-Dazai had barely time to react
Jester was already on him,the sheer force of the kick sent Dazai soaring through the cave,his body crashing through jagged rock walls before he barely had a moment to breathe before–another kick-
-Jester Moved like a phantom,closing the distance before Dazai even touched the ground.His boot collided with Dazai's ribs,the impact rattling his bone as he was sent flying once again,the world blurred.Before Dazai even registered his trajectory he felt himself slam into something solid.A moving carriage-
-The impact shattered the wooden side,sending crates and fine silk flying as a fat nobleman and his elegantly dressed wife let out startled screams.The horses reared in panic,The entire vehicle tilted dangerously before settling back on the road-
-Jester landed nearby, stretching his arms causally-
Jester : "Hey kid don't take it personally. I can't let anyone leave alive after seeing what's behind the beasts-kin trafficking...but at least you'll die knowing you put up a fight haha"
-Dazai let out a low cough, straightening himself,his ribs ached, but nothing felt broke.He turned,his sharp blue eyes locking onto the trembling noble and his wife.Then a smirk stretched across his lips-
Dazai : "well,well, what do we have here?damn today keeps getting better and better"
-He dusted himself off,stepping forward-
Dazai : "The name is Noir Renegade adventurer extraordinaire, And judging by the way you're sweating bullets, you've been funding big bad over there, huh?"
-The merchant a portly man with thinning brown hair and beady,fear-sticken eyes-immediately fell to his knees, hands clasped in desperation-
Merchant :" P-please you must save us adventurer! Y-you can defeat him,right!?
-Dazai let out a low chuckle, waving his hand dismissively-
Dazai : "Now,now,old man...nothing in life is free.if I save you,I want something in exchange. Otherwise,well...you and your lovely wife might meet an unfortunate end tonight "
-The wife,a middle-aged woman dressed in a luxurious black silk gown, clenched her fists, her face twisting in pure fury.The very idea of a child demanding something from her was an insult. Just as she opened her mouth to snap him, the merchant nodded frantically-
Merchant :" Yes! Anything ! Just protect us!
-Dazai grinned, tilted his head toward the wife-
Dazai : "And you, my dear? Your husband already agreed. You on board, or should I just walk away and let Jester take care of you?"
-Her rage burned brighter, but as her gaze flickered between Jester's cold smirk and Dazai's predatory grin,She felt her pride shatter. She swallowed her anger and sighed in surrender-
-Dazai laughed softly-
Dazai : " Wise choice."
-Then in an instant,he vanished.He reappeared mid-air, leg cocked back launching a devastating kick towards Jester's gut.But he blocked it with his dagger, catching Dazai by the leg,but Jester could slam him to the ground, Dazai twisted, his free foot igniting with crimson flames. With a sharp snap, he drove it straight into Jester's skull-
-Jester crashed into the ground, dust and debris exploded around him. Dazai landed gracefully, but as he touched the ground, he felt a sharp sting on his foot.He looked down as he saw a thin cut, Dazai clicked his tongue-
Dazai : "Huh ...so he actually nicked me...that's not good"
-As the dust began to settle,Jester rose.His face-half burned,his eyes seething with pure,unfiltered hatred"
Jester : "You....RUINED my face, you little brat
...for that, I'll make sure your death is slow.Painful.Agonizing"
-He twirled his dagger, it's crimson edge gleaming-
Jester: "This dagger is coated with the most powerful poison in the kingdom. The Haribo poison.It causes your blood cells to explode from the inside out. You've got about thirty minutes before your body rips itself apart."
-Dazai would stare at him.Then started laughing, a deep eerie laugh, for a breif second, his fangs glinted in the moonlight-
Dazai : "Thirty minutes? That's plenty of time. I'll kill you before ten minutes strikes"
-Jester's eyes widened.Then his rage exploded-
Jester :"DON'T GET COCKY BRATTTT!!!!"
-Before he could react–Dazai was already in front of him, with one kick jester was launched skywards. Before he could even process the pain, Dazai grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground, again,again and again as Jester's bones crack-
-Jester let out a howl of pain,his shattered legs shattered beyond recognition, as Dazai crouched besides him, his cold eyes gleaming-
Dazai : "Oh yes...scream for me,little rabbit. Those screams are music to my ears"
-Then he snapped his fingers-
Dazai : "Authority...kill yourself"
-Jester's trembling hand lifted the dagger aiming for his throat, but before he could finish it- Dazai stopped him.He tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes-
Dazai : "Y'Know, I was wondering why authority didn't work on you earlier. But now I get it...your mind was strong, a steel fortress"
-His smirk widened-
Dazai : "So I just had to break you faster than your brain could keep up.Like how a market crashes in an instant "
-Jester's entire body trembled in that moment, he realized the truth.This wasn't a child, what stood before him was the Devil wearing a child's skin,jester let out a broken chuckle-
Jester : "Heh...I guess I got cocky. Just like the ones who looked down one me all those years ago....If only I had it....the dragon's tear...If I had it, I could've risen beyond mere one-star....I could've been more.."
-Dazai would stare at him,then he gave a final command.Jester slit his own throat,Dazai watched, His expression unreadable.-
Dazai : "Whether you were wronged or not fate doesn't change.You almost killed my assets.And your little plan?The dragon's tear would've killed you with just drop. Humans bodies aren't built to handle that kind of mana"
-With a final snap of his fingers, Jester's body ignited in flames,he burned to ash. Dazai exhaled,then smirked-
Dazai : "Don't take it personal...it's just business"