Zaydan had reached the very limits of his patience. Dante's constant laid-back attitude, jokes, and calm demeanor had finally pushed him too far. His eyes narrowed, his muscles tensed. He stood up, swiftly drew his sword from his waist, and gripped it tightly.
"I'm done putting up with your jokes," he said, his voice sharp and determined.
Dante responded with a laugh. "Come on now, don't be so serious. You should add a little color to your life," he said, though this time the humor in his voice had slightly faded. The determination in Zaydan's eyes softened Dante's carefree attitude just a bit—but he still didn't lose his smile.
Without wasting a single second, Zaydan raised his lightning sword and lunged at Dante. As he closed the distance at incredible speed, Dante narrowed his eyes and focused. Suddenly, he activated his magic, and faint murmurs filled the air. Dante protected himself with his spell, dodging Zaydan's blade—but Zaydan's attacks were far too fast to be easily evaded.
As Zaydan pushed forward with all his strength to break through Dante's magic, Dante suddenly struck him in the stomach with a powerful punch. The impact sent Zaydan flying backward, crashing through the doorway and slamming into a tree outside. He stopped there, gasping for breath.
Staring into the depths of the dark forest, Zaydan whispered in shock, "What kind of man is this…?"
Dante stepped outside and walked toward him, still smiling. "You can't beat me, kid. I still have a lot left to do," he said calmly, as if implying the fight had barely even begun.
Zaydan kept staring at him with icy eyes, but the uncertainty within him prevented him from focusing completely. This man… he had to find out who he really was.
Though out of breath, Zaydan quickly pulled himself together. Slowly, he stood up—his eyes filled with both determination and anger.
"Tell me who you are!" he demanded. "I still don't know who you are—but I do know this… I'm going to kill you!"
Dante, unfazed by the threat, replied with a calm smile, "Kid, give up. Go home. I don't want to see you again."
Zaydan could no longer tolerate Dante's attitude. Gripping his lightning sword, he advanced carefully and prepared to strike again.
"Never!" he shouted as he attacked—but once again, Dante activated his magic in time, forming a protective aura around his body. When Zaydan's sword struck it, only a sharp cracking sound echoed.
Seeing the attack fail, Dante immediately countered with a punch. Zaydan reacted just in time, shifting his blade to block the strike aimed at his chest. Still, the force made him lose balance for a moment. He quickly stepped back, took a deep breath, and refocused.
Dante looked at him calmly and warned, "If you kill me, you'll regret it. There's a chance the world could be destroyed."
Zaydan didn't care. "I don't care," he said firmly.
He launched another assault, aiming to break Dante's defense. With each strike of his lightning blade, he tested the barrier, trying to weaken it—but Dante's magic held firm every time. None of Zaydan's attacks worked.
Zaydan paused for a moment, his thoughts racing. I have to break this…
Tightening his grip on the sword, he focused all his power into a single point. He would strike again—this time with everything he had.
Searching desperately for an opening, Zaydan realized something. Dante's magic seemed flawless—but as he concentrated, he noticed a weakness.
In an instant, he accelerated, moving so fast even his shadow couldn't keep up. He slipped behind Dante and drove his lightning sword straight into his side with all his strength.
Dante's eyes widened slightly. A moment later, he dropped to his knees, a faint breath escaping his lips. Blood slowly began to flow from his body… yet that faint smile remained on his face.
Zaydan stepped in front of him, raised his sword, and aimed it directly at his head.
"Say your last words, Dante," he said coldly.
Dante, as always, didn't lose his composure. Looking straight at Zaydan, he smirked lightly. "I'm about to die… but I think I'm still in better shape than you," he joked.
Zaydan clenched his teeth. Just as he was about to strike, Dante spoke again:
"After I die… the seal of two men will break. And the world… might be destroyed."
Zaydan frowned.
As Dante bled out, he continued, "I don't know who sent you… but give this to Nahid."
He handed Zaydan a folded letter. Hesitant, Zaydan took it, running his fingers over the paper.
With the last of his strength, Dante spoke again, his eyes half-closed:
"In one month… the sealing spell will break. You have one month to deliver that note to Nahid. If you don't make it in time… the world will fall into a great disaster."
Zaydan didn't know whether to believe him or not. But he decided to deliver the letter anyway. Nahid's location was known—the Flame Monastery.
Dante closed his eyes for the last time.
Without hesitation, Zaydan swung his sword. Dante's head separated from his body, blood splattering across the ground.
For a moment, there was only silence.
Zaydan glanced briefly at the letter in his hand. Then he sheathed his sword, turned his back, and began walking toward the city.
In the cold of the night, the scent of blood still lingered in the air.