Mace remained still as Ethan slowly and confidently approached, his eyes repeatedly flicking to the door of Mark’s family home. He only relaxed once he was sure Elara had gone inside and didn’t seem to be coming back.

The tension between them was immediate, like a coiled spring waiting to snap.

’I’m totally different from last time we met.’

Ethan’s gaze hardened.

Back then, he had been nothing, a green, clueless E Rank.

Now?

Everything had changed.

’I think he’s around a C Rank, but even if he’s a B Rank... I won’t get completely overpowered like last time.’

He paused.

’But if he’s an A Rank...’

His lips pressed into a thin line.

’...then yeah, I’m fucked.’

Still, he approached the hooded figure who seemed to be waiting for him, assured by his current abilities.

"It’s been a while, Ethan," Mace said casually, voice laced with mock amusement. "You’re a Titled now, right?"

Ethan didn’t respond, humour him, or play along.

"What do you want, Mace?"

His tone was flat, direct, and uninterested.

Mace chuckled, tilting his head slightly.

"Relax," he said, almost lazily. "I was just taking in the scenery. Bit nostalgic, you know?"

His gaze drifted toward the rundown house beside Mark’s.

"This place..."

A smirk tugged at his lips beneath the mask.

"Do you remember it?"

Ethan’s jaw clenched hard.

"You had quite the mother," Mace continued, voice dripping with something darker now. "You really are a literal son of a-"

That was it.

A switch flipped, and Ethan’s eyes sharpened instantly, a dangerous glint flashing within them. There were many things he could ignore, many insults he could brush off, but never that.

Mace paused just slightly, surprised that Ethan could make him feel on edge, but that turned into amusement.

"Hoho," he let out, low and mocking. "The E Rank has a temper."

He stepped closer slowly and deliberately.

"I’d tone it down," Mace added, voice dropping. "Your pet A Rank isn’t here this time."

He paused as he stared the blue-eyed man down.

"You remember what happened last time, don’t you?"

Ethan didn’t back down or flinch.

Instead, he stepped forward as well, closing the distance entirely.

"Mason thinks he’s a big man now," Ethan said quietly.

The name hit.

Mace’s expression didn’t change much, but something flickered in his eyes.

For a moment, it looked like things were about to explode. That fists would fly, that they would clash with everything they had, and blood would be spilt right there on the pavement.

But then, Mace raised his hands slightly, stepping back.

"Easy," he laughed. "Don’t punch me again."

The tension didn’t disappear.

It just... shifted.

And then Mace spoke again.

But this time, what he said caught Ethan completely off guard.

"I was only here to invite you to tonight’s fights."

Ethan blinked.

"...What?"

Mace reached into his pocket, pulling out a small card and holding it out.

"The UFC," he said, a grin evident in his tone. "Underground Fight Club."

Ethan frowned.

"The UFC?"

"The one for Titled," Mace clarified. "It happens once a month. The location changes across the country every time, and there’s one today."

Ethan took the card slowly, very sceptical.

’The UFC?’

The name felt familiar, but wrong.

’The one I remember definitely wasn’t underground... and didn’t involve Titled. These guys might get sued by the big baldy.’

He glanced down at the card that was sleek and minimal with a time and location.

There were no official markings, logos, or anything traceable that he recognised.

He scoffed lightly and tossed it aside.

"No thanks," he said bluntly. "I’m good."

As interesting as it sounded, it screamed trouble to Ethan, who for once wasn’t looking for it.

Anything to do with Mace was shady, and attending the so-called Underground Fight Club, which he had never heard of, was asking for something to go wrong.

’This fucker being involved is enough to decline.’

Ethan couldn’t understand his angle, but he had made up his mind.

That was until the system intervened...

{Objective: Defeat Mace in a battle within the UFC}

Ethan froze.

But rather than flipping out, a slow smile spread across his face.

’You just want me to get into trouble, don’t you?’

{The Lord Of Beasts shies away from no confrontation and doesn’t leave old lingering, ill-fated relationships.}

Ethan huffed softly.

’Sure...’

But the truth was he did want this, an opportunity for revenge and to prove to himself how far he had come against someone who definitely deserved a beating. All the system’s objectives ultimately seemed to be in his best interest, and the reward he would receive would be a bonus.

If it was anything like what he got for killing Rina, it would be more than worth it.

’Fuck it.’

Instantly, his entire demeanour shifted.

’I was planning to have a chill night today, but I guess not.’

He bent down, picking up the card he had just thrown away.

"This is a visitor’s card," he said suddenly. "What if I want to fight?"

Mace blinked, genuinely confused.

He had watched Ethan zone out, then suddenly switch gears completely.

But after a second, he smiled, slow and predatory.

"I’m sure we can find another E Rank for you," Mace replied.

Ethan shook his head.

Then he raised a finger, pointing directly at Mace.

"You."

There was a moment of silence, then Mace burst out into laughter that was loud and unrestrained.

"I can’t remember the last time I laughed like this," he mumbled as he doubled over slightly, clutching his abdomen.

"Are you serious?" he said between laughs.

Ethan didn’t smile, blink, or waver - this was a direct challenge.

When Mace realised he wasn’t joking, the laughter suddenly faded, replaced by something darker.

"That can be arranged," Mace said slowly.

Ethan nodded confidently.

"But you do understand..."

His voice dropped.

"There are no rules, no referees, and no legal repercussions. That A Rank that’s somehow obsessed with you can’t save you."

He stepped closer.

"What happens in that arena..."

His eyes gleamed behind the mask.

"...stays there."

Ethan’s lips curled, not nervously, but with something far more dangerous.

"Perfect."