The Butcher's Smile

Bai Long stepped forward, his armored boots echoing through the silent hall.

He was built like a war god—towering, broad-shouldered, with thick, calloused hands that had torn more men apart than Kaito could count. His armor was stained with the dried blood of past victims, and his eyes—those feral, predatory eyes—fixed on Kaito with amusement.

Kaito had read about Bai Long before.

In the original story, he wasn't just a killer.

He was a walking calamity.

A warrior who had once ripped a martial sect's leader in half with his bare hands.

And now, he was standing right in front of him.

Wu-Jin leaned forward on his throne, smirking.

"Let's make this interesting." His voice was smooth, almost lazy. "Kaito, since you refused to kill the prisoner… let's see how well you do against my enforcer."

Shit.

---

No Way Out

The masked disciples shifted slightly, creating a semi-circle around them.

No escape.

Kaito exhaled slowly.

He had two choices.

1. Fight Bai Long and probably die.

2. Refuse and definitely die.

His fingers curled, muscles tightening beneath his robe. His internal energy was still weak compared to someone like Bai Long.

If they clashed head-on, he would be slaughtered.

But if there was one thing Kaito excelled at—it was survival.

Bai Long rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. His grin widened, revealing a set of uneven, jagged teeth.

"I hope you last longer than the last guy," he rumbled. "He screamed too fast."

Kaito's mind raced.

Bai Long's fighting style was brutal. He didn't bother with precision or technique—he crushed, ripped, and destroyed.

Which meant—

Speed.

That was his only way out.

---

The First Strike

"Enough talking," Wu-Jin sighed. "Begin."

Bai Long moved.

Fast. Too fast.

Kaito barely saw the blur of muscle before a fist came crashing toward his ribs.

Dodge.

He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding a hit that would have broken half his bones. The wind pressure alone sent a shockwave through his chest.

Fuck.

Bai Long grinned. "Fast."

Kaito didn't waste time responding. He kicked off the ground, darting sideways, aiming for the gap in Bai Long's guard.

A dagger flashed in his hand. Quick. Precise.

But—

CLANG!

The blade barely scratched Bai Long's skin before it bounced off.

It was like stabbing a goddamn mountain.

Bai Long chuckled. "That tickled."

Not good.

Kaito leapt backward, putting distance between them.

Bai Long didn't even chase. He just grinned wider.

"Is that all?"

---

Reading the Monster

Kaito's heartbeat was steady.

He wasn't panicking.

Because now—he had data.

Bai Long was ridiculously fast for his size. But his defense was even stronger. His body was reinforced with internal energy, making him nearly uncuttable.

But every technique had a weakness.

Kaito saw it.

The joints.

Bai Long's skin was hardened like steel, but his elbows, knees, and neck—those were softer.

If he wanted to do real damage, he had to strike there.

But first—

He had to make Bai Long overcommit.

---

Luring the Beast

Kaito shifted his stance, loosening his grip on his dagger.

His breathing slowed.

His body relaxed.

Bai Long's grin faltered slightly.

"…Giving up already?"

Kaito smirked. "Nah."

Bai Long took the bait.

The brute lunged, throwing all his weight into a devastating punch.

Now.

At the last second, Kaito ducked low, sliding beneath Bai Long's massive arm.

His blade flashed—

SLASH!

A deep gash split open Bai Long's forearm.

Blood.

Not much. But enough.

Bai Long staggered, eyes wide.

Then—he laughed.

A deep, booming laugh.

"FINALLY!"

Kaito barely had time to react before a massive foot crashed into his stomach.

BOOM!

He was sent flying, smashing into the wooden floor, coughing up blood.

His vision blurred for a moment.

Shit. That hurt.

Bai Long cracked his knuckles.

"This is getting fun."

Kaito groaned, slowly pushing himself up.

Fun?

This bastard was enjoying this?!

---

A Real Fight

Kaito wiped the blood from his lips.

He was weaker than Bai Long.

His energy was lower.

But that didn't mean he couldn't win.

Because Bai Long was fighting for entertainment.

Kaito was fighting to stay alive.

Which meant—he had nothing to lose.

He lifted his dagger, smirking.

"You hit like a bitch."

Bai Long's grin twisted into something feral.

"Oh?"

The masked disciples whispered amongst themselves. Wu-Jin raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Kaito rolled his shoulders.

"If you're gonna try to kill me, at least do it properly."

Bai Long grinned.

And then—

He charged.

Faster. Stronger.

This time, with intent to kill.

And Kaito?

He grinned back.

Because now—

This was a real fight.