"Now then… what shall we do with you."
Blake turned around and looked down at Slake, who sat cross-legged on the scorched ground, desperately trying to recover his strength.
Slake slowly opened his eyes.
What greeted him were not human eyes—but the cold, indifferent gaze of the suit itself.
Dark, merciless, like something that watched from the shadows, waiting patiently for the moment to strike.
The dark visor reflected only Slake's own exhausted figure—whoever stood inside the armor remained completely hidden, without even a hint of a face.
A chill ran down Slake's spine.
Ivan hurriedly stepped between them, bowing deeply while subtly gesturing for Slake to abandon his pride and beg. If he didn't, there would be no life left to save.
"P-Please forgive me, Senior…" Slake said at last.
He cupped his hands and bowed, his voice trembling.
A man who had never bowed to anyone in his life was now doing so.
…
"If you want to live," Blake said calmly, "then you have to pay."
His voice carried unquestionable authority which was enhanced by the suit's internal modifications.
"Huh?"
Slake straightened slightly, confusion flashing across his face. Ivan's mouth hung open.
"B-But didn't my brother already compensate you…?"
Blake let out a faint, amused breath.
"Oh no. He paid only for his own life."
His gaze shifted, sharp and cold.
"But you… you haven't paid anything yet."
Both brothers froze.
Shameless. Absolutely shameless.
They had attacked him in their own territory, failed to kill him, been beaten half to death—and now he was demanding compensation from them.
"Are you paying," Blake asked slowly, "or not?"
His fist clenched as he lifted it just enough to make his meaning clear.
"I-I'll compensate! Please don't be angry, Senior!"
Slake spoke hastily, summoning several items into the air from the ring on his finger.
A storage ring…
Blake's eyes flickered briefly.
He immediately dismissed the thought of taking it. A servant wearing such a treasure would invite suspicion—and suspicion would lead to disaster.
Slake produced three sutras.
Blake stared at him silently.
"That's really all I have," Slake explained quickly. "Unlike others, I focus only on refining a single path. Higher-grade sutras are used solely as references. After all, the more sutras we practice, the greater the toll on the soul and body."
Blake turned his attention to the texts.
Fire King Sutra – 4th Rank, Peak Grade
Hellish Fire Sutra – 5th Rank, Early Grade
Scarlet Ember Core Sutra – 5th Rank, Mid Grade
His interest sharpened.
"And the spell you used earlier?" Blake asked.
"That was a Bloodline Spell, Senior,"
Slake replied honestly. "Only the family heads of the Rodrick family can use it. It comes from our ancestral ritual."
Blake nodded and said nothing more.
He memorized the sutras with practiced ease.
After an hour, he looked up.
"I will spare both of your lives," Blake said coldly.
"But remember this—never attack someone without knowing their strength. Not everyone is as merciful as I am."
As his words fell, his body began to fade.
In seconds, he vanished completely.
…
After waiting in silence for two full minutes, Ivan finally exhaled.
"Damn it… who even was he?"
"I don't know," Slake said quietly. "But he was human. Or at least close enough."
He clenched his fists.
"I couldn't sense his rank at all. The gap between us was terrifying."
Ivan swallowed. "If not for me, you'd be dead."
Slake nodded. "Thank you, brother."
Ivan grinned weakly. "They don't call me the sly demon for nothing."
"But now," Ivan hesitated, "everyone in the empire knows you're alive."
Slake snorted.
"So what? As long as I live, no one dares touch the Rodrick family."
Then his expression darkened.
""But don't forget today's lesson," Slake said. "We have to be careful, for there's always someone stronger out there."
Ivan stiffened.
"Of course, brother, but I think this guy's strength was similar to that monster's, don't you think?"
"Yes, I agree," Slake said slowly.
"That monster of the Royal Family."