The words slipped from his lips—quiet, almost frail—yet they carried the weight of thunder.
Soft as a whisper, they drifted like gentle waves kissing the shore, each syllable laced with quiet power.
Yuta stood before Slurig, eyes burning with unyielding determination.
This was no mere opponent.
This was the enemy his soul had long hungered to destroy.
"Soul Chain."
The moment the incantation left his mouth, Luna's hands began to tremble violently, like a withered leaf caught in a storm.
No.Not again.
She clenched her teeth and fists until her knuckles turned white, desperate to hold herself together.
But under the cold, clear moonlight, the memory returned in merciless clarity: Yuta dying in her arms for the first time.
His blood warm against her skin. His final breath brushing her cheek.
The crushing weight of guilt pressed deeper into her chest, threatening to drown her where she stood.
"Luna."
His voice, sharp as a sword, cut through the air. Luna looked up at him slowly.
"Don't cry," Yuta said.
"I think you should cry."
"He is about to die."
Slurig stepped forward, standing in front of both Luna and Yuta. His face was grim, casting a heavy shadow over them. His hoarse voice stayed calm as he continued.
"I respect you worrying about him and all, but—"
Clenching his fists tightly, his aura rose fiercely.
"Are you going to mock him?"
Luna sank to her feet as he grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked it downward.
Is it right? Should I trust Yuta?
She stared up closely at Yuta's face.
His expression remained full of determination. He did not falter, even with Slurig standing right in front of him, completely unbothered by what was happening.
"I trust you," Luna whispered.
"Of course."
Her voice came out in a calm, delicate tone—like a soft whisper—yet Yuta heard it loud and clear.
As Yuta stared at Slurig, his composure faltered for a moment.
I really talked big in front of Luna, didn't I?
Yuta ruffled his hair in confusion.
I was even backed up by Slurig… my enemy.
But—
I know all too well.
Taking a gamble where both mine and his lives sit on opposite sides of the same coin.
His breath came uneven. His heart raced violently. His fingers trembled under immense pressure as sweat trickled down his face.
Yet—
Why am I not worried?
Yuta's face darkened. A deadly smirk slowly grew across his lips.
"Can I finally get the thrilling excitement you promised me?"
Slurig asked in a foul tone.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Haa…
Taking deep breaths, Yuta slowly allowed his body to calm down
He centered himself as he steadied his chest up and down
'Calm down'
'Don't be overwhelmed by emotions'
The air around Yuta thickened, growing heavy with latent power.
Silver like chains materialized out of nowhere, wrapping around his body and clinging to his skin as if they were part of him.
Coiling and tightening, the chains formed a glowing core around Yuta's chest
Whoosh
Raising his hand slowly in the air, the chain lashed out abruptly
Clank!
Shooting forward at blinding speed, the silver chains charged towards Slurig's chest
'Crap!'
Instinctively, Slurig raised his sword
Metals clashed violently against each other fiercely as the impact shoved him back for a split second.
He felt their crushing weight bearing down on his blade.
Shifting his stance, Slurig glanced sideways at Yuta.
The boy's face was completely devoid of emotion — cold, almost possessed.
Calmly, Yuta raised his other hand.
A second wave of chains flew straight at Slurig.
Dodging every chain effortlessly, Slurig's interest in Yuta began to fade with each passing second.
The fight was dragging on, and as it dragged on, Slurig's boredom became more evident as it showed on his face.
"Is that all you can do?" Slurig asked.
"If so, you're extremely pathetic."
Charging straight at Yuta with terrifying speed, Slurig moved swiftly
With every powerful step, his feet cracked the ground beneath him.
Bulg
Veins bulged across his head and arms as he swung his sword with raw, precise brute force.
His malice was impossible to hide — it exploded outward like thick, choking miasma.
Yuta could feel it crawling across his skin.
Whoosh
Yuta dodged Slurig's first attack head on which caught him by surprise yet he showed no reaction
Instantly twisting his sword mid-air, Slurig brought it swinging down again in one fluid motion.
"I win."