The morning was cold, but the atmosphere was tense. The entire village had gathered, their eyes fixed on the impossible battle unfolding before them.
Some of them whispered anxiously, as if they had already resigned themselves to fate. But others saw this as a glimmer of hope.
Their prayers echoed silently in their hearts.
But I knew... prayers alone would not be enough.
I had slashed my katana countless times, leaving deep wounds all over Zepr's body.
Yet, every single wound I inflicted healed within seconds.
He wasn't human. He was a monster.
I took a step back, my breaths growing shorter. This fight had lasted over ten minutes, and I was running out of energy.
Zepr smirked, his eyes still sharp.
"Who are you, really?" he asked, his breathing slightly heavier. "I never expected… a kid to fight me like this."
I didn't answer. I just stood there, my sword feeling heavier in my grip.
I was exhausted.
But I couldn't afford to lose.
Zepr grinned. "So… does Norman really think you alone can defeat me?"
I took a deep breath.
I raised my katana toward him. "Today, you fall."
Zepr chuckled darkly, his crimson eyes locked onto mine. "I'd love to see you try."
I knew.
I couldn't win with normal attacks.
Closing my eyes, I steadied my breathing. My sword trembled, absorbing the mana flowing wildly through my body.
This technique… I had never tried it before.
"Uncle… I never had the chance to master this properly. But I'll try anyway!"
In my heart, I could only pray that it would work.
Zepr, seeing me prepare for something, charged without hesitation. Though his body wasn't fully healed, he was still far faster than me.
Too fast.
But—
"Now!"
My blade sliced through the air, creating a silver arc of light.
Srrriiiiingggg!!!
In the blink of an eye, a deep cut split Zepr's body from head to torso, followed by a violent explosion of mana that shook the ground beneath us.
Thick smoke filled the air.
The villagers shielded their eyes, coughing as dust swirled around them.
I lay on the ground, completely drained. My sword had slipped from my grasp.
Did I… win?
---
The smoke slowly cleared.
I opened my eyes slightly, and there he was—Zepr.
Still standing.
Blood dripped from his body, the deepest wound I had ever inflicted.
But he was… still alive.
Not deep enough.
I let out a tired sigh. I had no energy left to stand.
Zepr chuckled, still bleeding. "Hahaha… for a moment, I thought I was dead. But it looks like I'm not."
I exhaled sharply.
"Uncle… I should've listened to your teachings more carefully…"
Zepr stepped closer, his eyes growing colder. "Well then…" He raised his hand, ready to finish me off.
"Goodbye."
BAM!!!
A deafening impact shook the ground.
Right in front of us, a massive crater had formed from an overwhelming force.
I squinted, trying to see through the smoke.
A man stood at the center of the newly-formed crater.
His hair was pure white.
His eyes were a piercing blue.
And his presence… was terrifying.
I wasn't sure if he was who I thought he was, but something in my gut told me—this man was dangerous.
Zepr took a step back. His face changed.
For the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.
"Zareth… what are you doing here?" Zepr's voice trembled.
The man lifted his gaze, looking at Zepr with chilling indifference.
"I came to collect a debt."
"What debt?" Zepr tried to stall for time.
"Your life."
Silence.
Zepr was stunned. But within seconds, his expression twisted into a smirk.
"Hahaha… you think you're strong enough?"
But before he could even move—
Srrraattt!!!
With a single slash, Zepr's left arm was severed from his body.
Zepr screamed in agony.
Then suddenly… he laughed.
A laugh that sent shivers down my spine.
"Hahahahaha…!"
He pulled out a small vial from his cloak.
The black liquid inside shimmered with a sinister aura, thick with malice.
"I really didn't want to use this… but you forced my hand!"
Without hesitation, Zepr downed the entire contents of the vial.
Within moments, his body began to change.
Massive black wings, like those of a raven, sprouted from his back. His eyes turned completely black, with glowing red pupils.
Small horns emerged from his forehead, and his fangs lengthened. A dark aura swirled around him, choking the air with suffocating malice.
I stared at him in horror.
"…Shit."
I could only hope that this new guy was strong enough to take him down.