Epilogue

As if to signal the end of the duel, the cheers enveloping the arena grew even louder.

"Gah!! ...Dammit!!!!"

The defeated Ding sat on the spot for a while. While catching his breath, he looked up at the opponent who had beaten him. What appeared on his face was neither regret nor anger.

Eventually, the corners of Ding's mouth slowly curled up.

"...Heh. Not bad at all!"

A laugh that seemed to echo from the bottom of his stomach. Ding clenched his fists and continued to laugh as if it were exhilarating.

"I can't believe I actually lost! Man, that was a great fight!"

Standing up, Ding brushed the dust off his body and grinned at the winner, showing his teeth.

"I like you, kid. It was worth coming here today!"

He said nothing more about the victory or defeat. No excuses, no demands for a rematch. He had simply crossed fists with an opponent he could enjoy from the bottom of his heart for the first time in a long while. For Ding, that was enough.

He turned on his heel and began walking toward the arena exit. The gazes and murmurs from the surroundings didn't matter to him now.

Just before the entrance, Ding looked back once.

"See ya! Let's play again if the mood strikes!"

Leaving those words behind, he vanished beyond the neon-lit corridor, his boisterous laughter echoing.

A mysterious man who suddenly appeared at the Blood Duel Club and challenged anyone and everyone.

That man left with a satisfied smile, despite suffering a defeat.

Just like a child who had finished the best game ever.

And in the arena, only the name of the new powerhouse who defeated Ding and the question of who that man really was remained.