C626
The first emotion that came to Ranke Halovice's mind was confusion.
'My jaw, broken?! And with a single punch...!'
Ranke was proud of having the best physique among the four great dukes of the demon world.
It was the first time a bone had been broken with a single blow in his reign as a powerful demon.
The next emotion that flooded Ranke was anger.
How dare someone interrupt him and even punch him without hesitation!
However, it wasn't the time to lose composure yet.
Just because the opponent was rude didn't mean a noble like him should stoop to the same level.
Crunch!Ranke, who had distanced himself, forcibly aligned his misaligned jaw.
The displaced bone quickly healed as it returned to its original position.
"Attacking an unprepared opponent has always been the prerogative of the humble. Hmph, I greeted you first with a welcoming heart, and you respond with such discourtesy... Kek!"
Bang!
The jaw Ranke had just realigned broke again as Jin struck with his elbow.
Ranke once again increased the distance and felt tears welling up.
"Oh, come on!"
Ranke fixed his jaw as he retreated.
"Did you let your guard down again?"
"No, I was just trying to maintain my dignity."
"Then you've died twice at my hands for trying to maintain your dignity. If I had struck you properly, your head would have disappeared."
"Then, I have no reason to respect you anymore!"
Ranke's eyes turned blood red.
A spiked whip materialized in his hand before anyone could notice.
"A spiked whip? What an elegant weapon you use."
Shaaaak!
The whip flew with a roar.
Ranke turned dozens of chaos remnants into ashes with just a slight hand movement and the release of demonic energy.
Of course, the power of the whip, properly imbued with energy, would be beyond comparison.
'Now that I think about it, this is the first time I'm facing someone since the last sparring with Elder Sister Baba.'
Was that why?
To Jin, Ranke's whip seemed harmless.
It was like watching the clumsy swordsmanship of a novice knight.
Jin didn't have the impression that Ranke was strong.
'You don't have any plans to avoid it?'
Thud, quack......!
When Jin grabbed the spiked whip with his own hands, Ranke's eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
The sturdy thorns of the spiked wood from the demon world broke lifelessly in Jeremiah's grip.
'I've heard that he was far below Bianca until two and a half years ago...! Did everyone lie to me!? He grabbed it with his bare hands.'
All the information Ranke had about Jin came from the stories of the members of Kinzelo.
Therefore, he knew that Jin's combat prowess was already around the 10-star level even 2 years and 6 months ago, and he also took into account that Jin would have achieved considerable growth after entering closed-door training.
But the human now wielding the whip was different from what the members of Kinzelo had described.
"The only reason I haven't killed you directly is for one thing, demon."
"Ranke. Ranke Halovice!"
"Because I have some questions. Why did the Great Desert of Mitra end up in this state, and why did you call this place a playground? Explain in detail, and I might show some mercy."
"Show mercy? Ha, I'm speechless."
"I mean, I'll kill you in a way that isn't too painful."
"It seems you've grown a bit more than I've heard, but don't get ahead of yourself. This Lord Ranke is really strong."
"Oh, really? Compared to Bianca Kaligo, you seem very ridiculous to me."
"I am superior to that lowly Kaligo... Don't compare me to that lowly wench!"
Swoosh!
Ranke pulled the whip with all his might.
However, Jin was immovable like a giant stone, and Ranke's posture only became more ridiculous. Additionally, Jin seemed calm, using just one hand.
"Ha, ha, ha. Alright, I admit it. Your strength... surpasses mine!"
Ranke drew a new spiked whip and resumed his attack on Jeremiah. Only then did Jin effortlessly dodge the whip with Sigmund.
"Do you really not understand the situation, or do you have something to believe in? Are you expecting your friends to come rescue you?"
"This Lord Ranke doesn't need such things."
As he said that, Ranke suddenly felt a chill on his neck.
It was because Jin, who was supposed to be beyond the rain of whips, had disappeared.
"It seems you're not used to fighting opponents stronger than you. In such situations, it's not about forcing courage by pushing away fear..." Jin's voice came from the side, ten steps away.
It was such a distance that it wouldn't be strange for Ranke to be decapitated in the blink of an eye.
"The best thing is to quickly admit defeat and plan survival. For that, you have to prove your worth to the opponent. Present immediate reasons and evidence why they shouldn't kill you right away, so you can have a chance in the future. Besides, didn't I personally tell you what I want from you?"
Aaaah-!
The demonic energy shot by Ranke attacked Jin like a dragon's breath.
Of course, Jin easily dodged the demonic energy and resumed his position.
The demonic energy, which spread through the air, reached far, sweeping away everything in its path.
Thump, thump, thump...! Ranke's heart pounded in his chest like the beat of a war drum.
Fear, an emotion he hadn't felt in a long time, now overwhelmed him.
"Tell me why the Great Desert has become like this."
There was no killing intent in Jin's voice. It was a calm tone, but Ranke could feel cold sweat oozing from every pore.
Ranke's breathing became labored.
He was thinking about his father.
"Is this green horn... really up to my father's strength?"
It seemed as if his father was standing right in front of him.
A terrible feeling, as if an enormous unbreakable wall was closing in from all sides, throwing Ranke into a swamp of panic.
"The Great Desert..."
"Well, it seems you've finally decided to be a bit smarter."
"The desert... the desert... you'll see..."
Jin waited for a while, but Ranke trembled and couldn't say anything.
'This guy is in a strange state.'
Just as Jin was about to approach to threaten him, Ranke's whip passed right in front of Jin's eyes.
Although he reacted promptly, it was a clearly sharper attack than a moment ago.
It was an attack Ranke launched unconsciously.
Now Jin's eyes were full of bloodlust.
"I don't know if you're scared or if unpleasant memories have surfaced in your mind. But you'll come to your senses if I give you a beating."
-----------
At the same time.
The former headquarters of Kinzelo, Land of the Beastmen.
"What? Ranke suddenly left, saying something happened in the desert?"
"Huh? Is there a problem with that?"
Ainas Kaligo and Bouvard Gaston.
As usual, the two shared sweet potato croquettes and received reports from the beastmen.
Among those who remained at the former headquarters, Ranke was the only one notable enough to sense the battle in the Great Desert.
"If it's Ranke's summoning technique experiment, it's possible."
"Oh, that strange experiment where he wanted to summon the souls of the former grand dukes."
"Hmm. What do you think, Bouvard? Should I tell the Grand Duchess or my sister?"
"Wouldn't Lord Ranke be upset if it were just an experimental accident like last time? Lord Ranke is the type who can't stand accepting help from others."
"What if it wasn't Ranke's experiment, but an intruder or something? The Great Desert is also the area where Jin Runcandel was last believed to have moved..."
"Ah, it's been over a year since the Great Desert was contaminated. Since then, everyone has been using it as a dumping ground for experiments. Do you think that bastard stayed there because he wanted to train? We also conducted a search."
"Indeed, that makes sense, right? Bouvard is undeniably smart! But well, even if it's an intruder, it's probably just people from Tikan coming to retrieve waste."
"Although Lord Ranke is a bit foolish, he's not someone who can be defeated by people from Tikan."
"Well, it wouldn't even be a problem for my elder sister. But Ranke is also strong. He's really strong, especially when he loses control. Even before the fall of the demon world, we were well aware of Ranke's fury. Anyway, when Ranke comes, let's ask him to prepare some food. Something delicious!"
"Let's try new cookies that break Latrie's snack shop!"
--------------
"Keuk, kek......."
While Ainas and Bouvard chatted, Ranke suffered a devastating defeat against Jin.
Whenever trauma related to his father was triggered, Ranke would usually enter a rage, becoming stronger. In that state, he was invincible against anyone.
However, as of today, the unbeaten streak of "Rampaging Ranke" has been broken.
When he won, he wouldn't remember the process, but not this time.
Although it was a fierce battle, from the moment he started being seriously pushed back, the rampage stopped, and his consciousness returned.
"Wow."
Jin wiped his forehead and caught his breath.
He was also bleeding from cuts and bruises all over his body.
He wasn't mortally wounded, but there were several injuries that could be considered serious.
However, if he hadn't fought while protecting the backpack containing the items from Lafrarosa, he would have ended up with only minor wounds.
"So, demon, you mean."
"Stop... calling me... demon. My name is... Ranke... Halovice. Since I heard your request... You should also... show some... coff, respect..."
Ranke spat blood. He was barely breathing, with all his limbs broken.
"Yes, Ranke Halovice. I acknowledge your tenacity. Anyway, according to your explanation, the reason the desert ended up like this is that all factions used it as an experimental dumping ground after the contamination. You used it as a playground because you liked being here, is that what you're saying?"
"Yes..."
"The first reason is acceptable, but the second is not enough. You were trying to do something here."
"I just... like being here, that's all."
Jin thought for a moment about what Ranke was trying to do here.
And Ranke became aware of the backpack Jin had been trying to protect.
Finally, it seemed the only way to survive was to create an opening by aiming at it.
And Jin decided that, whatever Ranke was trying to do here, it was a matter to find out later.
"Well, that's enough. I'll handle the rest. Ah, and I'll tell you in advance. If you're thinking of doing something to my backpack to get out of this crisis, forget it."
Ranke lowered his head.
He had tried even before things got so rough, but he couldn't leave even a small scratch on the backpack.
Now it would be even harder, and as long as Jin was aware of it, it was absolutely impossible.
"I've lost, kill me..."
"I will. Is there anything you want to say?"
"In this place, erect a monument commemorating my glory and nobility..."
While listening to Ranke's last words.
Suddenly, Jin struck down the fallen Ranke with his sword.
Whenever an important figure from Kinzelo was in danger, he would appear without fail and unexpectedly. It was because Orgal, the Demon Beast King’s steel door, formed over Ranke.
'Ha! It's been a while since I saw that damned steel door.'
Ching-!
The speed at which the steel door sucked in Ranke was a bit faster.
Jin squinted his eyes, annoyed, and glared at the steel door.
Even after saving Ranke, the steel door did not disappear immediately and Jin heard his voice.
[You have returned, Jin Runcandel.]
It was the voice of Orgal, the leader of Kinzelo.
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KO-FI
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