From Murim to Metropolis

After a pleasant dinner, everyone returned home, spending some time chatting about the orphanage children before retiring to their rooms for the night.

As Jin Wook entered his room, he glanced at his phone and suddenly remembered—he had received a message from Richer earlier at the restaurant.

Richer: Mr. Jin Wook, today is your first match at 11 PM. A car will be waiting for you outside your apartment building.

Jin Wook checked the time on his phone. 10:10 PM. I still have time.

Time passed quickly, and at 10:50 PM, without a moment of hesitation, Jin Wook stepped onto his balcony. With a swift, effortless motion, he leaped into the air, landing silently on the ground below. Not a single soul noticed his movement—his presence was like a ghost in the night.

The nearby watchman stirred in his drunken stupor, blinking in confusion. "Did I hear something? Maybe I'm just dreaming... must be the booze."

Jin Wook walked toward the sleek black car waiting for him at the curb. Richer stood beside it, checking his watch. As soon as he spotted Jin Wook, he quickly opened the door. Without a word, Jin Wook slipped inside, and the car rolled forward into the city's dark streets.

As they drove, Richer began explaining. "The place we're heading to is an underground arena where the most dangerous criminals fight. Many of them don't even care about the prize money—they fight simply for the thrill of violence. But not all participants are criminals; some are desperate men looking for cash."

Jin Wook remained silent for a moment before asking, "Who is my opponent tonight?"

Richer hesitated. "Well... he's a most-wanted criminal. A former mercenary. He'll be facing you in the ring."

Jin Wook's expression remained unreadable. "What are his crimes?"

Richer let out a slow breath. "He's a man who has killed more people than we can count. He doesn't even spare children."

Jin Wook remained calm, his face unreadable.

Richer shivered involuntarily. Why is it suddenly so cold in here...?

Jin Wook's voice cut through the silence. "Do people die in these fights?"

Richer swallowed hard. "As I said, most fighters are criminals. They fight for blood, not just money. So yes... people die. But don't worry, we'll do our best to keep you alive."

Jin Wook let out a short chuckle, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, how reassuring."

Richer felt the goosebumps rising on his arms again.

A short while later, the car came to a stop in front of a supermarket building.

Jin Wook narrowed his eyes. "So, you're telling me the arena is underground? And the government can't find it?"

Richer smirked. "You're sharp. The government isn't as clean as people think."

They entered the building, stepping into an elevator. Richer pressed a specific sequence of buttons, and after a few seconds, the lift began descending deeper than any regular basement. When the doors slid open, a deafening roar of cheers and shouts greeted them.

The underground arena was massive—hundreds of spectators were gathered, betting piles of money, shouting over each other. The air was thick with sweat, blood, and the scent of raw adrenaline.

Richer gestured toward a small preparation area. "Before you step into the ring, wear this mask."

Jin Wook took the mask, pulling it over his face.

Richer hesitated. "What name should I announce you as?"

Jin Wook didn't even turn his head. "Just say..."

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena. "Now, introducing a new challenger for tonight! His name is..." The announcer paused, glancing at the note Richer handed him. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face before he continued. "The Criminal Killer!"

Gasps filled the arena.

Spectators began murmuring.

"Hah! He's dead. Naming himself 'Criminal Killer' in a place full of criminals? He's got guts."

"Who is this guy? Why is he wearing a mask?"

"Doesn't matter. He won't last long."

The announcer's voice boomed again. "And now… his opponent! The undefeated champion of the underground arena—Riham!"

The moment Riham stepped into the ring, the entire crowd erupted in cheers. He was a massive man, his heavily scarred body a testament to the countless fights he had won. A sadistic grin spread across his face as he looked at Jin Wook.

"Boy," Riham sneered, "you've got guts calling yourself Criminal Killer. I'll make sure to remember that name before I break every bone in your body."

Laughter echoed from the crowd.

Jin Wook's voice cut through the noise. "How many people have you killed?"

Riham laughed. "Hah! Too many to count."

Jin Wook nodded. "I see… then I won't need to feel guilty."

The announcer raised his hand. "Let the match begin! 3... 2... 1... FIGHT!"

Riham lunged forward, his fist aimed straight for Jin Wook's head.

But before anyone could blink—

Jin Wook moved.

In an instant, he grabbed Riham's throat, lifting the massive fighter off the ground as if he weighed nothing. With a single, brutal motion, he slammed Riham to his knees. A sickening crack echoed through the arena.

The crowd fell silent.

"What... what just happened?!" someone shouted.

"Did he just bring Riham to his knees in one move?!"

Jin Wook's voice was eerily calm. "I'm sorry. I don't have the time to make your death more painful."

With his grip tightening, Jin Wook methodically shattered Riham's limbs one by one. First, his knees. Then his thighs. Then his arms. Each break sent waves of agony through Riham's body, his screams filling the arena. The crowd could feel his pain just from the sound alone.

Meanwhile…

Richer, watching the fight from a private room, felt his stomach twist in fear. His hands trembled as he held his phone, streaming the match live to his boss.

On the other end of the call, a woman watched in silence. Despite the terror in Richer's voice, she smiled.

"This time… I'm sure we've found the one we've been looking for."