The alley was suffocatingly silent, broken only by the flickering flames dancing around Reiji's fists. The golden glow of his Hellfire illuminated the cracked pavement, casting shadows against the towering buildings.
Opposite him, Stain stood motionless, his blood-streaked katana gripped loosely in his hand. His eyes, sharp and filled with fanatic conviction, locked onto Reiji with predatory focus.
The tension hung heavy in the air.
Then—
They moved.
Reiji vanished in a burst of Hellfire, closing the distance between them in an instant. His fist ignited, aiming straight for Stain's ribs.
But—
CLANG!
Stain's katana met his flames mid-swing, deflecting the attack in a flash of steel. Sparks scattered as the two locked in a vicious exchange—blade against flame, speed against brutality.
Stain moved with razor-sharp precision, dodging and countering Reiji's attacks by the slimmest margins. His reflexes were unnatural, honed by years of real combat against heroes.
But Reiji wasn't just fast.
He was relentless.
FWOOOM!
A surge of Hellfire exploded outward, forcing Stain to leap back.
Reiji didn't let up.
He teleported mid-air, reappearing above Stain in an instant.
"Gotcha."
His foot swung downward, coated in golden flames.
BOOM!
The impact shattered the pavement, but Stain had already **dodged—**rolling away just in time.
Reiji landed lightly, cracking his neck. "Not bad. You're quick."
Stain wiped a faint burn on his forearm. His eyes glowed with something unreadable.
"You're not like the others."
Reiji's smirk widened. "Obviously."
Stain exhaled slowly. "You fight with intent to kill."
Reiji didn't deny it.
Because it was true.
Unlike the others who hesitated—who fought with the mindset of 'stopping' their enemy— Reiji fought to end his opponent.
And Stain could tell.
That was why this fight was different.
Stain moved first this time.
A blur of motion—his katana cut through the air, slicing toward Reiji's throat.
Reiji ducked, dodging by mere inches.
But—
CLANG!
A second hidden dagger appeared in Stain's other hand, slashing toward Reiji's ribs.
Reiji twisted his body, but the blade grazed his side.
A thin streak of blood splattered onto the pavement.
For the first time in this fight, Reiji had been cut.
But instead of frowning—
He laughed.
Stain's eyes narrowed.
"Why are you laughing?"
Reiji touched the wound, feeling the warm blood between his fingers. His golden eyes burned.
"It's been a while since someone actually landed a hit on me."
Then—
The temperature skyrocketed.
Reiji's flames roared violently, the golden embers turning almost white-hot.
[Fine. Let's see how long you can keep up.]
Reiji exhaled. His control over his flames had improved.
But now, he was going to push even further.
He took a step forward—
Then vanished completely.
Stain's eyes widened.
[Where—?!]
Before he could react—
A blazing chain wrapped around his wrist.
[Blazing Chain.]
Reiji yanked hard, dragging Stain toward him.
The Hero Killer flipped mid-air, barely managing to break free before landing on the side of a building. His katana scraped against the brick, slowing his descent.
But the moment he landed—
Reiji was already in front of him.
A flaming fist crashed into his gut.
BOOM!
Stain's body was sent flying, smashing into a dumpster.
Reiji didn't stop.
FWOOOM!
Hellfire surged toward the wreckage, engulfing the area in golden flames.
But then—
A blade shot out from the fire.
Reiji tilted his head, narrowly dodging the thrown dagger.
Stain emerged, smoke trailing from his scorched cloak.
But his stance…
Was still steady.
Reiji's smirk faltered slightly.
[He's still standing?]
Stain wiped blood from his lip. His eyes glowed with something more dangerous than before.
Conviction.
"You are powerful," he admitted. "But you lack purpose."
Reiji frowned. "What?"
Stain's grip on his sword tightened.
"A true hero fights for something greater than themselves."
Reiji laughed dryly. "You think I care about being a hero?"
Stain's gaze sharpened.
"No."
"That's why you're dangerous."
Reiji's smirk returned. "Tch. You say that like it's a bad thing."
Stain didn't answer.
He simply raised his blade again.
And charged forward.
The fight escalated.
Reiji's flames burned hotter.
Stain's movements became deadlier.
The alley was filled with fire, steel, and raw killing intent.
Each clash of blade and flame sent shockwaves through the streets, the battle tearing through the district.
And then—
Todoroki arrived.
His eyes widened at the scene before him.
[Reiji is… enjoying this?]
This wasn't just a fight for survival.
This was a fight between two monsters who understood each other.
Todoroki stepped forward, activating his ice.
"That's enough."
Reiji and Stain both turned toward him.
And for a moment—
Neither of them moved.
Then, slowly, Reiji's flames began to fade.
His smirk lingered, but his eyes were unreadable.
Stain, meanwhile, exhaled deeply, his blade lowering slightly.
The fight was over.
For now.
Todoroki called in for backup, and soon Endeavor and the police arrived.
Stain was wounded, weakened.
But his glare remained unshaken.
"You're strong," he said, looking at Reiji. "But strength without conviction is meaningless."
Reiji said nothing.
He just watched as the Hero Killer was restrained.
Endeavor glanced at the wreckage around them, his gaze landing on Reiji's scorched fists.
He didn't say a word.
But Reiji knew.
[You're wondering about me too, huh?]
As Stain was taken away, Reiji turned back to the burning cityscape.
His golden eyes flickered in the firelight.
This fight had been…
Fun.
And that thought…
Was something even he wasn't sure how to feel about.
End of Chapter 24.
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