"Denji, you'll reach heights I've only ever dreamed of. Maybe even higher," Richard said, pride shining in his eyes. "I have a job to do, so I'm leaving you for now. Keep practicing, explore your limits, and rise to the level of those legendary masters."
"Thank you for everything, master. I never would've reached this level of strength this fast without you." Denji's heart—something that only ever made room for a few people—quietly welcomed one more. "If you ever need a hand, don't hesitate to reach out."
Richard gave him a warm smile and left.
20 Minutes Later
After changing into a black tank top and baggy grey sweatpants, I left my apartment, ready to test my new level of power. My feet carried me toward the old manhole where I first fought Croc—time for a rematch.
After all, there's no better way to measure growth than fighting someone you've already faced.
I opened the manhole and repeated my old tactic, dropping another speaker and blasting the same insults to make sure Croc knew exactly who came looking for him.
As expected, a furious roar echoed from the sewers, followed by the heavy footsteps of the ugly lizard man.
POV Change
After dropping the speaker, Denji backed away to make space for the fight—unaware that a crazed, insanely attractive woman had appeared on a nearby rooftop. I really hope to feel that same excitement, he thought, unconsciously licking his lips.
From the rooftop, the woman stalking him from the shadows felt a spark of excitement at the sight of his wild expression. She got lost in his feral red eyes and blood‑red hair, memories of past and present blurring together.
BANG
The manhole cover was launched into a nearby building as Croc burst through the entrance. Denji's wild grin widened, his eyes flickering with the promise of blood. He didn't hesitate.
He kicked off the ground, rocketing toward Croc. The sudden burst of speed stunned the beast, making his reaction a second too slow. Denji leapt, driving a flying knee toward him. Mid‑air, his leg hardened and jagged, forming a spike along his knee.
Then he pushed Chi into it, forming a thin film of energy that sharpened the spike even further. With Hardening reinforcing it, the strike was harder than diamond. Croc barely managed to twist away, avoiding a fatal blow.
Instead, Denji's knee carved a three‑inch‑deep gash along Croc's side, blood spraying across the ground.
"AAAGGGHHH!" Croc roared, dropping to one knee. Denji landed, pivoted, and spun—delivering a roundhouse kick straight to the back of Croc's skull. The impact rattled his brain and knocked him out cold.
"That was disappointing," Denji muttered as his manic grin faded. From the rooftop, a woman whispered, "Poor pumpkin…"
Denji turned away from the unconscious Croc and headed back toward his warehouse‑home, unaware of the shadow following him across the rooftops. As he stepped inside, Harley whispered:
"So that's where you live, pumpkin…"
"I hope he stays for me…" A vulnerable look crossed her eyes as memories of her past foolishness surfaced—before twisting into something darker, hollow. "But if he doesn't… I'm afraid my pumpkin will have to be locked in my personal pumpkin patch."
Denji POV
Walking into my house, I stretched, trying to work the disappointment of today's fight out of my body. I headed to the kitchen.
"I'm starving," I muttered, digging through the fridge for something to snack on.
I spotted a container with a slice of pumpkin pie—strangely catching my attention more than it should. I grabbed it and turned around—
—and froze.
The woman who haunted my dreams. The first woman I ever loved. The first to break my heart.
Harley Quinn stood in front of me.
"Heya, pumpkin. You miss me?" she asked, her teasing tone clashing with the storm of emotions swirling in her eyes.
"You… you remember me?" The words came out soft, guarded.
"Of course, pumpkin. How could I forget you?" she said in that familiar sing‑song voice.
Then all this time… she was willingly with the Joker. My sacrifice was just a joke to her.I thought she was being forced… but why would she care that much about me?
As I spiraled deeper into my thoughts, Harley watched me closely, reading every micro‑expression, piecing together exactly what was happening in my head.
Before she even realized what she was doing, she called out softly:
"Denji."
Her tone snapped me back to reality.
"I lied," she said quietly. "I had forgotten you… but because of recent events, I regained my memories."
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To be continued ;)