The echoing howl pierced the tense air, causing even the charging demon to momentarily falter. His grin remained, though, as he quipped, "Seems all the blood I've spilled from ya has attracted the attention of the beast. What to do, what to do?" His mocking smile never wavered, his eyes briefly flicking towards Taylor, who stood steadfast beside me.

"Why do you care about the beast coming here? Are you perhaps, fearful of it?" Taylor's question seemed to catch him off guard initially, but it quickly transformed into amused disdain.

"Sure, sure~ It's an unknown variable that could swing my job either way. Guess I should wrap this up quick before it can come here." With lightning speed, he lunged, a dagger aimed mere inches from my left eye. Years of training with qi allowed me to duck just in time, but the demon was unrelenting. "By your movements, I can tell you're self-taught. Your combat sense outweighs your control of qi. Makes my job easier though~" His taunts cut through the air like his dagger.

Meanwhile, Taylor launched her own assault from behind, her movements fluid yet precise. Despite the demon's agility, she managed to land a few glancing blows, her determination evident in every strike. How were we going to survive this relentless onslaught?

Drawing on Assor's fighting style once more, I abandoned passive defense for a more aggressive approach. I let some non-lethal blows land, focusing on creating openings for myself and Taylor. The demon adjusted his tactics, opting to block more often than dodge, a change that fueled my determination even more. Blow after blow rained down, each strike fueled by the desperate need to break through his defenses.

Feinting a swipe at the demon's neck, I forced him to lean back momentarily. Taylor seized the opening, grabbing his collar and pulling him off balance. As I raised my blade for a decisive strike, the demon countered with a swift kick, disrupting my aim and sending the blade into the ground. The force of his kick also sent Taylor flying backward, leaving deep skid marks in the dirt.

"That was almost bad for me. The child of a tiger is still a tiger, huh," the demon mused aloud, drawing perplexed expressions from both Taylor and me. "As a reward for almost injuring me, I'll let you in on something, kid. It wasn't just anyone who put a hit out on you. I don't know the reason, but the higher-ups want you out of the picture."

"The higher-ups? You can't mean—"

"That's exactly it. The Demon Kings themselves want you gone. So even if you survive fighting me, they'd only send someone stronger next time." Dread settled heavily in my gut, threatening to overwhelm me.

The Duke's earnest plea and my own fears and doubt took hold. "Stay out of this Taylor. Just this once. Besides, he can trick you with illusions if he needs to anyway." I requested, trying my utmost to hide the emotions I was feeling. "But even the two of us together couldn't handle him, so how can you do it alone?" She countered, though time was running out and I could tell my fellow demon was running out of patience. "I'll be fine. If we want a chance against that beast when it gets here, one of us need to be in fighting condition at least." She opened her mouth to respond but my awareness was stolen by a sharp movement before she could speak.

"I don't think ya have time to worry about that though my friend~" He continued before lunging at me once more.

The skirmish resumed with a renewed intensity, the clash of steel and the crackle of qi filling the air around us. Every movement became critical, every strike a test of skill and endurance. The demon's attacks were precise and calculated, aimed to exploit any weakness. I fought with all the ferocity and skill I could muster, Taylor's presence a comforting yet urgent reminder of our shared struggle and my own promise.

The battlefield seemed to warp with our conflict, the ground beneath us bearing the scars of our battle. Dust and debris kicked up with every clash, mingling with the sweat and blood that stained my clothes. Each movement felt like a step closer to victory or defeat against an opponent who anticipated my every move.

In the midst of battle, thoughts raced through my mind, grappling with the implications of the demon's words. Why would the Demon Kings want me dead? What had I done that warranted such attention from the highest echelons of demonic power? Was not being an ignorant and selfish being truly that big of a sin for demons? These questions threatened to distract me from the fight, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the immediate threat before me. That momentary lapse in judgment nearly cost me an arm. Before it could cut straight through flesh and bone, Taylor deflected it and saved me from a debilitating injury. "I won't go so far as to attack him, but I'll defend you if necessary. I'll only be able to save enough strength to fight the wolf beast if you can defend yourself." She jested with a playful grin, yet her eyes portrayed her concern.

"Thanks." I replied, unable to even feign a relaxed atmosphere.

The demon fought with a detached efficiency, his movements economical yet deadly. His eyes gleamed with amusement and predatory focus, relishing the challenge. But beneath his confident facade, I sensed a hint of caution, a recognition that Greg had warned me to always have. A feeling that excessive pride in your ability could very well lead to your downfall. His inability to notice Taylor's incoming block had opened his eyes and made him more focused on the task at hand.

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Our battle ebbed and flowed like the tide, moments of intense aggression followed by brief lulls where we circled each other warily. Taylor's defense was precise and disciplined, her determination matched only by her resilience. Despite being accustomed to serving the role as the lead assailant, she supported me with a tenacity that earned my admiration and fueled my own resolve.

The environment seemed to conspire against us, the uneven terrain and gusts of wind adding an unpredictable element to our duel. Rocks and fallen branches became both obstacles and potential weapons, heightening the danger and complexity of our struggle.

Time lost its meaning as we fought, each second stretching into an eternity of conflict. I pushed myself beyond my limits, feeling the strain of prolonged combat at full strength wearing me down. Yet, I knew I could not afford to falter, not with so much at stake.

With renewed determination, I launched a barrage of strikes, each blow aimed not just at the demon's defenses but at his resolve. I sensed a shift in his demeanor, a subtle acknowledgment that this battle wouldn't be as easy as he thought it'd be. Sweat dripped down my brow as I pressed my advantage, refusing to relent even as exhaustion threatened to overtake me.

The demon's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by a glint of respect. "Not bad," he conceded, a hint of grudging acknowledgement in his voice. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I pressed forward with a relentless assault that tested his every reflex.

Our duel reached its zenith, the clash of our blades and the crackle of qi echoing in the air around us. My senses sharpened, every sound and movement magnified in the intensity of the moment. I felt a surge of hope, a belief that victory was within reach if I could just push a little harder.

But just as I prepared for what I hoped would be the final strike, a distant roar shattered the stillness. It was louder now, closer, a primal cry that sent a shiver down my spine. The demon's eyes widened imperceptibly, his attention momentarily diverted by the looming threat approaching.

Seizing the opportunity, I channeled the last of my strength into a decisive strike. My blade found its mark, grazing the demon's arm with a deep gash. It wasn't a fatal blow, but it was enough to force him to retreat, if only for a moment.

"Looks like our time's up," the demon muttered, his tone tinged with anger and humiliation at my successful sneak attack. Without another word, he vanished into the shadows, leaving Taylor and me alone with our thoughts and the looming presence of the approaching beast.

"Ashoc, are you alright?" I heard Taylor ask. "I'll be fine. You?" I asked in return, inwardly praying that she hadn't taken any blow that was aimed at me during that final exchange. "I'm fine but what was he going on about? Something about Demon Kings?" Her voice had become much fainter as my attention was elsewhere. I'd already become entirely focused on the monstrous entity approaching us. "It's here." I mumbled, just loud enough for Taylor to hear.

Knocking over the remaining trees that separated us, the wolf-like creature made itself known instead of opting for the silent predator it had acted as before.

It sniffed the air for a couple seconds but was otherwise motionless. Taylor and I followed its example, trying our hardest not to provoke it into becoming hostile. "Your blood smells...funny." It spoke, its predatory gaze leveled on me, nearly freezing my heartbeat. "Smells funny?" I echoed, wanting to keep it talking. As long as it was explaining something or intrigued, it wouldn't try to eat us. At least, that's what I hoped.

"Yeah, demon blood normally smells like a rotting corpse to me. But yours has an underlying scent. An undeniably alluring aroma. That aroma is the entire reason I even came here. To see what could possess such revolting yet captivating blood."

Its eyes widened, the intensity of its piercing glare unnerving as it abruptly ceased its explanation and re-fixed its gaze solely on me. The wolf-like beast's mouth opened in a silent snarl, muscles tensing for a leap that promised deadly intent. Before it could launch itself at me, a flash of movement intercepted its path—a swift, precise strike of a blade.

The sword belonged not to Taylor, but her aunt, whose arrival was as sudden as it was timely. In that brief moment, as steel met fur and fang, I felt a surge of relief mixed with curiosity. The aunt's intervention spoke volumes about her skill and strength, but how would she fare against such a ferocious opponent?

The beast recoiled from the aunt's initial strike, its claws scraping against the ground as it assessed this new threat. Its growl reverberated through the clearing, a challenge met by the aunt's steely resolve. She wielded her sword with a grace born of experience, every movement calculated to exploit the beast's vulnerabilities.

The battlefield shifted with their dance of combat—the aunt weaving a defensive web of strikes and parries, the beast countering with primal ferocity. Dust swirled around them, kicked up by their swift movements, adding an ethereal quality to their deadly duel. Rocks and fallen branches became unwitting witnesses to their clash, potential weapons waiting to be seized in a moment of need.

The aunt's style was disciplined yet adaptable, her blade a fluid extension of her will. She deftly evaded the beast's lunges, sidestepping with agility that she'd never used in our spars. Her attacks were precise and deliberate, aimed at weakening the beast's resolve and exploiting the weaknesses that it'd occasionally let slip.

The beast, for its part, fought with strangely specialized, and calculated strikes. Claws flashed in the dappled sunlight, seeking purchase on her defenses, only to be met time and again with the ringing clash of steel.

Their battle wore on, a test of endurance and skill. Each exchange pushed both combatants to their limits, the stakes rising with every passing moment. The aunt's expression remained focused, her eyes never leaving the beast as she calculated her next move.

"Fine, fine. I yield." It spoke once more, surprising our guardian. "But on one condition. I get to follow that guy." It demanded, pointing its clawed paw at me.

Both aunt and niece stared at me in disbelief, though I was just as baffled as they were.