The air thrummed with tension as the monkey-like figure advanced a step closer. His sharp, penetrating eyes bore into mine, their intense gaze stripping away any semblance of security I might have felt. Each calculated step carried a deliberate precision, as though he were studying my every move. My instincts screamed at me to stay alert, every nerve in my body taut.

"Be careful," Aria's trembling voice came from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw her pale face peeking out from beneath her hood. Her hands clutched the edges of her cloak tightly, betraying the fear she was trying to conceal. Her wide, darting eyes spoke louder than words—she was terrified.

The monkey-man halted a few paces away, his posture seemingly at ease. But the weight of his presence pressed down like an unseen force, making the air heavy around us. Behind him, the taller, cloaked figure stood completely still, his silence even more unsettling than the monkey-man's probing stare.

"We're not here to harm you," the monkey-man said, his voice smooth but carrying a sharp undertone that prickled my senses. "At least, not unless you force our hand."

I narrowed my eyes, as i was on guard ready to call the my blades. "Then make your intentions clear. What do you want?"

The taller figure finally stirred, his deep, resonant voice breaking through the tension like a blade slicing through fabric. With deliberate movements, he raised his hands and pulled back his hood. Golden fur shimmered faintly in the fading sunlight, his eyes the color of molten gold locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver through me. For a moment, I felt as though I was staring down a predator that had no intention of missing its mark.

But it wasn't just his appearance that commanded attention. Slowly, he reached beneath his cloak and drew a staff of dark, polished wood. The intricate runes etched into its surface glowed faintly, pulsing with an energy that felt almost alive. With deliberate precision, he planted the staff into the ground, a ripple of energy radiating outward.

"You possess remarkable strength for a human," the golden-furred figure said, his voice calm yet weighted with curiosity. His piercing gaze bore into me, as though he could unearth every secret I tried to hide.

My stomach clenched, but I kept my expression neutral. How could they know about my strength? I hesitated only briefly before responding, my tone steady. "Yeah, I'm strong. What does that matter to you?"

The figure stepped forward, his movements deliberate and feline. "I am Kael, prince of the Monkeyfolk," he declared. His voice carried the pride of someone who understood the weight of their authority. He gestured toward his silent companion. "And this is Darius, my sworn guard."

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Kael's lips curved into a faint smile, his expression one of intrigue and amusement. "I saw you yesterday, human. What you did to those elves wasn't ordinary. Your strength… your skill… it surpasses what any human should possess. So, tell me—what are you?"

So he had seen me. Every move. Every strike. My pulse quickened, but I kept my composure. If Kael had deduced that I wasn't ordinary, then he was far more dangerous than I had assumed. Revealing too much could be catastrophic.

"I'm just a traveler," I said carefully, each word measured. "That's all you need to know."

Kael tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes narrowing in consideration. "Humble, or merely cautious?" His faint smile sharpened into something predatory. "Either way, I admire it. Your power intrigues me, human. It's rare—unheard of, even." He planted his staff into the ground with another deliberate motion, the runes flaring brightly for a moment. "I want to test it. I propose a duel—not out of malice, but respect."

"A duel?" I echoed, my voice wary.

Kael nodded, his tone firm. "Yes. A duel between warriors. I want to see the full extent of your strength. A worthy opponent is a treasure—and I don't let such treasures go unchallenged."

"And what if I refuse?" I asked, my grip tightening on my blades.

Kael's smile faded, his eyes growing cold. The weight of his words fell like a hammer. "Then we'll kill you both," he said simply, spinning his staff with lazy precision. The glowing runes pulsed in time with his movements, their light casting ominous shadows. "Your choice, human—fight me, or die."

I glanced back at Aria. Her terrified eyes met mine, silently pleading for a way out. She didn't speak, but the trust she placed in me was palpable. She was counting on me to find a solution—to protect her.

I turned back to Kael, weighing my options. His confidence wasn't bravado—it was certainty. If he'd truly wanted us dead, he wouldn't have bothered with words. Yet there was an air of genuine curiosity about him, as though he truly desired this duel not out of hostility, but to measure me.

"If I accept your duel," I said cautiously, "you'll let us go afterward?"

Kael inclined his head, his voice resolute. "You have my word."

There wasn't much of a choice. Running was futile, and refusal would mean death. I exhaled slowly, lowering my blades just slightly.

"Fine," I said. "I'll fight you. But not here. Let's take this outside the city—I don't want to attract unnecessary attention."

Kael studied me for a moment, his golden eyes narrowing in thought. Finally, he nodded. "Lead the way. But don't mistake this as a chance to flee," he said with a faint smirk, spinning his staff before planting it into the ground once more.

I turned toward the city gates, my heart pounding with each step. Aria followed close behind, her presence a steady anchor in the midst of this tension. Kael and Darius's silent gazes bore into me, a reminder of just how precarious this situation was.

The noise of the city faded as we reached the open grasslands. The endless expanse stretched out before us, the golden hues of the setting sun painting the rolling hills. A cool breeze whispered through the tall grass, but the air between us was charged with anticipation.

I stopped in the middle of the field and turned to face Kael. He stepped forward, his expression calm but brimming with anticipation.

"This will do," he said, surveying the open space. He drove his staff into the ground and cracked his knuckles, his golden eyes glinting with excitement.

With a fluid motion, he spun the staff, the runes blazing to life. Their eerie glow lit the grass around him as he settled into a ready stance. "Let's see what you're truly capable of."

I closed my eyes briefly, steadying my breathing. When I summoned Kirito's dual blades, the familiar weight in my hands grounded me. The polished edges gleamed in the dying light.

Opening my eyes, I found Kael watching me, his smile sharpening. He wasn't underestimating me—if anything, he seemed thrilled.

I glanced back at Aria. Her wide eyes met mine, filled with silent encouragement.

The wind stilled, the world holding its breath. Kael's voice broke the silence, low and steady.

"Let's begin."

End of Chapter.