His wounds had already healed, leaving no trace of blood and pushing metals away from his flesh. Kaiser stood there, glaring at the tough Hunter at the door. His eyes held no recognition—only betrayal, fury, and disappointment toward the man he once trusted.

"I believed in you... So tell me, why the hell are you here of all places?"

He had seen Alfred as a man of honor, someone righteous and worth listening to after witnessing him humble himself in his disciple's mistake at the armor shop. Miss Lina's and Maber's opinion of him are rather high thanks to his reputation as a stalwart man, brave and would sacrifice himself for the sake of others. But now, his faith in Alfred was shattered, replaced with the anger of a betrayal that stung more than any wound. Logically, the Hunters leader should be out there in preparation for the true monster, yet here he is, in the Inn for some reason. Kai knew that twisted reason well.

Alfred met Kaiser's rage with a heavy sigh, speaking in a tone laced with regret. "You already know why I'm here. And honestly, I'm ashamed of it."

"You should be, damn coward," Kaiser spat. "If you've got a grudge against me, then face me like a man! Don’t drag my friends into your twisted revenge, they're just vulnerable girls, you piece of sh*t!."

Alfred stayed silent for a while, wearing an unreadable expression. Eventually, he spoke, his voice cracking slightly as he spoke, "Do you know what it feels like to watch your father die, to see your mother violated while you’re too helpless to stop it? To watch everything you love burn before your eyes, knowing there’s nothing you can do? Of course, you don’t. I wanted to make them all suffer, the way I did... to make them pay for every vile thing they did to me. And when I found you, the last of their bloodline, I thought you deserved every bit of torment I could muster."

His forlorn gaze shifted to Ariella and Cia, his voice softening. "But hurting them would make me no better than those monsters. I just realized that, and fortunately, I did before I made an irreversible mistake to regret for the rest of my life."

He shook his head slightly. "I was wrong about you... Bakar’s descendants wouldn’t have your speed, nor any Player known in Green Land."

The words were meant to bring closure and end this misunderstanding. But Kaiser’s glare remained undiminished, burning with silent fury. That clouded his mind, drowning in rage and resentment. Even if Alfred didn't harm his two fragile companions in the end, the mere thought of this man plotting against them and successfully achieving vile deeds if he wished to make Kaiser's blood boil. If Alfred let his spiteful heart win, then this room would be a tragic scene. Kai... Kai would have massacred everyone if that happens. And even though it didn't, he found it difficult to move on after being played by the Hunter and threatening those he cherished midway.

'This won't end here,' he gritted his teeth.

Alfred bowed slightly, voice filled with genuine remorse. "I ask for your forgiveness—"

"Forgiveness?" Kaiser cut him off, his voice a low growl. "Yeah, it's all a horrible misunderstanding and we make peace, forget that this happened so we all live happily ever after?... Tell you what, screw you! If you think you can cross my line and get away with it unscathed, then keep dreaming, asshole!"

Without another word, Kaiser unsheathed his sword, the blade slicing the air with a deadly whistle. "I'll rip you apart and make you an example for anyone else who dares to threaten what's mine."

Before Alfred could respond, Kaiser was already charging at him at terrifying speed. In an instant, the blade was upon his neck. The Hunter barely had time to draw his dagger, blocking the devastating slash in the nick of time.

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But the impact was so forceful it sent them both flying back, crashing through the railings and plummeting down to the inn’s dining hall below. They landed hard, smashing tables and chairs, the flickering lamplight swaying at their descent.

As the dust settled, Alfred stood, breathing steadily, his stance strong but a bit shaken. Across from him, Kaiser rose up, a wild, feral fury burning in his eyes that seemed to emit a ghastly tint in his black ires, making him frowned at its unexplainable sight.

"What, exactly are you?"

The young man simply donned a malicious grin in response, before exploding in motion. His figure blurred and soon, he was upon Alfred, his sword swinging with the full force of his fury. Surprisingly, Alfred's response was swift, too. A flicker of motion and the blade met only air, deflected with a mere dagger in a precise, almost effortless movement. The clash of steel echoed, and Kaiser’s momentum died as swiftly as it had begun, his balance thrown off by the force of his own strike.

Kaiser staggered, his widening slightly in shock, as Alfred's follow-up with a powerful grab reached to seize him. Fortunately, his reflexes are sharper than his blade, allowing him to retreat just in time.

Stepping back, Kaiser took a deep breath.

'What the heck.'

That single exchange alone made him learn one thing. Alfred's speed, might and reflexes were no way normal. His beastial prowess alone already surpassed average human capabilities, which was further enhanced by the discovery of intense emotions increasing his strength. His rage, although, decreased knowing Ariella and Cia was fine, but not gone, his desire to make Alfred pay maintain its flames burning. So, keeping up with him can't be accomplished by skill alone, but strength greater than normal in which Alfred strangely possesses. Come to think about it, he had a vague suspicion that Brick's strength was also unnatural, but not that evident. Alfred's, though, was completely noticeable.

Kai clenched his jaw, shaking off the doubt. He didn’t care much about Alfred's unnatural performance, nor this world mechanism that allowed them to do so. All he wanted was to land a single hit and make him bleed, only then could he quench the blazing within him.

"Calm down, Kaiser!" Alfred's voice shouted, but Kaiser’s ears were deaf to reason. As another strike came, which was easily deflected by Alfred, again. Although, Kaiser's attacks were powerful, backed by extraordinary strength of a beast rather than a teenager. However, it was simple and predictable, it's evident he didn't know how to use feints, quick doubles, or any complex slashing styles to confuse the opponent. His lacking swordmanship only paled against a veteran Hunter that had killed many beasts and horrible people alike.

'I should have analyzed more.' Alfred thought, reflecting on his hasted actions against the young man he accused guilty of punishment. Although, his reasons are valid because people normally just have one ability, even the Legendary Players in ancient times are said to only possess a single aspect, ranging in level. Kaiser, though, seemed to have two different powers. Not only could he recover from dire injuries like Bakar's descendants, he also possesses beastial capabilities. Potent enough to put, even the strongest hunter on edge. Another pierce attack was lunch, only to be received by Alfred's dagger and redirected to the side, followed by a futile attempt to lock the beast down, missing at hairs breath. His like a fisherman dealing with an elusive fish that could kill him if not careful, swift and deadly.

Failing again, Kai cursed under his breath, infuriated by the stalwart warrior total defense. Alfred isn't moving from his position at all, staying in one place as his sharp eyes watch him approach and prepare to deflect his blade over and over again, not even attacking and making it hard for him to find a weak spot. Though, he can't even see any weak points in the Hunter impenetrable defensive stance. No matter how many times he strikes, Alfred didn’t budge, standing his ground like an immovable wall. His eyes were sharp, focused, watching every move with the patience of a predator and anticipating his blade trajectory, before redirecting in one, fluid motion, rendering Kai's superior strength useless.

Suddenly, a cunning smile spread across Kaiser’s lips, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. Instead of charging directly at Alfred, he started moving in a wide circle, aiming to lose the Hunter's sight. And the moment he did, he lunged from an unexpected angle, hoping to catch Alfred off guard. But to his shock, Alfred’s dagger was already there, meeting his blade with impeccable timing, neutralizing the strike before it could even touch his back. Cursing, Kai decisively jumps over, just in time to avoid Alfred's grab.

'You got to be kidding me.'

Landing lightly on a table, his eyes never leaving Alfred, the room around them suddenly feeling too small to contain his infuriation. Alfred’s stance remained solid, the knife in his hand as steady as his unwavering gaze.

"Give up," Alfred said, his voice calm but firm. "Your swordsmanship is too crude. Brute force alone won't win you this fight."

Indeed, his constant aggression was only neutralized without fail by the veteran Hunter, making all his endeavors to make him pay blood seem futile. The difference in technique was simply too wide that even though his strength is greater than Alfred's, winning wasn't in his reach.

Sparing his dented sword a glance, Kaiser sighed internally. 'Guess this is what happens when you're a retard who's too lazy to learn showmanship.'

Kaiser remains silent for a while, look around before responding with a grin.

"Say that in the dark."

With that, he moved again, this time, not towards the impenetrable opponent but on the lamps illuminating the dining hall. Alfred can only watch as lights providers began dessapearing one by one, eaten by a swift shadow running around in a clamor of breaking glass. Alfred could only stand there as the darkness closed in around them, knowing he couldn't match Kai's speed.

Within moments, the entire dining hall was plunged into the shadows.