The sky burned crimson, the last light of dusk smothered in shadows. Leo walked deeper into the slums, her steps echoing along the narrow path.
She followed the directions that drunken man had slurred earlier, keeping to the right side of the ruined alley.
"Ugh… what a stench."
She covered her nose with her hand, grimacing as the foul air thickened around her.
Then—
" Please stop it! Don't kill me!!"
A scream pierced through the stagnant night. Leo froze, eyes widening.
"Huh!? That voice…!"
She turned sharply, scanning the ruined buildings. Her instincts drove her forward until she spotted a narrow passage wedged between two broken houses.
"The sound… it's coming from there."
Leo rushed into the gap.
"Shut up, bitch! You're too loud!!"
The low snarl of a man greeted her as she emerged. His hand was clamped over the mouth of a struggling girl, pinning her to the wall.
The man stood tall and broad-shouldered, skin tanned from years under harsh light, his ash-gray hair and eyes giving him a predatory look. He wore a black half-coat thrown over a thin white shirt, and his presence alone carried the weight of someone dangerous.
Leo's eyes sharpened.
"You there! Let her go!"
" Huh!? Who are y-"
The man frozed as he turned, surprised—and then smirked. His gaze swept over Leo, lingering with a twisted glimmer.
"Well, well. What the heck a fairy came from somewhere huh!?"
Leo stiffened, a bead of sweat trailing down her temple.
"…Shit! I forgot I'm in this form."
But she shook her head, eyes burning with resolve.
"I don't care what you are thinking. Release the girl. Now!"
The captive girl trembled, unable to speak with the man's hand silencing her.
The man chuckled darkly, licking his lips.
"Wooh~, you sure have gut beautiful. Heh. I'll let her go… if you offer yourself instead."
The girl shook her head frantically, pleading silently for Leo not to accept.
Leo exhaled, eyes softening for a brief moment. Her gaze dropped to the ground.
"…Huh? What a day."
She tilted her face upward, staring at the dark red sky above. For an instant, her eyes glimmered with pain and almost tearing.
" Hah!.. Really… I'm not that person anymore, am I?"
Her fingers clenched tight. She turned back, voice cold.
"Fine. Let her go."
The man's grin widened, excitement dripping from his laugh.
"Ohoh! How amazing! The fairy's giving herself to me! Hahaha!"
But before his twisted joy could spread further, Leo moved—fast as lightning.
Her fist drove straight into his most vulnerable spot.
"GUAAAHHHHH!!!"
The man collapsed with a strangled scream, writhing on the ground, his body twisting in agony.
Leo smirked brightly, eyes sparkling as she turned to the girl.
"Now's your chance! Run while you can—I'll handle the rest!"
The girl hesitated, fear still in her voice.
"W-Will you be okay?"
Leo gave her a reassuring nod.
"Trust me. Please just go!"
"Okay!"
With that, the girl sprinted out of sight.
The moment she vanished, Leo's smile faded. Her boot pressed down hard on the man's head, her eyes narrowing with icy sharpness.
"Now then… tell me if you know, where i find Leo Julius Eros?"
The man's shoulders shook—and suddenly, he burst into mad laughter.
"Hehehehahahaha!!"
Leo stepped back, alarm flashing across her face.
"Huh!? Why is he laughing!?"
The man pushed himself upright, bloodshot eyes burning with rage.
"You've got guts, bitch. Now i won't be gentle with you."
A thick red aura surged around his body, boiling out like smoke.
Leo's stomach dropped, cold sweat dripping down her cheek.
"N-No way… he's not just some random thug…!"
The man bared his teeth, voice a growl.
"You dare lay a hand on me—the Mafia Gang!? I'll crush you where you stand!!"
Leo clenched her fists, forcing a smirk despite her panic.
"Damn it… this is bad. He's way stronger than I thought."
" As a Mafia tiger Louis, i will crush you now!!!"
The roar tore through the air as Louis leaped at Leo like a thunderbolt.
Leo barely dodged, her heart pounding as the shockwave of his attack slammed into the ground—
CRACK!
cracks spider-webbing beneath him.
What the… this is insane…! Leo thought, her eyes wide.
She steadied herself, then sprinted forward, launching into a flawless leap. Her knee drove into Louis' torso with bone-crushing force.
BOOM!
"Thoahh!!" Louis staggered back, but in a blink, his hand shot out, seizing Leo's right leg.
"Huh?!"
Leo twisted to break free, but Louis soared into the sky, twisting mid-air before slamming her headfirst into the ground.
BAM!
"Aaghh!!" Leo screamed, blood trickling from her mouth.
"That's all you got bitch, huh?!" Louis growled, rage coating every word. His hands wrapped around her throat like iron chains.
"Hehe… I will kill you…" He smirked, eyes gleaming with malice.
"Ugh…" Leo struggled, but her arms and legs were pinned by invisible magical restraints.
Damn it… I can't even move… aghh… Panic surged through her chest.
"Ughh!!"
Summoning every ounce of strength, Leo swung her head into his.
BAM!
Louis staggered, clutching his head in shock. His grip on her throat faltered.
This is my chance! Leo's eyes hardened, resolve blazing. She unleashed a flurry of punches against his face.
"You bitch! Get off me!!!" Louis roared, shoving her to the ground.
Leo crumpled beneath him, barely conscious, but Louis wasn't done. He straightened, his fist colliding with her stomach with brutal precision.
"Uggh!!" Leo's scream was choked, pain radiating through her body. She couldn't move.
A sinister grin spread across Louis' face as he stepped closer, his hand igniting with dark purple fire.
"I will burn you now… hehe, farewells from that world."
Leo's vision blurred. Her body refused to respond. Nose bleeding, lips cracked, she tried to think…
Uhh… shit… I have to… find…
Her eyes fluttered closed. Darkness claimed her.
"Haha, hey, calm down, buddy!"
The voice cut through the tension like a blade. Louis' grin faltered as he scanned the surroundings.
"Oh, it's you… Battler," he said, forcing a smirk.
Battler stepped forward, long, shining light-blue hair catching the dim light, golden eyes gleaming. His wizard-like coat shimmered in shades of blue and purple, dual daggers strapped to his back glinting dangerously.
"Haha, Louis, are you really planning to kill a girl like her?" Battler's voice was playful, almost teasing.
"She's stupid. Betrayed me," Louis spat, pointing at the unconscious Leo.
"Betrayed?" Battler raised a brow, curiosity piqued.
"For her, I lost that girl… she broke her promise," Louis replied, voice heavy with anger.
"Uh-huh… I see. But well… she's beautiful. Could fetch a high price if we sold her," Battler smirked, tilting his head.
Louis' grin returned. "You're right. Then let's take her."
"But first… we need permission from our boss," Battler added, shrugging.
"Agh, man… too annoying," Louis muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Haha, who knows… maybe the boss will like her," Battler chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Eww… creepy as hell," Louis laughed, shaking his head.
Battler knelt beside Leo, his gloved hand brushing gently across her cheek. "Her condition is bad. Heal her, then carry her to our boss's mansion."
Louis grunted, lifting her effortlessly onto his shoulder. "Uh, fine, fine."
Battler straightened, stepping forward with a smirk. Louis followed, the unconscious girl cradled between them as the tension in the air crackled like a storm about to break.