Chapter 336 - Third Step.
In the Coldland.
The Nightside Family's mansion was surrounded by men and women from hundreds of different News Stations.
Even the road of the neighborhood was packed, and it is impossible to move without walking.
The government had stopped them from entering the neighborhood while Abyss was there, but now that he is dead, they won't care.
Most of the residents of the New Neighborhood also already moved out because they lost their security, and they know that it will be very hectic for the time being.
The front yard of the Nightside Mansion was starting to get packed with snow after servants had stopped going there from Government's orders because they work for them and not for the Nightside family.
The lively and beautiful mansion looked now like a thing of the past, with only two individuals currently staying there.
Inside a certain room.
A beautiful black-haired girl was sitting on a bed with a blanket covering her body all the way to her neck. Her previous youthful and beautiful face had signs of paleness and fatigue.
Currently, she was using a phone, scrolling down with her thumb.
On the phone screen, chat history with a person called KingOfGames was seen. She kept reading every single text message they shared, and after each word, more pain was seen in her face.
Azura heard the commotion outside the mansion, and she only wished that they would leave them alone, but they won't.
She has waited for phone calls or texts from her beloved, but for a certain reason, after a few days of getting spammed by calls and texts, they stopped.
She thought that maybe her phone number got blocked by the phone company after getting flooded with calls and texts. Still, she hoped to get a message of any sort of Ichrio's whereabouts.
Life seems dull and dark currently. The previous room of hers, which looked like it was made for a princess, was now dirtied with clothes littering the ground.
When she thinks about leaving the bed, her mind instantly removes that thought, and it forces her to wait for any kind of message.
And so she did…
She waited.
…
In the City of Architecture.
In a certain locker room.
*Knock* *Knock*
Sound of knocking echoed in the locker room.
Patti stood up and patted the wrinkles in his jacket. Once he was done, he walked towards the door and opened it swiftly.
After the door was opened. A middle-aged man with short black hair and a black suit appeared. He had a fancy necktie and gold watch on his wrist, giving him a look of elegancy and wealth.
He almost grimaced at the sight of the poor-looking Patti but managed to conceal his expression after learning how to be a proper gentleman during his youth.
He is perfect at concealing his expressions and disdain towards others.
''Match soon starts.'' He said calmly and scanned around the locker room, feeling even more disgust after seeing their fighters, but frowned after seeing Ichiro because he knew that he wasn't with them before.
But he shrugged it off and thought he wouldn't be anything important.
Patti had to raise his head, to even look at the tall man in the eye, and felt very timid to be in his presence.
The middle-aged man frowned, ''Did you hear me?''
''Y-Yes,'' Patti replied and took a step back by instinct.
''Hmph.'' With a snort, the middle-aged man left.
Patti turned around and looked at the four young men. He felt very nervous, but he knew that they would be the victors!
Even though the middle-aged man tried to hide his disdain, Patti clearly saw it in his eyes.
The lingering disgust and disdain towards him and everyone else in the locker room.
He clenched his fist and wanted to win more than ever!
Hessu, Antti, and Antero stood up, which instantly made them feel much worse.
Ichiro slowly stood up. His previous outfit was changed to the same as others are wearing.
Full white-colored outfit and a symbol of a black-colored fist. They had one spare, but it could barely fit his body.
It was hugging his body tightly, clearly outlining the muscles and abs clearly, it wasn't any different from being completely shirtless, but it still covered everything needed.
Hessu, Antti, and Antero followed behind Patti as they left the locker room and entered the fully packed stadium, easily over thousand spectators.
Ichiro still hadn't left as he looked at his hand. It was trembling; it was the aftermath of his death.
In his last fight, he died, and his mind still hasn't recovered from it.
''Whew…'' He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, slowly, the trembling stopped.
Soon, his eyes opened, and he nodded powerfully, ''I shouldn't be afraid of death… It should be afraid of me.'' Remembering the fight between Grim Reaper, he lost miserably, but because of that experience.
He has another dream, or more precisely… Goal!
To defeat the Grim Reaper, who is also known as Death Incarnate!
This time, something unbelievable happened after finally becoming clear of his next goal.
*DING* *DING*
Suddenly, Ichiro heard the loudest dinging voice so far, and soon, his eyes widened in shock after a holographic screen appeared in front of him.
[Third Step Towards High Human Completed!]
[High Human Secret Quest 3/10]
[Third Destiny Revealed!]
[Third Destiny: Defeat the Death!]
[Reward: ???]
''Eh?'' He staggered backwards as something unbelievable happened in front of him.
He quickly rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was hallucinating, if his mind is playing some tricks.
After he again opened, he still saw the holographic screen, which slowly started fading away before disappearing completely.
''What was that…?'' Ichiro was about to ask from System what was happening.
But then, Patti appeared in the doorway and saw Ichiro standing with a dumbfounded look.
''Ichiro, is everything alright?'' He asked with worry after seeing Ichiro daydreaming.
Ichiro was brought out of his stupor, and then he remembered what he needed to do.
'Questions can be asked later…' He nodded and walked out of the locker room, it was the first time he was revealed to the spectators, and the shock they received was not small.
*CHEER!*
Explosive cheers appeared, mostly from a female population with few even passing out.
Ichiro slowly but steadily walked towards Arya's team stands and sat right in the center, which was reserved for Captain.