Chapter 77 - Fatal Cuts

"Let's finish this soon..." Luke spoke, smiling wearily. 

"Won't you pity that noble boy's body?" the demon questioned, alluding to Jean's body, which he owned.

"I will be riding him as a dirty parasite, why should I pity him?"

Upon hearing this answer, the demon frowned most of his face and bit his teeth, highlighting the bones of his perfectly straight jaw. "You're annoying..." 

Luke, this time, looked inexpressively at the monster, who in turn looked with contempt and disgust at the man.

'Even without that weird armor, he's still pretty strong.' The half-wolf concluded, taking into account that the magic attack unleashed not long ago had almost killed him. 'I have to proceed with caution.'

The demon was also cautious because he had lost his main weapon of attack and defense. 

If not for Luke, he would surely have dealt with all the other adventurers and fled by now, however, the persistence and endurance of the half-beast were truly admirable. 

Then Luke began to walk towards the demon, who began to walk as well. Before they knew it, they were walking in a circle as they stared at each other, waiting for the first blow from the other.

Tap! Luke's shoe made a noise as he suddenly stepped forward, managing to surprise even the watchful eyes of the demon.

Using his right leg as a support, the dark-skinned man tried to stop Luke's attack with another attack, a kick. This kick didn't even come close to hitting the half-wolf, who deflected very deftly and then used <Vind> on the enemy's leg.

The fast wind hit Jean's knee and destabilized him, causing him to almost fall, which created a window of opportunity for Luke.

'Tsk! I didn't want to have to use this human abilities, but if that's the way it is...' The demon judged and then clenched his fist and hit the ground as he fell.

Before the half-wolf could seize the opportunity, a wall of water came out of nowhere, stopping him.

Still, Luke didn't let the surprise factor get in his way. Using the tip of his spear, he cut through the water and rushed forward. Soon after cutting through the wall, he was once again surprised by a water attack, this time an intense jet that threw him several meters back.

As he landed and pulled himself together, Luke threw back his wet hair, which further highlighted his semi-cute ears on top of his head. 

The water barrier came down after a few brief seconds, soaking some of the ground and revealing that the demon was already standing.

Once again, the half-wolf began to feel weak, as if he was unable to finish a difficult fight without someone's help. He looked at the spear in his hand and dropped it to the ground, concluding that at this stage of the battle, the object was slowing him down more than helping him.

The clang of the spear falling to the ground sounded like a melody to the monster's ears, who thought that the half-wolf was being arrogant in preferring to fight without a weapon.

However, when the two opponents approached each other once again for a hand-to-hand fight, Luke showed in practice that he was not unarmed. 

With his left palm fully open, Luke lightly struck the demon's belly, as his strength was abnormal, this simple blow was enough to create a deep cut.

'Arghh! What the fuck was that? He's stronger than I thought...' The demon judged, staking the wound with his one remaining hand as he walked away.

Luke didn't want to give the monster time to use his water abilities again, so he continued to press him with fierce attacks. Until finally, a right hand managed to accept Jean Pollo's chest in full and drove right through him. 

"Urgh! Wretched..." The demon said, still using force to try to pull Luke's arm out of his chest. 

Before asking about anything else, the half-beast inquired: "What have you done with Alexis, wretch!?"

Even in the face of his receptacle's death, the monster smiled debauched as blood stained its white teeth. "Are you worried about her? How cute... Next time we meet, I will kill her in front of you, then."

Luke frowned and only then remembered what the half-dragon had told him that demons only die when their true names are spoken, for that reason Alexis sealed the first one they met.

"Shit..." Shaaack! Luke removed his arm from Jean's chest, thus letting it fall to the ground. "Next time we meet, I will already know your name." Luke said, and for the first time in his life, he smiled like a real assassin. That was also the first time he deeply desired to kill someone.

The demon showed a look of disgust as he looked at the half-wolf, and slowly that expression died away. 

Then, from the wound created by Luke's fatal blow, the black cloud-shaped demon came out and spread in four directions quickly.

Luke stared at the body of the deceased Jean for a few seconds, hoping that maybe he could have a few brief moments of consciousness. In the end, all he got from that wait was a slight stirring of his pupil and a faint smile.

"I'm not very religious, but I hope you find rest where you are going now." Luke said to the dead man and walked toward the ravine, aiming to find some remnant of Alexis.

As soon as he approached the edge, Luke saw a hand strike the stone sidewalk of the place. Soon after, the half-dragon leaped up and landed right in front of him. 

"Aaai! Were you here already, Luke?" She inquired as she was startled by the man's presence. "Where is the demon?"

Without saying a single word, Luke pointed to Jean's body, which lay beside the ruins that the castle had become. 

"So, he did run away. Coward..." Alexis spoke, with a downcast look on his face. 

"Not very far." A gentle voice answered the half-dragon.

Luke looked quickly to the side and saw an almost translucent figure. She had the appearance of a child and, at the same time, a deep, experienced gaze. 

"Pontiff Rebecca!? What are you doing here!?" Surprised, Alexis straightened her spine in respect to the girl.

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