Chapter 79: Kyara
Shiraki Kei and the man locked eyes.
Both had keen senses. The man could see Kei's influence on Maruko, and Kei, searching his memories, found the part concerning this man.
"His name is Kyara!"
A hand suddenly reached out, resting on Kei's shoulder.
Kei turned to see Kaji Takaomi.
Kaji had been following Akagi Shigeru, and when the gamble started on the upper deck, he had left the reception hall with the others.
He was panting heavily, clearly having run a long way.
After all this time, Kaji's logical thinking had improved significantly. He quickly explained the key points of the situation.
"Akagi-san and Sadakuni's gamble relies on a special set of 'Restricted Rock Paper Scissors' cards, which are only found on the lower deck."
"Whoever possesses more cards will have the advantage in the official gamble."
"So, after the 'Collection Phase' began, I started moving with the bald guy from Sadakuni's side to collect cards on the lower deck."
...
Kei understood.
According to Kure Fusu's observation, the mercenaries invaded from the arms smuggling ship.
Calculating the time, their goal wasn't just his Kengan Membership. They were also following Sadakuni's orders, assisting his bald associate to seize the cards on the lower deck.
If the plan succeeded, they would not only control the entire Espoir, but also obtain the Kengan Membership and secure victory in the "Kakerou Gamble." Killing three birds with one stone.
However, the men in black hired by Hyodo Kazutaka successfully intercepted the mercenaries, foiling the plan to control the Espoir.
Mekama Kirō challenged Kei to a Kengan Challenge Match and lost, so the plan to seize the Kengan Membership also failed.
Therefore, the only path left for Sadakuni was to win the Kakerou Gamble!
...
Kaji caught his breath, leaning against Kei for support.
"To tell you the truth, besides me and Maruko, Baku-san also infiltrated this ship and found an ally."
"When the 'Collection Phase' started, I told Baku-san about the gamble, and they started collecting cards on the lower deck."
"While you were bursting into the lower hall, Shiraki-san, Baku-san and the others slipped away with the cards, planning to meet up with me so I could bring a huge number of cards to the upper deck and secure the advantage."
"Although Akagi-san said he doesn't care about 'advantage,' ultimately, cards are needed for the gamble. Just like mahjong tiles, even the best player needs them."
"But just when everything was going smoothly, he appeared—"
Kaji swallowed hard, hiding behind Kei as he peeked at the man not far away.
"That 'afro guy with the burn scar'—his name is Kyara."
"According to Baku-san, Kyara was Kakerou's former 'Referee Number 0,' and maybe the strongest referee of them all!"
"He used to be partners with Baku-san, but later left Kakerou."
Recalling what just happened, cold sweat trickled down Kaji's forehead.
"Now, Kyara is a bodyguard for the arms smuggler, and the smuggler is helping Sadakuni seize the Restricted Rock Paper Scissors cards."
"Maruko tried to protect me and Baku-san, but he got kicked flying by him!"
"That guy is a total monster..."
Kaji had already witnessed Maruko's strength in the abandoned building.
That was why, seeing Kyara easily suppress Maruko, Kaji was even more terrified!
While Kaji explained the situation to Kei...
On the other side, Kyara was also observing Kei.
Years of combat had sharpened Kyara's senses to detecting killing intent. He could even sense a sniper from a distance. But he felt absolutely nothing from Kei.
That was strange.
The guy's strength seemed passable, and he had just beaten a Kakerou referee half to death—the blood on the floor wasn't even dry yet.
How could a guy who did that have no killing intent?
...No.
Kyara suddenly realized.
Unlike an athlete who refused to kill, Kei wasn't resisting killing intent.
And unlike the "sniper" on the observation deck, Kei wasn't simply trying to kill.
What he radiated was a "fighting spirit" born of his nature.
That feeling also influenced those around him, like the "Abandoned Building Killer" Rodem—who should now be called Maruko.
...
"Maruko wants Uncle Akagi to win!"
Maruko glared at Kyara, gritting his teeth.
"Big Brother Baku said the bad guys are going to attack the city with missiles! But Maruko has lots and lots of friends here, so I don't want the bad guys to launch the missiles!"
"Brother Kei, Arisa-neesan, Big Brother Baku, Uncle Akagi—and so many others we had barbecue with!"
Maruko's breathing steadied.
Even though he could sense from Kyara that "he might not win," Maruko's eyes remained determined.
He wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Maruko isn't afraid of Rodem anymore, because Maruko—I can feel my own existence clearly now!"
"Brother Kei, please leave this fight to me!"
"..."
Hearing these naive, childish, even cringe-worthy words, Kyara couldn't help but laugh.
Baku really found an interesting guy!
Kyara looked at Kei again. Kei was shrugging helplessly at him, clearly intending to respect Maruko's choice.
Hmm, kinda annoying?
Kyara's eyes shifted, noticing Maruko was already moving, step by step, closing in.
"I'm definitely going to deliver the cards to the upper deck! If you try to stop me..."
"I'll kick you!"
Maruko leaped into the air, launching a high kick.
Swish!
But Kyara had anticipated Maruko's move. He sidestepped, simultaneously blocking Maruko's ankle with his palm.
As Maruko landed, Kyara was already behind him.
A strong sense of danger surged in Maruko. He tried to turn and punch, but Kyara moved first.
Thwack!
A precise low kick hit the back of Maruko's knee, forcing his legs to buckle and throwing him off balance.
"Shh!"
Kyara looked relaxed, as if he had predicted everything, toying with Maruko in the palm of his hand.
Just before Maruko hit the ground, Kyara aimed a stomp at Maruko's head.
Swish!
Maruko threw himself backward, rolling away several times.
When he stood up again, a patch of skin on his cheek had been scraped off by the shoe, blood beading on the raw flesh.
If Kyara's stomp had connected, Maruko's neck would likely have been snapped!
...
Maruko and Kyara—the lightning-fast exchange between the two made the conclusion obvious at a glance.
They were on a completely different level from "Mekama Kirō"!
Either of them could have toyed with Mekama as easily as Kei just did!
"Heh. Just a house cat, but pretty tenacious..."
Kyara lifted his chin, glancing sideways at Kei.
Kei was supporting Kaji, clapping and cheering for Maruko, his voice gratingly loud in the hall.
...
Seeing this, Kyara frowned.
Leaving aside whatever Baku was planning, this Maruko guy was somewhat fun, but that Shiraki Kei was an eyesore no matter how he looked at it.
Don't like the look of him? No, not that...
Kyara gradually realized it was his natural instinct identifying Kei as a "combat target," refusing to shift focus.
"Heh, interesting!"
Kyara stared at Kei. "After I'm done bullying this kitten, I'll play with you properly!"
But Kei just scratched his cheek. "No need. I advise you to focus. Because if you underestimate Maruko too much, you might get bullied by him instead."
Kyara was confused.
Kei grinned. "After all, Maruko is a member of 'our place.' He's been training hard."
Kyara was even more baffled. "Where?"
Kei put his hand on Kaji's shoulder, beaming. "Brother Kyara, have you heard of 'Soul Combat Dojo'?"
Kyara: "..."
Kyara: "?"