The day of the decisive battle had come.

Tokyo, Minato Ward, Teito Television Headquarters Building.

A black chauffeur-driven car slid into the underground parking garage.

‘…So this is the demon’s lair.’

After getting out of the car, I looked up at the massive building towering overhead.

Just walking from the underground parking garage to the staff entrance, the strange atmosphere clung to my skin.

“Jō, don’t leave my side.”

Kujō Hibiki walked beside me, sharply scanning our surroundings.

On my other side, Saotome didn’t even try to hide her killing intent as she shot piercing glares around us.

Every staff member we passed was female.

From assistant directors to camera operators to security guards, all women.

The moment they noticed me, they all stopped in unison and held their breath.

“…No way, is that Akutsu Jō?”

“It’s the real one… he’s huge…”

“No, those arms… you can tell how muscular he is even through his clothes…”

Whispered voices reached my ears.

What they contained was pure curiosity, exposed lust and the gaze of someone appraising prey.

At a television station in this world, a man was nothing more than a ‘rare pet’.

And that pet was walking outside the cage.

It was only natural for them to get excited.

One young assistant director drifted toward us as if being drawn in.

“U-um, could I get a handsh—”

Hyun.

Saotome instantly stepped in front of me and silently looked down at the assistant director.

Overwhelmed by the absolute-zero intimidation radiating from behind her sunglasses, the assistant director let out a small scream and fell backward onto the ground.

“…We’re moving, Akutsu-sama. The air here is stagnant.”

Saotome said coldly and pushed me forward.

* * *

We were led to a private VIP dressing room.

Plush sofas and high-end catering.

But a person who ruined that comfort soon appeared.

“—Welcome to my miniature garden.”

The woman who entered without knocking was Godai Satsuki, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit.

She was the executive director of Teito Television’s production bureau and the mastermind behind this special program.

After slowly licking her gaze over me from head to toe, she twisted her lips in satisfaction.

“You’re brave for not running away. Today, you’re the finest ‘bait’ on this program. I’ll cook you up while you’re still fresh.”

“That’s quite a greeting.”

I leaned back deeply into the sofa and met her gaze.

“But unfortunately for you, I’ve got a lot of bones. Don’t blame me if you choke on them.”

“Hehe… such spirit. I wonder how long that bravado will last in the studio.”

Leaving behind a provocative look, Satsuki strode out.

The calm before the storm.

Once the door closed, Hibiki let out a long breath and pulled out her tablet.

“…What a nasty woman. But she’s not the real problem.”

She placed the tablet on the table, displaying today’s list of ‘enemies’ ‘co-performers’.

“There’ll be nearly twenty young comedians and talents packed onto the panel seating. Every single one of them is targeting you as prey. But the ones you really need to watch out for are these ‘Three Titans’.”

Where Hibiki pointed, three women’s photos were displayed.

“First, the MC, Unabara Shion. A veteran female comedian with thirty years in the industry.”

The woman in the photo wore flashy clothes and had a malicious smile.

“Her weapon is her ‘acid tongue’. On countless shows, she’s shredded male participants with verbal knives. ‘You’re a man and yet your makeup’s so thick’, ‘Did your mommy pick out those clothes for you?’ She’s made many men cry like that. She’s pure poison in the entertainment world. Next, the panel leader, Gōda Tora. A former women’s pro wrestler.”

The second photo showed a gigantic woman with muscles like rock.

“Her grip strength is over eighty kilos. Her signature act is ‘displays of power’ against men. She crushes apples in front of them or bends thick frying pans with her bare hands, then laughs and says, ‘Boys break so easily, don’t they?’ Past guests apparently wet themselves in fear from that performance alone. And finally, the top idol, Himemiya Alice.”

The third photo showed an angelically cute girl in frilled clothing.

But Hibiki’s expression was the most severe here.

“She’s called the ‘Nation’s Little Sister’, but her real nature is sadistic. She’s a genius at making cruel demands with a smile. ‘Hey, bark like a dog’, ‘Make a funny face for me’. If you refuse those innocent commands, the atmosphere freezes and the guest gets publicly branded as ‘no fun’.”

Verbal abuse, violence, unreasonable demands.

I see a full course of hell.

“…So basically, it’s a ‘Monster Grand Showdown’.”

I grinned.

An ordinary, frail man would probably faint just from seeing this lineup.

But my heart was pounding not with fear, but with excitement.

* * *

Five minutes before going on air.

We moved to the wings of the studio.

From beyond the thick soundproof doors came the roaring hype of the warm-up MC and the heat of several hundred female audience members.

Saotome stood in front of me and adjusted my collar.

Her touch was gentle, but her eyes were sharp and steady.

“…Akutsu-sama.”

She whispered in a voice no one else could hear.

“In an emergency, I will intervene. Even if it causes a broadcast accident, I will prioritize your safety and subdue everyone.”

“Haha, reassuring. But no need to step in.”

“…Understood. Please rampage to your heart’s content.”

As Saotome stepped back, Hibiki tapped my shoulder.

“Jō, don’t forget.”

She looked up at me with serious eyes.

“Don’t become a ‘pitiful little boy’. You’re the lead of my film… the ‘Demon King’. Go and dye that place in your colors.”

“Yeah. Leave it to me.”

At that moment.

The studio lights went dark and a drumroll echoed.

“Now then, thank you for waiting!!”

The hoarse shout of MC Unabara Shion rang out.

“Tonight’s main dish—oops, I mean our special guest! The legendary villain who shook the film world! Tonight, right here in this studio, I’ll tear off his mask! Akutsu, Jōōōō!!”

“”WAAAAAAAAA!!””

A roar like an earthquake—no, screams.

The studio doors opened.

Blinding lights illuminated me, who had been standing in the darkness.

I slowly climbed the steps to the stage.

I didn’t put on a flattering smile. I didn’t wave.

I simply shoved both hands into my pants pockets and walked forward calmly.

Standing at the center of the stage, I looked down at the several hundred spectators gathered before me and the beasts lined up on the panel seating.

The camera lenses captured my insolent expression.

‘Now then, let the showtime begin.’