A Woman to My Liking
"Puhahaha!"
"Puh, puhf... That guy's a total beast, huh?"
"Wahaha! Kicking his opponent's balls right out the gate on his debut? Is there really a guy like that in the world?"
"Kukukuku, castrating him on the spot in the arena and turning him into a eunuch? What a fucking madman."
The audience erupted in uncontrollable laughter. The reaction was hotter than expected. It was rare for a rookie who'd just finished his first match to draw such a feverish response. That alone showed how thoroughly Jang Il had captured the crowd's eyes and hearts.
This went beyond flashy or brutal—it was the kind of insane finisher that marked him as a true lunatic. Even in the dirtiest of underground arenas, these were still martial artists at heart. Even underground fighters wouldn't start with a ball-kick. Why? Because martial artists despised anything shameful. They obsessed over forms and stances for a reason. Even brawling like street thugs felt disgraceful to them, let alone groin strikes? Their bodies instinctively recoiled in disgust.
Yet the Bear had done it. As his opening move and finisher. That's why the crowd sensed it: a real deranged rookie fighter had appeared, one who didn't give a damn about shame.
For the spectators, it was pure entertainment. They just had to enjoy the show, no matter how it went down.
Meanwhile, Jang Il was experiencing this kind of roaring acclaim in front of so many people for the first time in his life. The thrill and excitement surged through him.
Snap! He clenched his fist powerfully and thrust it high into the air.
"Yeah, you mad bastard! Keep it coming!"
"Show us more of that lunatic shit!"
Cheers poured down like rain.
...Am I actually cut out for this gig? The thought even crossed his mind.
"Bear, exit the ring."
"Got it, got it."
Jang Il strode back to the waiting room with unprecedented swagger.
—Waaaaaaaaah!
The cheers from outside filtered in, but Black Dream Butterfly ignored them. Someone must've put on a crowd-pleasing show. That was all.
Bang!
Someone flung the waiting room door open hard. One of the top-tier fighters.
"Hey, a total psycho showed up right from the first prelims. A real psycho."
"Psycho? What're you talking about?"
"Some guy in the arena's opener straight-up crushed his opponent's balls."
"B-Balls?!"
"Hah, what a fucking lunatic."
For these men, there was something worse than death: becoming a eunuch. Living out your days unable to satisfy your lust, unable to even function as a man, dying in pathetic misery. Especially for hot-blooded martial artists, what could be more horrifying?
They'd have shrugged off a clean kill as just another day. But shattering the balls? That changed everything.
"Anyway, mark my words. Whoever draws that guy better kill him outright. We can't let a rule-breaking psycho like that live."
The man who'd burst in spoke in a chilling tone, clearly that's why he'd come.
"No shit. If you're bold enough to pull that crap, you pay the price."
"Hah, leave him alive and he'll do more filthy shit. Obviously gotta execute the bastard."
These fighters weren't usually on good terms, but they united on this. No room for debate: that dangerous lunatic had to die.
Just like that, Jang Il found every fighter in the place gunning for his head.
Meanwhile.
Hmph, men are so damn predictable. Black Dream Butterfly sneered inwardly.
This was a filthy arena with no real rules. Hit wherever, however—you were free to do it. Head to toe, vital points included. In the end, the one who got hit was the fool. Just don't get tagged.
Especially the groin—only idiots left it exposed like that.
What a moron, handing over his crotch like that.
"So, who's the guy exactly?"
"Bear."
"Bear?"
"Yeah, Bear. Remember it well. If he crosses me, he's dead."
Bear. A fighter's name not worth remembering. Not for Black Dream Butterfly, anyway. She deemed him utterly unworthy.
"Black Dream Butterfly, prepare to enter."
She rose slowly.
"Heh heh heh, never seen a guy like that before. Crushing balls right from the opener."
The Ox Mask man muttered, still looking shocked.
"Y-Yeah."
Bang So-un's voice trembled slightly. He was flustered. What the hell was that? He'd have grinned if the guy had smashed the skull with a punch. But balls as the first strike? Even in an anonymous arena, he was a Golden Dragon Battlefield guard. That was beyond undignified...
As someone who prided himself on being normal, Bang So-un couldn't help his reaction.
But.
The crowd's loving it, though.
A sly smile crept across Bang So-un's lips. Seeing that, maybe Jang Il really had a knack for winning hearts.
"Oh, Black Dream Butterfly's up."
The Ox Mask man shifted in his seat. Bang So-un felt the audience's vibe shift too. They were openly hyped for her fight. Obvious she was a massive draw. He'd known from intel, but still.
Alright, let's see what this bitch is made of.
Bang So-un grinned. The info alone had hooked him somewhat. His gut said she wouldn't disappoint. But you had to see for yourself. His intrigued gaze fixed on the arena.
A massive roar echoed. She knew it wasn't for her, but Red Blood Ghost stayed utterly calm. Not a hint of tension.
Red Blood Ghost. Nicknamed for his ever-present red mask and spraying foes with blood. He was colder and crueler than anyone. A fighter from beyond the central plains, now stepping into the heartland at last.
"Black Dream Butterfly. Heard you've made a name for yourself here."
"......"
But she stayed silent. Her eyes behind the black butterfly mask stared blankly into space.
"Can't even answer? Guess your balls have shriveled up in fear."
A blatant taunt, hitting her most embarrassing spot. Red Blood Ghost's veteran psych-out. Get 'em emotional, and their body tenses up unwittingly. He knew it better than anyone.
But.
"No need to reply to some nobody."
Far from riled, Black Dream Butterfly sounded bored.
Hoh, this bitch? Red Blood Ghost hid his surprise. Mentioning sexual bits worked on nine out of ten women. Bitches gonna bitch. But she was the rare one-in-ten type. Tricky opponent.
"Why's he a nobody?"
"'Cause you're dying here."
She spat it indifferently.
"Hahahahaha!"
Red Blood Ghost burst into mad laughter. Arenas were fun. Frogs in a well who didn't know their place, every damn day. Central plains pits were no different. Crushing those frogs was peak entertainment. Especially if it was a bitch.
"Arrogant slut. But I won't kill you. I'll carve out your tits and balls, etch my name—Red Blood Ghost—as your lifelong terror."
A horrific vow. More frightening than death.
Yet Black Dream Butterfly didn't blink.
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
"Wonder how long that cocky mouth'll keep yapping."
Thud!Whoosh!
Red Blood Ghost's form flickered like a ghost—no, it was a ghost. Three identical figures now. His signature Ghostly Phantom Step.
Each one felt utterly real. Foes panicked, flailing in confusion. No way to spot the true body. Not a single exception so far. This would be no different.
Heh heh, already frozen in panic, you cocky bitch. Time to lop off one arm first...
Red Blood Ghost smirked inwardly—
"Pathetic as expected. Pulling such a lame trick."
Black Dream Butterfly finally moved.
Heh heh heh, come at me. You won't spot the real—
Slash!
"Gaaak?!"
Her sword found his real body, slicing his right leg like butter.
"Guh... H-How...?!"
"You think any retard falls for that shallow illusion?"
Slash!
Her blade sheared off his left leg next.
"Gaaaaah!"
Thud!
Legless, Red Blood Ghost crashed grotesquely to the floor. Victory should have been called. But the ref stood idle.
"S-Stop! Stop right now, ref! What the fuck are you doing?!"
Red Blood Ghost screamed desperately, but the ref was unmoved.
"Continue."
"Wh-What?! Is this a fucking insane place?! You bastard, stop it now! Stop goddamn it!"
"Ref says continue."
Black Dream Butterfly approached. Slowly, but surely.
"St-Stop! I lost! I admit defeat!"
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
"Wh-What?!"
Shick.Shwick.
Her sword danced.
Shred!
His pants tore to shreds. Down to the crotch. His terrified, shriveled cock exposed in an instant. Utter humiliation.
But shame was the last thing on his mind. He realized what she intended.
"W-Wait... Y-You don't mean...?! "
"I won't kill you. I'll carve out your two balls so every time you drop your pants to piss, Red Blood Ghost's name rises as your lifelong terror—courtesy of Black Dream Butterfly."
She flung his own horrific words right back.
"W-Waaaait! St-Stop! I was wrong! Forgive me! Please, mercy! Pleeeease!"
Red Blood Ghost begged pathetically. But her eyes remained ice-cold.
Shwick.Shick.Slash!Slash!
"Kiyaaaaaaaaaah!!"
A shrill scream like a woman's. The soul-rending agony thrilled the crowd.
"Hahaha, already two eunuchs down?"
"Black Dream Butterfly lives up to the hype. Can't let a newbie show her up."
"Self-inflicted. That loser provoked her."
"Puhah, he did it on purpose to survive?"
"Nah, die over legless eunuch? I'd pick death."
"Kuhahaha, choosing the latter makes you the real retard. And he is."
Black Dream Butterfly's first-round bout ended in her usual flashy style.
To my liking. A woman to my liking.
Bang So-un grinned wickedly. His instincts never failed him.
Her face was masked, but the curves straining against her tight black uniform were mouthwatering. Plump tits and a big, bouncy ass drew the eye inevitably. A fighter with a body like that? No wonder she was popular.
But that's not all.
Her style gripped you. Strong, yet ruthlessly cold. Unhesitating. It felt refreshingly straightforward to watch. Bang So-un approved.
Heh, feisty bitches are the best.
Breaking them hits different. He was already anticipating how Jang Il would shatter this tough one. The guy knew how to savor it right.
"Heh heh, Black Dream Butterfly's something else. Think she'll win again this time?"
The Ox Mask man chuckled.
Bang So-un shook his head.
"Bear."
"Bear again?"
"You know what they say?"
"What?"
"Bears are great at catching butterflies. With their paws like this."
Clap!
Bang So-un smirked slyly, slapping his palms together.
"Slam 'em down, and they can't move. Even black butterflies, right?"
"Heh heh, arenas are fun. Can't wait to see if that'll happen."
He said that, but the Ox Mask man clearly doubted it. No matter. The less they expected, the better.
Bang So-un waited leisurely for that entertaining moment.