As the sword came thrusting near Yuta's throat, a faint smirk appeared on his face
'Crazy Bastard'
The thought crossed Slurig's mind yet instead of feeling pity on this human, his own grin widened in response
'He was a formidable opponent'
No.
'That description no longer sufficed.'
'This human was exhilarating.'
'A feast unlike any he had tasted before.'
Inch by inch, the sword edged closer towards Yuta's neck
Slurig smirked as his eyes gleamed with anticipation
Yuta's expression remained utterly calm, devoid of fear or emotion
Luna covered her eyes shut, unable to bear what would come next
Clank
"I win"
Sword clashed against sword, Yuta's sword in hand against Slurig's own much to Luna's and Slurig's surprise
Yet-
Slurig did not frown, nor did he regret it.
Instinctively, he always knew
Knew that the one standing before him was no mere human, but a cold, ravaging beast.
A predator akin to himself.
"I accept your challenge"
"Yeah"
Their swords pressed against one another, one with the intent to kill while the other with the intent on survival
As Slurig edged closer, Yuta muttered something
"Do you think I or any human would play fair?"
"?"
Chains flew from Yuta's arm with incredible speed hurtling toward Slurig's chest.
Slurig tried to defend himself but Yuta did not give him that opening as he pressed his sword towards Slurig's chest
Whoosh
Yuta's sword slashed off Slurig's arm clean as the chain pierced Slurig's chest
Gulp
Slurig coughed up a mouthful of blood
His face a little pale, something he had not shown since his fight with Yuta
Slurig grimaced in immense pain
'It hurts'
'It stings like hell'
Despite being bound by chains, what snapped him out of his thoughts was the person standing in front of him.
Yuta
Shudder
Slurig felt something for the first time against a human
Fear
Looking up towards Yuta, Yuta spoke calmly
"Soul Chain is a technique that links two people souls with mine being the primary factor"
"This technique splits our strength equally"
"Which means"
Crack
Cracking his fingers together, Yuta formed a fist as a grin appeared on his face
"No super defense for you"
Smack
Fists met Slurig's face
Crack
Slurig's jaw met bone crushing fists
Thud
Others slammed into Slurig's body.
Luna stood there in awe as she watched Yuta inflicting pain on Slurig
'Why did I doubt him?'
'Is it because of what happened to master?'
The longer Luna stared at Yuta, the more Itarim's face seemed to overlap with his.
A torrent of emotions washed over her.
But-
She was a little worried
'Don't get lost in this blood rage Yuta'
As Yuta continued to inflict pain on Slurig, the joy which Yuta thought he would feel wasn't there
"Why don't you use him?"
A voice barely a whisper spoke into Yuta's consciousness
"Yeah"
"I think that would do"
Yuta stood up from a broken Slurig before turning to look towards Luna
Luna met his gaze head on
"Luna"
"Yes"
"Is it possible for me to bind him through a Contract?"
"Of course."
"Yuta, what do you intend to do?"
Luna asked, her curiosity piqued with Yuta's questioning
"Oh"
Yuta's grin widened.
Slowly, it twisted into something far more sinister.
"We are going to chain a beast"
Meanwhile
Wiping the blood of the woman and child which she had killed
Elicia Von Risteria moved forward
'Why makes us protect clones'
'Is this even the real Valon'
A smile tugged at Elicia lips as her interest was piqued
Swish
Walking out of the alleyway, shards of bones flew towards Elicia
Thud
Catching her off guard, Elicia was slightly pushed back making her hit head against the wall but no impact happened whatsoever
Blink
Slowly opening her eyes
A towering skeletal figure emerged from the shadows, empty eye sockets burning with an eerie glow.
Elicia's eyes shot wide
Forming a mana coated arrow and bow, Elicia shot it towards the skeleton
Unfazed by the attack, the skeleton slapped it away
"Sorry, I am Aleron"
The moment the words escaped his lips, a wave of bloodlust shot towards Elicia
Ugh
She trembled under the immense pressure
It was nothing like she had felt before
"Is this bloodlust?"
"Oh, yes my dear"
Aleron said as he grabbed Elicia chin
Turning his hand into a sharp-pointed sword, Aleron was about to slash Elicia neck
Swish
"Stop right there"
Two voices echoed in sync as both figures attacked aiming for Aleron's neck
Aleron dodged both attacks creating distances between themselves
"Hey"
One grabbed the other by the collar
"What?"
"Don't interfere in my fight"
The figure pushed the other away
"I could say the same about you, Master Asterx"
Rin said, his voice laced with mockery
"You are dead, Rin"
Asterx shot back
"...."
Elicia stared, not in awe but in sheer disappointment
Aleron felt the same way as he spoke in a dreadful voice
"More nuisances to kill time"