Chapter 68: Delinquent Versus Sprig Prince!

'This monster seems to want to play.' Ryuji's eyes narrowed, his grasp tightening keeping a close gaze on the two knives that the sprig prince flipped and tossed like a juggling clown.

"He's coming!" The moment Ryuji's voice echoed in the strange forest, he rushed forward, matching the prince lunging at him. The next instant, two blades extended towards his chest. With the steel pole, Ryuji pushed out, deflecting both blades, creating a burst of sparks, before kicking the sprig's lower body.

"Guh... you are mean!" Pae'Lom whined, tossing the blades in a rapid spin while watching Ryuji with a glare.

"I'm only mean to monsters like you." Ryuji snorted, using the steel pole to deflect the knife tossed at him. His body twisted, dodging the other blade thrust towards his chest.

"I am not a monster!" Pae'Lom's voice was high-pitched and filled with defiance. His empty hands lifted into the air, glowing with a blue and green glow. The lights formed a flower on each palm, causing several sprigs to appear around the party. "My friends will help me, now you pay!"

"The prince calls!"

"Hail the prince!"

"Pae'Lom!"

Each of the sprigs chanted upon their appearance; before Ryuji could react, the blue and green sprigs began casting spells, a mixture of water bolts and wind blades rapidly descending upon the party.

"Don't let them attack!" Ryuji shouted, rushing forward while trying to avoid the attacks that came towards him. His steps were awkward before he stepped into a strange circle of thorns that wrapped around his ankle and tightened.

The sharp thorns cut into his flesh, a strange burning and throbbing sensation assaulting his left leg. "Damn rat bastard!" In his anger, Ryuji grasped the prince, the blood claw wrapped around his tiny throat, strangling him; the more Ryuji's anger filled the spell, the more his eyes transformed into his demonic form.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Erika growled, her hands flickering as she danced through the forest. Her dagger and blade sliced and diced the sprigs into pieces. Her face was covered in sweat as she fluttered around the attacks from the sprigs and avoided the strange circles of thorns that seemed to appear under her feet.

"Ryuji! Stop!" A soft voice called out, causing Ryuji to pause for a moment before he felt a sharp pain in his leg. The thorns grew longer the more damage he inflicted on the prince, now almost tearing his leg apart as Yumiko's body dashed forward and started cutting the thick vines.

"You first!" Yumiko's voice echoed through the forest as she launched herself from the axe, her body spinning in the air like a corkscrew. Her legs lashed out, the blades inside her boots sticking out, kicking the sprig prince in the face, tearing his cheek and knocking him to the ground before she landed with a roll.

"You... you... you..." Pae'Lom cried out with rage, his voice high-pitched as he pointed at Yumiko. His hand trembled, holding his face as he stared at the blood dripping from his hands. "D--"

Before he could shout, Ryuji's axe cleaved a red line through the air, cutting the poor sprig's arm and leg clean off. His body twitched as he fell to the ground, his face filled with shock as he looked at Ryuji.

"You... you cut my arm off... you cut my leg off... you hurt me..." Pae'Lom muttered in a low voice, tears dripping down his cheeks as he looked at Ryuji.

"I don't care." Ryuji's hand pushed down, covered with the bloody claw, crushing the sprig's face while the sharp shards continued to rain down on the barrier; Sheila's face turned pale as she pushed both hands out, grasping tightly while muttering the supportive chant to keep the barrier up.

"I... I... I hate you..." Pae'Lom struggled to speak as Ryuji's claw dug deeper into his face, blood dripping from his forehead before his body turned limp.

"You little bastard!" Ryuji roared, lifting his right arm with a fist to smash the sprig prince's body into pieces. He punched the sprig prince repeatedly, his strength and power increasing with each punch until his body was nothing but a mangled mess of flesh and blood.

While he killed the sprig, a strange change appeared on his face. However, only Yumiko could see the small smile growing on Ryuji's face each time his fist crushed the flesh and bones of the Pae'Lom, a wet crunch echoing until his wicked and twisted smile resembled nothing human! His eyes turned black and pupils sapphire blue, yet Ryuji seemed to laugh as blood and flesh splattered his face.

"Ryuji! Stop! Stop!" Yumiko cried out, grabbing Ryuji's arm with tears in her eyes. "He's dead! He's dead!"

"Ryuji?" Yumiko questioned, her voice trembling as she took a step back. She feared it might not be him, or somehow he changed. The next moment, he grabbed her neck, pulling her closer to him—the intense look in his eyes was both captivating and ferocious. His lips pressed against hers, his tongue invading her mouth. The taste of blood filled her mouth before he pulled away.

"You... you..." Yumiko gasped for breath, her face flushed as she looked at Ryuji. She felt dizzy and light-headed while staring at him. However, his face returned to normal, and his soft eyes and lips returned to the Ryuji she knew best.

"Thanks, Yumiko. I got a little too excited." Ryuji smiled, releasing his grip on her neck. His eyes were warm and gentle as he hugged her tightly, pressing his face against her neck, taking deep breaths as if he struggled to breathe.

—Sprig Prince Pae'Lom Slain! - Level Up!