Willem declared confidently, “My hands are my weapons.” As he stepped forward, his fingers parted slightly, revealing sharp black nails that sprung out like blades.
Jasper, wielding a long spear, retorted, “Hmph! Looks like you haven’t trimmed those nails in ages. Today, I’ll give you a hand!” He wasted no time and thrust directly.
The speed was blinding, leaving only a flash of golden light visible. Willem didn’t retreat but charged forward, colliding head-on with the golden spear in a crimson blur.
“You’re courting death!” Jasper sneered as his spear erupted into a flurry of shadows.
In the courtyard, the dazzling light made onlookers squint. Each movement was swift, slicing through the air effortlessly.
The golden spear shadows, tightly packed, resembled a volley of cannonballs, tearing through Willem’s crimson afterimage and shredding it. The process unfolded with merciless simplicity, encountering no resistance.
“Hmph! Pathetic!” Jasper scoffed.
His smug expression oozed confidence as he withdrew his spear. He felt proud, utterly sure that anyone daring enough to challenge it with their body meant courting death.
“Mr. Bailey, I must apologize sincerely. I exerted too much force and accidentally ended the life of the
person you invited. Please forgive me,” Jasper said, turning to Bailey with an air of self-satisfaction.
“Mr. Jasper, could you please confirm? Did you truly strike Willem?” Bailey asked impassively.
“What?” Jasper’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, his gaze fixating on the scene before him.
The crimson afterimage he’d seen moments ago now lay in tatters, descending slowly like confetti. These remnants were nothing more than shreds of fabric, lacking any trace of a body or blood.
Had he been striking at thin air just moments earlier?
The cry of a silver-armored guard rang out consecutively. “General! Look behind you!”
Jasper’s senses heightened instantly. Without even a glance backward, he spun his spear and thrust behind him. Yet, as his body twisted with the spear’s motion, he encountered nothing in his wake.
“Are you looking for me?” A demonic whisper slithered into Jasper’s ear, accompanied by a hand with black claws resting on his shoulder.
Jasper’s hair stood on end as a chill ran through him, from his toes to his scalp. Reacting instinctually, he swiftly rolled forward, creating distance from the unseen danger while thrusting his golden spear.
The clang of metal reverberated. Willem’s fingernail barely brushed against the tip of Jasper’s weapon, sending sparks flying upon contact.
“You’ve ruined my clothes, so now you’ll pay with your life,” Willem growled, his grin revealing menacing fangs. The red glow in his eyes intensified like that of a bloodthirsty demon.
