After crossing the street, they spotted Colin in the alley, arms crossed and leaning against the wall. The Elf's aura seemed different this time, something that didn't go unnoticed by Wiben and Samantha.
She swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the false elf.
"Wiben..." she whispered, her voice trembling with apprehension. "I don't think this is a good idea."
"Stay calm, this will be over soon," he replied, trying to sound confident.
Colin detached himself from the wall, his yellow eyes gleaming in the twilight.
"You actually came," he said, a predatory smile forming on his lips. "How about we continue where we left off? This time, there's no one to interrupt us."
Wiben sketched a corner smile and took off his shirt, throwing it to Samantha, who still felt uncomfortable and anxious.
"Same rules as before, elf?"
Colin shrugged, indifferent.
"Sure."
The young university student beside Samantha watched with wide eyes, hoping Wiben would teach the Elf a lesson. Wiben analyzed Colin minutely, noticing something different about him.
He's stronger, Wiben thought. His mana isn't bigger, but the Elf seems... different. Better be cautious this time.
Colin, in turn, prepared himself mentally. Right, it's been a few years since I used this. Since this bastard uses something similar to boxing, it's time to dust it off.
Distributing his body weight equally between his legs, Colin positioned himself to allow quick movement in any direction. His fists were close to his face, with his forearms protecting the sides of his head. An effective guard against punches and elbows from opponents like Wiben.
Is this martial arts? Wiben thought, intrigued. Doesn't matter, this won't change anything.
The two remained motionless, their gazes fixed on each other, like two predators waiting for the right moment to attack.
This Elf... is he waiting for me to attack? Hehe! Then let's see what you have for me this time!
Vush!
Wiben advanced with a straight punch, but Colin, agile as a wild cat, dodged, his elbow intercepting the blow. The sound of fists clashing echoed through the dark alleys.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The exchange of blows continued, and Colin found himself transported to the training of his youth. Each movement was a memory, each dodge a dance rehearsed in secret arenas.
Bending his elbow, he spun his body, throwing a lateral punch directly at Wiben's temple. The impact reverberated like thunder.
Bam!
But Wiben, stubborn and determined, didn't yield. His eyes gleamed with the fury of someone who saw an opportunity. He pulled back his elbow, preparing for his own blow.
For an instant, Colin took a step back, as if he knew what was coming.
And then, Wiben's fist cut through the air, but Colin was no longer there. The void received the punch, and a new opening formed.
Colin prepared his circular kick. Muscle memory guided him, as if bones and muscles remembered ancient battles. He raised the knee of his back leg, rotating his hip to amplify the power. The leg extended, seeking its target.
The kick hit Wiben's head.
Bam!
Everyone watched, astonished. The skilled Wiben, once invincible, went down. The two blows to the head finally took effect. He dragged himself through the mud, dizzy, like a wounded giant.
Not even Wiben expected that.
"Wiben!" Samantha's voice echoed, desperate.
He raised his hand, ordering her to stay where she was. Still unsteady, Wiben got up, shaking his head, his eyes fixed on Colin.
This bastard... what was he hiding in our first fight?
Colin opened a smile from ear to ear, provocative. His arms opened, inviting Wiben to the final act.
"Sorry, I don't like using this, but it's just so you know the difference between us. I let you win the first time. Come on, let's finish this. I'm getting bored."
He can't have evolved in such a short time, Wiben thought, blood pulsing in his temples. Why did he hold back so much in our first fight? Tsk... Did he want to study my techniques? Impossible that he deciphered me with just one combat. Right, enough games with this damn guy!
Wiben assumed a high guard, fists raised almost to eyebrow height. Elbows glued to his body offered extra protection for his chin and face. He curved his body, advancing like a hungry predator.
One precise blow, that's all I need.
In the lightning-fast exchange of blows, Wiben tried to hit Colin while he dodged and defended with his elbows. But Colin, cunning as a crow, perceived the sudden change in Wiben's speed. And then, after a fierce charge, Wiben found the opening he sought.
Now!
With force in his hip rotation, Wiben threw his fist toward Colin's chin, in a lateral movement. The impact was imminent.
Bam!
But Colin, with the dexterity of a legendary pugilist, caught that punch with one hand. Samantha's eyes widened, witnessing the feat. Wiben's fist was centimeters from its target, but Colin blocked it. And, with his other arm, he delivered a brutal elbow to Wiben's face, knocking him to the ground.
Crash!
Colin's blow seemed to have been delivered by an ancestral force. Wiben remained on the ground, nose bleeding, trying to recover after the hit.
"Three direct blows to the head, and you're still conscious," Colin mocked. "You can take more, right? Get up!"
Colin didn't attack Wiben while he was getting up, still disoriented. The student wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand.
What a heavy blow, Wiben thought. I'm at a disadvantage in a fight without magic, but no problem. I just need one blow to end this!
"That was a lucky shot!" Wiben bent his knees, preparing for the next assault. "It won't happen again!"
And then, with his guard high, Wiben advanced again.
Bam! Bam!
Two heavy punches were thrown toward Colin's face, but he defended himself without difficulty. He advanced against Wiben with a left cross, but the student, agile as a wild cat, dodged, jumping backward.
He couldn't risk being hit by another blow like that.
Tsk! This damn Elf is reading my movements with monstrous precision, Wiben thought, teeth clenched. And worse: he doesn't seem tired at all. If I could wield a knife...
"Don't run from me!" Colin roared, the sadistic smile stamped on his face. "We're just getting started!"
Abandoning his posture, Colin advanced.
This time, a swift knee came toward Wiben, who defended himself with agility. The blow would have hit his face precisely, but Wiben felt his arms vibrate as he blocked it.
Crush!
Wiben tried to recover, but Colin gave him no respite. He advanced again, like a relentless predator.
Shit! The thought echoed in Wiben's mind when Colin threw an unexpected punch.
He crossed his arms to protect his face, but Colin was cunning. He bent his knees, crouching, and spun his body, throwing his fist at a lateral angle. Wiben's defense was overcome, and the punch hit him squarely on the chin.
It was an unpredictable blow that made Wiben momentarily lose consciousness. The world spun, and he tasted the metallic flavor of his own blood.
"Wiben!" Samantha screamed, desperate.
Before Wiben could fall backward, Colin grabbed him by the wrist and, with his other hand, delivered repeated punches to his face.
Bam! Bam! Crash!
Colin's fist was soaked with Wiben's blood.
He released him, letting him fall into the mud, like a shattered doll.
Splash!
Samantha ran to Wiben, her heart tight. It was the first time she had seen him so vulnerable, so human.
"Wiben! Hold on, I'll call someone to help!" Samantha's voice echoed, but her beloved was already beyond the reach of her prayers.
The university student, quiet until then, nodded and hurried away, seeking help.
But there, in the shadows, Colin remained with cold eyes and a cruel smile.
"You monster! You wanted to kill him!" The words came out like blades from her mouth.
Colin shrugged, indifferent. "It was your little boyfriend who messed with me first. Better stay away from me and my companions, or I'll kill you the next time I find you."
Samantha raised her hand, ready to conjure a magic circle. But before the spell could complete, Colin advanced. He held her wrist with one hand and with the other strangled her, slamming her against the stone wall.
His lips brushed Samantha's ear as he whispered: "You never learn, do you? Don't ever look for me again, you hear? If you see me walking down the street, you better turn around. If I'm in a restaurant, don't even think about entering. If you occupy the same space as me, I'll make sure to kill you."
He released her, and Samantha fell to her knees, trembling hands on her aching neck. Colin disappeared into the darkness, like a specter.
While people appeared to help Wiben, Colin walked through the sordid alley.
Ecstasy pulsed through his veins. Beating someone didn't give him the same pleasure as killing, but it was momentary relief.
Is it normal for me to feel this way after hurting someone like this...? Doesn't matter, he asked for it.
His body vibrated with energy. He craved more.
And so, decided, he headed toward the flickering lights of a brothel.