24 Hearts

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Requiem, the boss of the black wolf

“Tsk!” Judah flicked his tongue.

He frowned at the broken shards of his sword scattered on the ground. Requiem triggered -weapon destruction-, and he did so at the perfect timing. The Alpha did it so masterfully Judah didn’t even have the room to curse him for it. And even though Requiem’s skill for that was at its lowest, it was still unfair that his sword had gotten broken so easily.

Hoowook!

Judah lowered his posture as he watched Requiem jump. Kwaduk—a harsh sound flew right above his head. Requiem was still passing overhead. Judah conjured magic into his broken sword, and black magic manifested into a temporary sword.

‘Bend!’

His body moved at the very thought. Judah’s back bent and his arms swung at the wolf above. And a sensation he had never felt before passed through his fingertips and sword.

Seeing the gushing blood, Judah straightened back up. After landing, Requiem glared at Judah, glancing at the damage on his side.

Finally, the cut he made bled through. As Requiem turned, blood sputtered out along the cut his sword had made. The wolf staggered, bracing itself on the ground as it glared at Judah with blinding rage. Judah relished at the sight of his enemy struggling in pain. Then, the wolf snarled its snout and howled.

AWOOO───!

But because of Judah’s title, the effect of his howl was nothing to him. After howling, Requiem charged at him with the power of a raging bull. Facing the enormous beast head-on was dangerous, but Judah did not budge in his place. Instead, he prepared to launch his skill, grasping the sword in his hand harder than before. Requiem’s eyes were fixed upon him while he focused on creating a long spear with his black magic. The Alpha unfurled his mouth wide open, flashing his razor-sharp blades.

‘What are you gonna do, chew, and eat my blade?’

Judah laughed, switching -One Point- to use -Shadow Swordsmanship Form 4 – Illusion Sword- to escape from behind. His replica emerged, going into Requiem’s mouth instead. The moment he snapped his mouth close, the shadow was torn apart. Judah stretched out his right hand and kicked himself off the ground, successfully evading Requiem as he shook away the remnants of Judah’s replica.

Judah grabbed Requiem’s snout with his bare hands, and up into the air, he leaped, landing on the wolf’s back like an acrobat.

Kreung!

Requiem snarled. Hearing the anger in his growl was satisfying to Judah. Unlike other black wolves, Requiem managed to maintain his dignity. A smile curved on Judah’s lips. He stood on Requiem, balancing masterfully as the wolf clamored on the ground. Before Requiem could regain his composure, Judah wanted to deliver a lethal blow. He smirked, dug his hand in his -Bag-, and raised the Flying Fighter’s spear. As he grabbed it, he remembered that Kain was watching him from afar. Judah grasped the spear in his right hand with utter confidence and his sword in the other, as black magic furled through the blades. He felt Requiem slow down.

‘I’m faster.’

Judah lowered his sword into an all too familiar stance. He joined the two swords into a cross, and then with a heave, he pulled them up into the air with all his might. It was imperial swordsmanship that the Flying Fighter used, and it was a very powerful technique. Powerful enough to cut through the tough leather of Requiem. As soon his blades were fully drawn, Requiem suddenly stopped as he stepped on a brake, and Judah hopped off.

The attack he cast traced Requiem down from his hips and up to his sides. As he flew in the air, Judah watched Requiem’s red blood scattering over the dazzling moonlight. It felt like a movie on the big screen, and the protagonist was himself. Judah couldn’t hide his smirk as he saw Requiem’s face mangle, his flesh and skin falling apart, with blood spurting in all directions.

“That will hurt quite a bit.”

The moment he spoke, his world that slowed down went back to normal. Judah landed on the ground, staggering in place before falling to his feet.

He wasn’t tired, but his body fell to the ground as if all his strength was extinguished. He looked up at the beautiful waning moon, dreaming of falling asleep staring at such a sight to behold, but their fight wasn’t over yet, and he had to get up.

“…”

Judah’s eyes fell on Requiem the moment he got back up to his feet. Requiem’s eyes, fixed on the ground, seemed to accept his defeat. Judah wondered whether this was a trick, as wolves were intelligent creatures. But he doubted that the noble Requiem would pull such a cunning trick against him.

And looking at the injuries he inflicted on the Alpha, there was no way he could recover from it even if he had the power of regeneration. He couldn’t see the extent of the blow now, but from what he saw a moment earlier, the cuts he made were deep. If those wounds healed right away, Requiem would be one unbelievable monster.

‘?’

But this beast was not a monster with the power of regeneration. Not wanting to give Requiem a vain death, he walked up to him, still vigilant against the Alpha.

“I won, Requiem.”

“…” He remained silent, staring back at Judah with a face distorted in pain. As if admitting defeat, Requiem closed his eyes.

“Ha.” Judah heaved a tiny snicker.

Requiem was a resilient enemy, and wishing not to prolong his suffering any longer, Judah walked up to the wolf with the intent to end its life for good. As soon as he took a step closer, the spectating black wolves shot up to their feet, growling aggressively at him. The tension in his pack grew by the second. Requiem opened his closed eyes before reacting to it.

Ooh ooh ooh ooh───!

“!” Judah blinked as Requiem howled again. The sound reverberated beyond the plains and into the forest deep. And the black wolves, who had risen and glared at Judah with the intent to kill, heard their leader’s howl and began to hesitate. Then, Requiem let out another howl. To this, the black wolves began to scatter in all directions. Requiem sighed, exhausted from howling one after the other. After confirming that all the wolves around him had disappeared, he vomited another breath and fell to his hind legs. A puddle of blood began to form around him.

“That’s amazing. Do you wish me to end you now?”

Requiem glanced at Judah silently and nodded. He closed his eyes, accepting his demise. His rigor was truly impressive to behold, and it was impossible to believe that this creature was a monster.

‘Shall I use domination?’

No, Judah stopped his urge. Pernern’s fragments worked on monsters. However, to use it upon a noble beast like Requiem would be a disgrace. He didn’t mind if it were some other monster, but he wanted to give Requiem a graceful death. And since there were no ways to cure the injuries the Alpha had sustained, he would soon die even if he used domination. Such a miserable death did not suit the beast.

“I hope this means your black wolves will no longer walk through the forests of this Castle.”

The spear covered in black magic twisted and turned into a jousting spear. Then, after a deep breath, Judah plunged the blade into Requiem’s heart. Under the moonlight, the leader of the Black Wolves exhaled his last breath.

[You defeated the Black Wolf -Requiem-.]

[Lord’s Request 2, Black Wolf Subjugation has been completed]

[As the black wolves under Requiem’s command ran off, the subjugation operation will be continued as a sweeping operation.]

Black smoke began to emit from Requiem’s corpse. Then inch by inch, all his organs, muscles, and bones withered away into nothing but dust. Judah watched his ashes as they bustled away with the wind. All that was left of him was his teeth, claws, and skin. A faint light leaked beyond his leather skin, and Judah walked closer to inspect it. As he bent to retrieve the loot, he heard footsteps approach from behind.

Just when he thought his struggles were over, he remembered his other problem.

Judah grew aware of the Flying Fighter’s spear he held within his grasp. It was too late to put it in the -Bag-, but it was too heavy for him to keep on saving, so he put it back in regardless of the consequences. As he turned his back, he saw Kain holding his helmet in one hand and a torch in the other.

“Judah…”

“Why?” Judah croaked, his exhaustion evident.

“…”

“If you have anything to say, say it quickly. I’m tired.”

“…”

Kain remained silent. His lips hung open as to say something, but he couldn’t figure out the right words to say. Judah felt glorious after his win, but seeing Kain right now made him wish he had died instead. The moment he tried to yell out the annoyance he felt inside, Judah saw a torch emerging from the forest.

“Judah! Kain! Are you okay?!”

Kaseun dashed toward them at lightning speed, followed by Tia and Jeanne. Judah glared at Kain, who was still silent, as the anxious crowd approached them with many worries.

It seemed that his mood was going to get dirty once again.