"The Pain" and "Boredom"

Hell's Kitchen's Street Racing Competition began amid widespread attention.

Alvin had stepped back to the starting-line viewing area. He watched with amusement as the starting grid turned into a chain-reaction pileup, all because one driver couldn't keep his hands to himself.

These were elite racers selected from the Death Race qualifiers. Speed was only one of their cars' strengths; above all, they were built to protect their drivers.

A race between Ivan the Russian and Stark had given those modifying cars even crazier ideas: enhanced power, raw strength, heavy armor, and fierce firepower. Of course, there were no guns this time, but the sturdy armor remained.

Except for the cars in the very front, none of the drivers behind had any intention of going around the wreck. The track was narrow, with little room to maneuver anyway.

As the crowd drew in a collective hiss, the driver who'd caused the crash shot out of the disaster zone first. He howled as he accelerated after the cars ahead.

The two ABC commentators got a clear view of the start through the surveillance cameras. When the reckless driver burst out of the wreckage, stuck his black head out the window, and bared his teeth at the cars behind while flipping them the bird, one of the chubby commentators said uncertainly, "This guy's name is Roman. Why do I get the feeling he did that on purpose?

"Or is that just the style of the Street Racing Competition? No yellow flags, no rules—just make it to the finish line in one piece to win!"

The other commentator paid no attention to his partner's question. He stared at the lead pack, repeatedly exclaiming, "Unbelievable, unbelievable!" Then he shouted to his partner, "They hit 220 kilometers per hour on the first 300-meter straight! Do those