Challenging The Slayer

But I can't leave any witnesses alive. It was the dead of the night, and most people had gone to sleep. I sighed and pretended to let her go by taking my foot away. But I changed my mind and stomped directly onto her face. She was still alive, so I decided how much force can a face take.

By continuously jumping on her crying and begging face. I quickly silenced her cries as I wiped the bottom of my shoes on the corpse. I remember the stench of human hair burning as I disposed of the evidence. That lasted an hour, and I returned to the house as if nothing had happened.

I continued playing with my baby brother. Then, I snapped back into the current time as Bryan finished his breakfast.

"Whoa, that was fast. But, of course, it would be best if you were quite hungry," I commented, finishing up the eggs.

"I'm always hungry. And if we don't eat fast enough, we won't have enough time to make our rounds. So I'm quite slow for today," answered Bryan.

"By the way, I meant to ask you for a favor."

Bryan looked up and did an upwards nod, indicating it was alright to ask the question.

"Would you mind if I asked to fight you?"

Bryan blinked, and his eyes went from right to left.

"I mean... I don't mind. But why fight me? You've already scheduled a duel against Lady Roydon to see if you can enter into the Pillars. So you don't have to waste your effort on little old me," asked Bryan, puzzled at such a request.

"Before I go against the one in charge, it is better for me to test the waters first. You are the First Seat. If I can best you in a friendly match, then I would have the confidence and bravado to challenge Mavislin."

"No point getting into the team if my powers aren't on par with the rest of the members," I explained, shrugging my shoulders.

Bryan sighed once more and closed his eyes in deep thought. He contemplated my request before finally agreeing to it.

"You've got a solid point, but I must tell you this. Just because you can't win against Lady Roydon or me doesn't mean that you are not worthy of being in the Arks. Everyone's good at something. Some can fight while others are better in defense."

"Some are great in close combat while others prefer to be far away from the opponent. And the Pillars are a mix of different combatants. For instance, I am great at close quarters combat. Mastering both blades and using my legs to take down enemies... That is my niche."

"However, if you give me a gun to use it, I'd use it as a melee weapon and whack people with it. Then there are some like Rina and her underling, who are great at throwing projectiles like a lance or spear but weak in their physical strength."

"We are a mix of Mages that work for the same person, so don't be upset if you can't win the duel. Everyone's got something they're good and bad at, so don't stress too much about it," finished Bryan, getting up to stretch.

I grinned and started laughing, which shocked the Slayer.

"You say that as if I would lose to you. We haven't clashed blades yet, so what makes you think I would lose to you? For this match, I want to put your all into it, and I will do the same. We don't have to kill each other, but I want to see the power of a First Seat within the Barren Pillars."

"Prove to me that it would be worth fighting alongside you. Because if you are weaker than me, my back would be sore from carrying you. And I don't intend to drag dead weight around," I demanded, with a crazed look and baring my canines.

I've never been one to initiate a fight, but I could feel the adrenaline pumping through me when I challenged Bryan. Without the shackles that bounded me, without being commanded. My free will was itching for a fight.

I'd rather have a good and long match against someone as strong as me than have to kill off so many weaker ones. It's just a waste of life and time. An excellent old long duel is what I needed now. I don't have to worry about the police catching me or pesky aunties sticking their noses around.

"Alright then, since you are brimming with confidence. Let's do it after we pay for the meal, and I'll bring you out of the village and to the clearing in the middle of the forest. I won't hold back against you, so count this as your final warning."