Narrator POV.
—Listen, you essential-fluid sucker that General Tablós loves so much. —he spoke in a low but firm voice, every word loaded with intent.— You might see me as some idiot with severe issues who's always cracking crappy jokes.
Power was breathing heavily, teeth clenched.
—But that's only part of who I am. —Isagi continued without breaking eye contact.— Yeah, I act like an idiot. But you're not in any position to demand anything. You're lucky I didn't kill you the very second you attacked Denji. And since I'm a generous god… I'll forgive you.
With a sharp motion, Isagi pulled the katana out of Power's hand. Blood lightly sprayed into the air before dripping onto the ground. His expression relaxed again, slowly returning to something closer to his Deadpool-like attitude.
That said… his Jordans were still pressing firmly on Power's other hand, completely pinning it down. Was it necessary to mention they were Jordans? Maybe not. But flexing a little never hurt.
—Let me go, damn human! —Power roared, grabbing Isagi's ankle and trying to yank him down with all her strength.
Nothing happened. Isagi didn't even move an inch.
Thanks to Itadori's physique, combined with all the level-ups he had accumulated, Power simply didn't have enough strength to move him. A faint smile appeared on Isagi's face. He felt powerful. Dominant. The big boss. The top dog. The mafia boss, the godfather.
—You giving up? —he asked with insulting calm.
—Never! —Power made one last desperate attempt and tried to bite his leg.
Her sharp teeth hit flesh.
CLACK.
Power froze instantly, eyes wide open. It felt like biting into a brick. Isagi had reinforced his leg with cursed energy.
—What are you, a dog, going around biting people? —Isagi mocked, looking down at her.— You really want to be my dog that bad? Talk. —He lowered the katana slightly, but didn't remove the pressure completely.— Why were you planning to betray us and trap us in that house? Talk, daughter of your demonic mother. Talk.
Power clenched her teeth, trembling between pain and rage. For a second, it looked like she was about to spit another curse at him… but then she snapped.
—Because if I didn't, that bastard demon was going to kill Nyako! —she finally shouted, her voice breaking.— I made a contract with him! In exchange for bringing him human blood, he'd give Nyako back!
Silence fell instantly. Isagi stared at her for a few seconds, blinking slowly. Then he sighed, long and tired.
—Oh, Power… —he said almost compassionately.— Intelligence has always chased you, but you're faster. —That was the nicest way possible to say she was stupid.— Demons can't make contracts with other demons.
Power went completely still.
Power: …
The emptiness in her expression said everything.
—You didn't know, did you? —Isagi asked, finally stepping back and removing the blade.— I've proven my point. You were dumb… but not evil. —he clicked his tongue.— You need to be more careful. —Power lowered her gaze, lips pressed together.— I'll let you go just for the cat. I'm selfish, not a monster.
With that said, Isagi made a clean cut on the palm of his hand. Blood immediately welled up. The air changed at once. An intoxicating scent hit Power's nose—sweet, thick, almost hypnotic. Isagi's Marechi blood, now exposed, had become even more intense.
Her pupils dilated violently, her body trembled, and her breathing grew erratic. Just the smell alone was driving her crazy. Isagi raised his bleeding hand with exaggerated theatrical flair.
—Since I'm humble with the beast… I, Isagi Fushiguro, son of hard work and heir to the grind, will allow you to drink my highest-quality blood. —he said as if he were offering the fountain of eternal youth or some nonsense like that.
He extended his hand toward Power. She was panting. Without thinking twice, she lunged forward, grabbed Isagi's hand, and sank her teeth into it.
—AAAAHHH! She bit me, you son of a bitch! Nooo! She's biting me, guys!
Power's body shuddered as she drank. Her face flushed, her eyelids trembled, and a low sound escaped her throat. This was better than she'd imagined—the taste, that taste. Power was certain she'd do anything if this blood was what she received as payment.
.
.
.
.
—Let go already, idiot!
Isagi yanked his hand out of Power's mouth with a sharp pull. Yes, technically he was almost immortal: he could regenerate from any damage, including the blood he lost. He regenerated it as fast as he spilled it, as if his body refused to be without a single drop.
But one thing was regenerating… and another very different thing was letting Power suck him dry like a mummy. He wasn't a blood bank handing it out for free.
Power growled in frustration, licking her lips still stained with blood, savoring it like a beast that had tasted something far too good. From the way she looked at him, it seemed like she might pounce again at any moment.
Isagi watched her with a completely neutral expression, full poker face, as the bite marks slowly disappeared from his skin, sealing up as if they'd never been there. His hand was intact. Like new.
—You give them a hand and they take the whole arm… —he muttered, shaking his wrist, still with the strange mental sensation of being drained; having your blood sucked is weird.— Damn horned vampire, you almost sucked out my soul.
—Shut up, human! —Power snapped, puffing out her chest with pride.— You should be grateful that the Great Power finds your blood delicious!
Isagi tilted his head slowly.
—Oh? Getting cocky now? —he replied with a mocking smile.— Well guess what. I'm not letting you taste this snack again. —He struck an exaggerated pose, like a cheap magazine model, pointing at himself with his thumb.
Then he lowered his arm and his expression turned serious again… just enough.
—Anyway. Take your ass to that house and distract the demon. —he ordered calmly.— I'm going to camp and steal the kill.
He wiped the remaining blood from his hand with a handkerchief as he moved around to the back of the house, dry grass crunching under each step as he began to set his plan in motion.
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End of the chapter.