The moment Billy lunged, Reinhardt moved to meet him. Their swords clashed with a deafening ring, sending sparks flying through the ruined throne room.

Billy pressed forward, his chaos blade carving through the air with lethal precision. Reinhardt dodged, his black-and-gold sword deflecting each strike with practiced ease. He wasn’t just fast—he was calculating.

“You’re strong, I’ll give you that,” Reinhardt said, sidestepping another strike. “But strength alone won’t win this fight.”

Billy didn’t waste breath responding. He feinted left, then spun, aiming a diagonal slash at Reinhardt’s exposed side.

At the last moment, the mercenary leader twisted his blade, blocking the attack and countering with a brutal knee to Billy’s ribs. The impact sent Billy staggering back, his breath hitching.

Reinhardt grinned. “You’re predictable.”

Billy exhaled sharply, his grip tightening. The whispers of the chaos blade grew louder.

Faster. Stronger. Kill him.

For a moment, Billy considered giving in. Letting the blade’s power take control.

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But no. That wasn’t his way.

He forced the whispers down, refocusing. He wouldn’t let Reinhardt control the flow of battle.

Billy adjusted his stance. Instead of attacking outright, he slowed down, watching Reinhardt’s movements. Waiting for an opening.

Reinhardt noticed the shift. “Oh? You’re learning.” He smirked. “Too bad it won’t save you.”

He lunged this time, slashing at Billy’s throat. Billy ducked, his chaos blade rising to meet the strike. The two swords locked, sparks dancing between them as they struggled for dominance.

“Why do you even fight?” Reinhardt asked, his voice strained as he pushed against Billy’s strength. “You’re not like the others. You’re smarter. You could have walked away, let the world burn.”

Billy’s jaw clenched. “I don’t run from my enemies.”

With a sudden burst of strength, he broke the deadlock, forcing Reinhardt back. The mercenary barely had time to react before Billy was on him again, his strikes faster, sharper.

Reinhardt blocked the first. The second. But the third?

Billy’s blade carved a deep gash across Reinhardt’s left arm.

The mercenary hissed, stepping back. “Hah… not bad.” Blood dripped from his sleeve, staining the floor.

Billy didn’t let up. He pressed forward, forcing Reinhardt onto the defensive. Strike after strike, his chaos blade moving like a phantom.

Reinhardt barely managed to keep up. But then—

A flicker of movement. A subtle shift in his stance.

Billy realized too late.

Reinhardt’s free hand shot forward, a hidden dagger flashing toward Billy’s side.

Billy twisted at the last second, but the blade still bit into his flesh, pain flaring through his ribs.

He gritted his teeth. He wasn’t going to lose.

Not to him.

End of Chapter 84