Daniel was definitely enjoying this.
Vincent had met a crazy person today. Was this it? Had he run out of luck so quickly?
He couldn't even bring himself to look at the bystanders. The weight of their stares bore down on him, and shame tightened his throat.
But still, he hadn't lost.
Not yet.
He feinted with an uppercut, drawing Daniel's attention—then unleashed a spinning backfist with blistering speed.
[You are using Spinning Serpent Strike]
Daniel's arm rose instinctively to block, but Vincent's fist slipped past, grazing his guard before landing solidly against his cheek.
The king's head snapped to the side, a flicker of surprise flashing in his sharp eyes.
Vincent didn't hesitate. He pressed forward, surging into a follow-up uppercut with every ounce of strength in his body.
[You are using Uppercut]
Daniel's chin crunched against Vincent's fist, his head jerking back from the force.
"Who said you can't fall for the same attack twice?!" Vincent roared, a primal fury igniting his battered frame.
Daniel staggered backward, clearly surprised—but rather than anger, a sanguine gleam lit his gaze.
Then—he laughed. A short, sharp bark of amusement.
"Not bad," he muttered, wiping the blood from his lip. "But you'll need more than that to defeat me."
Without warning, he exploded forward.
Lithe as a red panther, he closed the gap in an instant.
Vincent barely had time to react before a hurricane of strikes battered his guard.
Elbows, knees, fists—each one a seamless part of the relentless assault.
Desperation took over. Vincent countered on pure instinct, jabbing out with [Swift Serpent Strike]—but Daniel slipped it effortlessly, contempt flashing in his eyes before he smashed an elbow into Vincent's jaw.
The world spun.
Vincent stumbled, his vision wobbling. Before he could even register the pain, a roundhouse kick tore through the air.
He barely managed to raise an arm to block, but the sheer force numbed his entire limb.
And Daniel wasn't done.
A brutal straight punch crashed into his ribs, launching him backward. He hit the ground hard, blood pooling in his mouth.
This… this is insane.
Vincent struggled to his feet, but Daniel gave him no breathing room. Another blinding flurry of attacks crashed into him. He gritted his teeth, trying to endure.
But endurance wasn't enough.
His skills—his reflexes—none of it worked.
Daniel was too fast. Too experienced.
Vincent knew he couldn't keep this up.
If he wanted to change the tide of battle… he had to do something drastic.
As Daniel lunged in for another attack, Vincent suddenly dropped low, sweeping his leg out in a desperate gambit.
Daniel's eyes widened—
But it was too late.
His balance was ripped from under him as he crashed onto the ground.
Vincent pounced, aiming to pin him down—
But Daniel recovered instantly.
Their bodies tangled in a vicious grapple, rolling across the dirt in a brutal struggle for dominance.
Vincent fought with everything he had, straining to gain the upper hand.
But Daniel's strength and technique were undeniable.
With a savage heave, Daniel flipped them over.
In the blink of an eye, Vincent found himself trapped in an inescapable hold.
A steel grip locked around his neck and shoulders.
Pressure.
A crushing weight.
Vincent gasped, his windpipe closing, blood rushing to his head.
He thrashed violently, but Daniel's hold was rock solid.
"Give up yet?" Daniel's voice was low, unwavering.
Vincent's vision blurred. Spots danced before his eyes.
Just as his struggles grew feeble, Daniel released him.
Vincent rolled aside, coughing and heaving.
But before he could even draw a full breath—
A boot slammed into his ribs.
A sickening crack echoed.
Vincent howled, instinct curling him into a ball.
Above him, Daniel loomed, looking almost bored.
"Get up," he commanded. "I'm not letting you off that easy."
Vincent's body screamed in protest, but he forced himself up, clutching his side.
Halfway there—
Daniel's foot snapped forward, hammering into his jaw.
Vincent's body jerked back, blood splattering the ground as he crashed down again.
Still, he tried to rise.
And again, Daniel stomped down, grinding his face into the floor.
A hushed terror gripped the onlookers.
Hope—what little remained—shattered.
Even Levi, who had once held onto the slimmest belief in Vincent's defiance, shrank back in fear.
Daniel flicked his gaze toward them.
A silent lesson, burned into their eyes.
When he turned back to Vincent, his expression shifted slightly.
A glint of something… intrigued.
"…This guy."
Daniel knew talent when he saw it.
Despite everything, despite the beating Vincent had taken—he was still standing.
'He's never learned boxing before, and yet he kept up with me?'
He took all those blows and still fought back?
'Maybe, just maybe… He had the same tenacity as me.'
Daniel exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a grin.
Then—he bent down.
"Hey… how about we make a deal?"
Vincent barely reacted, his battered face twisted in a deep frown.
"I get it. I was a jerk." Daniel rolled his shoulders, his voice carrying an unfamiliar edge of sincerity. "But listen—I've never had a fight like that in school. That was actually fun. And I don't want it to end like this."
Vincent's expression darkened further.
'What kind of madness is this?
'He enjoyed it?
'What, does he want to turn me into his personal punching bag?'
Daniel read the look on his face and shook his head quickly.
"Relax," he said. "I'm not trying to make you my punching bag. You've got the makings of a king. I want you to be my protégé. I want you to lead the Mereung Alliance."
A fat grin split Daniel's lips.
"How's that for an offer?"
Vincent sat there, silent for a moment, blood dripping from his chin.
Then—he spat out a single reply:
"No. I'm not interested in leading a gang of bullies."
The amusement vanished from Daniel's face.
A palpable shift.
A cold air settled over the alleyway.
"…Did I look like I was asking?" Daniel's voice dropped.
His expression hardened.
"Listen. You want to protect these guys, right? Then drop the pride. Learn from me. A month from now, we'll have a rematch."
He leaned in, voice low, tempting.
"If you win—I'll leave you alone. I'll even serve you."
"But if I win… you join Mereung Alliance."
Silence.
Vincent's jaw clenched.
Daniel clapped him lightly on the shoulder.
"I'll expect an answer by tomorrow."
Then—he turned and walked away, hands in his pockets.
Leaving behind an unnatural quiet.
The others turned toward Vincent.
Then—
"VINCENT!!! YOU'RE MY HERO!!!" Fatty shouted first, scrambling to help him up.
Vincent forced a weak smile.
"Guys…" he muttered, lowering his head. "I talked big about standing up for ourselves… and yet… here I am."
Levi grinned.
"Are you kidding?! You were amazing! He acknowledged you!"
Vincent hesitated.
Was it real?
Slowly, he looked back—Levi's face shone with sincerity.
And for the first time, Vincent smiled back.
Then—
[You have failed the Main Quest.]
[You will randomly lose a card.]
[Main Quest has been updated.]
[You have received a Side Quest.]