Clang!
Lukas had to give Kylo some credit. The man was an asshole, but he was a talented asshole. He had enough presence of mind to instinctively raise his sword, catching Lukas' attack on his weapon.
Sparks flashed through the air as their swords made contact, the strength of the attack sending Kylo staggering back.
Before Lukas could take advantage of putting Kylo off balance, his C-rank hired help surged forward, one of them sending a bolt of lightning streaking towards him.
He raised a [Hex Shield], leaping backwards at the same time. Just like Melody had said, it was better to dodge than to try tanking the attack.
Fortunately, he made the right choice. The lightning smashed through his shield with ease, slamming into where he'd been standing.
The only thing that had saved him was his increased stats. If he'd been hit, he'd have been injured.
But before the hired help could escalate their attacks against him, Melody stepped between them, swinging her sword. The Awakeners leapt back, the attack separating them from their charge, leaving Kylo behind with Lukas.
But the time had been enough for Kylo to gather his wits. His sword was now wreathed in fire, and his eyes were narrowed at Lukas. "I see you got your sugar mommy to buy you a speed [Item]. But you're delusional if you think you can defeat me with just that."
Lukas chuckled at his words. A speed [Item]? Well, that was a rational way to explain his increased speed. But he had much more than that in store for Kylo.
The sounds of battle reached their ears from the side as Melody faced the three Awakeners alone, easily holding them at bay.
Kylo roared, swinging his sword, a wave of fire streaking through the air towards Lukas.
Lukas dodged to the side, but Kylo had already swung his sword again, another attack streaking towards him.
This time, Lukas didn't bother to pretend. He blurred out of sight, and Kylo's eyes widened at the speed.
"Behind you." He heard Lukas' voice and turned around, slashing, but there was no one there.
Someone tapped his shoulder and as his head snapped in that direction, all he could see was a punch descended towards his face.
Lukas slammed his fist into Kylo's cheek, the impact sending the elf flying through the air. Kylo slammed into the ground, bouncing for a few meters before coming to a stop, the impact sending small clouds of soot into the air.
Kylo surged to his feet, unable to believe his eyes. His hand trembled as he slowly touched his cheek, his entire world view crashing down into nothingness.
The academy's trash had actually landed a hit on him!
He could feel a few of his teeth growing loose in his jaw, and the taste of copper filled his mouth.
He spat to the side, surprised to see red liquid mixed with his saliva. He was actually bleeding inside his cheek!
"H-How?" He asked, the question directed at himself. "How?!" This time, he roared the question, looking up to glare at Lukas.
Lukas was simply walking towards him with an unhurried pace, as if he was strolling through a garden.
"How does it feel, Kylo?" He asked, his grin wider than ever. "I'm sure you've forgotten the name of what you're feeling on your cheek right now, but where I come from, we call it pain."
"Raaarrgghhhh!" Kylo roared, rage filling his entire body. Every thought of tactic or strategy fled his mind and he attacked Lukas, swinging his flaming sword.
Lukas parried the attack easily, using his weight to push Kylo back. As Kylo stumbled back, his leg lashed out, slamming into the man's knee.
Crack!
Kylo's knee snapped, his leg bending towards another direction.
"Aarghhhh!" Kylo screamed in pain, his other leg giving out. He held his shattered knee, tears streaming down his face.
Lukas inhaled deeply, an expression of ecstasy on his face. This was the taste of payback. He glanced back at where Melody was still facing the Awakeners, verifying that she didn't need his help.
One of the Awakeners was bleeding heavily, and one had already lost his arm. They were basically light work for her. Which meant he could take his time with Kylo.
He walked to Kylo, grabbed the man's head, and smashed it into the ground.
Kylo struggled against his grip, but Lukas' hand didn't budge, his strength feeling like a giant boulder sitting on top of him.
Kylo yelled in incoherent rage, swinging his sword at Lukas. Lukas simply caught his arm and pinned it to the floor.
He then stood and placed his boot on Kylo's face, grinding it into the ground. "Didn't I tell you, Kylo. This is your place. Under my boot."
Ding!
A notification appeared in front of him.
[Congratulations, you have cleared the quest.]
[Reward: +100 Gacha Points.]
Lukas smiled in satisfaction, before lifting his boot off Kylo's face. But before Kylo could stand, he slammed his heel into the fingers that were currently tightened around his sword.
Crack!
Several fingers shattered from the blow, another blood curdling scream erupting from Kylo's mouth.
Lukas stood there for a second, searing the image of a crying and defeated Kylo into his memories, then he turned away, intent on joining his wife when Kylo screamed in rage.
Lukas turned back to see Kylo surged forward, his flaming sword held in his other hand.
Lukas batted the attack away with his sword, the flaming sword flying out of Kylo's grip, before slamming another punch into Kylo's face.
Kylo was sent flying once more. A second later, he stood, his expression twisted in pure hatred. "Lukas Valentine! Don't think that you've won! I'll hunt you down wherever you are, and I shall have my revenge!"
Lukas paused. "Wrong move, buddy."
Ding!
[Quest: Who Wants A Threat In Their Backyard?]
[Time limit: 2 minutes]
[Kill Kylo Rivers and his three hired help, erasing any threat of revenge forever.]
[Reward: +200 Gacha Points]
[Penalty: -10,000 Constitution]