Chapter 9

I rushed forward, launching a series of attacks at Byron Nevaeh. I no longer cared about anything else; my only goal now was to defeat my opponent as quickly as possible. But ….

“Damn, damn, damn it!” I kept my distance for a moment, realizing that no matter how much I attacked, my punches never touched this damned noble even once. I was very sure he was being protected by Nick with some kind of invisible shield.

"There's no use in trying, loser!" said Byron Nevaeh, who hadn't moved an inch. "You will never be able to break through the defense that Nick created for me!" He slowly thrust his sword forward, attacking quickly.

I jumped far back, avoiding the attack since I no longer had a weapon. But he continued his relentless attack, swinging his sword horizontally and vertically in succession, knowing I couldn't retaliate because my sword had broken during the fight with my brother. Even so, Byron Nevaeh still couldn't hurt me with his attacks.

Byron Nevaeh kept swinging his sword as fast as he could without reducing the number of attacks he launched. I didn't want to admit it, but he must have trained a lot with the sword to reach this level. Damn, this is the worst situation; he left me no choice but to retreat and avoid his attacks more quickly. I had to find a way to overcome this situation. Come on, Ars, you can find an opening; use all the knowledge you've gained!

A few moments later, Byron Nevaeh stopped attacking, pausing to take a solid stance. His eyes were sharp, then without a hint of hesitation, he swung his sword horizontally.

I immediately lay down, avoiding the powerful attack that created a half-circle of wind. I was lucky enough to dodge that attack; if it had hit me, I would have been split in two.

“I'll drag you to hell!” I once again rushed forward, kicking Byron Nevaeh with my right leg. But, as before, my attack couldn't touch the man at all. "Tch!" I quickly jumped back again, keeping my distance while trying to find a gap in his shield.

“You're Nick Salazar's brother, right? It turns out you're quite tough,” said Byron Nevaeh, observing me. “Even though you're tough, you're not as great as your brother. But how about you become my personal guard? I'm sure you'll be much stronger than you are now.”

“Pardon?” I didn't know if he was mocking me or what, but I would take him seriously this time. “I'll say this very clearly. I'm absolutely not interested in being a noble's 'dog'!”

“Didn't your parents teach you how to speak properly?” Byron thrust his sword forward again. “If you really want to die, I'll grant your wish!”

***

At the same time, on the other side, Neville was fighting with all his strength against Nick. He kept his distance for a moment, then used his unique move—blinding his opponent for a few seconds. But that brief moment couldn't be used to its fullest.

Beast Thestral rushed forward, attacking Nick, who was blinded, but even its hard kick couldn't scratch Nick's body at all. Nick had already protected himself with an invisible shield, so Neville's sudden attack could be anticipated.

“Your name is Neville Donatien, right?” Nick suddenly opened a conversation with Neville. “Honestly, I don't really care about missions or anything like that. I came here simply to invite you to be my subordinate. Your Beast has quite a bit of power, although it's not comparable to my great dragon. What do you say to this offer, Neville Donatien?”

Instead of agreeing right away, Neville just shook his head. “Being personally invited to be your subordinate is quite an honor. But, unfortunately, you're too late, because I've already promised to be Ars' friend.”

“Yeah, my little brother's power is indeed strong. But the fact is, I'm stronger than him, right? Why are you so stubborn about keeping your promise to him?”

“Ars is one of my reasons, but my reason for not wanting to be your subordinate isn't just because of that.” Neville stayed alert, observing his surroundings. “I don't want to have any ties with anyone associated with the Nevaeh family. That's all.”

“That’s all?” Nick tilted his head. “If you really want to destroy them, I can finish them off for you in just one night. I also don't care much about that backwater noble family.”

“That’s a very interesting offer, but ….” Regardless of whether his attack would be in vain, Neville attacked Nick again with his Beast Thestral. “Ars offered it first!”

“How fool.” Nick immediately flung the Beast Thestral as far as possible with his Beast Dragon. Without wasting any time, Nick rushed forward, swinging his sword vertically.

That quick attack left Neville with only enough time to take a step back, allowing Nick's sword to cut his left cheek.

“Argh!!!” Neville collapsed, covering the wound on his face with both palms.

“Even though I gave you a good offer, you chose the wrong path,” said Nick, lifting his sword. “Farewell, foolish.”

***

Sigh … sigh … sigh…. Is my journey going to end this quickly?! No! I won't let it end!

My body felt heavy, my breathing was erratic. I didn't want to die, but I was lying helpless. My energy was completely drained and pain spread throughout my body as Byron Nevaeh stepped on my chest, his sword pointed directly at my face.

“My mood is good and we don't have any grudges. So, do you have any last words?” asked Byron Nevaeh confidently. “I will listen to you, Ars Salazar.”

“This isn’t over!” I rejected this fate, moving my hands and feet, but it was all in vain.

“In that case …, die.”

“Damn….” I closed my eyes tightly as Byron Nevaeh slowly raised his sword. I don't want to! I don't accept my journey ending here! I still haven't done anything in this world. “Damn it!!!”

Dong….

Suddenly a sound echoed in my head, but I didn't know where it came from. However, I felt that this sound was bringing my consciousness somewhere.

Is it the bell of death? Damn it….

***

A moment earlier, where Neville was. He was still bowing his head, enduring the pain from his wound. He couldn't see clearly what was happening, but he felt Nick's sword swing towards him quickly. He wanted to dodge, but his legs couldn't move, while his hands still covered the wound on his face.

Dong….

The sound suddenly echoed in Neville's head. Then, along with the arrival of that sound, Neville felt his consciousness starting to fade. His eyes that could see earlier suddenly saw nothing but pitch darkness. It was like feeling the power of his own Beast, but the difference was that his consciousness was slowly fading.

I still don't want to die, damn it…, Neville shouted in his heart. He didn't understand what was happening, but he hoped it wasn't something bad.

***

Pain … I can't move my body. Besides, where am I? Is this heaven? Hell? Nirvana? Or Valhalla?

I don't know. Is my soul in one of those places? Am I really dead? But my whole body feels pain, even though they say souls can't feel pain or anything. Is that a false teaching? This is clearly very painful!

“Argh….” I tried to open my eyes slowly.

“Finally, you’re awake, Ars….”

Wait …! I think I’ve heard this voice somewhere before.