underground fights.

Eutoro grabbed Kei in a clinch, performing a massive throw that sent Kei tumbling from one side to another. Kei couldn't keep up with the movement and rolled across the floor. He spun, trying to reposition himself, but was met with a tackle that slammed him into the wall. Kei hardened his body with the Adamantine Kata, absorbing the impact, and used his hands to push down, followed by the Redirection Kata, allowing him to use the opponent's force to escape with a backflip. Pushing off the wall, he aimed a boxing punch at the back of Eutoro's neck, which Eutoro evaded with sharp reflexes, simply shrugging his shoulders to block with his shoulder blades.

-You're starting to understand the principles of wrestling.- Eutoro commented, flexing his muscles. -But you lack the stamina for constant fights and the back-and-forth blows. You'll only achieve that with intense training. However, your style leans more towards jiu-jitsu; you enjoy grappling and locks. I think Sambo or Greco-Roman wrestling would benefit you more. Learning more about pro wrestling would be a waste of time.-

-But I still have a lot to learn. I haven't fully grasped the science of pro wrestling yet.- Kei replied, eager to master the style and make it his own.

-You're ambitious, very ambitious.- Eutoro said, noticing Kei's dissatisfied expression. Shaking his head, Eutoro led Kei to double their wrestling time. They had been wrestling for eight hours when the other Niko arrived, his eyes gleaming. He glanced around at the grime and frowned.

Niko wore a sleeveless shirt and athletic hoodie, yawning as his messy yellow hair bounced. His bronzed skin and animalistic aura marked him as a dangerous individual. Sensing this danger, Eutoro lowered his head and slipped out the back door, leaving space for the two of them. With the door closed, Niko sighed.

-Kid, we're leaving. There's a meeting, and it looks like they're about to declare war on Ryozampaku,- the other Niko said. -We'll have a gathering, and you'll meet Yomi, the division of disciples. Many of them possess incredible skills. It could be beneficial for you to learn from fighting those guys.-

-That sounds like something I can agree to,- Kei responded.

-You're still as weak as when I left you. The Connector considers you a Tiger Vessel. You'd better step up your game and double your power, or those around you will devour you. Or, you can steal techniques from the Yomi members. The Formless Style is perfect for that kind of theft,- the other Niko remarked.

Kei nodded, waiting for Niko to stop talking. He had learned to enhance the Rakasha Palm with the Indestructible technique at the last second, applying double the pressure. Now he could completely disable a fighter. Even if they hardened their fingers, Kei could execute a drill-like strike, and with his fists, he only needed to bend his elbows and deliver pressure punches that crushed his opponents' defenses. Improving his Koe Style was his top priority. It was a shame that many of the following techniques had been lost over time. The style supposedly had 10 techniques, all designed to kill, though none were as deadly as the Palm he had developed.

There was still a lot of time before his styles fully harmonized, but he already had many ideas on how to use them.

-We'll do what's necessary. My elimination time is down to five minutes, and now I can control it. It's better to focus it on certain parts of the body than to spread it out. Releasing the chains only makes sense when it gives you an advantage. It's like possession; it's best to use it in quick flashes,- Kei said, having learned that trick from Ohma. The key was using it in a split second before the opponent had time to react. That wouldn't trigger a reaction from Niko.

-I wonder why the body imposes those chains. Is it natural for us to have them, or is it unnatural? What would happen if I broke those chains, and my power stayed permanently in the elimination state? That thought gives me chills, and I believe the key lies in Ki,- Kei pondered aloud.

-Those are good hypotheses, but they come from something far deeper. You'll understand one day. Nevertheless, if you can overcome what they call the curse of the lineage, it will be easy for you to surpass that limit, which is so deeply rooted in our humanity,- the other Niko commented indifferently, not caring much about the struggles beneath the surface. Kei was no longer a mortal, and he was the best key to kill Niko. After that, he would take care of finishing him off. It was inevitable; everything was leading to that moment.

-It doesn't matter,- Kei muttered, aware of the grave mistakes ahead.

The two of them walked briskly through a tunnel, eyeing everything inside with suspicion. Kei was starting to learn how to move carefully. The other Niko was always on high alert, no matter the root of the issue, unconcerned with how he carried out his work. He was a puppet of inefficient activities, yet necessary to continue understanding the essence within.

They arrived in an underground city, filled with houses and unfamiliar elements, completely foreign to Kei. It seemed safe, but shadows watched with glaring eyes. It felt like each step was taken with the sensation of a blade resting on his neck. They didn't say a word as they crossed the city, climbing a circular staircase quickly without stopping. They eventually reached what looked like a truck, crowded with dangerous-looking individuals.

Some were covered in cloaks or bandages, while others were marked by scars. Kei focused his gaze elsewhere, standing next to the contemptible Niko, who seemed to care for no one and nothing.

The entry price was bullets—ammunition cartridges. Niko paid five bullets for the ride, and Kei grasped a few relevant details about the differences in currency, payments, and so on.

-Hurry up. We need to get out of here before nightfall,- the other Niko urged, taking off at a sprint with Kei. Despite the weight on his body, Kei didn't lag Both moved at high speed until they had to stop, encountering a green fog in the air that forced them to take a two-hour detour.

-We're almost there. The thing is, we need to deal with a little problem first. There's a Korean gang around here that's earned some enemies. The Redeeming Power nearby is planning to wipe them out. We'll join in on the action a bit,- the other Niko said.

As foreigners, they had offended many people. Now, it was time to teach those punks how to endure. It was Gunhe's gang, a group of mafiosos who had been exiled from their country and taken refuge in this godforsaken place.

-I'm afraid you might die,- the other Niko remarked with a wicked grin.

They arrived at a headquarters stocked with enough weapons to arm a nation. Niko handed Kei two long knives, a pistol, a mesh suit, a bulletproof vest, special boots with metal tips, a medical emergency kit, and a small gas mask.

Ivory Coast would be a walk in the park. Kei saw bazookas, guided missiles, war tanks, mustard bombs—every kind of weapon that could rob someone of their sleep.

What had these people done to push things to the limit?

They broke their word.

...