Sebastian grimaced at the sight of the unconscious William beneath the tattooed man's foot. "You sure made a mess of him... That will be enough, you barbaric man. I'll be taking him off your hands."
The tattooed man scoffed. "Under what authority? He trespassed on private property. It is I who gets to determine his fate."
"That would be a problem. You see, he has a job to fulfill. I can't let his life end here. It would be highly inconvenient."
The tattooed man shrugged. "All of you should have thought twice before entering my domain. The consequences of your actions are not my problem."
"I suppose that's just one more regret I'll have to live with."
"—Who said anything about you living?"
A chuckle nearly escaped the butler's lips. Many had been foolish enough to challenge Sebastian in a fight, and none had ever claimed victory.
"Do you really believe you can defeat me?"
"Look around…" the tattooed man said, spreading his arms wide.
Sebastian was cornered. The tattooed man's serpents slithered through every nook and cranny of the room, their unblinking eyes locked onto their prey, waiting for their master's command.
"There's no escape, redhead. You can't take on all my serpents. You'll be dead before you know it."
The butler raised an eyebrow. "You didn't count yourself in the mix."
The tattooed man sighed. "You're not worth my time. I despise people who don't know their own strength."
Sebastian gritted his teeth. There was only one time he had ever lost a fight, and it had been a duel of his own choosing. In the end, his opponent had spoken those exact words. This time, he would prove them wrong.
"I can take all of you at once… and win."
The tattooed man smirked. "Very well."
He stomped the ground with his spear, and all the serpents charged at the butler while he stood back to watch.
As they lunged forward, Sebastian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Phase one unlocked… Acceleration!"
In an instant, he dashed toward the serpents faster than the eye could follow. Instead of engaging them head-on, he took a different approach.
"Try to keep up with me, fellas!"
The world around Sebastian moved at a sluggish pace. He analyzed the serpents' movements, calculating their approach in perfect order. One by one, he leaped onto their backs, using them as stepping stones to close the distance between himself and the tattooed man. As he reached the final serpent, he unsheathed his katana.
"Phase two unlocked… Electric Current!"
Sparks of electricity crackled along the blade. With a battle cry, he swung at the tattooed man—only to be stopped in his tracks.
"Foolish."
The tattooed man intercepted the strike, placing his spear between the katana and his face. A smirk crept onto his lips.
"Maybe you do have a spark in you."
A powerful kick struck Sebastian in the ribs, sending him crashing into a wall before landing hard on the floor. His lungs burned, struggling to pull in air, but he had no time to recover. The serpents were already upon him, and he had just used Phase One. He needed time before he could activate it again.
"Maybe you creatures aren't as dumb as you look."
The serpents changed their strategy. Rather than attacking one by one, they advanced together. Sebastian dodged their strikes, but they kept him on the move, barely giving him time to regain his footing. He couldn't keep this up. If he continued evading, he'd tire himself out. But fighting the creatures head-on wasn't an option—not when someone's life depended on him. Even if he wanted to give the tattooed man the beating he deserved, William came first.
The tattooed man caught Sebastian glancing at the blacksmith. "Is this what you're after?"
With a snap of his fingers, one of the serpents coiled around William's unconscious body, lifting him off the ground.
The tattooed man shook his head. "Unfortunately for you, I can't let him go. His gift is needed for the greater good. His body will serve as a catalyst for the new world."
"What are you even talking about?"
The tattooed man chuckled. "Of course, you wouldn't understand. You're all simple-minded creatures. I commend your bravery for trying to face me and save your comrade. Even if your plan was to grab him and run like a coward—"
"—Phase three unlocked… Lightning Strike!"
A blinding light illuminated the room. The serpents recoiled, disoriented. A violent gust tore through the chamber, shaking the walls, ceiling, and floor beneath them.
"You won't get me that easily—huh?"
The tattooed man braced for an attack, but Sebastian wasn't aiming for him. Instead, he targeted the serpent holding William.
"Stand down!" the tattooed man commanded, but it was too late.
The serpent's hiss was cut short. When it turned to its master, its body split in two, revealing Sebastian standing beneath it, William slung over one shoulder, katana in hand. His narrowed eyes were sharp enough to cut on their own.
"I didn't want to use Phase Three, but this Jaeger is more trouble than it's worth."
The tattooed man scowled. "Come to me, my pets—"
But the serpents didn't move. It wasn't that they hadn't heard him. They were simply too afraid.
"In mere seconds, you turned the tide of battle… Who are you?"
Sebastian shrugged. "Just a plain butler."
"No… I've seen those eyes before. They're repulsive. Your whole kind should not exist."
"Enough of this. I'm wasting my time here."
"Like hell you are! Get him!"
The serpents hesitated but finally obeyed. Yet, by then, it was too late—Sebastian was already escaping with William.
Just as he neared the exit, a faint light caught his eye.
His expression darkened. "No… Not now!"
A massive beam of fire shot through the room. Sebastian barely managed to leap aside, gritting his teeth as he was forced to activate Phase One again. The blast struck with devastating force, bringing the walls and ceiling crashing down.
"This is bad… I tried to keep the structure intact, but now she won't have enough time…"
Despite his dire situation, his thoughts were on others, not himself. But he couldn't afford to dwell on it. The damage was done. He had to get William to safety.
Dodging falling debris, Sebastian pushed forward. The tattooed man had vanished—either consumed by the fire or having fled with his remaining serpents. Either way, he was no longer an immediate threat.
"Using his subordinates as a shield… Who's the coward now?"
The passage ahead was collapsing. A narrow opening remained, but Sebastian knew he wouldn't make it in time.
"I used up all my tricks… Well, not all of them."
Taking deep breaths, he steadied himself. "Phase four unlocked… Buff!"
A faint glow enveloped his body, transferring to William as well. For a moment, his strength and endurance surged beyond human limits. The ceiling caved in, but Sebastian didn't flinch. Instead, he spun, building momentum.
"Please, Sir Jaeger… Make it out alive!"
With all his might, he hurled William through the shrinking gap. The unconscious blacksmith landed safely on the other side.
Sebastian exhaled in relief. But as he sprinted toward the exit, the passage collapsed completely and his buff wore off.
"No… I can't… end here."
He thought of his mission and the smile of the young woman he vowed to protect.
"I have to… save my lady!"
The underground chamber caved in, swallowing the butler whole.
-------------------------------------
----------------------------
------------------