chapter 19

The smell of scorched wood and corpses filled the air, though it was ignored by the two locked in an intense standoff.

All For One braced himself, his mind going through all the advantages and disadvantages. Hestia's warning about Level Two strength being vastly superior to his own rang clear in his memory. The earlier clash had confirmed it—she hadn't been exaggerating.

His sharp eyes focused on the cat-person before him. The man's crazed expression was unsettling, his stance slightly unsteady yet brimming with a raw, feral energy.

The cat took a step forward, sneering as he surveyed the warehouse. "You ruined everything," he growled, his voice low and venomous, though laced with a chuckle. His smirk widened unnaturally, twisting into something grotesque. "What a mess you made of the place. Now I don't have any meat shields to use against that bitch."

Scratching his head frantically, the cat's smirk morphed into a menacing scowl. "I'll make you pay for this," he snarled.

Without warning, the cat launched into a sprint, his blade raised high to end the white-haired intruder who had so thoroughly ruined his plans.

The blade came within inches of All For One's neck before he ducked and spun, countering with a swift kick to the cat's jaw. Black lightning crackled from his boot as it connected with a satisfying crack, throwing the cat off balance.

All For One capitalized on the opening. His blade descended toward the cat's shoulder, only for his opponent to recover unnervingly fast, deflecting the strike and pinning the sword underfoot.

The cat's smirk returned as he locked eyes with All For One. "You caught me off guard," the cat said before lunging forward with a brutal headbutt.

Pain radiated through All For One's skull as his grip on the sword loosened. He stumbled back but recovered quickly, his sharp gaze narrowing at his now-weaponless hand.

Magic it is, then.

The cat tilted his head, curiosity flickering across his deranged features. "Lightning?" he muttered, confusion evident. "Wasn't it fire you were using earlier? What the hell are you?"

A wicked grin spread across the cat's face. "Doesn't matter," he snarled. "You'll be dead anyway. Mage or not."

All For One ignored the jab, snatching a mind potion from his pouch and emptying it with a quick gulp. His senses sharpened like a blade, his feral clarity syncing perfectly with Raijin, providing just enough of a boost to narrow the gap between him and a Level Two.

They clashed again. The cat's blade veered dangerously close to All For One's face, forcing him to deflect the strikes with the green gauntlet on his right hand.

Steel met steel in a flurry of sparks. His arm trembled under the strain as he raised his left hand, summoning flames that roared to life and surged toward his opponent.

The cat proved faster than expected, swiping downward and dodging the flames with unsettling reflexes. His counterattack caught All For One off guard, sending him stumbling backward.

The blade came down again, missing him by a hair's breadth as he rolled out of the way. Rising swiftly, he dodged a relentless barrage of slashes, each narrowly avoided.

A sharp, searing pain erupted in his right hand as the cat landed a deep cut. Before he could recover, another strike sliced into his leg, and his balance wavered, making him fall to the ground.

All For One gritted his teeth, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. The sheer disparity in power between them grated on him—a Level Two could overpower him so completely, even with all his enhancements. The humiliation was intolerable.

Assessing his injuries, he calculated his next move. Right hand: useless. Left leg: functional enough. The odds were stacked against him, but losing wasn't an option.

The Raijin-speed boost still thrummed through his body; he needed to leverage it while he could.

The cat planted a boot on his chest, laughing maniacally. "Is that shitty sparkling just for show?!" he jeered, scratching his head like a madman. "I should end you quick before that elf bitch gets here." Whoever this elf was, it was clear the cat wanted to avoid her at all costs.

Exploiting the distraction, All For One moved. His left hand darted to the green gauntlet, retrieving his hidden knife.

The blade brutally plunged into the cat's leg.

"Agh!" the cat roared, stumbling as his balance faltered.

All For One surged upward, cutting through the cat's thigh and twisting until a sickening crunch echoed through the air.

"You fucking whore!" the cat bellowed, his rage unrestrained. He struck All For One with a devastating punch, sending him rolling across the floor.

"I'll kill you!" All For One heard his opponent roar as he tried to stand up.

The black lightning faded, signaling the end of his spell.

Steadying himself, All For One locked eyes with the animalistic expression of the cat.

He readied a normal Hellhound Flame, his mind reserve unable to muster the stronger version without risking a mind down. Timing was everything now. He waited, allowing the enraged adventurer to close the distance. Just as the cat lunged forward, All For One unleashed a torrent of flames, engulfing his opponent entirely.

A smirk tugged at All For One's lips. His first battle against a Level Two opponent had seemingly ended in victory—or so he thought.

The cat burst through the fire, his body charred and smoking, yet his animalistic roar cut through the air like a blade. "I'll pluck your fucking eyes out!" His burnt visage twisted into a mask of pure hatred.

Reacting quickly, All For One raised his knife in defense, but the cat's unrelenting force slammed into him, sending him sprawling to the ground. His knife clattered out of reach.

"You Level One weakling!" the cat snarled, landing a brutal punch across All For One's face.

All For One grunted in pain, summoning the last reserves of his strength to kick the cat off of him. But the relentless scum pinned his arms beneath his weight, pressing down with suffocating pressure. All For One's lungs screamed for air as the cat's hands closed around his throat, his soot-covered face twisted with sadistic glee.

The cat leaned closer, his wicked grin widening. "You shouldn't challenge your betters," he sneered, his voice laced with mockery, relishing the moment.

All For One's narrowed eyes burned with rage. His expression turned hateful as his mind raced. Then, with a surge of sheer willpower, he opened his mouth wide.

A burst of searing flames erupted from his throat, much like an actual hellhound, the flames a physical manifestation of his boiling hatred.

The cat, too close to evade, was engulfed. "Aghaaah!" he screamed, his agonized cries piercing the air as the fire consumed him. His grip on All For One's neck faltered.

All For One shoved the charred figure off, coughing violently as he gasped for air.

"I'll fucking kill you for this…" he rasped, his tone slipping from its usual courtesy, replaced by pure malice.

The flames dwindled, revealing the grotesque, smoldering form of his opponent. The cat, struggling to rise, was a horrifying sight of blackened flesh and peeling skin. "You..." he croaked, his voice mangled and weak.

Before he could make another move, All For One's boot came down on his head, forcing him back to the ground.

"Your voice is annoying," All For One said coldly, his tone eerily calm, his calculating eyes glinting with unrelenting fury.

His quirk flared to life, its black lightning crackling ominously around his left hand. He reached for the cat's head, ignoring the faint grunts of protest from his victim. The surge of power coursed through him as the transfer completed.

Satisfied, All For One brutally slammed his head into the ground, the crunch of bone echoing in the silence that followed.

"You'll pay for this," the cat muttered weakly, his voice barely audible.

All For One's expression darkened further. "A bug like you claiming to be my better?" His voice dripped with disdain as he drove his foot into the cat's stomach, ignoring the pain in his injured leg.

"You should be grateful that I will end your pathetic existence tonight," he sneered, pressing his boot against the cat's face, grinding it mercilessly into the ground.

The cat's faint cries of pain only fueled his disgust. All For One stepped back, retreating a few paces, giving his opponent just enough room to crawl.

Desperation oozed from the cat as he tried to escape.

All For One raised his hand, conjuring a massive fireball that hovered over his palm like a looming death sentence.

With a flick of his fingers, the inferno roared to life, hurtling toward the broken figure. The fire consumed the cat entirely, his screams a symphony of satisfaction to All For One's ears as the body was reduced to ash.

Breathing heavily, All For One stood amidst the aftermath, a scowl etched on his face. His injuries screamed for attention, yet were forgotten in the heat of his bitterness.

His first battle against a Level Two was not satisfying, but a bitter, humiliating lesson about the power differences of this world.

Slowly, his head turned toward a specific direction, his gaze locking onto the figure watching the fight unfold from a safe distance within the warehouse.

All For One's cold, unfeeling eyes studied the observer, his quirk having detected their presence midway through his clash with the cat.

An Elf, probably the one the cat was trying to escape from. Her unusual attire immediately caught his attention—strikingly revealing for her kind, almost reminiscent of the flamboyant heroes from his previous world.

"Enjoying the show?" he asked, his lips curling into a small smirk.

His right hand hung useless at his side, his left leg throbbed with pain, and his mind reserve was nearly depleted. No more potions to rely on either.

As much as he despised the admission, this new figure held every advantage to end him here and now.

To make matters worse, his quirk revealed the presence of multiple abilities within her—confirming her to be a high-level adventurer.

All For One's face remained unchanging, his calculating mind already working through potential strategies.

He had no plans on dying tonight.

---

Naaza sighed impatiently, shifting her weight as she waited. In her bag, she carried the unassuming box containing the blue bliss pills she had carefully crafted for her elusive sponsor.

Once the pills had hardened, she secured them in one of the wooden pill boxes available at the pharmacy and made her way to the designated meeting place.

However, the location left much to be desired. The establishment was a dingy front—a so-called bar that doubled as an illegal gambling ring tucked away in Orario's eastern district. The air was thick with the stench of sweat, alcohol, and desperation, a far cry from the clean, professional environment she preferred.

This was her second batch so far. The first, delivered the previous week as a test, had been an undeniable success. This time, she had been promised a personal audience with her mysterious sponsor—a perfect opportunity to negotiate doubling her cut. After all, what she was producing was almost the perfect version of the drug, unlike the inferior ones saturating the market.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Naaza's ears twitched, her instincts immediately on edge as an unfamiliar voice came from behind. She turned sharply, her sharp eyes locking onto the speaker.

Standing before her was a blonde elf with an uneasy expression. The elf's attire immediately caught Naaza's attention—a luxurious red dress that seemed entirely out of place in such a grimy environment. The formal outfit made her stand out like a sore thumb among the disheveled patrons and gamblers.

Naaza raised an eyebrow, her skepticism evident. "You're 'Sensei'?" she asked, the doubt in her tone unmistakable. Based on the letters, money, and instructions she had received from this so-called "Sensei," she had envisioned a shadowy figure—someone deeply entrenched in Orario's organized crime.

The nervous elf before her didn't fit the image in the slightest.

The elf paled at the question, her reaction immediate and peculiar, as if the assumption genuinely unsettled her.

"No, no! Of course I'm not him," she said quickly, her voice carrying a faint tremor.

Despite her... interesting reaction, there was no trace of dishonesty in her words. It was clear she didn't appreciate being mistaken for her employer. "You could say I'm more of a business manager to him," she added, nervously laughing as if to ease the tension.

Naaza remained silent, her expression blank, her unblinking stare making the elf visibly uncomfortable.

Clearing her throat, the elf tried to regain composure and gestured toward a door at the far end of the establishment. It was guarded by two men—the same two idiots who had come to collect the first batch.

Naaza's eye twitched. She did not like their lack of professionalism.

"That's my private office," the elf continued. "We should discuss everything there in private." Without waiting for Naaza's response, she turned abruptly and started walking toward the door.

Naaza suppressed an irritated sigh. 'So much for meeting the sponsor,' she thought.

Still, business was business. As long as she was paid, she could tolerate this inconvenience.

Rising from her seat, she followed the elf toward the office. It was growing late, and a small pang of guilt settled in her chest. She hoped Miach-sama was still enjoying his time with his friends and not back home yet.

The last thing she wanted was to be questioned about where she had been.

---

"You are strong," the figure said, her voice calm and steady as she stepped closer to All For One.

All For One's gaze met hers, his expression unreadable. The slow drip of blood from his wounded right hand formed a small, growing pool at his feet.

"Are you really a Level One, Cranel?" she asked, her tone soft but carrying an analytical edge to it.

His eyes narrowed slightly at the question. "Yes, I am... Lion," he replied smoothly. His sharp mind pieced it together—the voice, her posture, and now her features as she stepped into the dim light.

That mask wasn't exactly hiding anything.

He was certain of her identity. Ryuu Lion—thanks to Syr for that information—the elven waitress at the Hostess of Fertility.

However, the question lingered: what was she doing here, seemingly prepared to storm this warehouse?

Ryuu's gaze flickered past him, landing on the charred remains of the cat-person sprawled on the ground. Her expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of acknowledgment in her sharp eyes before they returned to him.

"That adventurer was close to a rank-up," she said, her tone neutral, almost contemplative. "You truly are strong for defeating him as a Level One." She closed her eyes briefly, as if deliberating on something unspoken.

All For One remained cautious, his mind working quickly. He hadn't missed the occasional glares she sent his way during his visits to the Hostess of Fertility. She wasn't particularly fond of him, which made her presence here a potential threat.

"I must ask you one question, if that's acceptable." Ryuu opened her eyes again, her sharp stare pinning him in place. "Why did you attack this place?"

All For One carefully considered his response. His injuries and the vast difference in power between them meant a direct confrontation would end poorly. Words, as usual, would be his weapon.

"Their associates targeted me," he said, his tone calm and measured. "I simply returned the favor."

The statement was nearly truthful. After all, their associates had attacked his business in the Red District, which led him to discover this warehouse.

Ryuu studied him intently, her piercing gaze searching for any hint of deceit. After a moment, the sharpness in her eyes began to fade. "I see," she finally said, her tone neutral once more. She reached into the small pouch at her side, retrieving a vial of vibrant blue liquid and tossing it toward him.

All For One caught it with his good hand, his movements swift despite his injuries. His eyes flicked between the potion and Ryuu, suspicion evident in his stance.

"Consider it payment," she said simply. "This gang was large. It took me days to wipe out all of their strongholds. This was the last one." She turned away, her steps deliberate and steady.

She paused briefly, glancing over her shoulder. "Thank you, Cranel." With that, she leaped effortlessly toward the open window at the warehouse ceiling, her movements impossibly fast and precise.

All For One watched her vanish into the night, then turned his attention back to the potion in his hand. His grip tightened around it.

Finally, with a low growl of irritation, he drank it. The pain began to fade almost instantly, the healing properties working swiftly to mend his battered body. While his injuries weren't completely healed, they were no longer life-threatening.

"A high potion," he noted, his voice low and thoughtful. It was more expensive than the regular ones, worth several thousand valis—a luxury far beyond the reach of most Level Ones.

As he limped out of the warehouse, his thoughts turned inward.

Tonight had been a humiliating experience, but also enlightening.

If Ryuu's words were to be believed, his opponent had been a high-level 2 adventurer, close to ranking up—a far cry from the usual rabble. Defeating him was a considerable achievement for a Level One.

"What a night," he muttered irritably, his tone tinged with bitterness.

He pressed onward, his focus shifting to the next step in his plans. Hopefully, the negotiations with that girl, Naaza, were progressing smoothly.

Lia better prove useful for once.

---

"Lia Rofir," the elf introduced herself from behind the desk, her tone crisp and professional as Naaza settled into the guest chair.

"Naaza," the Chienthrope replied curtly, deliberately withholding her last name. She had no interest in unnecessary formalities.

Lia nodded, wasting no time on pleasantries. "Your testing batch was very popular among our clients. We're interested in expanding the number of pills you can produce per week."

Naaza blinked, her ears twitching slightly. "Expanding?" she echoed, tilting her head.

Lia pulled out a thick stack of papers and placed them on the desk between them. "This outlines your official role with us," she explained smoothly, pushing the documents toward Naaza.

Naaza picked them up, her purple eyes scanning the text. "A distiller?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow. She wasn't exactly versed in brewing liquor, nor did she care to be.

"Don't worry about the details," Lia replied confidently, her rehearsed tone betraying how well-prepared she was for this meeting. "We're setting up a new company under Mr. Shigaraki's name. The business will focus on producing liqueur—mostly for our casino in the Red District. It'll serve as a cover." Lia continued, walking Naaza through the plan in painstaking detail, laying out the logistics, schedules, and safeguards they'd implement.

Naaza's attention waned halfway through the explanation. Shigaraki? The name meant nothing to her. Not that it mattered—she didn't care about who was running things or why. She was in it for the money alone.

That debt loomed over her like a dark cloud, and this was her best chance to pay it off quickly.

But could she really not only continue making her pills but expand their process even further for that goal, knowing how bad they were?

The answer was obvious. Yes, of course she would.

"—we will be providing you with five percent of the weekly profits," Lia concluded.

Naaza's ears perked up, the mention of her cut snapping her focus back to the conversation. "Hold on," she interjected, her sharp eyes locking onto Lia, interrupting her flow.

Lia's poised demeanor faltered slightly, a flicker of nervousness crossing her face. She had hoped Naaza would quietly accept the terms.

Naaza leaned forward, her calculating gaze unnerving the elf. Without hesitation, she said, "Fifty percent." Her voice was steady, flat, and unyielding. If she was going deep into the business, she wanted a proper share of the profits.

Lia stared at her, momentarily stunned. "I'm afraid that's a little… over what we can offer, Miss Naaza," she replied with a forced chuckle, trying to maintain composure. Sensei would definitely punish her if she allowed such an outrageous cut.

The mere thought of punishment made her shiver.

Naaza mulled it over briefly. Perhaps she was being greedy. "Forty percent," she countered, feeling it was a more reasonable demand.

Lia's blank expression quickly shifted to one of disbelief. Who does this idiot think she is?

"Eight percent," Lia countered firmly, considering it a generous offer.

Naaza scowled, leaning further across the desk. "Thirty percent."

Lia leaned forward as well, her smile tight with frustration. "Ten percent."

"Twenty-five!"

"Twelve!"

"Twenty!"

"Thirteen!"

Naaza gritted her teeth, her tail flicking with irritation. This elf is relentless!

Meanwhile, Lia's mind raced. 'I won't give Sensei the excuse to put me through "that" again!'

Finally, both women rose from their seats, pointing accusing fingers at each other.

"Fifteen!" they shouted in unison.

The room fell silent as they stared at one another, tilting their heads slightly, gauging their opponent.

"That will do," Lia said, exhaling slowly as her expression relaxed.

Naaza, satisfied with the compromise, leaned back in her chair, her tense posture softening.

"Now," Lia continued, her tone composed once more, "shall we discuss when you'll be able to work?"

Naaza nodded, though she barely listened, tuning in only when the details directly affected her. After some negotiation, they agreed she would produce around five hundred pills once a week, more than enough for their small operation.

The arrangement seemed manageable, especially with the promise of helping hands being assigned to her.

However, Naaza frowned inwardly. She'd need a convincing excuse to leave Miach-sama behind for an entire day each week.

Better start thinking of one now.

---

The End

---

The fight may feel long, but it's actually quite brief—I just put it together quickly since it's just a random Level Two adventurer, not an important canon character.

Also, a level two close to a rank up is not someone to joke around.

I wrote this entire chapter in one day, so the quality might be a bit off compared to usual. Hopefully, it's not too much of a drop!

Naaza White plot is going Strong! I got the idea of her going full Breaking Bad from a Walter White meme, and I think it works well with her character.

I hope this chapter meets your expectations, dear reader!