New World Central.
Billy Island, Death Fighting Arena.
The crowd roared, every spectator shouting fervently, some in excitement, others hurling curses.
Nobles, merchants, pirates, and bounty hunters were all gathered here.
In this blood-soaked atmosphere, they were utterly exhilarated, even frenzied.
Inside the fighting arena, two figures battled relentlessly.
Each had plenty of supporters, for the spectators had placed bets on the two contestants in the arena.
Aside from the fighters, two people stood on either side of the arena.
From the top of a towering building outside the arena, the fighting in the Death Fighting Arena was clearly visible.
A powerful, muscular figure wore a black bodysuit and black gloves.
In just a few short years, Rugal, who had left Paros Island back then, had truly become the New World's undisputed "King of Underground Fighting."
His blond hair had turned silver, and his right eye, once a bionic prosthetic, had become a blood-red eye.
This was probably because he had drunk the Monster Blood.
The request he had made of Ignis before leaving Paros Island had been fulfilled long ago.
The moment Rugal received the Monster Blood, he drank it all.
He had not turned into a monster. Instead, his body seemed even more perfect.
His missing right eye had grown back as a new blood-red eye—in other words, a "ghost eye."
Likewise, perhaps because of the emergence of his "ghost eye," the Monster Blood had stimulated Rugal's body into awakening ghost energy.
With his arms folded across his chest, Rugal quietly watched the fighting below.
"How are preparations for the tournament coming along?"
Rugal turned toward the two beautiful women behind him, his secretaries Vice and Mature. Usually, they handled his outside affairs for him.
Whether managing enterprises such as the Death Arena or his other businesses, they