Amid the ruined cityscape of Roset City, Redd leaned against a broken wall.
"Huff—huff—huff!"
He panted, his torso drenched in blood—some his own, some Adolf's. "I really am getting old; even a piece of trash took this much effort."
Not far away lay Adolf's corpse, now returned to normal—left leg and both arms gone, skull caved in.
"Tough bastard." Redd lifted his hands; flesh had been ground away, revealing stark white bone beneath.
Worse, an invisible flame still burned inside him, scorching his mind.
He knew it was the Society leader Doyle's power. Even at his peak he'd had to focus fully to resist it.
Now, one moment of slack and the searing pain flared, drenching him in cold sweat.
After resting a while, Redd stood and limped deeper into the ruins.
One step in, a spike of pain shot through his right foot. He looked: the little toe was snapped, bone jutting through skin. "My mind's so rattled I didn't even notice."
He scavenged nearby for splints and tore clothes into strips.
Crack!
Grabbing the toe, he snapped it back into place and bound it with sticks and cloth.
Task done, he hobbled toward the city center.
Moments later he reached the skeleton tree and slumped against its trunk to rest.
Tap-tap-tap!
Footsteps approached; Redd looked up to see Jiang Yan and Blood Master.
Jiang Yan frowned at his wounds, producing a Monster Serum. "Duke Redd, take this. In your state you won't last the next fight."
Redd shook his head. "I'm fine. A day's rest and I'll be good as new."
Then his voice rose: "Put that away. I'd rather die than become some half-human thing. Inject me behind my back and I'll come for you."
He wouldn't let Lina see him like that—how ugly it would be, how it would scare her.
Jiang Yan pocketed the vial. He knew little of a Level Five Warrior's physique; Liyang Country had no records.
He could only trust Redd. Turning to leave, he said, "Rest today. Blood Master will handle the rest."
Redd said nothing, gazing up at the skeleton tree's crown where several skulls had turned into green crystals.
He stared silently, an unseen flame flickering in his eyes.
He felt only an overwhelming need to sleep.
Eyes closed, he leaned back against the trunk.
Everything went black; he stood alone in darkness.
"Redd!" A light female voice sounded behind him.
He turned. A meadow strewn with wildflowers had appeared, and Lina in a white dress smiled, reaching out. "You're tired. Don't push yourself for me—it breaks my heart."
Redd's face trembled; he stepped forward and took her hand—so soft, so real.
"Lina!" He pulled her into his arms.
Without noticing, he had become a tall, golden-haired, blue-eyed young man with fine features.
Lina beamed, clasping his hand. "Stop fighting for me. Come away with me to a place only we know, where no one can ever disturb us again."
Redd smiled, weary; all he wanted was an ordinary life with her.
He let her lead him forward. Wildflowers swayed in a gentle breeze.
White flames descended from the sky, swallowing them both.