Chapter 19 – The Monster’s Mark

The battlefield was silent.

Haruto stood at the center, surrounded by 100 unconscious bodies, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood.

His uniform was drenched, but not a single drop belonged to him. It was the blood of the students who had dared to challenge him.

The crowd watching from the windows couldn't move.

Himari's hands trembled as she stared down at him.

Haruto reached for his shirt, gripping the blood-soaked fabric—and pulled it off.

Gasps echoed across the schoolyard.

His body was a masterpiece of muscle and destruction.

A perfectly sculpted six-pack, broad shoulders, and lean yet powerful arms. But that wasn't what shocked them the most.

The Tattoo & Scars of a Warrior

Etched across his chiseled chest was a massive, ominous tattoo—a black dragon wrapped around a crimson skull, its eyes glowing with terrifying intensity.

His back and torso were covered in deep scars, some old and faded, others still fresh, carving a history of war onto his skin.

Himari's eyes widened in horror.

"Haruto… what happened to you?"

Aoi smirked from above, watching from the second-floor window. "Ah, it's been a while since I've seen that body."

Satsuki's face flushed with admiration. "That's the best body a high schooler can have… He trained for this. For war."

Himari's voice came out weak. "But why…?"

Haruto rolled his shoulders, his muscles flexing, and cracked his neck. "Because I had to."

Before anyone could respond—

The new challenger stepped forward.

---

The Arrival of a True Threat

The boy who had clapped earlier now stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching Haruto with an amused smirk.

He had sharp, dark eyes and an aura that made the surrounding students unconsciously take a step back.

"Still the same old Haruto," he muttered, shaking his head. "A one-man army."

Haruto's expression darkened. "I don't remember you being this talkative, Kaito."

The crowd gasped.

"Kaito? Who the hell is he?"

"Wait… you mean Kaito Hayashi? The strongest fighter from [REDACTED] Middle School?!"

"I thought he disappeared!"

Kaito Hayashi. The legend. The only person who ever fought Haruto to a draw.

Kaito chuckled. "I left for a while… but when I heard you were still playing 'normal student,' I knew I had to come back."

He gestured at the unconscious bodies. "This is the real you, isn't it? A beast. A monster who only feels alive when crushing others."

Haruto's fingers twitched.

He was right.

Deep inside, he had missed this feeling—the thrill of pure, unfiltered battle.

But before Haruto could respond—

Kaito cracked his knuckles. "Enough talk. Let's finish what we started."

---

A New Fighting Style – The Art of Brutality

Haruto smirked.

"You really think you can take me on now?"

Kaito's grin widened. "Let's find out."

The fight began.

Kaito rushed forward, his fists blurring as he launched a rapid barrage of punches.

Haruto dodged effortlessly, swaying from side to side with unnatural precision.

Then, he moved.

He wasn't using karate.

Not judo.

Not boxing.

Not taekwondo.

It was something else.

Haruto's attacks were brutal, efficient, and monstrous.

He grabbed Kaito's wrist, twisted it in an impossible direction, and slammed him into the ground.

The crowd gasped.

Kaito bounced up immediately, shaking his arm. "Tch. You've really gone deep into your own style, huh?"

Haruto didn't answer.

His eyes were different.

This wasn't just fighting.

This was a hunt.

Kaito attacked again. But Haruto was faster.

A palm strike to the throat.

A knee to the ribs.

An elbow to the temple.

Kaito staggered back, coughing blood.

Himari's hands covered her mouth.

"This… this isn't normal martial arts…"

"This is something else entirely."

"Something terrifying."

Haruto stepped forward, his movements inhumanly smooth.

"This isn't a fight, Kaito." His voice was calm, but deadly.

"This is annihilation."

---

A Glimpse of the True Haruto

Aoi was watching from above, still smirking. "There it is."

Himari turned to her, desperate. "What is this? What's happening?!"

Aoi sighed. "Haruto doesn't fight like normal people. His style has no name. No rules. No philosophy."

She leaned forward, her eyes darkening.

"It's something he created through pure survival."

"Every move is meant to cripple, maim, or kill."

Himari shook her head. "No, that's not Haruto… He's not like that…"

Satsuki, still blushing from her earlier kiss, simply whispered. "He is. That's why I love him."

---

The Battle Ends in Terror

Kaito, still dazed, wiped the blood from his mouth. "Damn, Haruto. I thought I was strong, but you…"

He took a shaky step forward—only to freeze.

Haruto's aura changed.

The air felt heavier.

Kaito's instincts screamed at him to stop moving.

Even the students watching felt it—a feeling of something inhuman standing before them.

Kaito clenched his fists. "…Shit."

He took a step back.

Haruto tilted his head. "What's wrong?"

Kaito exhaled, then grinned. "Nothing. I'll be back, Haruto. Next time, I won't hold back."

With that, he turned and walked away.

The fight was over.

But the damage had been done.

Everyone at school had seen it.

The true Haruto had returned.

And now… the entire school knew.

---

Aftermath & The Beginning of Chaos

As Haruto grabbed his shirt and threw it over his shoulders, he felt the stares.

Fear.

Admiration.

Desire.

But one voice broke the silence.

"Who… who are you really, Haruto?"

Himari's voice was shaking.

Haruto glanced at her.

Then, for the first time, he spoke the words that would change everything.

"I'm the one you should've never fallen in love with."

And with that, he walked away.

---

End of Chapter 19 – "The Monster's Mark"