A "FIGHT"!!

I sat on a bench, flipping through the book that Candy had lent me. It described aura, an energy connected to the user's mana and life force. Aura wielders could exponentially increase their physical power, speed, and strength. "The aura is linked to the user's mana and life energy," I murmured to myself as I read. "Aura users need to strengthen their physique to maintain the aura for extended periods. Aura wear-off is common among novice wielders..."

I awaited my turn to fight, while Jess and Austin were with Candy. She had assured us that she wouldn't harm them, which put my mind at ease.

According to the book, aura users were categorized into nine ranks: F, E, D, C, B, A, S, SS, and SSS. Just as Elisa had explained to me before.

I continued reading and learned that each person's aura had a unique color.

An idea struck me—what if I fused my demonic energy with Mana?

I smiled as I gazed at the orbs I had acquired from defeating the twins.

{ORBS: 10,130

-WEAPONS

-SKILLS}

Not bad, I already have ten thousand orbs. I'll be able to purchase a Style soon...

Each twin gave me five thousand orbs, a substantial amount. They were likely ranked C or B, far more powerful than the goblins I had encountered.

"Are you ready?" a voice interrupted my thoughts. It was John, the guard from the entrance. He seemed to be assigned as my bodyguard of sorts.

I nodded. "Yes, just refreshing my mind with some reading." I handed the book back to John.

He sighed and said, "Are you absolutely certain about fighting him? He's impressive, with hundreds of victories under his belt."

"Yes, yes," I replied nonchalantly. "Do you have my super suit?"

John sighed again and turned away, disappearing through a door. He returned shortly, carrying a tight red shirt and a red oni mask. The mask would completely conceal my face and hair, hiding my identity.

I took the suit from him and changed into it. The shirt hugged my well-toned physique, and the oni mask, with its distinctive horns, hid my features completely. Interestingly, the mask didn't obstruct my vision at all, thanks to magic.

"Showtime!" I declared with a smile, although the mask hid my expression.

John reminded me, "The fight will start in five minutes. Get ready."

I nodded. "I'm always ready."

As John walked away, I sat back down on the bench. I intended to fight hand-to-hand, and this would also be a good opportunity to practice controlling my demonic energy. I hoped this fight would be challenging.

Four minutes later, I decided to make my way towards the Ring. I walked down a large hallway and paused, listening to the announcer's voice.

"TODAY WE HAVE A SPECIAL FIGHT!! A RARE TREAT FOR ALL YOU BLOODTHIRSTY FANS!! TODAY, THE GREAT WINNER OF 599 FIGHTS WILL EITHER BREAK HIS RECORD OR FACE A CRUSHING DEFEAT!!!" the announcer shouted, his voice carrying throughout the arena. "THE GREAT BACKBREAKER, AS FAST AS THE WIND AND STRONG ENOUGH TO DESTROY GIANTS!! SO AGILE THAT HE DODGES EVERY ATTACK!! GIVE IT UP FOR THE GREAT PHANTOM!!!"

The crowd went wild, their screams of excitement filling the air. Damn, this guy is famous... almost 600 fights won... I hoped Candy had listened to my request for a grand entrance.

"AND NOW, A MYSTERIOUS RED FIGURE... A MONSTER AMONG MONSTERS!! THE EMBODIMENT OF DEMONIC POWER!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO... THE RED DEMON!!!!" The announcer's voice rose to a fever pitch as he finished his introduction.

The Ring was enormous, resembling an American football field. The crowd booed me relentlessly, although some looked at me with curiosity. I flipped them the middle finger and shouted, "Stop whining, you idiots!! Are you here to watch a fight or scream like cowards!?"

The boos intensified, and someone even threw a drink at me. I easily dodged it, my eyes never leaving Phantom, my opponent.

Phantom stood at six feet tall, clad in black clothing and a plain white mask devoid of any markings. He had a muscular build, indicating a dedicated training regimen.

The announcer, hovering above the Ring, continued, "AND OUR SPECIAL GUEST FOR THIS FIGHT, MISS CANDY, WILL BE WATCHING FROM THE VIP BOX!! GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!"

I looked up and spotted Candy, Austin, and Jess in a large window. Austin was enjoying a chocolate treat, while Jess stared at me with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Phantom addressed me, his voice calm. "So, you're the new guy, huh? I thought Miss Candy didn't allow newbies in her fights..."

"Hey, I'm just here to beat you and move on. I have a job to do, you know?" I replied, my tone casual.

Phantom remained silent, and the announcer shouted, "AND NOW, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FIGHT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!! 3!! 2!! 1!! FIGHT!!"

Phantom disappeared in a blur, his speed incredible as he dodged a kick that shattered the air and cracked the ground.

I lunged forward, kicking at Phantom's chest, but he easily dodged my attack

This bastard is fast... probably as fast as Arthur...

I smiled. "Oh yes... finally!" I lunged at Phantom like a blur, throwing a rapid succession of punches. He dodged my blows with agility, causing me to realize that I needed to improve my melee skills. At least the Low-Level Sword Mastery I possessed included some basic hand-to-hand combat techniques.

The announcer shouted, "THE RED DEMON OVERWHELMS PHANTOM WITH ULTRA-FAST BLOWS!! WILL PHANTOM'S WIN STREAK COME TO AN END!?!"

Phantom nimbly dodged my attacks, but I sensed danger and dodged one of his kicks, which destroyed a portion of the ring. I wondered how powerful an attack from a full-strength S-rank aura user would be.

Phantom countered with a kick of his own, sending me flying through the air. I managed to land on my feet and dodge another punch that shattered the ground, creating a crater. I noticed small sparks of green aura around his fists—he was an aura user, specializing in melee combat.

The announcer shouted, "A HUGE CRATER FORMS IN THE RING!! PHANTOM IS GAINING THE UPPER HAND OVER THE RED DEMON!!"

I sighed. "So, you're an aura user, huh?"

Phantom looked at me and said, "Oh, you figured that out quickly. Yes, I am. And you?"

I smiled. "Maybe." I squeezed my legs and launched myself at Phantom, striking him with a powerful kick. He tried to block with his left arm, but the force of my blow sent him flying into the ethereal shield protecting the spectators. He fell to the ground, dazed.

"THE RED DEMON SENDS PHANTOM FLYING INTO THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD!!" the announcer exclaimed.

I smiled. "That's all?"

Phantom rose to his feet, dusting off his chest. "Not bad... It's been a while since I felt pain like that. I got too soft..."

Phantom disappeared in a blur, and I felt a blow to my chest, sending me flying back into the ethereal shield. I spat out a small amount of blood as I stood up. "Seems like you weren't even serious..."

Phantom replied, "In these kinds of fights, there's no point in holding back. No one here is worthy of my full strength... but you..."

I opened my arms wide and said, "So, you want a piece of me, huh!? Then bring it on!"

I lunged at Phantom like a blur, kicking him with all my might. He was only pushed back a few meters, surprising me with his resilience.

Suddenly, I felt a blow to my face, and I went flying through the air before crashing to the ground. I got up and noticed that a part of my mask had broken, revealing the lower half of my face.

"That hurt..." I muttered, annoyed. I exhaled and focused my gaze on Phantom, my eyes narrowing in determination. Okay... focus, Dante... focus...

I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, channeling my demonic energy. My body began to glow with a dark aura, and I smiled. "Time to dance..."

Phantom disappeared like a blur, but I was faster. I struck him in the face, sending him flying into the ethereal shield. The ground beneath us shattered and sank, creating huge cracks. Phantom fell to the ground, and a lock of black hair became visible as his mask broke.

I smiled. "Well, time to give it your all, right?!"

Phantom laughed. "Yes... it's been too long since I had a challenging fight..."

We both disappeared in a sonic boom that destroyed the ground beneath us. I dodged his attack and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying. I didn't give him time to recover, unleashing a rapid series of punches to his chest. Blood splattered on his mask, and I delivered a powerful blow with my fist, tearing the air and creating a shockwave that destroyed the entire ring. Dust filled the air, obscuring our vision.

Silence fell, and then the excited screams of the spectators broke the quiet.

I sighed, but a chill ran down my spine as I sensed Phantom's presence. I quickly moved away, and the dust cleared to reveal Phantom standing amidst the destruction. His chest and mask were covered in blood, and he held a large green axe made of aura. Damn... he could do that!?!

Phantom said, "You are strong... I haven't had to use this in a long time... my aura weapon..."

Impressive...

"So, you're using weapons now, huh?" I said with a smile, glancing up at Candy and the others.

She smiled back at me, and I sighed. "You know something? I like this better..."

Rebellion appeared in my hand, and I hoisted it onto my shoulder. "Well, now we can truly enjoy the dance, can't we?"

I twirled Rebellion in my hand, causing it to spin rapidly. With a tight grip on the hilt, I sprinted towards Phantom, creating several sonic booms in my wake. Our weapons clashed, the shockwave from the impact destroying everything in its path. Phantom wielded his aura axe with incredible speed, but I quickly dodged and attempted a stab. He used his axe as a shield, blocking my attack. This bastard...

I jumped back and said, "Well, this is the first time I've done this, so..."

Demonic energy erupted from my arm, enveloping Rebellion in a crimson aura. I clenched my legs and sprinted towards Phantom once more. Our weapons collided, and this time, Phantom was forced backwards. I smiled and unleashed a flurry of rapid thrusts, my blows so fast that dozens of afterimages of my arm and sword appeared. Phantom tried to block, but cuts appeared on his body, fresh blood staining his clothes.

Phantom jumped away and said, "You're fast... very fast..."

I smiled. "Thanks for the compliment!"

Phantom sighed. "Okay..."

He disappeared and reappeared next to me, his axe pointed at my neck. I countered with Rebellion, pushing his axe away and stabbing him in the body. Phantom flew backwards, crashing into the ethereal shield. I noticed his aura weapon beginning to fade, like a light fire about to extinguish.

Phantom groaned. "Ah shit... I feel like vomiting..."

I smiled. "Aha... well, I guess that means I won, right?"

Phantom stood up "Hey... you know why these fights are underground, right?"

"Why... are they illegal?" I asked.

"They're fights to the death..." Phantom replied.

I sighed. "So, until death, huh? Well..."

I tightened my grip on Rebellion, and Phantom lunged at me, his axe raised. I held my sword's hilt firmly and delivered a horizontal slash, severing Phantom's body. I sighed and said, "So, what do you think?"

Phantom said, "Not bad... Red Demon, huh? That name suits you..."

I glanced behind me, and Phantom's aura weapon faded away. He stood motionless, blood pouring from his lower half. The upper part of his body slipped and fell to the ground, but the lower half remained standing.

"Damn... you were strong. You have my respect, bro..." I said with a smile.

"OHHHH!!! THE WINNER IS THE RED DEMON!!!!!" the announcer shouted, his voice echoing throughout the arena.

I raised Rebellion onto my shoulder and declared, "Well! I won, bitches!!"

I raised my fist in the air, and the spectators erupted in excited screams. Damn, that felt good. It's exhilarating to give it my all...

I looked up at Candy and the others. She seemed surprised and shocked, her eyes fixed on Phantom's remains.

{You have killed a living being.

You have won: 20,000 orbs!}

Damn, that's quite a reward... Well, it makes sense, considering he was an A-rank or maybe even S-rank.

Time to go home...

---

I found myself in Candy's office, where she regarded me with curious eyes. She took a sip of water and asked, "How old are you?"

"Fifteen," I replied. Candy spat out her water in surprise, drenching her desk. Austin and Jess were beside me, Jess appearing to be in a trance, while Austin continued to indulge in chocolate.

"Fifteen years old and you killed an A+ Rank... holy..." Candy murmured, her eyes wide. She looked at me and asked, "What's your name, boy?"

I smiled. "My name is Dante."

Candy offered, "Do you want to work for me in future fights?"

"Nah, I'm not that interested," I declined. "Being a mercenary suits me better, and it allows me to do a lot of other things."

Candy sighed. "Well... as promised, you can leave. But this is the only time I'll let you go without consequences. There won't be a second chance..."

I nodded and stood up from my seat. "Well, I'm going home. I want my money~"

Austin added, "Finally..." Jess rose without saying a word, and Candy instructed, "Mizuki, escort them to the exit."

The ninja next to Candy nodded and led us towards the exit. As we left, Candy called out, "Hey Dante, if you ever want to discuss business, my door is open."

I casually replied, "Yes, yes, goodbye." We exited the office and, after a long walk, finally left the establishment.

Breathing in the fresh air, I sighed in relief. "Yes... fresh air, finally..."

Jess muttered, her eyes filled with confusion. "What the fuck...??"

---

{Third-person POV}

In a dimly lit room, a person with green eyes watched a live broadcast of underground fights. The masked figure with the red oni mask swiftly defeated their opponent, prompting the observer to muse, "Maybe... maybe he'll be useful. I hope this works... I'm running out of options..."

The person sighed and added, "Dealing with these matters makes me question my role as a noble..."

Another sigh escaped their lips as they murmured, "But it's all for her protection..."