I seem to have returned to those times! The thought sent shivers of excitement through Allen’s body.

"…… You seem to be having fun huh? Human King."

Noticing Allen’s strange expression, the Qilin couldn’t help but ask. It seemed to have unknowingly smiled as well.

Allen wiped off the trickle of blood at his mouth before retorting: "Doesn’t it feel great?”

“Hm?”

“I’d begun to forget the feeling of exchanging lives in a battle,” Allen said with a somewhat nostalgic tone.

“Reasons are not important. When a battle starts, everything will be forgotten.”

This all started when the Lightning Qilin wanted to test Allen’s power, to see if he really had something to back that stupid confidence of his.

But, who would have known, they would enjoy this greatly.

“That desire to live… that resolve to die…. That moment preceding the end of your short life, none of them can be found in a peaceful world.”

The thrills, the excitement, those feelings you have felt when your life is hanging by a thread.

The fleeting moments…

“… For those who never dared to stand on the stage where we are standing, they would never understand.”

Giving blows after blows and sending their counterpart flying away.

Their heated heart burning like a blazing inferno…

Excited hearts like children in an amusement park.

“… That to fight is to survive, to kill, to die, and most importantly, to have fun!”

??

“Aren't you the same, Qilin?” Allen smiled mischievously.

“… Having fun at the moment?”

"…… Really? I look like I'm enjoying myself?" The Lightning Qilin mumbled to himself.

The human was right.

The strikes that gave onlookers the Goosebumps, the ignition of their minds to enable faster thought processes, analyzing their opponent's next moves and trading blows.

The Gamble-like fight where one is required to give his all to have a chance at winning.

It was a game that could only be truly enjoyed by people who reached the realm of monsters.

That’s right! I am a monster! Fighting is in my nature!

Needless to say, when two strong people get to trade punches with each other, as a monster whose nature inclined to battles, it would be the greatest delight of their life.

“You’re happy… that’s right you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Allen smiled like a child who just received his Christmas gift from Santa.

"……"

“It was only a small taste, do you understand now?” He continued. “… Isn’t it already past time for you to take a step forward?

“… Isn’t it already past time for you to take a step forward?

“Fun…?”

“That’s right. If you think about the things in this world… are you really in a position to be bound by the rules of a single place found in an undiscovered part on the outskirts of this country?”

Allen smile was like a sun, shining brilliantly. “Qilin, we are the same from each other. We are molded in the same place, like a pea in a pod!"

"I remembered you said that you feel a kind of closeness from me, an intimacy. Was that really because I am a Monster King?”

!?

“… Think about it carefully, Qilin. Your strange actions of giving me a warning even though I’m a human and you are a monster. Didn’t you ever think why are you doing all this?”

The Qilin’s eyes widened. “That’s because you--”

“- Saved your life? No, because you feel that we are similar. You are also bored in that small world of yours, am I right…?”

“… …”

“So why are you letting yourself rotting in this kind of place…?”

The Lightning Qilin’s action paused and was momentarily stumped for words.

But then, his power once again exploded. “That’s enough!”

As a sacred mythical beast, he loved peace and tranquility.

The quiet days he had passed in this place calm his heart and mind. He never wanted any trouble, chaos, and battle. He doesn’t like shedding blood and flesh.

He despised those who wreaked havoc and do evil!

As a noble existence, a sacred being… that was what he should do!

And yet …

But in the end, his chest was gradually heating up again at this moment.

And this realization caused Lightning Qilin to feel angry with himself.

… What stupidity! How can I let myself be swayed just by mere words of a human!!

Was he a noble existence, so shallow that it could be so easily quenched by a fight?

“I’m a sacred being! A noble existence that any human could never be compared to! And you say that we are similar? Don’t joke with me human!”

“As if you can understand a noble existence like me!!”

The Lightning Qilin roar in anger!

“We’re ending this, Human King!”

Allen didn’t reply. Wiping off another trickle of blood from his lips, Allen laughed in merriment now.

“… I am never wrong in judging other people, Qilin. And you will understand it when the time comes!”

*Pak!* Allen punched his fist into his open palm.

Lightning on its gauntlet form issued a faint cry as if showing his fighting spirit and the lightning around it once again intensified to the point that it almost becomes blinding.

Allen’s eyes burned with the impatient desire of a youth wanting to test the limits of his power.

Allen moved.

Not wasting any strength on little tricks, rushing headlong to square off with his strongest opponent.

His speed had already far exceeded any normal human capability. If left to a normal person, they wouldn't be able to catch his movements with their sight.

Allen who was fast enough to leave after-images swung his fist that seems to have a power that could shatter mountains and open paths in the sea.

“Haaaaaaaa!!!!!”

“Roaaaaaarrr!!”

Allen clenched his right hand, “[ Lightning Fang ] full power!!”

Allen’s entire body transformed into lightning as it charged towards the sacred mythical beast.

A great flash of light exploded out.

Booooooommm!!!

It was then followed by a sound explosive boom of thunder shaking the whole place. Even the spectator standing far away from the fight was blown away by the shockwave caused by the explosion.

Smoke and dust billowed like a cloud from the point of collision. Shattered debris was sent flying into the air and cries of alarm and pain started to spread.

Shattered debris was sent flying into the air and cries of alarm and pain started to spread.

--- ---

The small city was almost destroyed. Stone streets, houses, and spires disappeared without a trace as if everything until now was just an illusion.

However, the wreckage and rubbles were screaming that the battle was real.

That unimaginable battle between a human and a monster really happened.

The battle continued for no longer than an hour.

“.....”

Silence fell. Everyone was trembling while looking at the scenery before them.

Everyone was trembling while looking at the scenery before them.

What did this mean?

What happened at the moment of attack?

They had never thought that they would see a battle that would make their heart ached from fear and make their blood boil in excitement.

The thunderstorm gradually disappeared as if signaling the end of that intense fight, turning the whole place into silence.

“Allen!!”

Several people cried out in anxiety while turning their heads around, looking for the black clothed youth.

When the clouds of dust and dirt finally scattered, two figures could be seen.

Allen and the Lightning Qilin.

They were both blown to the opposite direction from each other.

The Lightning Qilin was buried in a pile of rubbles and wooden planks while Allen crashed into a completely destroyed building.

“Allen!!”

“Young Master!”

Anxious calls immediately cried out one after another followed by sounds of footsteps. Mia and the others hastily went towards Allen’s crashing place wearing desperate faces.

“Ugh…”

Although Allen tried to lift his upper torso into a sitting position, the best he could do was to prop himself up a little before weakly hanging his head down limply.

“Al, Allen! Please stay with us!”

“Hey Allen, pull yourself together!”

Ye Yuesheng and Mia’s hair and clothes had become a mess due to the collision but they did not seem to care about as they propped Allen up to help him staunch the flow of blood.

There was a large wound on his abdomen till his chest and continuing to bleed profusely, Allen was clearly in a critical state that could be considered life-threatening.

So, Mia roared at Sun Yueli and the others who stood in a daze:

“You there! What are you doing in there?! Go and find some stretcher and healers you idiots!!”

“Eh, ah, y, yes!” Sun Yueli immediately reacted and turned around but before he could do it Allen woke up and waved his hand.

“It’s fine. I’m alright.”

“What do you mean by fine!? Look at yourself right now!” Mia roared like a tigress.

“That’s right Allen, this wound!” Ye Yuesheng’s eyes had already started to tear up.

“Young Master, I will stop the bleeding.” Tang Yu, on the other hand, was still composed.

After all, this wasn’t the first time she had seen Allen in a state like this.

Back in the previous life when they were still on the run, Tang Yu had always seen him suffering like this and although she didn’t like it, she still managed to learn how to calm herself so that she would be able to treat Allen perfectly.

Tearing away at the clothes that she wore, Tang Yu used them as the substitutes of bandages to staunch the flow of blood.

Allen writhed while moaning: “E, enough, I’m alright.” Gritting his teeth, Allen gathered his bit of strength left and stood up.

Gritting his teeth, Allen gathered his bit of strength left and stood up.

“No, you can’t move!” Ye Yuesheng tried to stop him but she was stopped by Mia.

She sighed bitterly.

Mia knows how stubborn Allen can be so she didn’t argue anymore and could only support Allen with her shoulders.

Although Allen’s face was pale and a bit haggard, it still held a contented smile.

Seeing this, Mia’s anxious expression slightly relaxed.

Allen slowly exhaled a deep breath, opening his eyes.

“Allen, you’re alive?” Mia joked.

“What? You wanted me to die?”

After passing through the danger, Allen’s mood had also relaxed.

“You’re really conscienceless; you don’t know how frightened I was!”

Mia coquettishly cuddled in Allen’s embrace.

Allen smiled wryly in Mia’s out-of-character behavior.

He took a deep breath to stabilize his condition and after a short moment, a magical scene appeared under the gazes of the surrounding.

His wounds started releasing some kind of sticky substance, slowly but surely stopping the bleeding.

“Growl…”

At this moment, a sound of rubbles falling down rang out.

Allen and the others gaze turned around and saw the Lightning Qilin standing up. Although it was staggering and seems to be on the verge of falling down again, it still managed to stand up without support.

It shook his head as if clearing its mind before its piercing gaze turned towards Allen’s group. Seeing this, Mia and the other immediately tensed up and prepared themselves to fight when,

“… It’s my loss.” It spoke in human language.

These words were directed not to Mia and the others but to Allen. It looked straight at Allen with a bitter expression as it nodded his head.

Its gaze only reflected Allen as if the others were invisible.

The sacred mythical beast, Lightning Qilin ignored the others and continued, completely failing to register their existences in its eyes.

No, this must be a mythical beast pride. For them, humans are just like pebbles in the road, not worth looking.

"What?"

"I lost Human King. You won."

Having declared his win, Allen’s lips were twitching and he stared angrily at the Qilin. “Do you think I’m dumb? Why don’t you look at yourself and compared it to mine? Even an idiot will know who won!”

Enduring the pain, Allen complained.

Allen’s bruised and haggard body compared to the Lightning Qilin is like comparing a Mini to an Audi. Although there are already numerous wounds, the Qilin’s body is still vigorous and better looking than Allen’s.

On the other hand, Allen didn't have any shred of strength anymore.

Having used up all his remaining strength, Allen could really not accept his victory.

In this match, no matter who sees it, it’s the Qilin’s victory!

But the Qilin shook his head.

“... Even so, you won. That is already undeniable. I’m a sacred beast, a noble existence and yet a human like you had turned me into this state. That's far too shameful!”

“… So this is my loss. Look how wounded I am all over. However,”

!?

“… You are strong but compared to the Monster Kings, it is still not enough.”

“… I only managed to do that because you aren’t serious in our fight! If you have been, I would have already lost a long time ago.” Allen bitterly smiled as he took his arm from Mia’s shoulder and tried standing up by himself.

Mia tried to support him again but Allen stops her with a wave of his hand.

The Qilin shook its head. "Cut the crap. Aren't you holding back your trump card as well? Why aren't you using it?"

Having the similar question shot back in his direction caused Allen to feel awkward for a moment and he scratched his head.

"… I'm not trying to hide it on purpose. It's just that if I ever use that move, I won't be able to control it enough to let this city got out with a mere almost destroyed state.”

“… …”

“Besides, in a game that does not place our lives as the bet, it would be very unfair to use that trump card."

“… …”

"… After all, you aren’t my enemy.” Allen added after a pause.

His words and actions made him seem so honest and pure that it seemed quite funny.

“Not abhorring the act of killing each other but not engaging in it when the situation does not call for it? A naïve thinking…”

“… …”

To respect a fight and at the same time to respect life.

Even Allen’s soul shone brightly in the eyes of the Lightning Qilin.

However, by his current level of strength alone…... he would be crushed under foot by the other Monster Kings.

Assessing and sorting out his thoughts, the Lightning Qilin seemed to come to a decision as he raised his head.

“You are still not ready to face those monsters… you will only die.” Unlike before, this time, the Lightning Qilin warned him in a very sincere expression.

Its underlying meaning was saying: Don’t rush and contend recklessly with the Monster Kings.

It’s not because Allen had saved its life before but because it acknowledges the human named; Allen Bando.

“I know…” Allen agreed.

He knows he was still weak, no one knows better than him how weak he was compared to him. He couldn’t even defeat Alkrasha, talking about defeating the Monster Kings is only stupidity.

He had an established reputation of being beyond reason, but there is a limit to everything.

However, it doesn’t mean that he would be scared and hide in a corner.

Defeating and dominating the Monster Kings will increase his chances against the upcoming Demon Invasion!

This is his chance, an opportunity!

Besides, it's not like he was hopeless against them!

Little by little, he would rise up in rank and a time will certainly come that he would be able to stand in front of a Monster King.

At that time, he would be unstoppable!

He would flip heaven and earth and mark his name in the history of the world.

“… I won’t stay weak either. I’m confident that I can surpass them easily because they are not my goal! I will run passed them, leaving them behind in the dust.”