The first emotion that came to Ranke Halovice’s mind was confusion.
‘My jaw is broken!? And that’s also in one punch……!’
Ranke was proud of being the best in the four great dukes of the demon realm.
It was the first time he had ever had a bone broken in a single blow in his reign as a powerful demon.
The next emotion that filled Ranke’s mind was anger. It’s not enough that he dared to cut off my words first, but he even threw his fists without hesitation!
But it was not yet time to lose dignity. Just because the other person is vulgar doesn’t mean that he could be the same as an aristocrat.
Couduk! Ranke, who increased the distance, forcibly fixed his misaligned jawbone.
The bone that was put back into place quickly recovered.
“Attacking an unwary opponent has been the manners of thousand people since the ancient times. Heung, I was glad to give introduction first, but this kind of rudeness…… Keck!”
Bang!
Ranke’s jawbone shattered once more as Jin swung his elbow at just attached jaw. Ranke increased the distance again and felt his tears welling up.
“Ah, come on!”
Ranke fixed his chin when he stepped back again.
“Did you let your guard down again?”
“No, I was just trying to maintain my dignity.”
“Then you must have died twice to me for trying to keep your dignity. If I hit you with right amount of strength, your head would be gone.”
“Then, this Ranke Halovice has no reason to respect you anymore!”
Ranke’s eyes turned red like his blood.
A whip of thorns had formed in his hand before anyone knew it.
“A whip of thorns? You are using such noble weapons.”
Shah!
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 a properly energized whip would not be comparable to that.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve competed with someone since the last sparring with sister Baba.’
Is that why?
Jin felt like Ranke’s whip was harmless.
It was like watching the clumsy swordsmanship of apprentice 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 thorn whip with his bare hands, Ranke’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
The hard thorns of the demon realm’s thorn tree were breaking helplessly in 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.’
The only information that Ranke had about Jin was the story he heard from the members of Kinzelo.
Therefore, he know that Jin’s battle prowess was already around 10-stars 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.
However, the human holding the whip now was very different from the stories that the members had told him about Jin.
“There is only one reason why I didn’t kill you right away, demon.”
“Ranke. Ranke Halovice!”
“Because I have some questions. Why did the Great Desert of Mitra come to this point, and why did you say that this is your playground? Be as detailed as possible. If you do so, I will 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 so far, but don’t be too conceited. This Lord Ranke is very strong.”
“Is that so? Compared to Bianca Kaligo, I think you’re very ridiculous.”
“I am incomparably superior to that lesser fellow of the Kaligo family…… 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 only Ranke’s actions looked ridiculous. Jin even used only one hand with leisure.
“Ha, ha, ha. Yes I admit it. You are…… stronger than me!”
Ranke took out a new thorn whip and started attacking Jin again. It was only then that Jin swung Sigmund and easily parried it away.
“Are you really not able to grasp the situation, or do you believe in something else? Are you waiting for your friends to come?”
“This Lord Ranke doesn’t need something like that.”
Ranke, who had been talking that far, suddenly felt the back of his neck grow cold.
It was because Jin, who was supposed to be behind the whip that pouring down like a shower, had disappeared somewhere.
“It seems that you are not used to fighting opponents stronger than you. At times like these, you don’t have to force yourself to muster courage to push away fear….”
Jin’s voice came from the ten steps away from side. It was a distance that it won’t be strange if Ranke was decapitated in the blink of an eye.
“It’s best to quickly admit defeat and try to survive. To do that, you have to prove your worth to the other person. You have to save your life by presenting reasons and grounds not to be killed right away so that you have a future. Besides, I personally told you what I wanted.”
Aaaah-!
The demonic energy shot by Ranke attacked Jin like a dragon’s breath.
Of course, Jin easily avoided demonic energy and settled down again.
Demonic energy, which stretched into the air, went far by sweeping away everything that stood in its way.
Thumb, thumb, thumb……! The heart pounded like crazy in Ranke’s chest.
Fear, a feeling he hadn’t felt in quite a long time, was terrifyingly overwhelming him.
“Tell me why the Great Desert became like this.”
There is no killing intent in Jin’s voice. It was just a calm tone, but Ranke felt cold sweat pouring out of his pores.
Ha, ha, Ranke’s breathing became rough. He was thinking of his father.
‘This green horn…… Does it really mean that he has power comparable to my father?’
It seemed like his father was standing in front. A terrible sensation, as if a huge wall that could never be broken, suffocated him from all sides and threw Ranke into a swamp of panic.
“The Great Desert…….”
“Yeah, you have decided to be a little smart now.”
“The Great Desert…… the desert, I mean.”
Jin waited for a while, but Ranke trembled and couldn’t say anything.
‘He’s in a bit of 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 generously, it was definitely an attack that was incomparably sharper than before. It was an attack that Ranke throw unconsciously.
Now Jin’s eyes were filled with bloodlust.
“I don’t know if you are scared or if something bad comes to your mind. If I give you some beating, you’ll come to your senses.”
* * *
At same time. The former headquarters of Kinzelo, Land of the Beastmen.
“What? Ranke said that something happened in the Great Desert and suddenly went out alone?”
“Huh? Is there anything wrong 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.”
“Ah, there was that strange experiment to summon the souls of the old grand dukes.”
“Hmm. What do you think, Bubare! Should I tell the grand duke 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 person’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 polluted. Since then, everyone has been using it as a dumping ground for experiments, but would that damn bastard have been there all along to train? I also did a search.”
“Well, is that so? No matter how you look at it, Bubare is smart! Well, the only intruders are the Tikan’s personnel who came to get the 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 lose control. Even before the destruction of the demon realm, we were well aware of rampaging Ranke. Anyway, when Ranke comes, let’s ask him to prepare some food. Something delicious!”
“Trying out new cookies that will break Latrie’s refreshment shop!”
***
“Keuk, kek…….”
While Ainas and Bubare were flirting, Ranke suffered a crushing defeat from Jin.
When the trauma of his father kicked in, Ranke usually lost control and became stronger, and in that state he never lost to anyone. Although he couldn’t remember how he won.
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, but from the point when he started to be pushed in earnest, the rampage was stopped and his spirit 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 guarding the backpack that he brought things 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 have granted…. your wish, you, too, should…. be a little bit, heck, be polite…”
Ranke vomited blood. He was barely breathing, with all his limbs broken.
“Yes, Ranke Halovice. You have guts worth looking at. Anyway, according to your explanation, the reason why the Great Desert became like this is because all factions used it as an experimental treatment plant after being contaminated. You mean you just liked this place and used it as a playground?”
“Yes…….”
“The first reason is acceptable, but the second is not enough. You were trying to do something here.”
“It’s just…… it’s cool here, just nice.”
For a moment, Jin thought about what Ranke was trying to do here.
And Ranke was conscious of the travel bag that Jin had been trying to protect.
Finally, it seemed that the only way to survive was to create a 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 let me tell you in advance. If you’re thinking of getting out of this crisis somehow, put my backpack aside.”
Ranke lowered his head.
Even before this mess, he kept trying, but in the end, he couldn’t even make a small scratch on the bagpack.
It would be even more difficult now, and as far as Jin was aware, it was absolutely impossible.
“I lost, kill me…….”
“I am going to. Is there anything you want to say?”
“At this place, a monument honoring my prestige and dignity…….”
While listening to Ranke’s will.
Suddenly, Jin struck down his sword at the fallen Ranke.
When an important personnel of Kinzelo fell into a crisis, he would appear without fail out of nowhere. It was because the steel gate of Orgal, the Demon Beast King, was formed on 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 brow in annoyance and glared at steel door.
Even after the steel gate saved Ranke, it 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.
The first emotion that came to Ranke Halovice’s mind was confusion.
‘My jaw is broken!? And that’s also in one punch……!’
Ranke was proud of being the best in the four great dukes of the demon realm.
It was the first time he had ever had a bone broken in a single blow in his reign as a powerful demon.
The next emotion that filled Ranke’s mind was anger. It’s not enough that he dared to cut off my words first, but he even threw his fists without hesitation!
But it was not yet time to lose dignity. Just because the other person is vulgar doesn’t mean that he could be the same as an aristocrat.
Couduk! Ranke, who increased the distance, forcibly fixed his misaligned jawbone.
The bone that was put back into place quickly recovered.
“Attacking an unwary opponent has been the manners of thousand people since the ancient times. Heung, I was glad to give introduction first, but this kind of rudeness…… Keck!”
Bang!
Ranke’s jawbone shattered once more as Jin swung his elbow at just attached jaw. Ranke increased the distance again and felt his tears welling up.
“Ah, come on!”
Ranke fixed his chin when he stepped back again.
“Did you let your guard down again?”
“No, I was just trying to maintain my dignity.”
“Then you must have died twice to me for trying to keep your dignity. If I hit you with right amount of strength, your head would be gone.”
“Then, this Ranke Halovice has no reason to respect you anymore!”
Ranke’s eyes turned red like his blood.
A whip of thorns had formed in his hand before anyone knew it.
“A whip of thorns? You are using such noble weapons.”
Shah!
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 a properly energized whip would not be comparable to that.
‘Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve competed with someone since the last sparring with sister Baba.’
Is that why?
Jin felt like Ranke’s whip was harmless.
It was like watching the clumsy swordsmanship of apprentice 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 thorn whip with his bare hands, Ranke’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
The hard thorns of the demon realm’s thorn tree were breaking helplessly in 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.’
The only information that Ranke had about Jin was the story he heard from the members of Kinzelo.
Therefore, he know that Jin’s battle prowess was already around 10-stars 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.
However, the human holding the whip now was very different from the stories that the members had told him about Jin.
“There is only one reason why I didn’t kill you right away, demon.”
“Ranke. Ranke Halovice!”
“Because I have some questions. Why did the Great Desert of Mitra come to this point, and why did you say that this is your playground? Be as detailed as possible. If you do so, I will 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 so far, but don’t be too conceited. This Lord Ranke is very strong.”
“Is that so? Compared to Bianca Kaligo, I think you’re very ridiculous.”
“I am incomparably superior to that lesser fellow of the Kaligo family…… 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 only Ranke’s actions looked ridiculous. Jin even used only one hand with leisure.
“Ha, ha, ha. Yes I admit it. You are…… stronger than me!”
Ranke took out a new thorn whip and started attacking Jin again. It was only then that Jin swung Sigmund and easily parried it away.
“Are you really not able to grasp the situation, or do you believe in something else? Are you waiting for your friends to come?”
“This Lord Ranke doesn’t need something like that.”
Ranke, who had been talking that far, suddenly felt the back of his neck grow cold.
It was because Jin, who was supposed to be behind the whip that pouring down like a shower, had disappeared somewhere.
“It seems that you are not used to fighting opponents stronger than you. At times like these, you don’t have to force yourself to muster courage to push away fear….”
Jin’s voice came from the ten steps away from side. It was a distance that it won’t be strange if Ranke was decapitated in the blink of an eye.
“It’s best to quickly admit defeat and try to survive. To do that, you have to prove your worth to the other person. You have to save your life by presenting reasons and grounds not to be killed right away so that you have a future. Besides, I personally told you what I wanted.”
Aaaah-!
The demonic energy shot by Ranke attacked Jin like a dragon’s breath.
Of course, Jin easily avoided demonic energy and settled down again.
Demonic energy, which stretched into the air, went far by sweeping away everything that stood in its way.
Thumb, thumb, thumb……! The heart pounded like crazy in Ranke’s chest.
Fear, a feeling he hadn’t felt in quite a long time, was terrifyingly overwhelming him.
“Tell me why the Great Desert became like this.”
There is no killing intent in Jin’s voice. It was just a calm tone, but Ranke felt cold sweat pouring out of his pores.
Ha, ha, Ranke’s breathing became rough. He was thinking of his father.
‘This green horn…… Does it really mean that he has power comparable to my father?’
It seemed like his father was standing in front. A terrible sensation, as if a huge wall that could never be broken, suffocated him from all sides and threw Ranke into a swamp of panic.
“The Great Desert…….”
“Yeah, you have decided to be a little smart now.”
“The Great Desert…… the desert, I mean.”
Jin waited for a while, but Ranke trembled and couldn’t say anything.
‘He’s in a bit of 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 generously, it was definitely an attack that was incomparably sharper than before. It was an attack that Ranke throw unconsciously.
Now Jin’s eyes were filled with bloodlust.
“I don’t know if you are scared or if something bad comes to your mind. If I give you some beating, you’ll come to your senses.”
* * *
At same time. The former headquarters of Kinzelo, Land of the Beastmen.
“What? Ranke said that something happened in the Great Desert and suddenly went out alone?”
“Huh? Is there anything wrong 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.”
“Ah, there was that strange experiment to summon the souls of the old grand dukes.”
“Hmm. What do you think, Bubare! Should I tell the grand duke 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 person’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 polluted. Since then, everyone has been using it as a dumping ground for experiments, but would that damn bastard have been there all along to train? I also did a search.”
“Well, is that so? No matter how you look at it, Bubare is smart! Well, the only intruders are the Tikan’s personnel who came to get the 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 lose control. Even before the destruction of the demon realm, we were well aware of rampaging Ranke. Anyway, when Ranke comes, let’s ask him to prepare some food. Something delicious!”
“Trying out new cookies that will break Latrie’s refreshment shop!”
***
“Keuk, kek…….”
While Ainas and Bubare were flirting, Ranke suffered a crushing defeat from Jin.
When the trauma of his father kicked in, Ranke usually lost control and became stronger, and in that state he never lost to anyone. Although he couldn’t remember how he won.
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, but from the point when he started to be pushed in earnest, the rampage was stopped and his spirit 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 guarding the backpack that he brought things 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 have granted…. your wish, you, too, should…. be a little bit, heck, be polite…”
Ranke vomited blood. He was barely breathing, with all his limbs broken.
“Yes, Ranke Halovice. You have guts worth looking at. Anyway, according to your explanation, the reason why the Great Desert became like this is because all factions used it as an experimental treatment plant after being contaminated. You mean you just liked this place and used it as a playground?”
“Yes…….”
“The first reason is acceptable, but the second is not enough. You were trying to do something here.”
“It’s just…… it’s cool here, just nice.”
For a moment, Jin thought about what Ranke was trying to do here.
And Ranke was conscious of the travel bag that Jin had been trying to protect.
Finally, it seemed that the only way to survive was to create a 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 let me tell you in advance. If you’re thinking of getting out of this crisis somehow, put my backpack aside.”
Ranke lowered his head.
Even before this mess, he kept trying, but in the end, he couldn’t even make a small scratch on the bagpack.
It would be even more difficult now, and as far as Jin was aware, it was absolutely impossible.
“I lost, kill me…….”
“I am going to. Is there anything you want to say?”
“At this place, a monument honoring my prestige and dignity…….”
While listening to Ranke’s will.
Suddenly, Jin struck down his sword at the fallen Ranke.
When an important personnel of Kinzelo fell into a crisis, he would appear without fail out of nowhere. It was because the steel gate of Orgal, the Demon Beast King, was formed on 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 brow in annoyance and glared at steel door.
Even after the steel gate saved Ranke, it 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.
