Forsaken By The Gods, I Made A Contract With the Demon King

Kai looked at Levi, expecting to see fear or hesitation, but instead, what he saw was pure shock etched across Levi's face. For a moment, Kai was puzzled. It wasn't the type of shock that came from fear of an impending fight—it seemed deeper, almost as if Levi couldn't believe what was happening.

To be honest, Kai didn't even know who Levi was. The first time he saw him was when Levi stepped out of the portal, and Kai had only acted as he did because Levi didn't seem to come from any prominent family.

There would be no backlash from messing with a commoner, so Kai decided to take the risk. He desperately wanted a way to close the gap between him and his sister, so he accused an innocent person of something they hadn't done. But Kai didn't regret it.

'It was his own fault,' he thought, glancing at Levi's face and tattered clothing. Levi looked like a beggar, someone who could only blame his own fate. But what Kai didn't expect was that Levi wasn't some sniveling brat who would be provoked so easily.

"A duel, huh? Why would I agree to that?" Levi sneered, meeting Kai's gaze. Even though he was angered by Kai's audacity, he wasn't foolish enough to fall into his trap.

"I don't owe anyone compensation. And even if what you say is true, it's your own incompetence that let me enter the Sanctum. It only proves you're not worthy of entering the sanctum in the first place, let alone deserving compensation."

Levi's words sent a ripple of murmurs through the crowd. Franz and Rose were both taken aback by his boldness. Some onlookers began agreeing with him, while others criticized him for arrogance.

Levi listened to the crowd for a moment before stepping forward.

"I obtained everything inside the Sanctum by my own strength. If you covet what's mine, I have only one response."

For a moment, green flames flickered in Levi's eyes as he declared, "FUCK OFF!"

That was all the crowd needed. Chaos erupted.

"How dare you!!"

The Makalani family's people unsheathed their weapons, enraged by Levi's words, while the Mercenary Federation members stood firm behind him. Rose and those who had come merely out of curiosity watched, some confused about what to do, others entertained by the unfolding drama.

But the most shocked was definitely Kai.

He clicked his tongue, realizing he had misjudged Levi. The person he thought was a pushover had turned out to be the exact opposite. Yet, having made his move, there was no turning back. A clash seemed inevitable.

While Kai knew he'd be reprimanded by the patriarch later for such a mistake, it wouldn't be too severe. He was about to unleash his weapon when Levi spoke again.

"But—!"

Suddenly, the entire field went silent, all attention turning to Levi once more.

"There's no need for all of you to fight. Let's make a bet. We'll have the duel as you wanted—you and me. If you win, you can have my head. But if I win…" Levi smiled. "I think I deserve proper compensation, don't you think so?"

That was it. Kai was fully enraged. Only one thought burned in his mind.

'How dare a nobody look down on me?'

Instantly, killing intent surged from him. William, noticing the shift, frowned.

'Something's not right.'

He failed to understand why Levi, who had initially refused to duel, was now offering to fight. It must mean that he was confident in his victory.

"Young master—" William tried to warn Kai, but it was too late.

"Alright, let's fight. If you win, you can have everything I have right now," Kai spat. He had already made his decision.

***

A small dueling arena was set up in no time, with the spectating crowd forming a loose circle around it, leaving just enough room for the fighters to move freely. Kai stood at one end, sword in hand, while Levi stood in front of Franz.

"I'm entrusting you with this. Don't run off with it," Levi said, handing Franz the makeshift sack containing the beak and talons of the monstrous bird he had defeated.

"I've killed more monsters than you've ever seen, brat," Franz scoffed, amazed by Levi's apparent doubt.

Ignoring the comment, Levi gave the sack to him and walked toward the other side of the ring—completely empty-handed.

"Where's your weapon?" Kai asked, noticing Levi hadn't brought out anything yet. Was it some kind of artifact? He wasn't sure, but he asked out of courtesy.

Levi simply shrugged. "I don't think I'll need a weapon."

His words, spoken with a casual arrogance, taunted Kai further—though in reality, Levi didn't have a weapon at all.

A vein bulged on Kai's temple as fury welled up inside him. How dare this bastard look down on him?

"I was planning on just beating you enough to teach you a lesson," Kai said, his voice cold, "but now it looks like I'll have to drag you down from the clouds first."

With that, Kai unsheathed a deep red sword, its blade shimmering with a faint aura—Just one look and Levi realized that it was an artifact - a powerful one.

'As expected of a young master,' Levi thought, a smile tugging at his lips.

"But first, I'll wipe that smug grin off your face," Kai snarled, surging forward with blinding speed. His sword sliced through the air with deadly precision.

In response, Levi's pendant gleamed faintly as he activated both Second Skin and Shadow Warden. A heightened sense, far beyond his normal five, surged within him as Shadow Warden took effect, allowing him to predict the path of Kai's blade. Simultaneously, Second Skin coated his body just above the surface of his skin, adding a layer of protection.

Levi narrowly dodged Kai's first strike, but as he moved aside, the direction of Kai's sword changed unexpectedly. In a flash, Kai reversed his swing in a cross-cut motion.

Levi bent back in surprise but it wasn't enough!

Blood trickled down Levi's cheek as the red blade grazed his face cutting through the second skin ability of the Eternal Vigil, dangerously close to digging deep into his head.

'That was too close!' Levi thought, his heart pounding as he instinctively jumped back two steps, putting distance between himself and Kai.

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