Morning arrived, and Jaden and Luca had already set out on their mission. A heavy silence stretched between them as they walked. The tension was thick—Luca, ever arrogant, was waiting for the perfect opportunity to taunt Jaden about his past. He relished the thought of pushing Jaden's buttons, of seeing him crack. But Jaden wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.
Luca walked with a sly grin on his face, his eyes darting toward Jaden now and then, gauging his reactions. He was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike with his words.
Jaden, however, had his senses on high alert. The air felt heavy, unnatural. Then, he heard it—footsteps. Someone or something was moving nearby. He narrowed his eyes, focusing.
In a split second, he caught a glimpse of the figure—a demon.
Without a second thought, Jaden sprinted toward it, his speed catching Luca off guard. The older demon slayer raised an eyebrow, confused. How had Jaden detected the demon so quickly while he had been too preoccupied with plotting his next insult?
Jaden closed the distance and engaged the demon. It hissed and growled in an unrecognizable language, its grotesque form twisting unnaturally.
Luca, leaning against a tree, observed with his arms crossed and a smirk on his lips. He watched as Jaden unleashed a flurry of strikes, his movements precise, calculated—lethal.
The fight didn't last long. With a final blow, using the special martial arts techniques Master Shang had taught him, Jaden struck the demon down. It let out a screech before collapsing, its body disintegrating into nothingness.
Jaden stood still, catching his breath. He was getting stronger. Every day, his skills sharpened.
Luca chuckled under his breath. "Not bad."
Suddenly, distant screams filled the air. The sky above the remote village darkened as smoke rose into the heavens. The scent of burning wood and flesh invaded their senses.
"The village," Jaden muttered, his fists clenching.
Without hesitation, they rushed toward the chaos.
When they arrived, the sight before them was gruesome. Houses were ablaze, villagers ran in terror, and demons rampaged through the streets. Their monstrous figures tore through homes, feasting on the weak and dragging others away. The ground was soaked in blood.
Jaden didn't hesitate—he launched into battle. His blades sliced through demon flesh as he moved with a ruthless precision. He fought with an intensity that sent chills through Luca's spine. Jaden's expression was unreadable, his eyes cold and devoid of hesitation.
Luca, for the first time, was impressed. The way Jaden fought—swift, merciless—was unlike anything he had expected from someone once deemed weak.
Together, they fought through the horde, cutting down demon after demon. The battle raged on until the last of the creatures fell.
The village was in ruins. The few survivors sobbed over the bodies of their loved ones. The devastation was immense.
Luca stole another glance at Jaden, who stood amidst the carnage, his expression unreadable.
'He's not weak anymore,' Luca thought to himself. For the first time, a flicker of respect crossed his face.
But deep down, Luca knew—Jaden wasn't just strong. He was dangerous.