"Next challenger—codename 'Brick Bro'!"
When the announcer's raspy voice called out this name, a small commotion rippled through the arena.
"Brick Bro? You mean that 'Back-Alley Brick Bro' everyone's been talking about?"
"Heard he specializes in robbing other criminals—real ruthless bastard!"
"Tch, just some gutter rat. And he thinks he can run wild in the Iron Cage?"
Amid the chatter, Cloud stepped into the octagonal cage wearing simple black athletic wear.
His opponent was a Russian giant standing over two meters tall, muscles like carved granite, nicknamed "The Bone Crusher."
"So, kid, I hear you can fight?" Bone Crusher flexed arms thicker than Cloud's thighs and grinned savagely.
"Hope your bones are harder than your mouth!"
Cloud said nothing. He simply rolled his wrists and nodded to the referee (a purely symbolic presence).
CLANG!
The gong sounded. The match began!
Bone Crusher roared like a caged bear and charged forward with thundering steps!
His boulder-sized fist came hurtling at Cloud's face with enough force to punch through a wall!
Facing this mountain-crushing blow, Cloud didn't dodge or retreat.
Just as the fist was about to connect, his body twisted at an impossible angle.
"Battle God Step: Blaze!"
His silhouette ghosted past the giant's punch, instantly slipping inside his guard!
Bone Crusher's heart seized. At this range, his massive frame had no time to react!
The next second, searing agony exploded in his abdomen!
"Battle God Fist: Tiger Gleam!"
Cloud's right fist, wrapped in a faint golden qi, slammed into the giant's stomach like a cannonball!
"URGH—!"
Bone Crusher's two-hundred-plus-pound frame actually left the ground from that single punch. His entire body curled up like a boiled shrimp.
Eyes bulging, he vomited a spray of blood mixed with stomach acid!
Without giving him a moment to breathe, Cloud followed up.
A whipping kick imbued with the swiftness of "Flying Swallow" arced like a battle axe into the giant's neck!
CRACK!
A crisp snap of breaking bone.
The massive body toppled like a demolished building, crashing to the ground in a cloud of dust.
Instant KO.
The entire arena fell deathly silent.
Everyone stared slack-jawed at the masked man in the ring, as if looking at a monster.
The former heavyweight champion, "Bone Crusher" Baxter, had just been... one-shotted?!
After a moment of stunned silence came an eruption like crashing waves!
"Holy shit! Who IS this guy?!"
"One hit! That was ONE HIT!"
Bills rained down on the ring like a blizzard.
In the VIP booth, Terry let out a sharp whistle, excitement written all over his face: "Nice one, kid! Beautiful!"
Even Ryo gave a rare nod of approval, a glint of respect in his eyes.
Mai and Yuri covered their mouths, eyes sparkling with amazement.
They knew Cloud was strong, but they hadn't expected this strong!
The following matches became Cloud's personal highlight reel.
Whether it was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu submission specialist, a maniac wielding chains, or elite enforcers sent by Geese's organization to test him—none lasted more than three rounds against Cloud.
His fighting style perfectly embodied "violent aesthetics."
Sometimes like a tiger descending from the mountain—fierce and domineering.
Sometimes like a swallow skimming water—graceful and elusive.
He always found the most direct, efficient, and visually spectacular way to destroy his opponents' bodies and wills.
Five-win streak!
Six-win streak!
...
Nine-win streak!
Cloud's consecutive victories snowballed unstoppably.
And the name "Brick Bro" became legendary in the underground circuit!
He became the hottest new star. Countless gamblers bet their fortunes on him and made bank.
But at the same time, he'd thoroughly enraged the "owners" of this place.
Geese's organization had taken massive losses because of Cloud's appearance.
Every fighter they sent came back beaten half to death.
This wasn't just about money anymore—this was a slap to the face!
Finally, as Cloud prepared for his tenth match, an unexpected figure appeared in the ring.
He wore blue work clothes, a red bandana around his head, and gripped his signature red staff.
It was Geese's right-hand man, the "Enforcer" of South Town's underworld—Billy Kane!
"Billy! It's Billy the KO King!"
"Oh my god! Lord Billy is fighting personally!"
"Brick Bro's dead meat now!"
The crowd went absolutely wild!
Billy's reputation in South Town's underground was known far and wide!
[Ding! Chain Mission Final Phase triggered: Challenge of the King!]
[Mission Objective: Defeat Billy Kane in front of everyone!]
[Mission Rewards: Source Points ×30,000, Skill "Staff Mastery (Passive)," Title: "King of the Iron Cage."]
Cloud looked at the murderous man before him and felt no fear—only excitement.
THIS was the opponent he'd been waiting for!