The mild day of Finn Deimne was quickly beginning to crumble. The festive and relaxed atmosphere was turning into a palpable tension with the imminent confrontation between Bete, a feared member of the powerful Loki Family, and Kunihito, a mysterious half-elf with an intimidating presence. Finn, as a respected captain of one of the high-ranking Families, felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, knowing that a simple fight could unleash serious consequences.

Determined to nip the evil in the bud, Finn stood up and approached the pair, his posture radiating authority. "Bete, step back. Today is a day of celebration, don't let this night turn into something even worse," he firmly ordered, hoping his words would be enough to calm the situation.

Bete redirected his furious gaze to the smiling face of the half-elf, challengingly. "Oh, really? This clown dared to insult our family, and you're telling me to ignore it?" His voice was impulsive, filled with anger and a brutal desire for revenge.

"I see no point in continuing with a petty dispute that will bring no benefit to either side," argued the Pallum logically.

Finn knew the situation was delicate. Both adversaries exuded a threatening aura, and it was evident that Kunihito possessed formidable strength. He understood that simply resolving the dispute, regardless of who was right or wrong, would not be enough to avoid potentially devastating consequences.

"What did you say!?" Bete didn't like what his captain had just said, but before he could utter another word, he was interrupted by his "attacker."

Then, the half-elf broke the silence, addressing Finn with a smile. "Wow, you're exactly as I imagined, Finn Deimne. A logical captain who avoids unnecessary conflicts, worthy of leading a large family," his voice conveyed a playful yet respectful tone. "However, I disagree with your decision to retreat now. I see no point in giving up this dispute. I don't intend to use weapons against him; it will be a fight with our fists only. Furthermore, I hold no grudges against my opponents, regardless of the outcome. And unlike you, I don't have a Family to do that for me. Your concerns make no sense at the moment."

Kunihito's words seemed sensible, but they only increased Finn's worries. How could someone unknown have such confidence to face a high-ranking member of the Loki Family? Who exactly was that enigmatic half-elf?

Before Finn could formulate a response, Loki, the mischievous Goddess, appeared and leaned her head on his shoulder, amused by the situation. "Come on, Finn, don't be a party pooper. Let them fight. It'll be fun!" she exclaimed, transmitting her childlike enthusiasm. The presence of the cunning deity made the atmosphere even lighter, as if it were all just a game.

However, Finn felt a heaviness in his heart. He knew that allowing the fight to happen could tarnish his family's reputation and create an unpredictable situation.

"Hein! Kunihito-san, don't cause trouble!" reprimanded Syr, approaching with a worried look.

Kunihito smiled at the girl. "Sure, sure, don't worry. It's just a dispute that we'll take in good sport, with no hard feelings on either side. YAHAHAHAHA," his tone of amusement left the adventurers around him stunned, even Syr and Bell thought he had crossed the line.

"Adventurers, that's the name given to those who take unparalleled risks to gain nothing or everything. I wonder what it must feel like to crush the warrior spirit of those, it must be… fun," he raised his head and looked.

…

The place fell silent as the half-elf's malicious words hung in the air. When he noticed it, he burst into laughter.

"YAHAHAHAHA, no need to be frightened, I was just thinking out loud," Kunihito said with a genuine laugh and a light tone, causing the atmosphere to lighten once again.

"Ugh, so annoying! I thought he was some lunatic, and we could get rid of him now," one of the Amazons from the Loki Family complained.

"Anyway, let's get this started. Remember, no weapons, just fists." Kunihito reaffirmed his earlier words.

"If you're going to fight, you can leave!" Mia shouted from behind the bar, her brown eyes shining with anticipation, even as several other customers began cheering and applauding, while others started placing bets.

"I'll see you outside then!" Kunihito smiled before heading towards the bar, calling over his shoulder as he did so.

"You shitty elf!" Bete retorted before heading towards the door, his hands in his pockets, and his family members, most of whom seemed excited, following behind him.

Kunihito then arrived at the counter. "I'll leave my things here," the half-elf said as he began to disarm himself.

"Leave them back there; no one will touch them," Mia affirmed. "Anyway, you really know how to stir up trouble. Bete Logar is quite strong, and he won't go down easily," Mia said softly.

"Oh, how scary! Even the owner is worried about me. I think I'll just shrink into a corner and wait for him to leave!" Kunihito sang sarcastically.

Tick.

The sound of his armor being removed resonated with a sharp tone. Some could even swear that the armor shimmered slightly as it was taken off.

"Kunihito-san! You don't have to do this!" Bell said, almost in a panic.

The half-elf, now with his armor fully removed, simply shrugged off his cloak and threw it over the counter "Don't take the reason for this confrontation onto yourself, mini-you. As I said, I just want to have fun with a good fight and measure the difference in strength between us." Kunihito said, waving his hand in a nonchalant manner.

"Besides, I found that situation amusing as well. If I were to fight that guy for your sake, I'd just be a hypocrite." the half-elf then hopped over the counter, passing by Bell.

"But…" The words died the moment he tried to speak them.

No matter how much Kunihito said that one situation had nothing to do with the other, he was obviously lying. He was a good person and didn't want Bell to feel bad or indebted to him for being protected… At least, that's what the young rabbit thought… The poor boy couldn't have been more wrong.

(a few minutes before)

"Pay close attention to all his movements, don't underestimate him in any way." The captain's words echoed like a shock to all members of the Loki Familia.

The captain was known for his wisdom and discernment, so his words carried significant weight. However, Tione was the first to express her disagreement with the captain's order.

"Captain, don't you think you're overreacting? Bete should hold back from killing that elf." Tione questioned.

Bete spat on the ground and asserted, "I agree. That bastard is nothing special. Just a pup pretending to be strong against lions."

Finn shook his head, disapproving of their attitude "Don't be foolish. Just by looking at him, it's easy to distinguish that he's dangerous. Bete, don't underestimate him," Finn reinforced, much to the werewolf's displeasure.

Riveria added to Finn's words "I agree. There's something unnatural about him. All the attention focused on him is still not enough." Bete growled, waving them off disdainfully.

However, Lefiya, the Level 3 mage, noticed that Ais, the silent blonde, was lost in thought.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Ais?" Lefiya asked, concerned, considering the events in the dungeon from the previous day still fresh in the Sword Princess's mind.

Ais simply responded "Strong."

Bete growled, turning to face Ais's piercing gaze. However, she ignored him, still absorbed in her thoughts.

The attention of the Loki Familia and the crowd quickly turned to the door as the blond half-elf emerged.

Observing him intently, Bete immediately began assessing him. The elf was no longer wearing his armor, or at least the parts of the body that would normally be protected.

The half-elf was taller than most common elves, his physique appearing more robust and rough compared to the typical symmetry and perfection of elves.

Both were practically the same size and had similar physiques, which meant neither of them would have a reach advantage.

However, Bete knew that the half-elf was a swordsman, which limited his fighting style. This was an advantage for Bete, but he started to feel that his confidence was excessive, which bothered him.

"This guy is a pain in the ass," Bete grumbled as he walked toward the center of the circle formed by the crowd.

Kunihito's smug smile exuded nothing but pure arrogance as he took his place, just five meters away from his opponent.

The relaxed posture of the elf truly annoyed Bete at that moment, and he continued with his hands in his pockets to demonstrate his contempt.

"I think the first step to start this fight would be an introduction. Lady, care to go first?" the half-elf taunted, with a challenging tone.

Bete's eyebrows furrowed in anger. "I see no reason to tell you my name, knowing that after the first punch, you won't even remember it," he retorted.

"YAHAHAHA! I guess I've gotten you in a bad mood, but I still think it's necessary to introduce myself. You can call me Kunihito," the half-elf replied, with a smile that closely resembled a feline.

However, he received no response from the werewolf. Bete's impatience was evident, and he wanted to start the fight immediately.

"Very well, answer me one thing before we begin," Kunihito said, scanning the members of the Loki Familia. "Among all of you, who is the strongest?"

Bete looked around, evaluating his comrades, and a determined expression appeared on his face. "I am the strongest in the Loki Familia," he responded confidently. "None of them come close to my strength and abilities!" It was more bravado than Bete himself speaking in this aspect.

Kunihito nodded with an interested look. "Impressive," he commented. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do."

Finn watched the interaction between the two with caution.

He knew that this fight wouldn't be just any brawl. Something more was at stake, something that transcended mere power struggle between them.

As the crowd gathered around, murmurs of anticipation filled the air. It was as if everyone knew that this confrontation was different from anything they had witnessed before.

Finn approached Bete and spoke in a low but firm voice "Remember, Bete, this fight is not just about physical strength. We need to show that we are superior in all aspects, including our behavior and emotional control." Bete nodded, understanding Finn's words. He knew that as a member of a high-ranking family, his behavior directly reflected the family's reputation.

Meanwhile, Kunihito remained calm, exuding an aura of serene confidence. He seemed to be enjoying the situation, defying the expectations of everyone around him.

The adventurers, the familia members, and even casual spectators were all attentive to the imminent fight. They all expected to witness an epic battle between two formidable opponents.

Finn looked at the half-elf and said with a clear determination in his voice "May the best familia win this battle, not just in strength, but also in wisdom and honor."

And so, with hearts pounding and excitement in the air, the two adversaries prepared for the confrontation that would change the destiny of their families and leave a mark on both their lives.

…

…

!!!

— Instant Reflex! — The words echoed from the blond's mouth as his left hand pierced his own abdomen like a spear.

"When?! When did he move and attack me!?" Bete questioned, shocked.

The crowd fell silent at the unreal scene. Only a few witnessed what actually happened, as there were few who had eyes capable of keeping up with the speed of the movements. Ais Wallenstein stood out in this regard. His eyes were sharpened by the half-elf, and in a matter of moments, he moved at an incredible speed and injured Bete, who was completely unprepared.

It wouldn't have been difficult for Bete to dodge a blow like that if he had been serious in the fight. After all, even with his terrible mood, he was still strong. However, his arrogance could have cost him his life in that situation.

"Wow, you're incredible. I tried to pierce through your arm and still, it was such a superficial blow. But you're not the strongest. Well, to me, it's no surprise…" The half-elf ripped his bloodied hand from the werewolf and kicked it away, sending it flying. The sudden push was softened by the gray-haired youth's feet still on the ground, leaving a trail of dust behind.

Bete held his abdomen with one hand. The blow wasn't deep, but he was perplexed by how quickly everything happened. "Damn it!" Bete growled.

"And what? I'm giving you a chance, kid. I'm willing to wait until you're truly ready to fight. You better hurry up, or I'll fill you with holes like I just did. What's wrong? Are you afraid to fight?" Kunihito taunted, yawning.

Bete started running at high speed towards the half-elf and delivered a powerful frontal kick. Quickly, the blond crossed his arms in an X shape to defend himself, but the impact was still felt.

Kunihito was thrown back as if he were nothing. Luckily, he managed to lessen the impact of the blow, but his arms were in a pitiful state, trembling from the force that was applied to them.

"Perfect, that's better," he said with amusement, uncrossing his injured arms. However, before he could react, Bete appeared by his side, delivering a powerful right punch towards his face…

Seconds before being hit, Bete only heard one word, "Mercury." An oppressive purple aura enveloped the blond's body. Kunihito's body twisted in an inhuman manner, narrowly avoiding the punch. Then, he grabbed Bete's arm and threw him up into the air.

"Tch… Magic?" Bete muttered, confused about his situation. While Bete was in the air, Kunihito took the opportunity to briefly recover. He focused his energy and concentrated his power in his right hand.

Before Bete could even recover from being thrown, Kunihito appeared before him in the blink of an eye. With a precise and powerful strike, he hit Bete's stomach with his energy-charged hand.

The impact was devastating. Bete felt as if his body were being crushed by an incredible force. He was thrown back to the ground, colliding with the earth with tremendous force.

The crowd watched in silence, impressed by the ferocity of the battle.

As Bete struggled to get up, Kunihito approached calmly. His eyes gleamed with fierce determination, and his body was enveloped in a bright purple aura.

"Do you still want to keep fighting?" Kunihito asked, with a cold and challenging voice. "Or have you finally realized that you're no match for me?"

Bete panted, feeling the throbbing pain throughout his body…

However, his expression hardened, and a determined smile formed on his lips. "It's not over yet," Bete declared, pushing himself up from the ground. "I'm not done fighting!"

Bete stood up, ready for the confrontation, and delivered a powerful kick against the half-elf. The two blows collided with impressive intensity.

The collision seemed balanced in terms of strength and speed, but Kunihito demonstrated extraordinary agility as he swiftly delivered a left leg kick towards Bete's face, hitting him with a knee that made him stagger to the side.

Bete fell to the ground, landing on his back in the small crater he had created with his fall. As he attempted to get up, the half-elf quickly approached and grabbed him by the collar, unleashing a series of punches without wasting any time.

Strike

Strike

With each punch, the half-elf became even more gleeful, his laughter echoing through the surroundings.

Strike

Strike

Bete, despite being unsteady, faced the half-elf with determination. He recognized the relentless strength of his opponent.

Strike

Strike

"What strength…" Bete thought, imposing himself in the face of the need to react in that moment.

Strike

Strike

However, Kunihito interrupted his sequence of unbeatable strikes and landed a powerful punch to Bete's stomach, sending him flying a considerable distance.

The purple aura dissipated, and Kunihito spat some blood onto the ground. "So, is that all your power?" taunted the half-elf. "I must say, you've been a total disappointment to me. You're considered one of the strongest in this city, but all you have going for you is average speed and strength?" Kunihito observed the despair in Bete's rolling eyes.

A smile formed on the half-elf's face. "Let me guess, you're going to say that you'll give it your all and use your trump card against me, but let's make it clear from the beginning… It was clear from the start of this fight who would come out victorious!" Kunihito pointed to one of his arms, clearly in a pitiful state.

"With just one blow, I nearly ripped your arms off. If I hadn't held back, you might not even have them anymore. Yet, it's evident that you are physically more capable than me. To match me in any aspect, I had to use everything available in my arsenal to leave you in this state. Now, knowing this, how did someone weaker than you manage to get to this point? Do you have an answer?" Kunihito questioned.

Bete had no answer.

"Well then, it's quite simple, mentality. You adventurers are accustomed to fighting strong creatures but lacking intelligence. On the other hand, I have faced opponents stronger and more intelligent than me throughout my life. Monsters act on instinct, while we mortals are the greatest predators of all because we use our minds. Someone with so little killer instinct could never defeat me," explained Kunihito.

Bete, still unsteady, stared intensely at the blond and uttered, "Enough with the nonsense!"

Kunihito's smile faded. "Excuse me?" he asked, confused.

"You said you used everything in your arsenal to leave me in this state, but that was a lie. That ability you used in the beginning, it was a warning, wasn't it? To make me take this fight seriously. But at the same time, you didn't give yourself any real chance to fight seriously, and that's what I've been wondering since the beginning of this battle—what the hell do you want with all of this?" questioned Bete.

Kunihito looked at him and blinked three times before directing his gaze to the sky. "Oops… I've been discovered, Yahahaha! You're smarter than you seem, little wolf. Perhaps you're really worth being killed here so that you don't become a constant threat in the future," Kunihito said with amusement.

"So, I guess I'm not as big of a disappointment as you claimed, huh, elf?" said Bete, with a bloodthirsty smile.

"I may have been mistaken about you... I think the fun is over. Now, I'll show you the true meaning of carnage," Kunihito said, before reaching his hand to his eyes and lightly rubbing them.

"Uff... I did it again. Well, I'm sober now. Let's leave this fight behind," Kunihito declared, assuming a relaxed stance.

"What?! Sober?!" Bete repeated incredulously, but the half-elf ignored him and began walking away, disregarding him and the crowd.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you think you can attack me and just walk away? This fight will only end when I say it's over!" Bete roared in fury.

Kunihito held his head, feeling a sharp headache, likely a hangover from the drink. "AHHHH! Stop barking so loudly! You're still alive only because I'm leaving. Consider yourself lucky. That blow I landed at the beginning of our fight is still affecting you, isn't it? I can see it on your face. You have three to five minutes before you lose consciousness." Kunihito then looked directly into the young man's eyes, for some reason his eyes seemed to flicker green to Bete...

"But even if you manage to stay on your feet for the rest of the night, you would never defeat me if I used my sun," explained Kunihito, turning towards Bete.

"Don't forget my name, young adventurer. And you'd better pray to never hear it again, Kunihito Xiloscient. Because the next time you hear my name, you'll be a dead man. I promise that," Kunihito affirmed as he observed Bete's battered figure. Then, he turned towards the pub but was interrupted by a voice.

"Should I consider your words a threat against a member of my family?" questioned Finn Deimne, the captain of the Loki Family.

Kunihito locked eyes with Finn Deimne. "It's just a promise of a duel between two warriors, nothing more," he replied. "Heavens, I need something sweet," the half-elf muttered, but from the corner of his eyes, he cast one last glance at the members of the Loki Family... especially at Finn.

As Kunihito advanced, a persistent thought about the Loki Family echoed in his mind. He knew that fate would eventually bring them together in an epic confrontation, a clash that would test their skills and determination to the limit. After all, he had become the symbol of challenge and overcoming that adventurers sought, and the anticipation of this impending encounter fueled his thirst for battle and... blood.

There were many events that would influence the future of this city, from the smallest to the most significant. The fight between a lion and a wolf, few knew at that time, but such a confrontation was what bound the fate of the lion, shining upon those who carried the grace of the Trickster God.

(To be continued...)

The next chapter will conclude the story's prologue. Any opinions or critiques so far are welcome!