Devil

In a large underground arena, surrounded by steel walls and a massive caged battleground at its center, a crowd of masked spectators filled the upper levels, eagerly anticipating the next event. Neko, standing high above the cage on a balcony, addressed the crowd with a microphone in hand, her bodyguard Ryuhei, standing behind her.

"You've been waiting long enough!" Neko announced, her voice echoing throughout the arena. "It's time to meet the players, right?"

"Players, enter!" Neko called out as the crowd erupted in response.

Following her command, the prisoners began filing into the caged arena.

"Move faster, players!" Neko urged with a playful but commanding tone. 

"Now, let the circus begin." Neko shouted, her voice filled with excitement, seeing all the prisoners entered the arena.

The crowd roared in approval.

"What the hell is this place?" Vin Jin muttered, confused by the number of masked faces above.

"They're VIPs who came to gamble on us." Little Daniel explained, his tone serious. "This circus is just entertainment for them."

"What do you mean?" Warren Chae asked, clearly confused by the whole situation.

"It's simple." Daniel continued, "They bet on who they think will win. The profiles of the participants are shown to the VIPs, and based on that, they place their bets. The bigger the bet, the more money they win if their choice survives."

As Daniel finished speaking, Neko's voice boomed through the arena again, "Participant number one! A former street fighter, known for killing an Asian with his bare hands, fighting skills: A! The Asian Killer, Marcus!"

A muscular black man with bruises all over his face appeared on the screen, but in the crowd of prisoners he was covered with bruises. The result of a severe beating.

"Just wait, old man." Marcus muttered under his breath, glaring into the crowd, likely aiming his anger at Minsik Choi, who had beaten him earlier.

"Victory is yours, Marcus!"

"No one can beat Marcus!"

The crowd went wild as his profile appeared on the screen, revealing that his bid had reached a staggering two billion won.

"No way, two billion?" Sally exclaimed in shock.

"They're betting that much on a criminal?" Warren added, just as surprised.

"Oh, we're moving along quickly!" Neko continued, her tone turning icy. "Up next, one of the most dangerous participants of today's circus. An MMA middleweight champion with a sinister past, he murdered his pregnant girlfriend and abandoned his own child. Fighting skills: A, Katsuzawa Akira!"

The screen showed a stoic faced Akira, his red mohawk and shaved sides giving him a fierce look.

"Fucking boring." Akira mumbled, his hands still tucked in his pockets as he leaned against the wall, completely uninterested. "Can't wait to see them try to kill me." he added with a grin, casting a mocking glance at Neko, who stared back at him with cold, disapproving eyes.

"Show them what you got, Osaka Demon!"

"Kill them all, Katsuzawa!"

The crowd erupted once more, thrilled by Akira's notorious reputation. But suddenly, Akira lifted his foot and brought it down with force, cracking the ground beneath him and sending a powerful shockwave through the arena. The crowd fell silent in an instant.

"What the hell?"

"Is he a monster?"

The prisoners exchanged uneasy glances, the tremor from Akira's display of strength making them feel nervous.

"This guy…" Zack muttered, his eyes wide with caution. The same expressions reflected on the faces of his group.

"Shut your mouths, you noisy pigs." Akira said loudly, his voice filled with irritation. "Idiots cheering for me? I'll fucking kill every last one of you."

Neko, watching from above, clenched her jaw in frustration. She hadn't expected Akira to behave like this, nearly derailing the entire spectacle.

"Now, now." Neko intervened quickly, her voice sweet but forced. "Akira's attitude suits his title well, doesn't it?" she said, trying to calm the crowd. 'Damn him.' she thought, glaring down at Akira. 'Is he trying to ruin my game?'

She quickly went on with the profile introductions as to divert the attention of the VIP, Kenta Magami being introduced next, with the crowd mocking him for his low Fighting evaluation.

"What a joke." someone in the crowd laughed.

The introductions went on, showcasing Little Daniel and his group of high schoolers, which drew more laughter from the crowd, who couldn't believe they were part of the game.

"Now, we do not have much information on this participant, but we know that he is a business man in the Philippines, but he has a past different from how he looks!" Neko smiled as she announced "The legend, Garyong Kim from the Korea fist, he has fought with him. Zero generation, Minsik Choi. Fighting skills A." 

"Oof, my back hurts when i stand up, must be because of my age." Minsik said with a smile. 

"Minsik Choi? It's my first time hearing about him." 

"Someone bet one billion on this guy?? hahah" The crowd were skeptical seeing this guy being a candidate, he looks like an old man. 

"Came, that idiot finally came, it's been a long time since I saw my cutie pie Minsik. He wouldn't guess who I am." A guy in the crowd with a huge frame with a normal sized mask that as barely able to cover his face was clapping with a smile, Tom Lee. Looking at Minsik.

"Okay, that is all. Lets begin the games begin" Neko stated

After some time, the first and second game passed as it reached the third game

"Now, onto the third game! VIPs, give your favorite criminals any quest you desire, and let's see who completes it first! And the first lucky VIP to give out a quest is…VIP number 49! Congratulations!" Neko announced with excitement.

The crowd watched with bated breath as Neko revealed the quest. "And the lucky criminal is…participant number 55, Katsuzawa Akira! Your quest: Pluck out number 71's teeth!"

"M-mine?" A middle aged man beside Akira said his voice shaking, realizing he was number 71.

"And the reward for completing this quest is five million won!" Neko announced.

"Who the hell would do something like that?" Zack muttered, his disbelief stopping short as he noticed Akira already holding the terrified man in the air by the back of his neck with his right hand. Without hesitation, Akira drove a left fist into the man's head to the ground as a pit was formed by the impact, leaving his face completely deformed and sunken.

"Oops, it seems there's no teeth left to pluck out." Akira said with a smile, as he stood beside the unconscious man with his hands in his pockets. The only reason he was doing the quest is because of the money he'll get, otherwise that VIP that issued the request would be dead by his hands.

"Number 55 completed the quest. You will be earning five million won as your reward." Neko announced with an unhappy tone. 

"Heh" Akira slightly chuckled hearing the tone of Neko, she must hate him that much for her to have this tone every time she mentions him.

After that several other VIPs issued quests, which the prisoners completed, one after another they went to the other side of an entry which is another section.

"Now for the last request, VIP wants to see number 99 Warren Chae's skills. Your quest is defeat number 55." Neko announced with happy tone considering she will see Akira get beat up.

Akira smiled as he saw Warren walking up to him, stopping right infront of him.

"Since you are a criminal, I will be skipping my apology." Warren said as he looked up into Akira's eyes following a spinning elbow aiming for Akira's neck "No complaints, right?"

Akira just stood there as the elbow of Warren perfectly struck his neck.

"Hey, idiot." Akira smirked as he effortlessly blocked Warren's elbow strike. "Since you stood against me, I'll prepare a _casket_ for you."

"What?" Warren barely had time to register the taunt before a sharp pain erupted from his side. He looked down, shocked to see blood seeping from beneath his ribs, the wound deep and fresh.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he staggered back, clutching his side, sweat drenching his body. 'How did he-?' Warren's gaze darted to Akira's left hand, now dripping with his blood. He hadn't even seen the move. The realization sent a wave of panic through him. 'He's too fast…'

"Warren!" Sally's voice rang out as she and the others screamed his name, watching in panic as she saw his wound.

'I knew this guy was dangerous.' Zack's eyes narrowed, locking onto Akira with seriousness. He hadn't seen the strike either, and by the looks on everyone's faces, none of them had.

Taking a deep breath, Warren calmed himself and stripped off his shirt, revealing his scarred torso. He took a firm stance, his eyes fixed on Akira.

"Heh, does taking your shirt off give you superpowers or something?" Akira mocked, casually shaking the blood off his fingers.

Ignoring the taunt, Warren focused on his opponent. Akira's hands were still in his pockets, his stance relaxed. 'He's fast, but I was caught off guard last time. Now I'm ready'

Without hesitation, Warren dashed forward, launching a relentless barrage of strikes aimed at Akira's vital points.

"Whoa... This kid's totally different from before." Tom Lee muttered from the crowd, his large frame standing out among the spectators. His masked face showed surprise as he watched Warren. He recalled their previous encounter when he had casually mopped the floor with Warren. 'I smell glasses, looks like Manager Kim's been training him' He thought 'But...' his attention shifted to Akira. 'That kid...'

"Yes, beat him up! Wipe that smile off his face." Neko cheered from the railing, her fists clenched in excitement as she watched Akira getting hit.

"Beauty, it's not that simple." Ryuhei stood beside her, a thoughtful expression on his face as he observed the fight.

"What do you mean?" Neko snapped, irritated.

"Look closely at Akira." he said, pointing toward the fight.

Neko squinted, focusing on Akira. After a few seconds, her eyes widened. 'He's smiling?' Despite Warren's attacks, Akira was grinning.

"Yeah, you see it now." Ryuhei continued. "That guy Akira... he's not normal."

Warren kept up his barrage, his fists connecting with precision. 'I've got him' he thought. He ended his flurry with a powerful one inch punch to Akira's midsection, sending a shockwave through the air.

'It's over.' Warren thought as he took a deep breath, slowly rising from his crouched stance.

"Man, that was quite the massage. Didn't expect an idiot like you to be so talented." Akira's voice pierced through the silence, sending a jolt of disbelief through Warren. He looked up, his eyes wide, as Akira stood there unharmed, rubbing his neck casually.

'What? He's completely fine?' Warren looked at Akira who was rubbing his tilted neck, he is sure that his attacks landed completely on him, but the result isn't as expected. Akira was standing like nothing happened, 'Did he tank all that?' Warren couldn't process how this happened, 'It's like that time with that old man' His mind wandered to his embarrassing fight with Tom Lee, at that time his attacks were also ineffective. But that was from before, he shouldn't be the same like back then, he went through training with Manager Kim, just for someone to shrug off his attacks like that? 

"Surprised?" Akira sneered, enjoying Warren's confusion. "Did you actually think you could hurt me? Ahahaha!" His mocking laughter echoed in the arena.

"You-!" Warren started, but before he could finish, Akira's fist was super fast as it slammed into his stomach, lifting him off the ground. His eyes bulged as the air was knocked out of him, he felt his stomach was pierced. Akira followed with another brutal fast punch, sending Warren crashing to the ground, debris scattering from the impact.

"This is fun." Akira laughed maniacally as he grabbed Warren by the leg, hoisting him up and slamming him into the ground like a ragdoll. With a casual flick of his arm, he tossed Warren into the wall, creating a crater where he landed, face first.

"That was refreshing." Akira grinned, his voice echoing through the now silent arena, he was satisfied with that ability. As to what it is? Perfect Control. One of his three wishes, it granted him control over his entire body, he controlled his cells and allowing him to harden his skin at will, and even heal faster than normal. Every blow Warren had landed was useless. Akira had simply reinforced his body, turning Warren's strikes into nothing. But even without it, the result would be the same.

"Whoaaa!"

"That was insane!"

"Akira! Akira!" The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement growing as they witnessed Akira's overwhelming strength.

Neko's expression had shifted from joy to stiff disbelief as she watched the scene unfold.

"You." she turned to Ryuhei, her voice cold. "Is Akira's evaluation accurate?" She estimated Warren before the start of the third game to be grade A the same as Akira, but now, Akira showed something far beyond grade A.

"Who knows?" Ryuhei shrugged.

"Tch." Annoyed, Neko turned her gaze back to Akira, her hatred for him intensifying.

"You! Why are you hitting Warren?!" Sally suddenly rushed toward Akira, her small fists pounding against his back.

"Huh?" Akira barely felt the blows. He turned and swiftly grabbed Sally by the neck, lifting her off the ground with ease. "Why is a girl like you here, and why are you so stupid?" His grip tightened as Sally gasped for air, struggling in his grasp.

"Sally!" Zack and Little Daniel shouted from behind the bars, helpless to intervene.

Sally's vision blurred as Akira's hand squeezed tighter around her throat. Just as she was about to lose consciousness, a gust of wind swept through, and Akira's grip was suddenly gone.

"Cough, cough!" Sally gasped for breath, looking up to see Warren standing before her, holding himself up. "Warren?" she whispered.

"Heh, awakening is it?" Akira slid back, a tinge of smoke coming out of his palm as he blocked Warren's attack. He looked at Warren who was now stronger and faster than before, with a smile.

With that Akira saw Warren appear instantly infront of him, his smile widening. As yet again Warren sent a barrage of attacks at Akira, but this time clearly with more strength, speed and precision, his style was that of an assassin. 'Not enough whatsoever' Akira simply dodged and blocked each attack with a playful smile, he remained rigid not moving a step.

'Why is it still the same?' Warren seeing Akira dodge and block each of his attacks made him frustrated, 'Are they that much apart?' He doesn't understand, Akira and him are apart of the same generation yet the levels are that far apart.

"Frustrated?" Akira mocked while looking at Warren's expression trying so hard to at least make something happen.

"You should've stayed down, then maybe you would've kept your life, but it's too late now." Akira simply not giving any second for Warren to react, grabbed his neck by his left hand as Warren couldn't react to Akira's speed, keeping him in place as he followed with a devastating fist striking the middle of Warren's chest, the shockwave ran through Warren's chest travelling form behind, his chest completely sunken in, his internal organs severely crushed.

Well how did that happen? Due to perfect control he was able to store all the force of attacks that hit his body and he blocked in his body, by then he concentrated the combined force into one simple yet devastating fist attack.

The movements of Warren in an instant stopped his body becoming rigid, Akira let go as Warren slumped on the ground, his breath drawing out as he's losing his life.

"I don't think you realized, there's a reason why they call me the Devil of Osaka, and that is I'm not all talk, you fuck around and find out the worst possible outcome. And that is your end." Akira sadistically smiled as he looked at the dying Warren.

"W-what?"

"He killed Warren?"

Little Daniel, Zack and Vin were shocked seeing the state of Warren's body, the sunken chest visible to them making them think the worst outcome.

"W-waren?" Sally was motionless with shock as she looked at Warren on the ground not moving at all.

A sudden silence enveloped the arena.