Chapter 16: Collapse of the Phoenix

Riser's team was confident. Elites from the Phenex family. Veteran fighters. Trained devils with pride and experience.

Ren showed up late.

No armor. No gear. Just his school uniform, sleeves rolled to the elbow. He cracked his neck, glanced at the roster, and smiled faintly.

"Guess I'll play a bit."

He didn't start the fight.

He ended it.

One by one, Riser's team fell. Some tried fire magic. Others used illusions, traps, coordinated group attacks.

Ren didn't flinch.

He moved like a ghost, fought like a demon. Fluid, efficient. His fists broke barriers. His kicks silenced chants.

In less than five minutes, the Phenex team's frontline was gone.

Then came Riser himself.

"Ren Kurokami," Riser sneered, wings blazing. "You're nothing. I'm immortal."

Ren's smile faded. "You're loud."

He stepped forward.

Riser moved first, conjuring a storm of phoenix flame—but Ren walked through it like mist. One punch to the chest and Riser's immortality cracked like glass.

He fell, coughing blood. The match ended.

The underworld trembled.