The Archfiend System

CHAPTER 8: Durendal

“Yeah?” Klein said nonchalantly, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Maybe you should have taught your Vice some respect.

He attacked a defenseless Blank inside a Dungeon Gate and left him for dead. What kind of example is that?”

Vax's expression softened a little. “I admit, Manny was wrong,” he responded, and Klein was taken aback by Vax's unexpected reasonableness, making him slightly uncomfortable.

“But you didn’t have to destroy my base and hurt my guildmates to deal with just one person.”

Klein shifted his stance, feeling a flicker of guilt. Perhaps he had overreacted.

“You’re right,” he acknowledged, rubbing the back of his neck. “I could’ve handled it differently. I’m not perfect, and I sometimes let my anger take over.”

He met Vax’s gaze. “So, what happens now? Do you want an apology, or are you here to prove a point?”

“No need for apologies,” Vax replied, his expression turning serious once more. “This is about honor and justice.” His voice was firm.

“I challenge you to a duel. If you win, we’ll consider it even, and I’ll take responsibility for Manny’s actions. If I win, you come to my base to face justice.”

Klein smiled slightly, excitement igniting in him. “A duel sounds good to me,” he replied, feeling his confidence return. He glanced at Mara, who watched them anxiously. “Mara, you should head home now,” he urged her softly.

“But, big brother…” Mara said, worry evident in her voice.

Klein gently patted her head to comfort her. “Don’t worry; I’m not that weakling anymore,” he reassured her with a warm smile. “I can handle this. Just trust me, alright?”

Mara hesitated, searching his face for reassurance. Finally, she nodded slowly. “Okay,” she said quietly before turning to leave, her steps slow but determined.

Once she was out of sight, Klein faced Vax again. “So, where should we do this? I don’t want to cause any more trouble,” he said, shifting to a more serious tone.

“There’s a quiet spot behind the market where we can go,” Vax suggested, a hint of respect showing in his eyes.

The atmosphere was charged, both men understanding the gravity of what was about to unfold.

Klein and Vax faced each other at opposite ends of the narrow alley, the shadows of the tall buildings around them stretching long and dark.

The cobblestone beneath them was worn and littered with small debris, but neither man cared about their surroundings.

Their focus was fixed on each other, tension crackling between them like electricity.

Vax was the first to break the silence. "I want you to know, this isn’t personal," he said, his voice calm but firm. His eyes never left Klein.

"I’ve got a reputation to protect. I can’t just let someone walk over my guild and think there won’t be consequences."

Klein gave a slow nod, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I get it," he replied, his tone casual but with an undertone of respect.

He hadn’t expected Vax to be this level-headed. "I’m not here to stir up more trouble, believe me."

There was a flicker of understanding between them, a mutual recognition of the situation. Vax nodded in return, reaching into his inventory.

A golden sword appeared in his hand, the blade engraved with intricate patterns that shimmered even in the alley's dim light.

Klein’s eyes narrowed slightly, his breath catching for a moment. His Archfiend Wisdom skill told him everything he needed to know about that sword.

"That’s... not just any weapon," Klein murmured, his gaze fixed on the gleaming blade.

Vax tilted his head slightly, acknowledging the observation.

"This is Durendal, the Sword of Light," he said, his grip steady as he held the sword low at his side. The soft glow that emanated from the blade seemed to pulse with energy.

Klein’s excitement flared. A thrill coursed through him as he realized just how powerful his opponent was.

Vax wasn’t using just any weapon; he wielded the power of the Sword Saint System, an S-Grade system like Klein’s own Divine Archfiend System.

The anticipation of a real challenge made his heart race, and a grin spread across his face.

"Finally," Klein said, his voice low but charged with adrenaline. "Someone worth fighting."

He rolled his shoulders, and the scales of his Divine Archfiend System began to appear, shimmering with an iridescent light that rippled across his arms.

He stretched, and his wings unfolded from his back, leathery and massive, casting deep shadows against the walls of the alley.

Vax watched, his gaze steady, unmoved by the display. He wasn’t here to be impressed, just to win. His sword remained low, but the tension in his stance was unmistakable. He was ready.

Klein’s wings flexed as he took a step forward. "Let’s do this," he said, his voice calm but filled with excitement.

He couldn’t wait any longer. The crowd that had gathered at the end of the alley watched with bated breath, eyes wide, murmuring among themselves.

Vax’s eyes narrowed slightly. He took a step forward as well, his posture balanced, his every move precise. Each step was calculated, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to unleash the full power of his sword.

The air between them thickened with tension, neither of them wanting to be the first to strike. But when they did, the clash was explosive.

Klein’s Archfiend-scaled arm met Vax’s golden blade in a collision that sent sparks flying. The sound of metal against scaled talons rang through the alley like a thunderclap.

Both men were thrown back from the impact, their feet sliding across the cobblestone as they struggled to regain their balance.

Klein’s wings flared out, catching the wind and steadying him, while Vax took several quick steps back, his eyes still locked on his opponent.

"Not bad," Vax said, his voice calm but with a hint of admiration. He hadn’t expected Klein’s strength to match the power behind his legendary sword.

It was clear now why this man had managed to defeat his guildmates.

Klein chuckled, his claws flexing as he readied for the next round.

"You’re not too bad yourself," he replied, his voice laced with excitement. He could feel the intensity building, the real fight just beginning.

Without warning, Klein shot into the air, his wings propelling him with incredible speed.

He spiraled upward, his body twisting as he prepared to dive. "Dragonic Charge!" he shouted, his voice echoing down the narrow alley as he barreled toward Vax with the force of a hurricane.

Vax’s eyes widened. "He’s fast!" he muttered, barely managing to dodge the attack.

Klein crashed into the ground where Vax had just been standing, the impact creating a crater in the cobblestone and sending debris flying.

Before Klein could regain his footing, Vax swung Durendal in a wide arc. "Clear Cutter!" he yelled, sending a wave of golden light racing toward Klein.

The attack hit him square in the back, exploding in a brilliant flash that lit up the entire alley.

The onlookers gasped, shielding their eyes from the bright light as the ground shook beneath them.

When the dust settled, everyone’s gaze shot to the spot where Klein had been hit. The alley was scorched, the walls blackened by the force of the attack.

But there stood Klein, unharmed. His Archfiend scales gleamed in the faint light, completely unscathed by the blow. He stood tall, a smirk tugging at his lips, looking almost amused by Vax’s attempt.

Vax’s expression darkened, frustration creeping into his eyes.

"Not even a scratch?" he muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on Durendal’s hilt. He had put everything into that strike, and yet Klein looked as though nothing had touched him.

Klein folded his wings behind him, taking a slow, deliberate step toward Vax. He met Vax’s gaze with a knowing smile, his confidence radiating through the alley. The message was clear: Is that all you've got?

The crowd at the entrance to the alley fell silent. Everyone could sense it—the fight wasn’t over. In fact, it was just beginning.

The tension between Klein and Vax grew thicker by the second, both men bracing for the next round in their battle. The real test of strength was yet to come.