The air inside the boxing gym was thick with the scent of sweat and metal, the dim lighting casting harsh shadows against the scuffed floors. Gen's footsteps echoed as he stormed inside, his breath ragged with fury. His eyes darted across the room until they landed on her.
Keiko lay slumped on the worn-out bench, her body curled into itself as if she were trying to disappear. Her arms trembled, her fingers gripping the fabric of her skirt, and the moment she saw him, her face crumpled. She barely had time to react before Gen knelt beside her, gathering her into his arms. Her frail body shook, and she buried her face into his chest, her sobs muffled against him.
Gen's mind spiraled. The rage in his chest burned hotter than any pain he had ever felt. His arms might've been broken, his body still battered, but nothing—nothing—would stop him now.
A slow clap echoed from the far side of the gym.
Gen's gaze snapped up, locking onto the towering figure leaning casually against the ring. Isamu Yamamoto, sweat glistening on his broad shoulders, tilted his water bottle back and took a long sip before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His smirk curled with amusement.
"Oh? Look who finally crawled in," Isamu mused, tossing the empty bottle aside. "Back for more, huh? Didn't get enough of a beating last time?" He laughed, the sound sharp and condescending.
Gen gently set Keiko down, his hands lingering just a second longer before he stood up. His entire body shook—not with fear, but with barely restrained wrath.
"I WANT A REMATCH," he spat, his voice raw.
Isamu's smirk deepened. "Hah?" He cocked his head, feigning boredom. "And why the hell would I waste my time on you again? You're already broken. What could you possibly do to me?" His chuckle was slow, mocking. "You're not even worth a warm-up."
Gen's fists clenched at his sides. "If I lose again, I'll leave this school. I'll never show my face here again." He took a step forward. "But if I win... you leave Keiko alone."
Silence stretched between them. The challenge hung in the air, thick with tension. For a moment, Isamu just stared at him, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, his grin widened.
"A wager, huh?" He cracked his knuckles, stepping into the ring. "I like that. But you're signing your own death warrant, kid." He jerked his chin toward the ropes. "Get in."
Gen didn't hesitate. He climbed into the ring, his heart slamming against his ribs. His eyes locked onto Isamu, every muscle in his body coiling, ready. He had trained for this. He had bled for this. He had suffered through every moment of pain so that he could stand here now.
The bell rang.
Isamu was the first to move, lunging forward with a left hook. Gen ducked, the air slicing past his ear as the punch barely missed him.
"Not bad," Isamu muttered, eyes narrowing. "But how about this?"
A right jab came next, swift and sharp—but Gen had seen it coming. He pivoted on his foot, dodging it just in time before countering with an Out-In kick. His foot slammed into Isamu's face with a sickening crack.
Blood sprayed from Isamu's mouth as he staggered back, his hand flying up to his cheek. His eyes flared with disbelief, then rage. He spat crimson onto the mat, his teeth bared.
"YOU BASTARD," he growled, wiping the blood from his lip.
Gen held his ground, chest heaving. "You're not the only one who can fight, Isamu."
The mood shifted instantly. Isamu stopped smirking. He adjusted his stance, his posture rigid with real focus now. He shuffled in a circle around Gen, his muscles flexing, his glare razor-sharp.
This time, Isamu attacked with precision. A right jab again—but it was bait. Gen dodged instinctively, only for Isamu's real attack to land—a brutal left hook. The impact exploded against Gen's jaw like a sledgehammer, and he went crashing onto the mat. His vision blurred, and the taste of copper flooded his mouth.
A sharp cheer came from the sidelines. "You can do it, Gen!" Keiko's voice, desperate and pleading.
Gen gritted his teeth. He wasn't done.
He used the ropes to pull himself up, his breath ragged. Isamu was already closing in, ready to finish it. But Gen had learned from before. He braced against the ropes—and just as Isamu lunged, he launched a front kick with all his force.
Isamu blocked it, absorbing most of the blow with his forearms. He barely flinched. "That all you got?" He scoffed before twisting into an uppercut.
Gen tried to dodge, but he was too slow.
The punch connected. His body lifted slightly off the ground before crashing back down. He gasped, his lungs burning as blood dribbled from his lips. He barely had time to process the pain before Isamu was looming over him again.
"GET UP," Isamu ordered, his voice cold.
Gen struggled onto his knees, but the moment he did, another brutal punch slammed into his stomach. He wheezed, choking, his vision fading in and out.
His body screamed at him to stop. To stay down. But he refused.
One last chance.
His fingers tightened against the canvas. His mind emptied of everything except one word:
Swift.
With the last of his strength, he threw a front kick—one enhanced by his ability.
The impact was monstrous.
Isamu's body jerked violently backward, his ribs folding inward. He coughed, a spray of vomit spewing from his lips as he crashed into the ropes. He clutched his stomach, wheezing, his face twisted in agony.
Gen stood over him, swaying slightly but unwavering. His eyes burned with something dark. Something lethal.
"Oh, isn't this familiar?" Gen murmured, his voice eerily calm. "Didn't you do the same to me?"
He lifted his foot.
And stomped.
Isamu's face jerked to the side, blood splattering against the mat.
Again.
Again.
Again.
"S-Stop," Isamu choked out, his voice barely audible. His body trembled beneath Gen's relentless assault.
Gen crouched down, gripping the fabric of Isamu's shirt, forcing him to meet his gaze.
"Are you scared?" he asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
Isamu's lips quivered. His once-arrogant eyes were wide, glistening with something Gen recognized immediately.
Fear.
A slow smirk curled Gen's lips. "Ah... there it is. That fear we know and love."
And with one final stomp, Isamu fell completely still.
_____________________________________________________________________________
NAME: GEN NANAMI RANK: 80/100
MISSION COMPLETE: Defeat A Ranked Opponent
HIDDEN MISSION COMPLETE: Make Your Opponent Fear You
ABILITY UNLOCKED: Fear
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