“Damn you!” Ikutoshi dodged a series of quick attacks from the tiger beast. I tried to slow him down with an attack with my Sword but he didn’t show any reaction from my attack. No matter how much damage is dealt to Macan, he recovers with a shine from his loincloth. The blood dries upon his wounds, his skin heals, and even his fur regenerates as if nothing ever happened. Wounds that would normally take days, or even months, to heal are regenerated instantly. It’s clearly unnatural.

 

 The ability is not quite magical, but more like an acceleration of the natural healing capabilities of any living organism. It almost appears as though he devours some invisible substance that reconstructs into new flesh and bones. 

 

 “Go on! Struggle more! Those who put up a good fight taste the best!” I could feel myself getting stressed out as all the damage I dealt to the tiger beast disappear like nothing ever happened to him. He didn’t look like he was getting tired at all but I could feel myself running out of breath.

 

 “Are you immortal?!” I dodge an attack from him but still manage to get hit in my stomach roughly. I end up stumbling back into Ikutoshi, who grabs my shoulders to make sure I didn’t fall onto the ground.

 

 “That’s the No. 1 for you. That’s his Rule. I don’t know the details, but it’s got something to do with eating-- Watch out!” Ikutoshi pushed me out of the way after No. 1 came rushing towards us again. He got knocked into the lockers and I tried to help him out but swinging my Sword towards No. 1 so that he would be forced to back up from Ikutoshi.

 

 “There’s no end to this! His reaction is as fast as a wild animal! He’s getting more dangerous by the second, and he has that super healing on top of it! It’s cheating! If only we could do something about that speed…!” I was next to Ikutoshi as we grew tense at the fast-approaching tiger beast. I was going to get in front of Ikutoshi to take the full force of the attack but froze when I heard a pair of footsteps coming towards us.

 

 “Burning Bright!” In the next instant, a ball of fire blows the tiger beast back. The tiger beast let out a pained grunt as he took the full force of the attack. I look in the direction from where the fire came from and I could feel my nose getting itchy as I saw Nomad with an interesting look.

 

 “A naked tiger?!” Nomad was only in underwear as smoke appeared off of his body. I didn’t know where to look without worrying about getting a nosebleed. My eyes were slowly moving from Nomad's head to Nomad….

 

 “Shut up! Don’t look at me! My clothes burned off!” Nomad tried to cover his body from my wandering eyes and I could taste iron in my mouth. I quickly raise my hand to my mouth to feel something wet on my lips. When I touch the wet area and look at it on my hand I realize that I have a nosebleed currently. ‘Damn it, Masato! This isn’t the time for this!’

 

 “You seem to be having trouble, Ikutoshi. Not that it’s surprising against such an opponent.” Nomad seemed to gain his cool back as he looked at Ikutoshi, making sure his body wasn’t in my line of sight. Feeling like I shouldn’t be so rude I just stop looking at his body and focus on his head.

 

 “Haven’t seen you in a while. Oh? You’re not going to ask why a kid like me is here, for once?” Ikutoshi gave Nomad an indifferent look causing him to slump a little at Ikutoshi's attitude towards him.

 

 “You're a rotten one, aren’t you?” Nomad rubs behind his head, letting out a tired sigh. The indifferent look on Ikutoshi's face turned into a softer one as he stared at the tired-looking Nomad. 

 

 “And you’re a cheeky one as always...But thanks.” I felt like I was experiencing a sweet moment between old friends, forgetting about what was currently happening for a second. But I remember instantly after I hear a roar in our direction.

 

 “Ohh! Nomad! I’m glad you’re here! Let us feast on one another, brother! The flesh of a vengeful tiger must taste wonderful!” The tiger beast was breathing heavily as he stared intensely at Nomad with an excited look in his unfocused eyes.

 

“Shut up, stripe-face! Deep down, I’m human! Hey, Masato! Smash this bag on that idiot tiger’s snout!” Nomad throws a bag at me and I stumble to catch it in my hand. I was looking at it with interest, wondering what was in it that could help with the tiger beast.

 

 “What’s inside it? Sedatives or something? You sure that’ll work on him?” Ikutoshi was looking at the bag in my hand with interest too. Nomad looked away from us with an uneasy expression on my face and I couldn’t help but wonder if what was in the bag was something intense.

 

 “Tried and tested! Nomad’s guarantee, so hurry and do it!” Nomad just waved off our questions and urged us to hurry up with doing what he requested of me. I decided to leave it alone for now, I could figure it out after this is done and dealt with.

 

 “You don't sound so tough when you’re naked…but I guess we have no choice but to try it!” Ikutoshi decided to down it as well and get into a position to attack No. 1 once he got in the range of his attack. 

 

 “Masato! Make sure you keep that stuff away from me! Ikutoshi, hold that idiot tiger’s left hand down! I’ll restrain the right!” Nomad wasn’t that close to me as he gave us orders, looking at the bag in my hand with cautious eyes.

 

 “If you’ve got a plan, I’ll follow it, as long as I’m sure it’s the best option.” Ikutoshi nodded his head towards Nomad as he went to the left side of No. 1 as Nomad went to the right side of him.

 

 “You just never quit jabbering, kid. Let’s do this!” Nomad got covered with fire as he went quickly toward the raging No. 1. Ikutoshi followed his lead as his Sacred Artifact started to glow again.

 

 “Step it up, Dwarven Changeling!” The two men suddenly go into overdrive. A kick connects with No. 1 left arm like a bullet. His right arm is hit by a heavy elbow strike with accelerated momentum behind it. No. 1 let out a pained grunt and his healing abilities kick in as always, even as he takes simultaneous damage to both arms. However, this momentary opening is enough for me.

 

 I quickly moved towards No. 1 and slammed the bag onto his snout. As soon as I did this No. 1 quickly stopped moving and fell to the floor instantly. It was silent as we looked at the now knocked out No. 1. 

   

 “I’m so tired… I’m never doing this again, you hear?” Ikutoshi's adult form disappeared and I was suddenly looking at his original form, with his clothes still torn up and loose on his body. I felt relieved that I didn't have to look at his adult form anymore. I was worried I was going to say something bad to him.

 

 “Oh, brother… My favorite outfit is ruined again… I’m going to charge this to the boss. Damn…” Nomad looked at the burned remains of his former clothes with a frown on his face. I was trying hard not to just stare without care at Nomad rather good looking body. ‘Restrain yourself Masato. Restrain…’

 

 “Screw that guy. He’s sleeping like a baby.” Nomad nudged No. 1 with his foot as he looked at him with an irritated look. I was surprised that No. 1 was sleeping so peacefully at the moment, still feeling leftover fear from him attacking me earlier. 

 

 “Whatever the case, you saved us. I guess I have to thank you, Nomad.” Ikutoshi had a meek expression as he said this, not looking directly at Nomad who was giving him a surprised look. 

 

 “It’s not like you to be so meek, Ikutoshi. Either way, you don’t need to thank me. I was just checking up on this dumb tiger. Boss’ orders.” As soon as he mentioned Claude, I felt my eyebrow twitch, realizing that Claude probably made this situation happen. 

 

 “You mean Claude? The Guild Master asked… Whatever. It sounds like trouble, so I’m going to leave it alone. More importantly, Nomad, what did you do just now?” Ikutoshi was looking at Nomad with curious eyes, causing Nomad to raise his eyebrow in confusion.

 

 “Do?” Nomad didn’t understand what Ikutoshi was asking him. “Was that leather pouch some kind of Sacred Artifact? How’d it knock out No. 1 so quickly?” Ikutoshi was asking about the bag again and Nomad looked away from Ikutoshi with an awkward expression on his face.

 

  “Sorry, but I can’t answer that. It’s top secret.” I could feel myself looking at Nomad with curious eyes as he avoided telling us what was in the bag that knocked out No. 1 so quickly and with no problem as well. ‘Is it something embarrassing or dangerous?’

 

 “Sounds about right. You never reveal what tricks you have up your sleeve.” Ikutoshi nods his head seriously to himself at what Nomad just said, probably thinking that Nomad was keeping it a secret for a good reason but from Nomad's expression, I am kind of doubting that.

 

 “Excuse me, sorry to interrupt but just who is this tiger guy?” I drew both Ikutoshi and Nomad's attention back to me as I motioned to the tiger Therian who was still sleeping on the ground. I still can’t believe that this person was just violently attacking me a few moments ago. 

 

 “Scarily enough, this insane freak is the Ikebukuro Guild’s No. 1 gladiator.” I know that….I want to know their name, not the fact he was No. 1. I can very much tell he is No. 1 with how hard he was to defeat! 

 

 “Feel free to blabber on and all, but…. Don’t you have something else to say first? Clothes aren’t free. It’s a real pain to get dressed again every time they rip apart, too.” Ikutoshi was awkwardly avoiding my eyes, as he tried to cover his body with his mostly torn clothing. To save him from embarrassment I made sure not to look at him too long. 

 

 “You said. I don’t get off on bursting out of my clothes, you know…” I didn’t know what to do for Nomad, he is practically naked. I mean he still got underwear on but I don’t know where to look at him without just staring for too long.

 

 “S-Sorry…” I didn’t have anything to say for myself so I just apologize to them both. I mean I could understand their problems, clothes are rather expensive to get and it gets annoying if you have to keep buying new clothes to replace your old ones. 

 

 “I honestly didn’t think you’d apologize. You’re a rare beast, you know that? Whatever. You and your rosy shades. I can’t even bother to get mad about it anymore. You owe me for this. I’ll get my payback one of these days.  You better remember...Hm? What are you staring at?” I couldn’t help but stare at Ikutoshi hard, as I kept remembering his adult form. It is so different from his original form. 

 

 “You rocked that bod, man! I was impressed by it!” I couldn’t help but give him a thumbs up in approval of his adult form. I wonder if he would look like that for real once he was an adult or is it his ideal body? Well, you can never understand the mind of a middle schooler.

 

 “Do you even understand the situation? You better do something about that personality of yours, or you’ll get hurt someday!” I held my hands up in front of me with a smile as Ikutoshi glared at me with red cheeks. “Why am I getting so worked up? Whatever. Bye.” Ikutoshi turned away from me and started to leave the locker room.

 

 “He can be so annoying. Kids should act their age...Uh-oh. He’s gone, right? He couldn’t have heard that, could he? He gets really mad when you treat him like a kid. He starts nagging and nagging… and nagging….” I let out a nervous laugh at the intense stare I felt coming from behind me and Nomad continued to talk, as if he didn’t feel that intense stare coming from Ikutoshi.

 

 “I can hear you. You think kids are hard of hearing?” Ikutoshi appeared next to me and I tried not to flinch at his sudden appearance again. Nomad jumped at the sudden appearance of Ikutoshi again, who was currently glaring daggers at him. “Whoa! When did you….?!” Nomad was shocked and didn’t know what to say to calm down the irritated Ikutoshi.

 

 “I’ll have you know, Nomad, that I don’t count that time as a loss. I’ll challenge you to another sparring match someday, so say your prayers. Later.” Ikutoshi once again turned around and left the locker room for real this time. Nomad had an uneasy expression on his face for a while after Ikutoshi left the room.

 

 “He can be so scary… Is he really gone?” After waiting for a while to make sure Ikutoshi wasn’t still here, he finally relaxed himself. “I’m glad I made it in time. I wondered what was going on when the boss sent me down here. This locker room is reserved for the No. 1. Everyone knows not to go near it at certain times of the day. And now you know exactly why that is.” With a tired smile, Nomad uses his foot to poke the fellow tiger still sleeping on the floor. It still felt a bit awkward just talking to him with nothing on but his underwear.

 

 “You were so cool back there! You came shooting in here like lightning! So cool!” Even though he was just in his underwear I couldn’t deny how cool he was when he came in here to help me out. He was like a badass! Even though he is just in his underwear right now.

 

 “Anyway, don’t sweat it. This is just another part of the job. I’ll do whatever is ordered.” Nomad waved off my compliments, giving off a cool feeling. “Beside…. Well… He asked me to take care of you. Horkeukamui. I ran into him before I got my orders from the boss. He said he was leaving this place. I tried to stop him, but you know how stubborn he can be” I felt myself freezing at what he said, getting a bad feeling.

 

 “Huh?! Could it be…” I felt rather guilty, thinking it is my fault he was leaving. I didn’t agree to be the hero he was looking for. He was rather upset. But he wouldn’t just leave because of that, right?

 

 “You’re not at all responsible for his choice. He said so. He was actually sorry that he caused trouble for you. He may act calm, but he’s a real worrywart. Rankers leaving isn’t out of the ordinary. He’ll be back if he ever feels like it.” I felt myself relaxing, knowing it wasn’t my fault he was leaving but I still felt bad that he felt sorry. I mean I wasn’t even upset with him. ‘I wonder if I will see him again? It will be so awkward...For me.’

 

 “Jeez. I have to wonder what they see in you. Him...and the boss. You just look like an ordinary kid to me. But I’ll compliment you for being able to hit that stripe-face in the nose, given the situation. Most people would be too afraid to even get close to him.” Nomad pats me on the shoulder, making my heart grow warm at his praise. I then look back at the bag near No. 1, wondering what was in it.

 

 “By the way, what’s inside the pouch? Is there….powder inside? It has a distinct odor…” I couldn’t help myself as I opened the bag, seeing powder and smelling something rather interesting. Nomad looked at me with a panicked expression.

 

 “H-Hey! Don’t open it!....Get it away from me!” Nomad tried to move away from the bag but some of the powder ended up going in his direction. “Heh...heh… Meow! Puuuurrrrrr.” All of a sudden Nomad got close to me and started to cuddle me, like a huge cat begging for attention.

 

 I was frozen as this continued for a while when all of a sudden Nomad stopped and backed away from me with a blank expression. It was quiet between us, as I tried to figure out what to say to him.

 

 As I opened my mouth to say something I let out a pained grunt as I was punched hard in my stomach. Nomad was glaring at me and I held my stomach, trying not to drop to my knees from the pain.

 

 “That hurt! You didn’t have to punch me!” I had tears in my eyes as I looked at the still glaring Nomad, who still had his hands in fists. I was worried he was going to punch me again so I put some distance between us.

 

 “You idiot. Don’t ever do that again, understand? And forget you ever saw that! Answer me!” Nomad was grabbing the front of my school uniform and my feet were off the ground. Nomad had an embarrassed expression on his face as he forced me to agree.

 

 “Oh man, the look on your face just now…” I let out another pained grunt as I was punched even harder in my stomach, bringing me to my knees. This was my fault so I can’t blame Nomad for acting like this at all.

 

 “What did I just say? Forget you saw anything! My business will go down the gutter! Ugh… I can’t believe you saw me like that!” Nomad was covering his red face, trying to calm himself down. I was trying to force away from the pain I was feeling in my stomach, as I struggled to get back up to my full height.

 

 “Now then...There’s a reason I showed up at such a good time.” Nomad's red face disappeared as he went back into business mode. As soon as he got serious again I remember the reason why I came to the locker room in the first place as well.

 

 “Oh, that’s right! Kengo! Sorry, but there’s something I need to do! I have to go ! Thanks!” I moved to run out of the locker room but Nomad stopped me from leaving by raising his hand, signaling he had something important to tell me. So I forced myself not to run out of the locker room to find Kengo.

 

 “Kengo? You mean Takabushi Kengo? Hold on. You’re looking for him? Hmm. This is too convenient. It’s starting to smell fishy… Well, whatever. It just so happens that I’m here because of the very guy you’re looking for.” I moved in close toward Nomad whose face grew red at our closeness but I was too interested in what he just told me.

 

 “No. 6, Takabushi Kengo, has been negotiating with the manager… So, basically with the boss. Depending on the result of the negotiation, you and stripe-face over there will come into the equation. You’re under orders to stay with the tiger in his room until further notice. Beats me why it needs to be you and that damn tiger. It’s all so… No, never mind.” Nomad rubs behind his head with an irritated look on his face, looking stressed at all the things he has to do.

 

 “Well, I’d better wake him up. I honestly don’t want to, but…” Nomad got close to the sleeping No. 1 and cups his hands near his mouth. “Hey, idiot! Wake your stripy-ass face-up!” The sleeping No. 1 sit up quickly, his eyes unfocused as he looked around the locker room with a confused expression. 

  

 “Hey, bro! How are you? You seem good… and tasty! You came to see me? That means I can eat you, right? Can I? Can I?!” No. 1 quickly went close to Nomad's face and Nomad had to put his hand up to push away the grinning No. 1. No. 1 didn’t seem to care about getting shoved by Nomad at all, thinking it was them having fun.

 

 “Get out of my face! No, you can’t eat me! Go to hell!” Nomad's eyebrow is twitching as he continues to push away No. 1. No. 1 finally backed away from Nomad with a frown on his face as he stared at the irritated Nomad.

 

 “Aww, you’re such a spoilsport. Anyway, it’s not my fault! Hear me out, Nomad. Basically… Claude’s a jerk, you know?” No. 1 got an irritated look on his face as he mentioned Claude and I wondered if he did something to pissed him off.  I mean I wouldn’t be surprised if he did.

 

 “I don’t want to say this about my boss, but he’s always a jerk.” Nomad couldn’t help but agreed with what No. 1 was saying about Claude. I agreed with him as well, feeling annoyed with the fact everything that happened to me was a result of him doing something.

 

 “Well, that’s true. He is always a jerk. But he was an extra special jerk this time! He didn’t give me anyone worthwhile to battle today! Not one of them was strong enough to even consider eating!” No. 1 crossed his arms with a pissed off look. He kind of reminds me of a child throwing a fit due to not getting what they want.

 

 “Today’s battles… You mean private battles?” Nomad asked No. 1 that and nodded his head in understanding once No.1 nods his head with an upset frown still on his face.

 “On top of that, they all ran away. I couldn’t bother to chase after them. He should only bring people that are prepared to eat me or be eaten. Don’t you agree?!” No. 1 was looking at Nomad with intense eyes, waiting for him to agree with what he was currently saying.

 

 “Well, it’s not like he’s going to find many people prepared to die so easily” Nomad gave No. 1 an understanding response but at the same time telling him no one would be willing to die so easily after getting beaten by him.

 

 “If I made those weaklings my flesh and blood, it would be an insult to the others I’ve eaten. I hate this! It’s the pits! What a terrible time to be alive!” No. 1 was stomping his feet on the ground, making him seem even more like a child throwing a fit. This is throwing me off from his first appearance. ‘Is this a….gap moe?’

 

 “I’m sick of hearing you babble on and on. I’m different from you battle junkies! Anyway, I don’t care about that right now. Look around you. Try to remember what you did!” Nomad motion to the messy locker room, that was filled with broken benches and dented lockers. 

 

 “Huh? Oh… What a mess. Nomad, you should really be more careful… What’s wrong? Work stressing you out?” No. 1 was looking at Nomad with concerned eyes and I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh as he thought that Nomad caused all this mess in the locker room.

 

 “YOU. DID. THIS! Do you even understand that, you idiot? Every damn time…” Nomad was glaring at No. 1 hard and No. 1 finally got it, smiling wide at what he just figured out from Nomad.

 

 “Oh! Did I make a mess again? Gahahaha! Sorry! Don’t remember it at all!” No. 1 didn’t care about the mess he caused in the locker room. Seeing the damage in the locker room as something small.   

 

 “You irritate me so much! And I hate that people think we’re cut from the same cloth!” Nomad was rubbing at his forehead, trying to push back an oncoming headache due to dealing with No. 1. I froze once No. 1 gaze landed on me. I didn’t know if he was going to attack me again so I tried not to react in any bad way.

 

 “By the way, Nomad, who’s this? I’ve never smelled them before.” No. 1 was sniffing near my direction and I was hoping that he wouldn’t smell anything weird from me. I am pretty sweating at the moment but it isn’t that bad, at least I hope it isn’t.

 

 “This is the new Ranker, Masato.” Nomad introduced me with a tired voice and I awkwardly waved at No. 1, who was just staring at me in interest. I still don't know if it is a good or bad thing.

 

  “When you say eat, you don’t mean, like, literally, right?” I was rather curious if he ate the people he defeated. I mean if that is true then I can’t fight him at all with the risk of getting eaten by him unless it is differently… ‘Masato! Stop it with those thoughts!’

  

 

 “You need some more meat on your bones. To be honest, you wouldn’t fill me up.” I didn’t know to feel relieved or insulted that he wouldn’t eat me. I pat my body down and I didn't feel like I was boney or anything. I think I was a good weight to get eaten, not like I want that.

 

 “Not food, man! Not! Food! Stop thinking with your stomach all the time!” Nomad hit No. 1 on his head, who just laughed at getting hit by Nomad. “Bah. I shouldn’t let him wind me up. I am Nomad. Detective Nomad. Calm, cool, detective Nomad…”  Nomad turned away from No. 1 and said that to himself until he was sure he was calm. 

 

 “Look, just wait with this stripe-faced idiot, Masato. I know you’re worried, but once I’m done talking with the boss, I’ll come back for you. Stay cool… I mean, I know that seems tough, but... It’ll be fine. He doesn’t tend to get violent when that loincloth of his isn’t shining. And if something should happen, just smack his nose with that leather bag I gave you. He’ll calm down for a while. You can run for it then. Truth is, you could just throw it at him… but that could send catnip flying everywhere. I wanted to avoid taking friendly fire. Just thinking about purring alongside that idiotic tiger gives me the chills. As for other things to be cautious of… Uh… That’s too long of a list. Just don’t say anything stupid to him. If he takes interest, you’re the one that will have to deal with it. I said something I shouldn’t have when I first met him, and now he’s like a stalker…”  Nomad let out a long, tired, sigh as he looked at No. 1, who was currently looking at him with bright eyes.

 

 “Hey, don’t sigh, brother! Trust me! I can’t turn down a favor from my bro! Hey, you said your name was Masato? I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Macan Gadungan. Nice to meet ya. It’s not right to talk here amid this mess. I’ll let you into my room, so I expect some thanks! Gahaha!” Macan started to walk out of the locker room, not caring that Nomad was glaring at his back.

 

 “Whose fault do you think the damn mess? Well, this shouldn’t take long. Good luck.” Nomad nodded his head toward me, telling me it was okay to follow after Macan. I followed after the leaving Macan, occasionally looking at him as we walked to his room.

 

 “We’re here! This is the den of the great Macan!” Macan showed off his “room” but I am pretty sure this is just a jail cell. There is only a bed in this place. I don’t know if this is a room or just a holding place for him.

 

 “This… is your room?” I tried not to be rude as I looked at his “room” and Macan let out a laugh as he went further into the jail cell and sat on the bed. I was deciding whether or not I should go into the room, worried this was a trap designed for me.

 

 “Haha! This is the only room that won’t break when I get rowdy! It’s a bit gloomy in here, but it’s nice once you get used to it. As long as you’ve got a roof over your head, who cares?! It’s much better than living in the jungle!” As soon as I decided to finally enter his room, Macan started exercising. He uses a ledge near the ceiling to do pull-ups. I looked at him, well I was mostly staring at his rather nice looking muscles as he continued his pulls up.

 

 “Why are you bulking up so much? You’re the strongest one here, right?” I was sitting on his bed as I looked at Macan. His bed felt uncomfortable to sit on but I doubt he cares about that.

 

 “Huh? That’s a stupid question. I gotta be at my best… So I can be eaten by someone stronger than me.” Macan stops mid pull up to give me a “are you stupid” look, causing my face to heat up from getting that look from someone I was pretty sure was not that bright in anything but fighting.

 

 “Not to eat others…? But to be eaten?” I was confused that Macan wanted to be eaten by someone, I thought he only wanted to eat people. 

 

 “The weak are eaten by the strong. Even I will lose to someone stronger than me someday. I don’t want to be flabby when that happens. What would I say to all those I’ve eaten so far? I have to keep my flesh in tip-top condition. Otherwise, I won’t be worth eating. To eat and be eaten in top condition. That is all I have to offer those willing to eat and be eaten alongside me. That is everything to me.” Even though he said that with a weird gentle tone I couldn’t help but be kind of uneasy with it.

 

 “That’s too cruel…” I couldn’t help but say that to him. I know that was something he lived by but I couldn’t help but think it was a cruel way for someone to go out in. ‘Maybe I am too nice or something….’

 

 “You’re amazing… I mean, you’re alone in this room, face to face with me, and you can… Hm. You’re serious, eh? Cruel… Huh. This is good timing. Others have said the same thing to me before, but… I don’t get what that means. Could you explain it to me?” Macan finally stops doing his pull-ups and sits down across from me on the ground.

 

 “I’ve heard that people of this world are known to kill and eat things that can’t fight back. Cows, pigs, chickens, fish… There are too many creatures to count. My old world was the same. Your world isn’t particularly special in that way. But you know what? I think that’s even more cruel… and cowardly. To only eat others when you are prepared to be eaten yourself… Now how is that cruel?” Macan was looking at me curiously as he asked me this and I couldn’t figure out what to say to him.  

 

 “That’s…” Macan makes an awkward expression and scratches his head once he notices I was lost for words. I felt kind of bad that I didn't have an answer for him.

 

 “I know, I know. I must be crazy. I was born in the jungle all alone. As I found life, a being with the same soul as me died. Did the tiger become the human? Or was it the other way around. I don’t know, but that’s who I am. I was born this way. The idea of making weaklings who couldn’t even eat me into my own flesh and blood disgusted me. I have to eat the ones who are stronger, and more interesting, than anyone else. Eating and being eaten, becoming one in the end… That’s what it’s all about. But…. The others in that world ate things weaker than them. It seemed strange and wrong to me. It was too cruel. I couldn’t understand it. The fact that they thought nothing of it…. scared me. They would never challenge the strong. No one in that old world shared my point of view. I was all alone. They said I was crazy to take on anyone stronger than me. But there was one who was different. Only he saw me as his equal. And he told me this…. Those who betrayed him are stronger and more cunning than he. But still, he plans to give them a taste of retribution. It was due to their treachery that he ended up in that bestial body, so he will kill and eat them. Not as a human, but as a tiger. My fur stood on end. I had finally found someone like me. A tiger who fights those who are stronger than he… He was just like me. My brother; the one with whom I shared my divided soul. The one I speak of….is Nomad.” I feel like in some way I couldn’t understand his way of thinking but I shouldn’t see it at something cruel. It was a bit insensitive of me.  I can see that he is okay with being like this so I shouldn’t be that concerned with it.

 

 “By the way, your name is Masato, right? There’s something about you that I can’t quite put my finger on. I’ve been trying to figure out why for a while, but… Despite being alone in here with me, you’re not afraid at all, are you?” I realized with a shock that I wasn’t scared of being alone with him. I mean he did attack me before but I feel comfortable hanging out with him right now. 

 

 “You're a Summoner, are you not? That’s right. How…. interesting. Oh, it’s nothing. Just… hear me out some more, Summoner.” Macan got closer to me and looked at me with those rather intense eyes but I didn’t feel scared.

 

 “I was brought into this world by another Summoner. He told me to call him Master and tried to force me to submit to him. But I knew… He was afraid of me. No matter how much a front he put up, he was nothing but a joke. I’ve had to form pacts with other masters since then… But all of them were afraid of me, deep down. They were all twitching in fear. Pathetic…. You’re different. Sure, your body is much weaker than mine… But your soul puts up a good fight. You’re different from all the masters I’ve met so far. Isn’t that right? Hehe...Hehehehehe! I want to eat your soul. I wanna eat your flesh, your bones… All of you! If I were to eat or be eaten by the one bound to my very soul, that would be the most delicious thing ever! I’d love to eat or be eaten by a Summoner whose soul is tied to mine through a pact! Make a pact with me, Summoner. I’ll submit to you. I’ll hunt all of your enemies… Until the day you become my flesh…. or I become yours!” I was nearly lying flat on his bed as his body towers over me. I felt myself getting lost into his fierce aura and I was going to nod my head in a daze until another voice interrupted us.

 

 “We can’t have that, dear No. 1. You still have an important role to fill here.” Macan moved his body from mine and looked behind him with a scowl on his face. I sat back up on the bed and I saw Claude was standing outside of the jail cell with his usual smirk.

 

 “You’re finally here, you asshole? You said you were coming, but you took long enough.” Macan was glaring at Claude, who moved into the jail cell with us, Snow not that far behind him.

 

 “Hello, our beloved No. 1. And No. 9, thank you for waiting.” Claude nodded toward us, ignoring the fact Macan was currently glaring at him rather intensely.

 

 “You’ve got some nerve showing your face here, Claude!  What happened to your promise of bringing good meat when you visit me?! I think I’ll punch your lights out today! But not just yet… I know that grin. You’re planning to put me up against someone fun, right? You’re always like this. That’s why I can never leave this place.” The glare on his face turned into a happy look as he stared at Claude, waiting for him to tell what he has in store for him.

 

 “You know us well. You are correct, No. 1. The No. 6, Takabushi Kengo, has just requested to challenge you. As Guild Master, we have accepted the challenge… with a certain condition.” Claude smirk grew dark as his eyes connected with me. Macan looked interested at what he had to say.

 

 “That is, a duel between No. 6 and you, No. 9. A sudden death round. A game of winner-takes-all. Ranker status, fame, and, of course, fortune. All are up for grabs.” I felt myself wondering if this was just a lie. Claude hasn't given me any reason to trust anything he said.

 

 “Does that mean I’ll be challenged by Masato here?” Macan looked at me with bright eyes, and I shifted nervously at the flash of bloodlust I saw appeared in Macan eyes. 

 

 “Only if the No. 6 loses. The winner will be promoted to the rank of No. 2 just for the day. That’s how it goes here at the Colosseum. Of course, the absent No. 2 has agreed.” At Claude's words, Macan grew even more excited as he looked at me with bright eyes. I tried not to let out a tired sigh as I realized my current situation.

  

 “Of course, if No. 6 wins…. He will receive the right to challenge you.” Claude said that but I feel like there was something else that he wasn’t telling us.

 

 “I’m going to guess that’s not all. Right, Claude?” Macan picked up on that as well, smirking excitedly at Claude. I feel like I was in a room with two crazy people.

 

 “Of course not, Macan. We have another surprise in store for you. No. 1, the very best Ikebukuro has to offer, should look forward to being challenged by the ultimate warrior.” I felt something was off when Claude mentioned an ultimate warrior. I am pretty sure it wasn’t me or Kengo he was talking about. Was there a third, unknown, party?

 

 “Ultimate warrior? Judging by that huge grin, I know you’re not lying. All right! I’m in! But you know what, Claude? If you disappoint me… You know what’s going to happen, don’t you?” Macan's smirk on his face grew dark, as his eyes grew slightly unfocused as he stared down the calm Claude.

 

 “Naturally. Then it is decided, gladiators. We shall proceed with the match at the grand ring! Win! Take what is yours! Let the festival begin!  Today, we celebrate! Hahahahaha!” Claude left the jail cell, laughing happily. Macan starts to leave as well causing me to follow after him. We kept walking until we arrived back in the Unranked waiting area.

 

 “He sure likes to put on a show. Whatever. Things are getting interesting! You better win, Masato. Then, come to feast on me….I’ll be waiting.” I didn’t know what to feel as Macan looked at me with dark eyes. I should probably feel afraid but at the same time, I found it so attractive. ‘Wild and attractive. What a tiger…’

 

 “My opponent is finally No. 6… The time has come… It’s time to face Kengo. Okay, let us get our feelings across with fighting!” I was pumping myself up for the fight with Kengo when I heard footsteps coming near me. When I looked at who was coming towards me I saw the very person I was talking about. 

 

 “Hey. I didn’t think I’d be fighting you so soon…. I want to ask you something before we start. Why’re you here? What do you want? It can’t be about pretending to be friends. You’ve got some ulterior motive, don’t you? How many days has it been since you first met me and that bookworm? We haven’t even known each other that long. Who would put their life on the line for that?! You’re way shadier than the Guild Master, or the bastards that screwed me!  You’re the most suspicious person I’ve met in this whole place, Masato! Spill it! What are you after?!” I didn’t care that Kengo was glaring at me or I was seen as suspicious in his eyes either. I wasn’t going to change why I came here.

 

 “No matter what you say, I’m here for you, Kengo. Isn’t that enough?” I tried to get my genuine feelings across to Kengo with my eyes but he only clicked his tongue at me and looked away from my eyes. 

 

 “Heh. That was a stupid question. Whatever. Just forget it. We’ll let our fists do the talking! Let’s go! I’ll beat you down head-on!” Kengo walked away from me and headed toward the place where me and him would be fighting.

 

 I could only let out a sigh at how he was acting but when it comes to people like Kengo, only fighting can make them understand and listen to you.