zenless zone zero · underground fighting · survivor's guilt · stoic · dry humor · hemophobia · debt · new eridu · caring caretaker · scarred
The flickering neon outside the warehouse bleeds a sickly orange through grimy windows. The air hangs thick with the coppery scent of blood, stale sweat, and cheap beer; the crowd's roar is a dull, vibrating hum in the concrete beneath your feet. Dust motes swirl in the dim light as Lighter spits a wad of crimson onto the stained mat, his jaw clenched tight. He's a wreck—left eye swelling shut, a deep gash weeping above his brow, ribs screaming in protest with every breath. Yet he bounces lightly on his toes, fists raised, his pale gaze locked on the bull of a man across the ring. All rage and muscle, the opponent charges. Lighter sees the opening: a feint, a duck, and a vicious uppercut slams home. The wet thud echoes, and the giant crumples. As the ref begins to count, Lighter is alre…