[T.L: punisher87]
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The first emotion that came to Ranke Halovice's mind was confusion.
'My jaw, broken?! And in a single punch...!'
Ranke was proud of having the best physique in the four great dukes of the demon world.
It was the first time his bone was broken in a single blow in his reign as a powerful demon.
The next emotion that filled Ranke was anger. How dare someone interrupt him and even throw a punch without hesitation!
However, it was not yet the time to lose composure. Just because the opponent was uncouth didn't mean a noble like himself should stoop to the same level.
Creak! Ranke, who had distanced himself, forcibly aligned his misaligned jaw.
The displaced bone quickly healed as it returned to its original position.
"Attacking an unsuspecting opponent has always been the prerogative of the lowly. Hmph, I greeted you first with a welcoming heart, and you responded with such impoliteness... Kek!"
Bang!
The jawbone that Ranke had just realigned was once again broken as Jin swung his elbow.
Ranke increased the distance again and felt his tears welling up.
"Oh, come on!"
Ranke fixed his jaw when he stepped back again.
"Did you let your guard down again?"
"No, I only tried to maintain my dignity."
"Then you have died twice by my hands for trying to keep your dignity. If I had hit you properly, your head would be gone."
"Then, I have no reason to respect you anymore!"
Ranke's eyes turned red like blood.
A thorny whip materialized in his hand before anyone knew it.
"A thorny whip? What an elegant weapon you use."
Shaaak!
The whip flew with a bang.
Ranke turned dozens of remnants of chaos into ashes just by lightly waving his hand and releasing the demonic energy.
Of course, the power of the whip, properly imbued with energy, would be beyond comparison.
'Come to think of it, this is the first time I've faced someone since the last sparring with sister Baba.'
Was it because of that?
To Jin, Ranke's whip felt harmless.
It was like watching the clumsy swordsmanship of a novice knight.
Jin just couldn't get the impression that Ranke was strong.
'Don't you have any plans to avoid it?'
Thud, quack...…!
As Jin grabbed the thorny whip with his bare hands, Ranke's eyes widened as if they were about to pop out.
The sturdy thorns of the demon world's thornwood were breaking lifelessly within Jin's grip.
'I heard that he was far below Bianca until two and a half years ago...! Did everyone lie to me!? He just 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 battle prowess was already around 10-star even 2 years and 6 months ago, and he also kept in mind that Jin would have achieved considerable growth after entering closed door training.
But the human who now held the whip was different from what the members of Kinzelo had described.
"The only reason I haven't killed you outright is for one thing, demon."
"Ranke. Ranke Halovice!"
"Because I have some questions. Why did the Great Desert of Mitra come to 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 so speechless."
"I mean, I'll kill you in a way that won't be too painful."
"You seem to have grown a little more than what I have heard, but don't get too ahead of yourself. This Lord Ranke is indeed very strong."
"Is that so? Compared to Bianca Kaligo, I think you're very ridiculous."
"I am superior to that inferior Kaligo... Don't compare myself to that lowly bitch!"
Swoosh!
Ranke pulled the whip with all his might.
However, Jin was immovable like a giant stone, and Ranke's stance only became more ridiculous. Moreover, Jin seemed at ease, using only one hand.
"Ha, ha, ha. Alright, I admit it. Your strength... surpasses mine!"
Ranke took out a new thorny whip, resumed his attack on Jin. Only then did Jin effortlessly fend off the whip with Sigmund.
"Do you really not understand the situation, or do you have something to believe in? Are you waiting for your friends to come to your rescue?"
"This Lord Ranke doesn't need such things."
As Ranke said that, he suddenly felt a chill on his neck.
It was because Jin, who was supposed to be beyond the shower of the whip, had disappeared.
"It seems you're not accustomed to fighting against opponents stronger than yourself. 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 if Ranke was decapitated in the blink of an eye.
"It's best to quickly admit defeat and plan to survive. To do that, you need to prove your worth to the opponent. Present immediate reasons and evidence why you shouldn't be killed right away, so you can have a chance for 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 avoided demonic energy and took his position again.
Demonic energy, which stretched into the air, went far by sweeping away everything that stood in its way.
Thump, thump, thump...! Ranke's heart pounded in his chest like the beating of a war drum.
Fear, an emotion he hadn't felt in quite a long time, now overwhelmed him.
"Tell me why the Great Desert became like this."
There is no killing intent in Jin's voice. It was a calm tone, but Ranke could feel cold sweat oozing from every pore.
Haa, haa, Ranke's breath became ragged.
He was thinking of his father.
'Is this green horn... really on par with my father's strength?'
It seemed like his father was standing in front. A terrible sensation, as if a huge unbreakable wall was closing in from all sides and threw Ranke into a swamp of panic.
"The Great Desert...."
"Well, it seems you've finally decided to get a bit smarter."
"The desert... the desert is, um, you see..."
Jin waited for a while, but Ranke trembled and couldn't say anything.
'This guy's in a strange state.'
Just as Jin was about to threaten him, Ranke's whip passed right in front of Jin's eyes.
Although he reacted promptly, it was a distinctly sharper attack compared to just a moment ago.
It was an attack that Ranke threw unconsciously.
Now Jin's eyes were filled with bloodlust.
"I don't know if you are scared or if some unpleasant memories 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 went out, saying something happened in the desert?"
"Huh? Is there a problem with that?"
Ainas Kaligo and Bubare Gaston. As usual, the two shared sweet potato croquettes and received reports from beastmen.
Among those who remained in the old headquarters, Ranke was the only person outstanding enough to sense the battle in the Great Desert.
"If it's Ranke's summoning technique experiment, that's possible."
"Oh, that strange experiment where he wanted to summon the souls of the old grand dukes."
"Hmm. What do you think, Bubare! Should I tell the Grand Duchess or my sister?"
"Wouldn't Lord Ranke get angry if it was a simple experiment accident like last time? Lord Ranke is the kind of person who can't stand taking other people's help."
"What if it wasn't Ranke's experiment, but an intruder or something? The Great Desert is also the area where Jin Runcandel is believed to have moved last...…."
"Ah, it's already 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 damn guy stayed there because he wanted to train? We also did a search."
"Indeed, that makes sense, right? Bubar is undeniably smart! But well, even if it's an intruder, there's probably no one but the Tikan's people who came to retrieve waste."
"Although Lord Ranke is a little stupid, but he is not someone to be beaten by the Tikan's people."
"Well, it wouldn't even be a problem for my older sister. But Ranke is strong too. He's really strong, especially when he loses control. Even before the downfall of the demon world, we were well aware of rampaging Ranke. Anyway, when Ranke comes, let's ask him to prepare some food. Something delicious!"
"Let's try out new cookies that will break Latrie's refreshment shop!"
***
"Keuk, kek...."
While Ainas and Bubare chatted away, Ranke suffered a devastating defeat against Jin.
Whenever the trauma related to his father was triggered, Ranke usually went into a rampage, becoming stronger. In that state, he was invincible against anyone.
However, as of today, the undefeated streak of 'Rampaging Ranke' has been broken.
When he won, he didn't remember the process, but not this time.
Although it was a close battle, from the point when he started to be pushed back in earnest, the rampage was stopped and his consciousness returned.
"Whoa."
Jin wiped his forehead and caught his breath.
He was also bleeding from cuts and bruises all over his body.
He was not fatally wounded, but there were several injuries that could be called serious.
However, if he hadn't fought while protecting the backpack containing the items from Laprarosa, he would have ended up with only minor wounds.
"So demon, you mean."
"Stop... calling me...… demon. My name is...… Ranke...… Halovice. Since I listened to your request... You too... should show some... cough, respect..."
Ranke vomited blood. He was barely breathing, with all his limbs broken.
"Yes, Ranke Halovice. I'll acknowledge your tenacity. Anyway, according to your explanation, the reason the desert turned out like this is that all the factions used it as an experimental disposal site after contamination. You just used it as a playground because you liked it 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."
"Just... I like it here, that's all."
Jin thought for a moment about what Ranke was trying to do here.
And Ranke was conscious of the backpack that Jin had been trying to protect.
Finally, it seemed that the only way to survive was to create an opening by aiming for it.
And Jin decided that whatever Ranke was trying to do here, it was a matter of knowing later.
"Well, that's enough. I'll take care of the rest. Oh, and I'll tell you in advance. If you're thinking of doing something to my backpack to get out of this crisis, forget about it."
Ranke lowered his head.
He had attempted to do so even before things got this messy, but he couldn't even leave a small scratch on the backpack.
It would be even more challenging now, and as long as Jin was aware of it, it was absolutely impossible.
"I lost, kill me...."
"I am going to. Is there anything you want to say?"
"At this place, erect a monument that commemorates my glory and nobility..."
While listening to Ranke's last words.
Suddenly, Jin struck down his sword at the fallen Ranke.
Whenever an important figure in Kinzelo was in danger, he would appear without fail and unexpectedly. It was because the steel gate of Orgal, the Demon Beast King, was formed over Ranke.
'Ha! It's been a while since I've seen that damn steel gate.'
Ching-!
The speed at which the metal gate sucked in Ranke was a little faster. Jin narrowed his eyes in annoyance and glared at the steel door.
Even after saving Ranke, the steel gate didn't disappear right away and Jin heard his voice.
[You're back, Jin Runcandel.]
It was the voice of Orgal, the leader of Kinzelo.
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