Page 4 of Emperor of Havoc

Inside, the air is thick with anticipation. We’re led down a flight of stairs into ahugebasement the size of professional basketball court. The only illumination comes from dim lights set into the floor at the base of the stone walls, making it feel like we’re in an old dungeon. What look like wrestling mats cover the concrete floors, and a raised stage lords it over the whole scene from the far wall.

The initiates form uneasy clusters, everyone’s nervous energy crackling like static.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

A hush falls over the room as the sound, coming from the shadows of the stage, echoes throughout the room.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

My blood runs cold as a figure emerges from the gloom—a huge, towering, menacing figure, shirtless, with swirlingirezumi-style tattoo ink covering his broad chest, bulging arms, and chiseled abs.

A man wearing a terrifyingonimask, the carved demon’s grin leering at us as he taps the baseball bat in his powerful grip on the floor.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Finally, the tapping stops and he comes to a halt at the front of the stage, facing us all.

“Welcome,” his voice rumbles, slicing through the silence like a blade. “Tonight, we separate the worthy from the weak.”

The crowd tenses, and I feel the weight of his gaze sweeping over us. My heartbeat thumps in my ears, but I remain still.

This is why I’m here: to take mental notes. To understand how our enemies are building strength withinourcity while this Cold War hangs over our heads.

The man in theonimask leers at us. He’s not commanding the room.

He’sowningit.

Without warning, he jumps off the stage into the crowd. The first row of initiates gasps and shuffles back, making room for him. Malevolence swirls around him like a black cloud as he moves. I’m shorter than most of the men around me so I lose sight of him as he begins to prowl through the initiates.

“When I say so, you’ll all square off with the man standing closest to you. Don’t make it a fucking ordeal. Just find someone. But choose wisely, because when I give the word, you’ll be fighting this person.”

My pulse skips.

Wait, what?

“And when I say fight, I mean you’ll fuckingfight, like your life depended on it. The fight will continue until one of you either taps out or blacks out. Is that clear?”

Everyone around me nods nervously. I grit my teeth, swallowing as I ball my hands into fists.

I’ve taken various hand-to-hand fighting classes my entire life. But still. Higashi didn’t mention this part.

Without warning, my phone vibrates against my hip. I pull it out discreetly and glance at the screen.

Kaiju

You’re not supposed to be here.

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