—"
Thud.
A dull impact.
Flame looked down.
The enforcer's fist had landed squarely in his gut.
Boom!
The force sent him flying again.
Before he could catch his breath, the enforcer was already upon him.
A punch to the shoulder.
Smack!
A strike to the jaw.
Each move was unpredictable. Flame couldn't counter. Hell, he couldn't even track his opponent.
Crash!
Once more, he was thrown against the wall. Smoke rose from his battered body.
The enforcer approached.
"Shall we end this?"
Flame clenched his teeth.
Not yet…
His eyes burned anew.
This time, the flames were different. Purer. Hotter. Sharper.
The enforcer tilted his head, intrigued.
"Good. The world's tenth most-wanted criminal should at least try."
Flame took a deep breath, raising his hands.
"We're just getting started."
Their clash reignited, and the room exploded once more in flames.