The Red Devil (3/3)

Mikoto's gaze turned to the man who had interrupted his assault, curious. "And you are?" He asked, interested by the force behind the strike that had made him pause. It wasn't the strength itself that intrigued him, it was something deeper that it carried.

"The name's Gapryong Kim." Gapryong replied, stepping closer to Mikoto until they were almost face-to-face. His expression was stoic, a quiet fury boiling beneath his calm exterior. "Today, I'm taking revenge for what you did to my friends." His eyes suddenly gleamed with an intense, purple glow.

"Huh?" Mikoto's usual blank demeanor broke, his eyes widening in surprise as he noticed the glow in Gapryong's eyes. "Your eyes-"

Before Mikoto could finish, Gapryong's fist crashed into his face, cutting off his words and sending shockwaves across the battleground.

Gapryong wasted no time. Before Mikoto could speak, he struck with a powerful punch to his face, sending him flying back. Gapryong followed up with a left hook to Mikoto's side, a shockwave bursting from the impact, but he didn't stop there. He delivered a relentless series of punches, each blow landing almost simultaneously, creating shockwaves that shook the area and forced Tom, Charles, and Jinyeong to shield their eyes. The impacts sent Mikoto airborne, yet Gapryong dashed forward, refusing to give him a moment to recover.

"This is for everyone." Gapryong muttered, his eyes glowing with a fierce purple light as he delivered two punches to Mikoto's midsection and chest. "And this is for Yeonwoo." He followed with a final punch to Mikoto's face, all while they were still mid-air. The last strike hit, and after a heartbeat, the impact registered. Mikoto crashed to the ground, forming a massive crater as debris flew, a tremor rippling through the ground and shattering windows in the surrounding buildings.

Gapryong stood over what appeared to be Mikoto's unconscious body.

"He did it?" Jinyeong murmured, stunned. He couldn't believe that Gapryong had taken down the man who had overpowered them so effortlessly. The strength Gapryong displayed surpassed anything they'd seen, judging by the shockwaves and the destruction left behind.

Tom and Charles were equally shocked. They hadn't expected Gapryong to defeat that monster so easily. They knew the horror of Mikoto firsthand, yet here he was, lying on the ground, unmoving.

But doubt crept into their minds. 'Is it really over?' It seemed almost too easy. Mikoto, the monster who'd crushed them so effortlessly, wouldn't go down that simply. Even if he took those powerful blows head-on, it didn't make sense for him to lose consciousness so quickly.

Gapryong shared their skepticism. He, too, found it hard to believe. Mikoto's strength was beyond anything they could handle, and for him to fall so quickly felt off. So he waited, watching for any sign of movement.

Then, it came.

"Your eyes." A voice cut through the silence. Mikoto, still on the ground, was conscious, catching Gapryong off-guard.

"Your eyes tell me you have the answer I need." Mikoto continued, staring blankly at the night sky. "So answer me, Gapryong Kim." The calmness in his tone made Gapryong frown, wondering what the kid was about to ask. "Why can't I have fun? What defines good and evil? I'm just trying to enjoy myself, so why… why do people always label me as the bad guy?"

Gapryong's expression hardened, hearing the question. 'This kid.' His confusion, his twisted sense of "fun" was almost palpable. Despite seeing Mikoto as an enemy, Gapryong felt compelled to answer. The tone in Mikoto's voice revealed a desperation, a need for understanding, buried beneath his blank expression.

"What's your name, kid?" Gapryong asked, needing to know who he was dealing with.

"Suoh Mikoto." Mikoto replied, hopeful that Gapryong would finally answer his questions.

Gapryong looked at Mikoto whose on the ground, his gaze steady, taking a deep breath before responding.

"Mikoto, the world is not so simple as fun or boring." Gapryong began, his tone calm but weighted. "You think what you're doing is just 'fun', but at whose expense? When you hurt others for your amusement, you're playing with more than just yourself. What you call 'fun' creates fear, pain, suffering. And that's what separates good from evil." He paused, letting his words sink in, hoping to reach the part of the kid that might still listen. "Evil, Mikoto, is when a person lives only for themselves, ignoring the lives and pain of others. It's selfish and destructive, twisting what it means to be human. Good, on the other hand, is about more than just yourself. It's about helping, protecting, lifting others. A person who chooses to do good brings others up instead of tearing them down." Gapryong's voice grew firmer as he continued. "When you choose to hurt others for fun, you're walking a path that will leave you empty and hated. It doesn't matter if you don't see it that way. It doesn't matter if you think you're beyond right or wrong, because right and wrong define us whether we accept them or not." He looked at Mikoto's eyes who slowly widened. "If you continue down this path, you'll only bring darkness into your own life. But if you seek something more, something real, you'll see that true strength comes from protecting others, not harming them. You're wrong, Mikoto, not because people say so, but because hurting others will never lead to anything good. And without good in your life, what's left of you?"

Mikoto lay frozen, his mind swirling with thoughts that both chilled and sharpened him. Gapryong's words had struck him deeply, stirring memories he'd long buried, faces twisted in fear, tears from his mother, his sister, and then the recent memory of Yeonwoo's broken expression. It was all flashing before him, forcing him to confront an uncomfortable truth. Was he wrong? Was he truly the villain they all saw him as?

For a moment, a flicker of regret surfaced. The idea that his actions defined him, that he had inflicted suffering for his own pleasure, began to burrow into his mind. His mother, his sister, Yeonwoo. All of them had been victims of his "fun." It was his amusement that brought them pain. A part of him whispered, "I'm sorry… I'm sorry for hurting you all."

But then, another thought caught fire. 'Bullshit.' The regret was gone as quickly as it had appeared, leaving behind something twisted and fierce. Why should he apologize? Why should he feel remorse for pursuing his happiness, for embracing his own desires? Apologies were for the weak. They were for those too afraid to claim their lives on their own terms.

'Good? evil? No, I'm just someone who acted on his own desires.' The notion that others could define him by their shallow, fearful judgments was absurd. Good and evil were human inventions, meaningless labels people clung to because they couldn't bear to see the truth. They call me 'evil' because I refuse to bow to their standards, their little rules that shackle the spirit. I am free from those chains. I am the one who defines myself.

Gapryong's words had tried to pull him back into a world he had already rejected. And now, staring at the night sky, it all became so clear. Those who spoke of justice, righteousness, or kindness were weak, cowards hiding behind ideals they couldn't even uphold themselves.

'They hate me because I am right. They hate me because I am true to myself, and that's something they'll never understand.' The more he thought about it, the more it solidified within him. The only truth in this world was power, and he would never submit to the twisted morals of the weak.

In that moment, something snapped within him, a series of doubts that had wrapped around his heart like shackles, binding him in moments of confusion and regret. Now, those restraints shattered, breaking free all at once, leaving behind a dark, searing clarity. An abomination of a perspective had been unleashed, a viewpoint soaked in full, depraved insanity.

He realized, with absolute conviction, that his way was the only way, and any voice against it was just noise. The world was his playground, a realm where he alone would define right and wrong, bound only by his own desires.

'I am the one who defines my existence.' He thought, his mind sinking into a deeper, darker place. A conviction stronger than any doubt took root in him. The world would be his playground, and he would not waste another thought on the judgment of others.

A depraved calm settled over him. For the first time, he saw himself not as misunderstood, but as a force above the labels of good and evil. He was right and everyone else would either submit or fall.

A low chuckle escaped Mikoto, drawing Gapryong's attention making his eyes narrow.

"Heheh." The chuckle grew into quiet laughter.

"Hahahaha." The laughter erupted into a crazed, manic sound, startling everyone. Mikoto laughed wildly until it finally faded.

"Thank you." Mikoto said softly, though loud enough for Gapryong to hear. "Today, you showed me the answer." He tilted his head forward, locking eyes with Gapryong. The blank, confused look in his eyes was gone, replaced by a sinister, wide smile and a glint of madness. His eyes now glowed amber, shining with a crazed purpose. "Then who am I not to return the favor?" His smile widened further, his eyes narrowing into slits. "I'll make sure to show you the utmost hell, first by crippling you, then by tearing your friends limb by limb in front of you." Slowly, he rose to his feet, crouched over at first before straightening up. "And the only way you can stop me is by killing me… if you can."

A wave of intense killing intent radiated from Mikoto, causing everyone nearby to shudder.

'What kind of intent is this?' Tom, Charles, and Jinyeong thought, their bodies trembling as they watched Mikoto. This wasn't just a murderous aura, it was something pure, innate, as if he were born with it. It was the aura of someone who had walked through a sea of bodies, a true shura.

Gapryong's expression hardened as he looked at Mikoto. The intensity of his killing intent was astonishing, especially for someone so young. This wasn't something he'd encountered even among seasoned killers. It was as if destruction was Mikoto's nature itself. He couldn't help but wonder, what had this kid gone through to become like this? Or is he just like that from nothing?

But there was no time to dwell on it. Gapryong took a stance, raising his arms as his serious gaze locked on Mikoto. One of them would walk away from this fight alive; that much was clear. He couldn't afford to lose here. The lives of his friends depended on him standing his ground.

Gapryong's concentration broke as Mikoto suddenly appeared before him, his face twisted into a manic grin, blood splattered across him.

'This speed...' Gapryong barely had time to cross his arms in defense as Mikoto's fist came crashing toward his chest. Shockingly, Mikoto's punch broke through his guard, slamming him squarely in the chest and sending him hurtling across the distance into an abandoned building wall. He crashed through concrete, a shockwave blasting outwards, filling the air with dust.

'This strength...' Struggling to push himself up, Gapryong's face contorted in pain, blood trickling from his mouth. In just one hit, Mikoto had shown himself to be stronger and faster than any opponent he had ever faced. Even the Yamazaki head, with his formidable abilities, hadn't been on this level. The situation had suddenly become very dangerous.

"What's wrong, can't handle this much?" Gapryong looked up, seeing Mikoto walking through the hole in the wall.

"Surely you can do more, right?" Mikoto laughed mockingly, watching as Gapryong steadied himself once again. In a flash, Mikoto was above him, aiming a punch at his head. Gapryong blocked it with both arms, the force driving his feet into the concrete floor, spreading cracks across the room.

"Too bad, right?" Mikoto laughed, seeing Gapryong grit his teeth to hold his ground. But it was no use, his legs slowly gave way, sinking further into the ground. "Too bad that it's not enough, ahaha." With a sudden twist, Mikoto's punch intensified, slamming Gapryong into the floor. His body bounced from the impact, forming a large crater and sending a shockwave that destroyed nearby furniture and shattered windows.

"Ugh." Gapryong groaned, feeling pain radiate through his back. His vision blurred slightly, but there was no time to recover. Mikoto grabbed his face, dragging him along the ground, then spun him around, flinging him into another section of the building.

"Did I overestimate you?" Mikoto sneered as he walked up to Gapryong, who lay sprawled on the ground. He stopped right in front of him, grinning. "I thought you could give me the time of my life." He genuinely believed that Gapryong could put up a worthy fight, the first punch Gapryong landed had hinted at something he doesn't quite understand, that piqued his curiosity to know what those fists carry. But now, it seemed that was all there was to him.

Gapryong shakily got to his feet, his expression hardened, his eyes glinting with a purple glow.

"Yeah, those eyes." Mikoto said excitedly. Those eyes showed that Gapryong wouldn't fall, not when the safety of his friends was on the line.

"Come on then, show me what you've got, Gapryong Kim!" Mikoto laughed as Gapryong suddenly dashed forward, landing a punch square on his face, bending Mikoto slightly backward from the impact.

"It seems the weight is still there, but it's still not enough." Mikoto said with a mocking grin. He raised both hands and drove them down onto Gapryong's shoulders, slamming him into the floor, embedding him into the concrete. He followed up with a punch aimed at Gapryong's chest, stopping just inches away as an intense energy accumulated between them. The force sent a shockwave rippling through Gapryong's body, making him spasm. His teeth clenched as he felt a vibration course through him, the air around them thick with energy and menace.

'This is...?' Gapryong couldn't understand what had just hit him. Shockwaves radiated through his body, his internal organs trembling under the tearing pain.

"Don't worry, as I said, I won't kill you," Mikoto sneered, his face twisting maniacally. He followed up with a series of punches, each one driving Gapryong further into the floor, embedding him deeper with every blow.

'I can't fall.' Gapryong thought, feeling his body hammered repeatedly, but he found no room to resist. He was slipping into unconsciousness.

Suddenly, three figures emerged from the hole in the building, barely managing to stay on their feet as they took in the scene before them. Their eyes widened.

'Impossible.' Jinyeong thought, shocked as he watched Gapryong being pummeled. He couldn't believe that even Gapryong appeared powerless against this kid. No way. Even if Mikoto was that strong, Gapryong shouldn't be this defenseless. The thought added to the horror of Mikoto's strength.

Charles, too, was stunned. He looked at Gapryong, the man he'd never been able to surpass, now being forced to the ground. Charles knew better than anyone the terror that Gapryong inspired. To face him felt like standing before an insurmountable mountain, raw talent and conviction fueling his strength. For many, Gapryong was a nightmare, he simply never knew when to quit. Even if you somehow brought him down, he'd stand back up.

Tom stood there, fists clenched, watching as even Gapryong seemed helpless against Mikoto. He knew they couldn't interfere; trying would get them killed before they could even react. They could only hope that Gapryong would somehow turn things around, like he always had in desperate moments.

"It seems your friends are here. How lucky." Mikoto remarked, sensing the newcomers behind him as he continued to rain blows on Gapryong. His face twisted into a manic grin. "Are you ready to watch your friends die? And not just that…" His eyes gleamed with twisted excitement, his tongue hanging out as he continued. "That woman… I'll make sure to have some extra fun with her over your dead bodies. I can just imagine the look on her face. It makes me even more excited."

With that, Mikoto delivered one final punch to Gapryong's face, a shockwave rippling across the area. Gapryong's face was bloodied now, his body bruised beneath his clothes.

"Oops, looks like you got knocked out." Mikoto frowned, surprised that Gapryong was unconscious. He'd wanted him slightly awake. "But it doesn't matter. Once you wake up, you'll see your friends dead, haha." Mikoto laughed, turning to face the three who were still frozen in shock.

"So, any last words?" He mocked, approaching them. Though they knew they didn't stand a chance, they braced themselves, ready to die fighting.

Just as Mikoto drew closer, he suddenly stopped.

"Hm?" He frowned, glancing back to see Gapryong standing again. "What the…?" Mikoto was shocked. Gapryong had been unconscious moments ago, yet here he was, standing, his eyes blank and white. "Are you… unconscious?" Mikoto muttered, noticing something odd, a faint purple glow flickered within the whiteness of Gapryong's eyes. It seemed almost supernatural, though Mikoto didn't know if his eyes were playing tricks on him.

"Heh." Mikoto chuckled. "So what if you stand up? The result won't cha-" His words stopped abruptly as a fist appeared before him.

"You caught me off guard." Mikoto muttered, startled by Gapryong's sudden speed. He raised his arm to intercept the punch, his palm aiming to block it. "You idio-" He stopped, his eyes widened as he felt his arm go numb. Gapryong's punch had broken through his guard, pushing his arm up and sending a shock of pain through him.

'His strength…' Mikoto's gaze shifted down to the punch just inches from his chest. Then, it hit him. The impact sent Mikoto flying backward into a building, smashing through its walls as spider-webbed cracks spread from floor to ceiling, a shockwave rippling outward.

'What was that…?' Mikoto was disoriented, sliding back through the hole in the wall with debris scattering around him, a trickle of blood on his lip. He could feel that Gapryong's strength was on a whole new level. 'Did that guy just… improve?'

Looking up, Mikoto saw Gapryong looming before him. A devastating punch was descending straight toward his head. 'Not just his strength…' Mikoto dodged as the punch created a massive crater in the ground, a tremor running through it. 'Not just his speed…' Gapryong closed the distance in an instant, appearing before Mikoto and countering with his own punch aimed at Mikoto's face. 'Even his resilience…' Mikoto was surprised to see Gapryong's face tanking the blow, remaining rigid.

'This guy…' Mikoto's thought was cut short as Gapryong's fist plowed into his stomach, lifting him off the ground. Another punch slammed into his head, hurling him through a wall and into a secluded area beyond, his body hitting another building. This time, the cracks spider-webbed across the entire structure.

'This guy is different.' Mikoto thought, watching as Gapryong reappeared instantly, another punch sending him through yet another wall. 'The way he's breaking through his limits is different…' Normally, people improved in one physical trait at a time, speed, strength, or durability, but Gapryong seemed to defy logic, improving in all traits simultaneously with one breakthrough. 'An absurd, innate talent…' Mikoto recognized that Gapryong relied on innate strength, but now he could see the ridiculous extent of that talent. Every time he was knocked down, he stood back up, stronger than before, pushing his opponent to the brink of despair.

'At this rate...' Mikoto thought, just as another punch rammed into his gut, sending him crashing through the ceiling to the second floor. Gapryong leaped from the first floor to the second, delivering another mid-air blow that sent Mikoto flying into the wall. 'I'll die…'

'If this keeps on going, I'll really die.' Mikoto thought, feeling another punch slam into his face, sending him crashing through the floor, now airborne at a second-floor height.

'I'll really die… of happiness.'

Mikoto wore a wide, happy smile.

'Since when had I felt pain like this?' Probably never. The pain seared through him, and it made him happy. Each of Gapryong's punches was devastating, faster than the speed of sound, leaving vibrations in the air as they landed perfectly on Mikoto. 'I'm having fun.' Mikoto thought gleefully. This was the most fun he'd ever had. The foreign feeling of pain spreading through his body was thrilling, something new. How could he not be happy?

'Gapryong Kim, huh?' Mikoto glanced at Gapryong, who was also airborne above him, another punch aimed straight for his face. Mikoto's smile grew. 'You're one funny guy.' Gapryong's punch hit him with full force, sending him hurtling to the ground. The combined weight of both their bodies, the momentum from the second-floor height, and Gapryong's punch created a massive impact, embedding Mikoto's head into the floor, debris scattering everywhere. A crater formed under him, the whole area spiderwebbed with deep pits and cracks, leaving the ground unstable. A massive shockwave spread outward, destroying anything fragile nearby and shaking the abandoned building to its core.

Out on the streets…

"What was that?"

"Was that an earthquake?"

People walking down the street felt the tremors beneath them, looking around in confusion, wondering if it was an earthquake.

Back to Mikoto…

He lay now in the cratered floor, his head buried beneath the debris. Gapryong stood over him, his hat gone, revealing slicked-back black hair and dark eyes that had returned to normal. He looked down at Mikoto's battered form.

'Did he win?' Jinyeong thought as he and the others arrived on the scene, hearing the shockwave and feeling the tremors. They found Gapryong standing over Mikoto, whose head was buried in the ground, the area around them cratered. Jinyeong assumed Gapryong had won, given the sheer devastation he had inflicted.

'Monsters.' thought Charles, looking at both of them. The power needed to create such destruction felt like a natural disaster. The ground was shattered, and the building seemed on the brink of collapse. He now understood the monstrous strength of Gapryong, who had defeated even this kid. A monster to him and everyone else.

Tom was stunned, clenching his fists, longing for such physical strength. But he knew that level was beyond reach. Even though he was known for his raw strength, Gapryong was on another level entirely, a living legend's strength.

'Is it really over?' Gapryong wondered, staring at Mikoto's unmoving form. It didn't feel like it. Throughout their fight, it was as if Mikoto had let every blow land without countering or using any real technique. Gapryong recalled the satisfied smile on Mikoto's face with each punch, a look of pure enjoyment. Something about this didn't feel finished. He would have to wait and see.

'Maybe it really is over.' Gapryong thought after a few minutes passed with no movement from Mikoto, who lay still and seemingly unconscious. Deciding it was done, he turned to face Jinyeong, Charles, and Tom, who stood nearby. He'd had no intention of taking Mikoto's life, only to teach him a lesson, a fitting payback. As far as he was concerned, the battle was over. The Fist Gang had won. But then…

"Man, that was fun."

The voice made Gapryong pause. He wasn't entirely surprised, he'd already considered the possibility. Turning back, he saw the corner of Mikoto's mouth above the rubble, a smile on his lips, appearing upside down from Gapryong's angle.

"You're really the best, Gapryong." Mikoto's smile widened as he looked up. "I've changed my mind. I won't kill those idiots." He said, referring to the trio. "Instead, I'll have fun with you."

"But don't think you're just going to walk away. You don't actually believe it's over, do you?" Mikoto's voice was laced with excitement. "After all, I haven't had my fun yet." Mikoto started to lift himself up, using only his legs, his face emerging as his eyes became visible. Gapryong's gaze narrowed at the sight; Mikoto's eyes had changed. His sclera was black, his irises dark red, and his pupils a deep black. A sinister new look.

"Don't you think so, Gapryong?" Mikoto's back remained parallel to the ground, his legs bent as he looked up, a chilling aura radiating from him. His insane smile, blood-covered face, and unsettling eyes, coupled with his dark red hair, made him look terrifying. Gapryong felt a dangerous shift in the air around Mikoto, sensing a menacing presence like never before.

'It's gotten worse.' Gapryong thought, his expression hardening as he took his stance. He eyed Mikoto, who straightened up, facing him. He could feel it now, the situation had turned. Mikoto was preparing to act, and Gapryong knew he had to be on high alert. One slip UP, and he would die.

'I can't let him make the first move.' Gapryong decided, dashing forward and appearing instantly behind Mikoto, his fist aimed at the back of his head. He had to move first, taking any advantage he could to take the kid down, or else he'd face the consequences.

But just as his fist was inches from Mikoto's head, Gapryong's eyes widened. He dropped to one knee, staring at the floor, confused by what had happened.

He felt it, something had struck his chin, making his brain rattle slightly and forcing him down. Yet he couldn't comprehend what had hit him. It felt as if a hole had been punched through his chin. How had the kid managed to hit him with his back turned? There was no way anyone could move at that speed; there had to be more to it.

"You overestimate yourself." Mikoto said, turning around and glancing down at Gapryong, who looked up in shock. "Once I activate my eyes, your fate is sealed."

'His eyes?' Gapryong had already noted the change, but it seemed there was more to them. Were they increasing Mikoto's strength or speed? He wasn't sure. They resembled the Yamazaki head's eyes, but with a twist, instead of white irises and pupils, Mikoto's were red with black pupils. What power did these eyes hold?

"Curious?" Mikoto chuckled, seeing the confusion in Gapryong's eyes. "Then try to figure it out."

Gapryong sprang up, launching an uppercut toward Mikoto's face. But just as his fist was about to connect, Mikoto simply grabbed a pinch of his jacket, flipping him upside down and leaving Gapryong stunned.

Mikoto delivered a crushing punch to Gapryong's stomach, sending him hurtling across the distance. He smashed into the wall with a force that left a deep dent, the shockwave booming from the impact. As Gapryong fell to the ground, pain twisted his face.

Mikoto strode forward, his steps measured, as Gapryong slowly pushed himself back to his feet. Gapryong's body ached from the last blow, but he set his jaw, determined not to let up. He had no idea what was happening, but he could sense he was up against something far beyond ordinary skill. Without wasting another second, he launched himself forward, his body leaving an afterimage in his wake as he decided to pour everything he had into this final charge.

But just as he closed the gap to within a few feet, something impossible happened.

Gapryong's vision blurred as multiple strikes landed across his body almost simultaneously. He couldn't even process where each blow was coming from before the force of them sent him hurtling backward, slamming into the wall once again. The concrete cracked around him, dust rising as he slumped, gasping, struggling to understand.

His mind raced, but he couldn't make sense of it. 'What happened?' He could barely see Mikoto's movements, much less counter them. And yet, he felt every impact with bone-jarring clarity.

The truth lay hidden in Mikoto's eyes. The red irises and black sclera weren't an innate gift or supernatural power. Mikoto had, in fact, trained himself to reach this level of perception through a dangerous and rigorous technique. He'd learned to trick his own brain into something close to unconsciousness, reducing mental noise and slowing his perception of time to a crawl. In this state, his sclera turned black due to reduced blood flow, while his irises, pooling with capillaries, seemed to burn with a fierce red.

This wasn't just a physical change. It allowed Mikoto to move in what felt like an entirely different time zone from his opponent's perspective. The world around him seemed to slow, as if stretched out, each movement of his opponent dissected with precision beyond human perception. When he launched his attacks, they weren't just blindingly fast, they were crafted with such perfect timing, such deliberate precision, that Gapryong's own senses couldn't register them.

To Gapryong, it was as though Mikoto's strikes were invisible. He had encountered attacks like this before, but this was entirely different from Charles's. This wasn't a simple blind-spot attack. These strikes were genuinely invisible to the naked eye. But how? How could there be an attack like that? If it was pure speed, it defied reality because no speed surpasses the human eye's perception. In truth, Mikoto had perfected the art of striking precisely at moments when his opponent's mind was least prepared to respond. Every muscle twitch, breath, and slightest shift in weight was predicted and exploited with a mastery that made each blow feel as if it appeared from nowhere.

Gapryong steadied himself, his breaths ragged as he glared up at Mikoto, unable to understand how the kid was striking without a single opening or tell.

Mikoto stopped a few paces away, his mocking smile fixed on Gapryong's confused expression.

"Struggling, are we?" Mikoto's voice was calm yet held a quiet intensity. "You see, in my eyes, every single one of your moves plays out before you even make it."

'Can he read my moves?' Gapryong clenched his fists. If that's truly how his eyes work, it makes things even harder on top of the strange, invisible attacks. But he couldn't back down. The only option left was to push forward, to find a way to counter Mikoto's precision and the eerie speed of his attacks, even if it meant going beyond his own limits.

He got into his stance, then dashed forward with a shockwave following his speed as he appeared directly in front of Mikoto, aiming a fist at his face. Mikoto just smiled, dodging with ease as the fist grazed his face, generating a shockwave in the surrounding area. But suddenly, a stinging pain tore through Gapryong's shoulder, making him wince. Glancing down, he saw a deep cut in his jacket and flesh, blood spurting freely.

"I planned to end you here and now by using them, but I changed my mind," Mikoto said, his expression twisting into a manic grin. "I'll play with you slowly, so don't break too soon. It won't be fun otherwise." The "them" he referred to were his own deadly techniques, crafted by himself and far beyond traditional martial arts. In past fights, he'd found using them ended things too quickly, which he realized was no fun at all. He wanted an exciting fight, one that would keep him engaged, one Gapryong seemed capable of providing.

'I see.' Gapryong took a deep breath, considering Mikoto's words. For the kid, this was all just fun. He'd been giving his all, but the kid hadn't even been serious yet. Not once from the start. He found himself oddly curious about what Mikoto might be capable of when he did get serious, though he wasn't eager to experience it firsthand. Still, he was determined. 'But I won't fall.' His eyes hardened as he looked at the easy-going kid, his conviction strengthening. He had only one choice left: to push forward, to overcome.

Suddenly, both Gapryong and Mikoto moved. Gapryong dashed, aiming a punch at Mikoto's face. Mikoto sidestepped, letting the punch skim past him, and instantly, new cuts opened on Gapryong's body. Each swing he took brought more cuts, but he kept striking, left, right, up, down. Each attack sent shockwaves ripping through the air, but Mikoto dodged each blow, grinning wider as Gapryong's strength steadily increased with each strike.

"Let's have more fun, shall we?" Mikoto chuckled as he intercepted an incoming punch with his palm, halting Gapryong's swing in mid-air with a shockwave that sent a deep rumble through the ground. Gapryong's eyes widened, feeling his punch stopped cold, only for a fist to slam into his face, sending him sliding backward.

"Don't think too much. At this rate, you'll die," Mikoto laughed, dashing toward Gapryong, who instantly retaliated with a flurry of punches. But it was futile, each attack was blocked, and each counter landed on his body, making him grit his teeth and push on regardless. Shockwaves and tremors echoed around them, the ground cracking as the intensity of their exchanges shook the buildings around them. The display of strength was beyond anything ordinary.

'Just what kind of monsters are these two?' Charles thought, sweat forming on his forehead. He'd never seen anything like this, the ground itself seemed to shift under the force of their attacks. Gapryong was stronger than he'd ever been, constantly pushed to his limits, and yet, it still wasn't enough. This fight would be remembered, no matter who won.

'Gapryong…' Jinyeong clenched his fists, feeling frustration and helplessness well up as he watched. It was like the last time they fought the Yamazaki clan. Gapryong had been the one to bear the brunt of the battle while he'd been left to watch, unable to match the level of skill or strength needed. Now, he was in the same situation again, watching with frustration as Gapryong struggled. He hated it. He hated his powerlessness.

'This physical strength has gone beyond what's normal.' Tom's eyes focused on the figures at the center of the destruction, each blow causing shockwaves that damaged the terrain around them. Gapryong had reached a level of raw strength he'd never seen before. If this Gapryong had fought his previous foes, they wouldn't have stood a chance. 'But that kid…' His gaze shifted to Mikoto, feeling an unsettling sense of dread. He was only 18, yet his strength was terrifying. And with age on his side, his potential was limitless. His body trembled at the thought of what kind of monster Mikoto might become in the future. Invincible would be a fitting title.

"What a disappointment, Gapryong." Mikoto laughed, landing a fist into Gapryong's stomach. Gapryong quickly retaliated with his own punch, but Mikoto intercepted it, stopping it mid-swing with a palm. "You're just like that bald guy from before, swinging that strength around with no control whatsoever." Mikoto sneered. He couldn't understand why people with raw strength always thought it made them anything special. Gapryong was just flailing wildly, it was laughable that no one had reached the next stage or figured out how to truly harness it.

Mikoto knew that if he were to fully unleash his own strength, his skin would tear. Despite its toughness, it would implode because his strength currently exceeded the limits his body could handle. He'd tried it once, and his skin had split apart. It just wasn't something he could safely use yet. He'd hoped Gapryong would be different, given his innate talent, but it seemed he was just another brawler who only knew how to throw a punch. However, Mikoto's mocking words unknowingly triggered something within Gapryong.

'Control?' Gapryong's eyes widened mid-attack. Why hadn't he thought of that before? The body could be controlled externally, but no one had ever managed to control it from within. People trained, exercised, and improved, but internal control was always seen as something beyond reach, as if the body's inner workings were set on autopilot. But why hadn't he thought of controlling his own strength?

Strength could be managed in terms of how much force was put into each strike, a skill achieved by those with immense physical power. But why hadn't he tried to shape or manipulate the strength itself on impact? He realized he'd never even considered it. Mikoto's words sparked something within him, and his eyes began to glow faintly, a mix of deep purple and dark red. Taking a step forward, he cracked the ground beneath him, twisting his waist as he launched a transformed punch toward Mikoto's face.

"I expected you'd at least be able to-" Mikoto began with a smirk, leaning to his left to avoid the punch. But then his eyes widened as he sensed something was off. He leaned back just in time, feeling the impact graze his cheek. A thin cut appeared on his face. 'Control?' The strike was familiar in a way, it had been controlled, and two shockwaves trailed immediately after, amplifying its force.

'This guy…' Mikoto thought, watching as Gapryong closed in and aimed a fist at his face. Mikoto leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the punch as it slammed into the ground. Instead of creating a crater, Gapryong's arm sank cleanly through the floor, his entire forearm embedded without damaging the surrounding area. 'He controlled it…' Mikoto noted, realizing how precisely Gapryong had contained the impact to his fist alone. 'And his strength…'

Gapryong appeared in front of him again, launching another punch, which Mikoto stopped mid-swing with a palm. A shockwave exploded on contact, but then a secondary shockwave hit, pushing Mikoto back. 'It's currently above mine.' He thought. Right now, Gapryong's strength had surpassed his own.

'Good, this is what I want.' Mikoto's grin widened, feeling a surge of excitement. It was astonishing that Gapryong, just from his words, had figured out how to control his strength so precisely. This showed that Gapryong's ability to learn, to adapt in the heat of battle, was far from ordinary. Even more intriguing was that Gapryong's body could handle his controlled strength, something Mikoto's couldn't, at least not yet. It hinted that his own controlled strength was perhaps too much, a level beyond even the most talented.

Mikoto chuckled inwardly. If he ever revealed the true extent of his abilities, if others were to witness the depth of his physical talent, their spirits would undoubtedly shatter. No matter one's resolve, seeing the peak he'd reached would make anyone realize they couldn't overcome it, for it bordered on the impossible. Yet, even now, that potential remained locked away. Gapryong was undoubtedly a rare talent, showing impressive growth mid-battle, but it still wasn't enough. He couldn't push Mikoto to use his full techniques or even his controlled strength. He wasn't the one who could push him to the brink, the one who could make a fight a life-or-death thrill. Maybe someday, someone would.

For now, though, Mikoto would enjoy this while it lasted. Even if it wasn't the ultimate fun, it was still fun.

"For now, you really are the best, Gapryong." Mikoto said, dashing toward him as Gapryong responded in kind, charging forward to meet him head-on.

Gapryong lunged forward, fist cutting through the air straight at Mikoto's head. Mikoto shifted smoothly to the side, and deflected the punch with a quick palm strike. He felt the first shockwave ripple from Gapryong's fist and managed to sidestep just as the second shockwave hit, the force slicing past him as if he hadn't even been there.

Gapryong didn't slow, eyes blazing purple and deep red, his fist twisting as he redirected it toward Mikoto's torso. Mikoto caught the strike at the wrist with his left hand, guiding it off course as his right fist drove forward, targeting Gapryong's exposed shoulder. Gapryong tensed, rotating his arm to block the blow with his forearm, absorbing the impact, his feet digging into the ground to steady himself.

Mikoto responded instantly, twisting his body to close the gap and bring a low, sharp fist toward Gapryong's ribcage. Gapryong shifted his weight, angling his body away just enough to dodge the strike, then retaliated with a straight jab toward Mikoto's chest. Mikoto leaned back slightly, the punch missing by inches, and delivered a rapid succession of punches to Gapryong's incoming arm. Each strike landed precisely, hitting the gaps between the muscles, weakening the force of the punch without stopping its momentum entirely.

Gapryong gritted his teeth, feeling each impact reverberate through his arm, but didn't stop. He planted his feet, anchoring himself, and swung a powerful hook. Mikoto ducked under it, feeling the shockwave pass overhead as he slipped to Gapryong's left and drove an open palm into Gapryong's side. Gapryong grunted but twisted with the blow, bringing an elbow toward Mikoto's face. Mikoto leaned back, evading it, then stepped forward, snapping a quick, sharp palm into Gapryong's forearm, deflecting the incoming elbow with minimal effort.

Gapryong's eyes flared deeper with conviction as he adjusted mid-strike, delivering a cross punch with his other hand. Mikoto sidestepped, palm deflecting the punch outward, but Gapryong used the momentum to drive a knee toward Mikoto's midsection. Mikoto spun, evading the strike by a hair, and in that same motion brought his elbow down toward Gapryong's thigh. Gapryong shifted his weight, retracting his leg just in time, his fist already swinging up in a counter aimed at Mikoto's shoulder.

Mikoto met it with a precise block, stopping the punch with his forearm, and slid his hand down to clamp onto Gapryong's wrist. He twisted, trying to lock Gapryong's arm, but Gapryong rolled his shoulder and slipped free, swinging his opposite arm up in a clean, direct jab aimed right at Mikoto's jaw. Mikoto angled his head to avoid it, releasing Gapryong's wrist, then followed with a rapid open-handed strike to Gapryong's sternum, the impact sending a shockwave through their close range.

Gapryong staggered slightly, but his resolve only intensified, he gritted his teeth as blood dripped from his mouth. He shifted his stance, immediately coming back with a quick, powerful series of punches aimed at Mikoto's torso and head. Mikoto weaved between each punch, making them useless. A palm connected with Gapryong's shoulder, then another to his upper chest, each blow quick and precise, designed to disrupt his rhythm without allowing Gapryong to fully regain his footing.

Gapryong took the hits, barely wincing, and pressed forward. He absorbed each counter with resilience, adjusting his strikes with every step, every moment becoming sharper. He anticipated Mikoto's next palm, twisting just enough to let it graze past him and thrust a quick jab toward Mikoto's abdomen. Mikoto dodged as he took a step back.

"It's like two machines." Charles muttered, Jinyeong and Tom, nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on the two figures exchanging blows at speeds they could barely trace. Each attack, each counter, each evasion, it was flawless, as if mechanical. The ground trembled with every hit, shockwaves rippling outward, and they found themselves covering their faces from the impacts. This wasn't just a fight. It was a clash between two beings who had surpassed human limits, a duel that no one could hope to interfere with. Even the shockwaves alone could be lethal if you got too close. The devastation of each attack was beyond anything they had seen.

Charles felt a deep, unsettling shock. It wasn't just Gapryong's strength that terrified him, but that this kid, this 18-year-old, was an even bigger monster.

'This guy is really experienced,' Mikoto thought, grinning as he steadied himself, impressed by the sheer skill Gapryong displayed. From their exchange, he could tell that Gapryong had fought in countless street wars. The man's combat experience was vast, and it showed in every move he made. But still, Mikoto smirked. 'It doesn't matter if he can't hit.' Strength was pointless if you couldn't land a blow.

But Mikoto wasn't the only one who felt impressed. Gapryong, too, impressed, but also shocked. 'How?' He thought, the question burning in his mind. How could this kid fight like this? How was an 18-year-old matching his experience, even outmatching him in some ways? Gapryong had built his life on countless battles from the very founding of the Fist Gang. He'd clashed with monsters of the streets, his skills forged in the fires of countless wars. But now, this kid, barely an adult, was easily keeping up with him, meeting every blow with skill and ferocity. 'This kid is a true monster.' He thought. People had called him a monster in the past, but they had yet to see the real monster.

'And by the looks of things, this isn't going anywhere.' Gapryong realized, feeling the frustration build. He hadn't gained any ground in this fight. His attacks were easily evaded, countered before they even connected, while the kid's blows left him battered. The only thing keeping him standing was his unbreakable conviction. He couldn't fall, he needed to teach this kid a lesson. But despite everything, he didn't see a path to victory. The kid had even said he could end it anytime but chose not to, just for the sake of prolonging his fun. And Gapryong believed it, every ounce of evidence pointed to it. 'I'll have to try anything to get at least one clean hit.' Gapryong resolved, deciding that his next move would be unexpected, a tactic the kid wouldn't see coming. This was his only chance.

Without a word. Mikoto aimed a powerful punch at Gapryong's face which he took head on as he stood firmly, gritting his teeth feeling the pain, but his eyes were detemined unmoved. Surprised, seeing his attack not pushing Gapryong back Mikoto looked down and saw that Gapryong's feet had rooted themselves into the concrete, cracks spreading outward like spider webs. 

'This is it..' Gapryong had anchored himself purposefully, taking this chance as an oppertunity to finaly be able to do something. Before Mikoto could react, Gapryong's left hand shot forward, grabbing hold of Mikoto's arm with a steely grip. In one swift motion, he pulled Mikoto in and delivered a devastating punch to his chest. 

'Heh... You're that desperate, huh?' Mikoto chuckled inwardly seeing how desperate Garpyong was to land a hit. 'How pitiful... but fine, I'll humor.' Mikoto smiled as he made no attempt to evade or counter. Instead, he allowed the punch to connect, feeling a faint pity for the fierce determination in Gapryong's eyes, a face marked by sheer desperation to do something. He accepted the hit.

The blow hurled Mikoto backward across the distance, slamming him into the wall of an abandoned building with enough force to send cracks snaking up and down its surface. Dust and loose debris shook loose, rattling as the structure groaned. 'Not bad.' Mikoto admitted inwardly, feeling the impact as blood trickled from his mouth, he lifted his head, only to see Gapryong charging once more, eyes glowing the darkest red, aiming another punch at his chest. The controlled strike hit him, sending a shockwave through Mikoto's body and into the building's foundation. In seconds, the entire structure collapsed, floors and walls crumbling under the force.

'Did I win?' Gapryong wondered, watching the dust settle. The two strikes he'd landed were his best, fully controlled and stronger than his initial attempt. He'd delivered them cleanly, so the kid should be heavily injured, if not unconscious. He watched the cloud of dust and rubble settle, expecting he'd won. But as the smoke cleared, Mikoto emerged, standing among the broken debris, blood trickling from both sides of his mouth. Despite the damage, he was smiling, as if the attacks had been nothing more than a light tap. Gapryong's eyes widened, disbelief etched into his face.

'How… how is this possible?' Gapryong's thoughts raced, his worldview collapsing. He had landed two clean, controlled hits, attacks with enough force to kill or cripple anyone else if they connected perfectly. Yet instead of lying on the ground, heavily injured, this kid was still standing there, relaxed, a faint smile on his face. It was as if his two devastating attacks had been shrugged off as a joke. 'Did my attacks not even go through his body?' Gapryong wondered, struggling to process it. Could it be that the kid's talent went beyond his unusual eyes and lay in his physical resilience instead?

He'd encountered hard-to-break opponents before, including the Yamazaki Head. That man's physical structure, known as "black bone," made his body unnaturally tough to damage. In their battle, it had been nearly impossible to break through, as if his bones defied normal strength. Gapryong remembered the frustration of facing something that seemed designed to be unbreakable.

And now, a kid was standing before him, shrugging off his attacks with ease, a kid who might have just as abnormal a physical talent, if not more. The sheer idea of it was mind-bending. Currently, he was sure that he could break the Yamazaki Head's "black bone" with attacks as powerful as these, and yet they hadn't even made a dent in this kid.

"You don't believe it, do you?" Mikoto asked, amusement evident in his voice, as if he knew exactly what Gapryong was thinking. "Your two attacks did indeed… go through." He touched his chest where Gapryong's fists had landed. "But only through my skin. Damaging my bones? Now that would be a dream." He looked at Gapryong's shocked expression mockingly. Though Gapryong's attacks had landed, they only reached Mikoto's skin. Damaging his bones? That was beyond Gapryong's current level. Mikoto's bones, fortified by his natural physical talent, were far beyond the reach of most fighters, something that would be revealed later. As he saw it, only an opponent who could truly threaten his life could break through. And Gapryong wasn't that person.

"So, it's gotten a bit boring, don't you think?" Mikoto continued. Without warning, he bent forward, his hands hanging loosely by his sides. "So, let me end this." In a flash, Mikoto vanished, reappearing behind Gapryong with a speed that widened his opponent's eyes in shock. It took three seconds of silence before Gapryong felt it. A piercing sensation shooting through his entire body as if struck by countless invisible blows at once. The force hurled him backward, crashing him into a nearby building, sending debris tumbling down around him in a massive cascade of stone and dust.

Mikoto stood there, watching the cloud of dust from the collapsed building, waiting for something.

"Ughh." Gapryong lay buried in the rubble, groaning from the pain, his vision blurring but still filled with a vibrant purple glow. Blood trickled from countless wounds as he struggled to push himself up, managing to climb out from beneath the concrete. Battered and bloodied, he stood on shaking legs and took one step at a time toward Mikoto, who smiled as Gapryong, bloodied but resolute, dragged himself forward. The intense purple glow in his eyes burned on, undimmed, a conviction that seemed unbreakable as he gazed into Mikoto's eyes.

Gapryong staggered within arm's reach of Mikoto and raised his fist, aiming one last punch at his opponent's chest. But when the punch landed, it held no force. It was just a tap, an exhausted final gesture. His strength left him, and he sank to the ground, defeated.

"It was fun while it lasted." Mikoto said, looking down at Gapryong on the ground. "You did your best but failed miserably." He smirked. "But it was fun nonetheless." For Mikoto, tonight had been enjoyable. The man named Gapryong had earned his respect. His strength, talent, and conviction were something notable, even if they weren't enough. Mikoto acknowledged that currently, no one else might give him this level of entertainment. He truly enjoyed it, so he felt at least a hint of gratitude toward Gapryong.

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Mikoto heard sirens in the distance, indicating that someone had reported the destruction. Though it would be amusing to slaughter a bunch of cops, he didn't have time for it. He looked at Gapryong one last time before leaving, paying no mind to the three people standing shocked in the distance.

"Tom, come with me, let's get Gapryong!" Charles snapped, bringing Tom out of his shock. They rushed toward the fallen Gapryong, leaving Jinyeong standing frozen in place, clearly shaken by what he had witnessed.

'How is he still alive after that?' Charles thought as he grabbed Gapryong's arm and slung it over his shoulders. He looked at the battered man, blood seeping from his mouth. The level of damage Gapryong endured would've killed anyone else, yet he was still breathing. 'A bunch of monsters.' Charles thought. This was a battle he would never forget.

"Jinyeong! What the hell are you doing? Move!" Charles shouted, frustrated that Jinyeong still stood frozen, lost in thought.

"Huh?" Jinyeong snapped out of his daze, startled by the shout. He nodded and followed as Charles and Tom carried Gapryong out of the alley.

'Damn it.' Jinyeong cursed, clenching his fists as he looked at the unconscious Gapryong. Today had been the worst. He'd failed, failed to get revenge, failed to help Gapryong. He'd failed everyone. He couldn't do anything, couldn't protect Yeonwoo in her moment of desperation, couldn't fight alongside Gapryong. He hated it. He hated himself even more. Why was he so weak? Why couldn't he protect his friends when they needed him? Just why? A dark emotion swelled within Jinyeong, self-hatred. Hatred fueled by inferiority. He swore to himself that this would never happen again.

Some time later…

"Chief, it seems there's no one at the scene."

The voice came from a man in a police uniform, speaking to another officer, the chief. They were in a secluded area filled with craters in the ground and walls, with buildings left in ruins. Numerous officers surveyed the scene, which looked like a warzone, as if bombs and missiles had torn through the area.

"Then what the hell happened here?" the chief asked. They'd received numerous reports of loud explosions and shaking that had rattled the area. But when they arrived, all they found were damaged structures, no trace of weapons or explosives. He was baffled by what could have caused this.

"I don't know, sir, but some of the others think this might have been done by people… physically," The officer replied, his tone uncertain. Done by people, physically? It sounded impossible.

"Are they on something?" The chief turned to the officer with an annoyed expression. "You're telling me this was done by people? This isn't some kind of fantasy, get out." But in the back of his mind, he was conflicted. 'There's just no way, right?' He looked around at the craters and cracks. Could this truly be the work of humans? 'But maybe it's true,' He thought. After all, there was no trace of weapons. Still, the thought was absurd, leaving him rubbing his forehead.

"And sir, we also got reports from a nearby club." the officer added, referring to the reports they'd received about ten minutes before this one. Another department had checked it out, and the results were horrifying.

"What is it?" the chief asked.

"Inside the club, there were multiple casualties… but you have to see it for yourself." The officer said, handing over a stack of photos. "The other department took these, but… brace yourself."

"Let me see." The chief took the photos, flipping through them. His expression shifted to one of horror and fear as he scanned the images.

"What the hell is all this?" He asked, trembling. The photos depicted a scene of utter carnage, bodies torn apart, organs, limbs, and even heads scattered across the floor. Just what kind of devil had done this?

"I don't know, sir." The officer shook his head. "Witnesses at the club refuse to say anything, some are mentally hurt, suffering from PTSD. Even the team who took the photos are struggling mentally."

"Any idea who did this?" The chief asked, his mind still reeling from the horrific images he'd just seen in the photos.

"No, sir. The only clue we have is from witnesses who were in shock and kept repeating two words. Red Devil." The officer's voice was tense.

"The Red Devil, huh?" The chief muttered, looking around at the destruction. 'Could this be related to him?' Only a devil could have done this, he thought grimly.

The chief sighed, this was going to be a long night for him and his team.

Days passed.

News of the Fist Gang's defeat spread among those who knew of them. The story was shocking, especially for the enemies of the Fist Gang who had experienced their power firsthand. They all knew how monstrous the gang, especially its leader, could be. But what made the story even more unsettling was the identity of the person who had defeated them, a lone teenager, only 18 years old. This wasn't a powerful organization, clan, or gang. It was a single person.

The young man was described as tall, with spiked, ruffled red hair and amber eyes. He quickly earned a new title, the Red Devil. And with that title, another one emerged, he was called the Uncrowned King, the Red King, as a mark of respect for a man who single-handedly took down one of the most terrifying forces they had ever encountered.

Japan, Yamazaki Clan.

"He lost?"

Inside a traditional household, in a dimly lit room, a deep voice echoed in disbelief. The speaker was tall and muscular, with long black hair, black sclera, and white irises. He wore a black kimono that revealed tattoos covering parts of his forearms, chest, and legs. This was Shingen, the head of the Yamazaki Clan. His expression was a mixture of shock and confusion.

Gapryong Kim, the man who had once defeated him, had lost. And he'd lost to an 18-year-old boy. Shingen struggled to believe it. He knew how resilient Gapryong was, a nightmare to face, an opponent who only got stronger as the fight dragged on. Knocking him down was one thing, keeping him down was another as he experienced it first-hand. He was a man who wouldn't fall, who refused to stay down. And now he had been defeated by a teenager.

Shingen clenched his hand in frustration, forced to dwell on both his own defeat and the shocking news of Gapryong's.

Next to him stood a woman in a white kimono, with black hair tied back and dark, fearful eyes. This was Shingen's wife, Somi Park.

'It can't be him, right?' Somi thought, fear clutching at her heart as she recalled the description of the person who defeated the Fist Gang.

Ruffled red hair, amber eyes, 18 years old. The title, Red Devil, confirmed her worst fear. An image of a seven-year-old boy flashed in her mind, a boy in a black kimono, with the same red hair and amber eyes. He'd had a gentle smile, but she knew that smile had been anything but gentle. That boy was a devil in disguise. She was certain now, this was Suoh Mikoto, the boy from the Ketsuseki Clan. No, he was no boy. He was a devil.

(A/N: Ketsuseki means blood and red)

Three months later.

In a hospital room, a woman lay on a bed, staring blankly out the window. She had short black hair and dark eyes. This was Yeonwoo.

She looked down at her stomach, where a small bulge had begun to form.

'I have no choice.' Yeonwoo thought, shifting her gaze back to the window. She couldn't get rid of this baby, even if it was his. She would deliver it, but she would never consider that red-haired scum its father. She would raise this child on her own.

Yeonwoo had heard of the Fist Gang's defeat. She'd been shocked, and devastated. Shocked that that man had defeated the gang, devastated that they'd suffered because of her. She knew they had wanted revenge for what he'd done to her, and they'd suffered as a result.

"Miss Yeonwoo, it's time to take your pills." A nurse entered the room, carrying a tray of medication.

"How are you feeling today?" The nurse asked, placing the tray on the table beside the bed.

"I'm fine, thank you." Yeonwoo smiled at the nurse who had cared for her over the past three months, helping her get through some of her darkest moments.

"That's good to hear." the nurse replied with a smile. It pleased her to see the once-depressed and broken Yeonwoo in better spirits. Though Yeonwoo still struggled with PTSD, she was eating and looking healthier. Watching this transformation felt like a small victory.

"Well, it's time to take your pills." The nurse reminded her.

Yeonwoo nodded. She knew she had to keep moving forward. She would bring her child into the world. But she hoped, with all her heart, to never encounter that man again. In her mind, he was a living nightmare, a presence she could never forget but had to push aside to stay strong. She hoped to never face that monster again.

*Flashback ends.*

But now, that nightmare stood before her, staring with his unfeeling amber eyes. She looked up at him, heart pounding, as memories she'd tried so hard to bury surged back. The devil she'd hoped to escape, the red-haired figure from her darkest memories, Suoh Mikoto, was standing right in front of her.