The warehouse was silent now. The dust of the fight had settled, blood still wet on Arthur's knuckles. Outside, the wind carried the scent of smoke—like the universe knew something was about to burn.
He didn't walk away. He limped, clutching his ribs, every breath stabbing like needles. But pain didn't matter. Pain was familiar. Pain was home.
"Where will you go now?" Darius asked, wiping the blood from his mouth, still leaning against a shattered table.
Arthur didn't look back. "To finish what they started."
The Next Target: Jinzo.
A name Arthur had buried long ago. Jinzo wasn't just another fighter—he was one of the original betrayers. A cruel tactician who once trained beside Arthur under Master Ryu… until he sold his loyalty for money and power.
Arthur made his way to the docks. The underground fight scene there was buzzing again, and rumors whispered Jinzo's name in low voices. "He's back. Stronger. Colder."
Arthur didn't care. Let the devil come.
The Docks – Midnight
Steel crates towered like tombstones. Men circled a makeshift ring. Shouts echoed off rusted metal as fists flew and bones cracked. The crowd roared—hungry, wild, bloodthirsty.
Arthur pushed through them. No showmanship. No warm-up.
Just: "Where's Jinzo?"
Silence.
A man in a snakeskin coat stepped forward. "You got death in your eyes, stranger. You sure you're ready for this?"
Arthur removed his jacket, revealing his scarred torso. "Death's already seen me."
Enter Jinzo.
From the shadows, he emerged. Taller than Arthur remembered. Sharper. His arms were inked with new symbols—each one marking a fighter he'd ended.
"You're late," Jinzo said with a smirk. "I was hoping you'd die before facing me. Guess fate isn't that kind."
Arthur cracked his neck. "Fate just gave me your name."
Fight Bell Rings.
Jinzo came in like a whip—fast, precise, brutal. But Arthur wasn't the same man he used to be. Every move was sharper, every block smarter. Jinzo threw a flying knee—Arthur sidestepped and slammed an elbow into his spine.
The crowd screamed.
Jinzo snarled. "You've learned."
Arthur nodded. "I've changed."
Flashback – The Temple Ruins
Arthur stands before the broken statue of Master Ryu.
"I failed you."
A voice in his head: "No. You were never meant to follow the old path. You were born to break it."
Back to the fight.
Arthur let Jinzo charge. Then—new technique:A spiral pivot, leg sweep, double-palm strike to the chest—The Phoenix Collapse—a move Arthur swore he'd never use after his father's death.
Jinzo flew back, crashing into crates.
The crowd fell silent.
Arthur stood over him. "This ends now. No more traitors. No more ghosts."
Jinzo coughed blood. "You still think this ends with me?"
Arthur's fists clenched.
"Your real enemy… he's waiting. And he's been watching you since the beginning."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Name."
But Jinzo just laughed… and passed out.
Aftermath
Arthur walked out of the ring victorious, but shaken. If Jinzo wasn't the end—then who was? And what did he mean by "watching"?
His phone buzzed. Unknown number. One message.
"You're not ready for what's coming, Arthur. But I am. – K."
Arthur's jaw tightened.
The shadows just got deeper.
End of Chapter 4 – "Ashes of the Old Way"