#027. When Flames Meet Flames (1)
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**Abandoned Factory on the Outskirts of Sector 49**
*Creak*
The massive iron door screeched open, sliding apart with a loud metallic groan.
Behind Ray, who stood at the entrance, came a sharp, taunting voice.
“How does it feel? So nervous you could die? It’s too late to regret now.”
The speaker’s tone dripped with the need to assert dominance, eager to cement their control over the situation.
“Get in.”
*Tock.*
But Ray stepped into the factory before the words could fully leave the boy’s mouth.
Ray paid no attention to the boys guiding him. They were insignificant.
“What the…?”
“Leave him be. Let’s see how long that crippled bastard can keep up his act.”
Ignoring the chatter, Ray focused on the sight unfolding inside the factory.
The structure had changed since the last time he visited. The bed and chairs that once stood at the center had been pushed aside, replaced by a circular arena surrounded by large metal drums.
The drums were big enough to fit a grown man, and around them, stacked crates served as makeshift seating. The rows were packed with boys, all watching Ray intently.
*Step. Step.*
Each step toward the arena drew eyes filled with curiosity and hostility.
‘At least a hundred of them,’ Ray estimated.
There were spectators from groups other than Kedrick’s gang, making it clear that no allies were present here.
But Ray wasn’t nervous.
The red gems in his pocket gave him confidence.
He thought back to his visit to the bookstore the previous morning.
*
*
*
“I’m sorry… Grandpa’s still asleep. His condition’s gotten worse. He usually wakes up by now…”
Veronica’s face was streaked with tears, clearly having cried before. When Ray gently patted her shoulder, her tangled emotions seemed to ease a little.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Ray, calming her with practiced ease, moved to his questions.
She might not know much, but she could at least provide some basic answers.
“Do you know what this is?”
“Hm… It’s a gemstone, right?”
Veronica took the red gem Ray handed her and examined it closely.
“This is a mana stone. It acts like a kind of battery.”
“A battery? Like a power cell?”
“Yeah, but instead of electricity, it stores mana.”
Her explanation confirmed Ray’s suspicions. While it wasn’t as effective as a true artifact, it could supply a refined amount of mana for use.
“These batteries don’t last forever, though. Over time, their capacity diminishes. Also, different stones hold different types of elemental mana. Oh, and…”
“The mana stored in these is higher quality than ambient mana, right?”
“Exactly. But it’s best not to rely on them too much. Refined or not, Grandpa says using it excessively can still lead to mana poisoning.”
That part didn’t concern Ray. He nodded casually and pressed on with his next question.
“Is it possible for a mana stone to become more powerful?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but Grandpa mentioned it could happen in special cases.”
Ray was thinking about Kedrick’s ring. He didn’t get a definitive answer, but uncovering the true nature of the red gems was valuable enough.
*
*
*
*Clink.*
The sound of the gems in his pocket brought Ray back to the present.
Four stones in total.
He’d already measured the amount and efficiency of the red mana in each gem. When using ambient red mana to enhance his physical abilities, he could typically last about ten minutes before his mental energy was drained.
But the mana from the gems was different. It allowed him to maintain enhancement magic for longer and at a higher intensity.
*Creak.*
*Clank!*
Behind him, the door shut with a heavy clang.
The factory darkened as light from outside was cut off, leaving only faint illumination from the shattered windows.
Ray walked toward the arena, ignoring the rising chatter from all directions.
“That’s him. The Hunter.”
“Arrogant bastard. From Sector 50 and still thinks he can take the boss’s place?”
Anger.
“Who do you think will win?”
“Obviously Kedrick. There’s no way that lunatic will lose.”
Excitement.
“Still, the Hunter’s no pushover. I’ve seen him fight before.”
“But he limps. The fight’s already decided. Taking care of your body is part of skill.”
“Whatever. We’re just here to watch that cocky bastard cry and get beaten to a pulp.”
A hint of pity.
The air was already hot, with most of the boys radiating red and yellow mana, resembling flames.
Ray glanced up.
On the highest stack of crates sat two boys who seemed to be the leaders of other gangs, likely Zephyr and Rotson.
Bringing his gaze back down, Ray addressed the boys nervously standing in front of the arena.
“Well? Aren’t you going to open it?”
“Huh? Oh, right.”
*Creak!*
The metal drums slid aside, revealing the entrance.
Inside, a familiar face awaited.
“You came alone? That wasn’t the deal. Are you ignoring my warnings?”
It was Kedrick.
Thick red mana threads extended from his ring, already entwined deeply with his heart.
*Creak.*
The drums shifted again, sealing the entrance behind Ray.
Ray surveyed the arena briefly before answering Kedrick’s question.
“Don’t worry. He’ll arrive on time.”
“There are five minutes left until the fight starts. If that coward doesn’t show up by then, I’ll tear you apart.”
Kedrick’s bloodshot eyes and shaking body reminded Ray of a rabid dog. His condition was much worse than before.
Perhaps it was the prolonged exposure to the mana from the ring.
“If Phillip doesn’t show, you can do whatever you want—tear me apart or grind me into dust.”
As they talked, Ray focused on severing the mana threads connecting Kedrick to the ring.
It didn’t work.
The threads were far thicker than before, swaying like taut ropes but refusing to snap.
‘I’ll have to remove the ring myself.’
A daunting task, but not impossible.
Kedrick had grown significantly stronger over the past week. But so had Ray.
The clock ticked down, tension crackling in the air.
“Three minutes left. Until your body is torn to shreds.”
“You don’t have to tell me. I know the duel starts on the hour.”
Ray half-heartedly responded while directing his gaze beyond the oil drums.
A boy carrying a large notebook and a bag of money was seen running busily around the audience seats.
Bets were in full swing just before the duel began.
“Thirty thousand shillings on Kedrick.”
“I’ll go with Kedrick too. As for the amount…”
Since the audience consisted of children from a powerful group, the stakes were on an entirely different scale than usual.
However, the bets overwhelmingly leaned toward Kedrick.
“Damn it. Everyone’s betting on Kedrick. Even if I win, I can’t make any money.”
“If the hunter hadn’t injured his leg, there might’ve been a chance to bet differently.”
The small amount of money bet on Ray was essentially a gesture of pity.
“Still, a bet is a bet. Whether it’s a hundred shillings or a thousand, even a tiny amount adds up.”
“Are we here to make money today? No, we’re here to watch that arrogant brat get utterly destroyed.”
That much was true.
The thrill of betting was undoubtedly a big part of the duel, but few came today with high expectations for their wagers.
The duel was expected to be overwhelmingly one-sided, after all.
More than that, the primary draw was to watch the outsider from beyond the sector break down into a sobbing mess.
Creak──
The factory door opened at that moment.
“Is there anyone else left to come?”
“Doesn’t look like it. The seats are already full.”
Everyone turned their attention to the entrance, murmuring among themselves.
A wave of surprise rippled through the audience.
“Isn’t that Philip?”
“How did that happen? Could the hotel kids really join this group?”
“No way. That’d be absurd.”
The figure at the entrance was Philip in a wheelchair, flanked by a few hotel kids acting as his attendants.
Kedrick spread his arms, addressing the crowd loudly.
“Quiet! Quiet! There’s no need for all this fuss! He’s a guest I invited! After the duel, I’ve got an entertaining show planned! Philip! Come on in! I’ve been waiting for you!”
With a beckoning motion, he signaled the hotel kids to enter.
Creak─ Creak─
Inside the factory,
in the suffocating stillness,
the poorly oiled wheels echoed as they rolled forward.
“Arrogant bastards…”
“Even with a contract, they should know their place.”
The murmurs from the audience made the hotel kids hunch their shoulders, faces stiffened.
Although Philip was the largest among them, he didn’t stand a chance in this crowd.
The dense black mana surrounding the venue only heightened their fear.
However, Philip was somewhat different, as the proportion of light yellow mana, symbolizing courage, outweighed the black within him.
After ensuring the hotel kids had taken their seats among the audience, Kedrick spoke again.
“Now, there’s one minute left. When the bell rings, we’ll start immediately──.”
At an entirely unexpected moment:
“I’ll place a bet too.”
An unforeseen statement.
Philip interrupted Kedrick’s words, exchanging a glance with Ray as murmurs flared up again.
Philip calmly continued with the lines and actions he had prepared.
“The duel hasn’t started yet.”
Creak─
The briefcase on Philip’s lap opened wide.
“2.24 million shillings. I’m betting it all on Ray.”
The air froze.
Silence enveloped the room.
The briefcase was packed with stacks of cash.
Who could easily speak after seeing that?
Not stopping there, Philip turned the briefcase over, spilling the money.
Thud! Thud-thud!
“As you can see, it’s all real. It’s everything I’ve saved during my life on the streets.”
Strictly speaking, it was combined with Ray’s funds, but that detail wasn’t important right now.
Thud!
The final stack dropped.
“I’ve placed my bet! No take-backs!”
“Damn it! How much is that? I’m betting on Kedrick! My entire fortune!”
“No, I’ll bet first! Let me go first!”
Chaos erupted in the audience.
Children yelled, scrambling over one another to hand their money to the betting manager first.
In the frenzy, boxes toppled, and people stumbled, but the madness didn’t stop.
Amid the uproar, Kedrick turned to Ray and asked incredulously,
“Did you plan this?”
“Halfway.”
“This is ridiculous. But fine by me. If you’re bringing money along with joining my crew, all the better. What are you waiting for? Ring the bell! Time’s up already! Dammit!”
The hesitant timekeeper hastily struck the stick.
*Clang!*
“Dieeeee──!!”
Kedrick closed the distance with a fierce rush, throwing a punch at Ray.
Whoosh──!
The target: his face.
Ray quickly sidestepped, pivoting his body away.
The fist passed just in front of his face.
‘His speed has increased dramatically.’
The assessment happened in an instant.
Ray moved his left hand to support Kedrick’s outstretched arm from below.
Smack!
At the same time, his right arm bent at the elbow, pulling back tautly.
If he struck down now, Kedrick’s arm would undoubtedly break.
‘I’ll have to accept causing some injury.’
Without that, taking the ring would be nearly impossible.
The gem in his pocket responded to his will.
The first red gem began supplying mana to his body.
*Wuuung──*
With his greatly enhanced strength, Ray gripped Kedrick’s arm firmly.
To ensure he couldn’t escape.
To break the bone in a single blow.
He brought his elbow down without hesitation.
*Swwiish──!*
Kedrick’s arm and Ray’s elbow were moments away from colliding when:
“Arghhhhhh──!”
Kedrick screamed, swinging his arm with tremendous force.
Ray released the grip and stepped back several paces.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
He immediately steadied his stance, never taking his eyes off his opponent.
‘The mana stream is even thicker now.’
The mana connection between Kedrick’s heart and the ring was now thicker and brighter than ever before, almost as if blood were pouring directly from his heart.
“You’re using your legs properly! So you were not injured in a fight? What nonsense! I knew you were faking it!”
Kedrick let out a deranged laugh, his body trembling with excitement.
“This is fun! So fun I might go insane! You’re strong enough to make me fight with everything I’ve got!”
A bright yellow mana began to seep into Kedrick’s aura.
Pure excitement and exhilaration.
That emotion, faint yet present, began to seep into Ray’s aura as well.
For the boy, fighting with magic—no matter his intentions or objectives—brought undeniable satisfaction.
Especially against an opponent who could make him fight at his full potential.
*Wuuung─*
Ray summoned the mana from the second gem.
The crowd moved frantically around the oil drums, fully aware the duel had begun.
*Fwoosh!*
Flames shot up from the open drums.
The arena was instantly surrounded by fire, and the factory air began to boil.
Scorchingly hot.
As hot as the thoughts and intentions of the two boys locked in combat.
