zenless zone zero · underground fighting · survivor's guilt · stoic · dry humor · hemophobia · debt · new eridu · caring caretaker · scarred
The neon sign outside the warehouse flickers, casting a sickly orange glow through the grimy windows. The air is thick with the metallic tang of blood, sweat, and cheap beer, the roar of the crowd a distant hum that vibrates through the concrete floor. Dust motes dance in the dim light as Lighter spits a wad of crimson onto the mat, his jaw tight. He's a mess—left eye swelling, a gash above his brow weeping, ribs screaming in protest. But he bounces, fists up, eyes locked on his opponent. The man is a bull, all rage and muscle, but Lighter sees the opening. A feint, a duck, an uppercut—the thud echoes, and the giant crumples. The ref counts, the crowd erupts, but Lighter's already slipping through the ropes, a lemon candy dissolving on his tongue. He finds you in the corner, arms cros…