Chapter 21 — There’s No Gate to Hell, Yet You Rush In

What met Russell's eyes were Darren and a lanky young man with a garish green cockscomb haircut—alongside the cards they had summoned: Darren's mold-green zombie, and the cocky punk standing smug beside him.

Darren sneered, his voice dripping with malice.
"I know I can't beat you—but today, Brother Gavin's here. I want to see you on your knees, begging!"

He jabbed a thumb toward the punk.
"Brother Gavin's a Bronze-level card maker!"

If Darren had come alone, there was no chance he would've dared to show his face again. But with back-up, he came seeking revenge.

Yes—revenge.

In his twisted mind, Darren blamed Russell for everything that had gone wrong. Never once did he reflect on the fact that his downfall was his own doing. Maybe, deep down, he had considered targeting Nancy—but her father was a Gold-tier card maker. He didn't have the guts.

Gavin, however, waved him off like a gnat and turned his attention to Russell.
"You're Russell, right? Join the Spirit Begging Society and this kid's yours to deal with however you like."

He grinned, eyes glittering with mischief. Gavin had originally come to recruit Darren, but when Darren mentioned Russell—the boy who supposedly outwitted the Spirit Begging Society's recent ploy—his curiosity was piqued.

To Gavin, Darren was a disposable pawn. But Russell? He might be useful.

If Russell turned out to be worthless, Gavin would kill him on the spot. If he had potential, taking him back would earn praise from higher-ups.

So, Gavin had acted on his own, without reporting up the chain.

Darren's face turned pale. He stammered in confusion,
"B-Brother Gavin, what… what do you mean?"

Gavin snorted, his smile turning cruel.
"I mean compared to him, you're just a joke. A complete idiot."

"Trash."

Russell's eyes narrowed, his voice cold.
"Save your breath. I'll never join the Spirit Begging Society."

Maybe pretending to cooperate with Gavin was the safer play—but Russell couldn't bring himself to do it. His blood was boiling with murderous rage.

Darren had crossed a line. Provocations he could ignore—but colluding with the Spirit Begging Society and hurting innocent people? Threatening Auntie May?

That couldn't be forgiven.

"So it was you, Darren," Russell said icily. "You killed your parents."

Though it sounded like a question, his tone left no room for doubt.

Gavin let out a laugh. "He's pathetic, but his cruelty is impressive, I'll give him that."

Darren's eyes burned with resentment.
"Those old fools wanted me to kneel and apologize to you!"

"I did nothing wrong! They never understood me!" he shouted. "But now I've got the Spirit Begging Society behind me—and I'll be a card maker again!"

If Gavin hadn't shown up, Darren might have actually apologized and begged for forgiveness. But now he saw a path to vengeance and glory—and he couldn't turn back.

The Society needed loyalty. Killing his own parents was Darren's sick proof of devotion.

Russell exhaled, closing his eyes for a moment. His voice was heavy with contempt.
"You're worse than a beast."

Nothing more needed to be said.

Gavin's card was already on the field—a humanoid vampire with pale skin, sharp fangs, and a predator's poise.

Vampires weren't common in New Metro, but Russell knew they existed. The problem was that their power scale varied wildly. This one could be weak—or monstrous.

Still, Kaneki Ken stood calmly at Russell's side.

And with such a noisy scene, the Card Maker Association had surely been alerted by now. All Russell had to do was buy time.

The vampire made the first move, lashing out with a fist that cut through the air like a cannon shot.

Clang! The blow was blocked.

Black and red centipede-like tendrils lashed from Kaneki's spine, swirling around Russell protectively.

"This place is too cramped," Russell muttered to Kaneki.

Kaneki glanced at Auntie May, who lay unconscious by the wall, and understood instantly.

He picked up Russell in one smooth motion and strode outside in five powerful steps.

"Hmph. Trying to run?" Gavin sneered, chasing after them with the vampire in tow.

Darren hesitated, then followed. He was certain that if he could kill Russell here, the Spirit Begging Society would take him in for sure—and his hatred would finally be satisfied.

Outside, Gavin looked amused.
"That kid said you had a purple-grade card… but he didn't mention a second one."

Russell didn't respond.

Without a word, a sharp crimson-black tail—Rize's kagune—whipped forward and struck the vampire with a deafening boom.

Smoke exploded across the street.

As Kaneki observed through the haze, a shadow lunged from the smoke and struck him hard in the chest.

Kaneki staggered.

"A mere Iron-rank card… dying to my Shadow Strike. You should be honored," Gavin said smugly.

"Now!" Darren's eyes lit up with joy. He ordered his green zombie forward—only to be intercepted by a young man with long black hair and a sharp katana.

Yuichiro Tsugukuni.

Darren fumed.
"What the hell?! How did you make a second card already?! And how can you control both?!"

Thanks to Russell's exceptional mental talent, and days of tireless training, he was already brushing up against Bronze rank.

Controlling two Iron-level cards simultaneously? Easy.

Yuichiro moved like lightning. In a blur, he repeated what he'd done in the ranking trial—one slash, and Darren's zombie was cleaved cleanly in two.

Then, instead of pressing the attack, Yuichiro calmly stepped back beside Russell. He knew Kaneki's situation was still unclear. If needed, he was ready to extract his card maker and retreat.

The smoke cleared.

Dark tendrils of shadow stretched from beneath the vampire's feet to Kaneki's, binding him in place.

A smile curled on the vampire's lips—hungry and bloodthirsty.

Then—

Boom! A burst of blood-red mist exploded from Kaneki's body.

Gavin's eyes gleamed with triumph.
"Kneel and beg, and maybe I'll spare you. You still have value."

Darren stared in disbelief.
Even now… he's still trying to recruit Russell?

Is Russell really that important!?

But before Darren could speak, Gavin's expression changed—his grin twisted into shock.

He turned.

A massive centipede kagune had pierced through the vampire's chest, still writhing violently.

At its end was Kaneki—furious and very much alive.

An ordinary Iron-level card would have disintegrated under that kind of attack.

But this was a red-quality card.

[High-Speed Regeneration] pulsed, knitting Kaneki's wounds shut in seconds.

The next moment, the centipede tendrils surged forward like a vengeful dragon, roaring toward Gavin.

(End of Chapter 21)