Keen, in his demon form that resembled a werewolf was battling it out with the centaur who chased us all the way to a forest. Apparently, the centaur was a major demon named Shax. With Shax’ weapon that looked like a halberd, Keen was not able to directly freeze the enemy.

Keen’s claws clashed with the centaur’s weapon while the centaur was not able to hit Keen. They were just exchanging blows but none of them were able to get the lead.

On the contrary, the boss who was still in his demon form and I were just watching from the car in a suitable distance.

“Hey boss, should we help him?” I asked since I thought it will be faster if we all ganged up on the enemy.

“He’ll just tell us that we’ll get in his way.”

“I guess you are right. Then let us just enjoy the show from the front seat then!” I announced as I seat comfortably in the chair. “By the way, why is Keen here in the first place?”

“You see that?” The boss pointed upwards.

“The moon?” I frowned.

“When it’s full moon, Keen’s demon gets stronger hence forcing him to transform.”

“So that is why he did not protest that much when you decided to take me with you!”

“When that happens, he goes to this forest since it will be too cramped up for him inside his room.” The boss then lit a cigarette then blew smoke afterwards.

I guess even Keen shares his own demon thing hardships. I think the situation he is in with regards with handling his demon is way better than mine though. My problem is not limited to the full moon after all.

Keen and the enemy were still going at it toe to toe. Although we were technically not completely out of danger, all the tension that was with me a while ago was gone. It was probably since I do not think there was any chance that the three of us will be beaten by a single enemy. 

The centaur rushed towards Keen and launched a sweep with his weapon, targeting Keen’s legs. Keen jumped to avoid the attack and slashed at the enemy as he landed. The centaur used his weapon to block the attack coming from above.

Keen grabbed the weapon and began to freeze it. Ice particles started to form from Keen’s hands then spreading on the handle. The enemy realized that his hands will get frozen as well so he threw the weapon along with Keen.

“Not bad, kid!” The centaur said with a smile before he grabbed another weapon just like before from his mouth. “But not good enough!”

“Fuck! Just go down already!” Keen shouted with a beastly voice as he threw the frozen glaive towards the enemy.

“Now, now! We’re just getting started!” The enemy used his weapon to deflect the glaive that Keen just threw.

He hit the flying weapon upwards on its handle just after its blade. The projectile’s direction went upwards. The centaur caught the glaive as it fell then threw it towards Keen. Keen stepped sideways to dodge it. The weapon hit a tree instead, breaking its trunk which caused it to fall down.

A hit from that and it is all game over for Keen. Getting regenerative powers was bad enough but getting a monstrous raw power was just too much.

  “Say kids, why don’t you just leave that bastard king and join Gaap instead!” The centaur said in a loud voice with open arms.

“No fucking thanks. We don’t want to do anything with that war of yours, you hear?” Keen replied.

“Eh? You do not work under Corson?” The centaur asked.

If I remember correctly, Corson is the name of demon inside Sir Ron. He must have been chasing us since he thought that we were under him. Though we are indeed in a friendly relationship, we are still an independent unit.

“We are factionless! We do not have anything to do with the war, would you just peacefully let us go?” I interrupted from a distance.

“Factionless! That’s good then! Come join our side! Gaap will end up the victorious, why not come to the winning side?” The centaur replied as he extended his hand.

“I already fucking said that we do not want to be under any of the kings!” Keen answered.

“I can’t let you guys go then.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“Being free means you can join any faction anytime. Reducing factors that may turn the scales easily is the best thing to do.”

  “You’ll just kill us to avoid any of that possibility,” the boss uttered after blowing a cigarette smoke.

“Oh, you are scared then? How pitiful.” I interrupted with a slight smirk.

“Nice try kid, but I am not so empty brained that I’ll be led on by your foolish taunts. Bearing the demon Shax, I shall cut all of you down under Gaap’s name!” He produced another glaive from his mouth, now holding one in each hand.

Shax threw the glaives at Keen then came rushing in. Keen dodged the projectiles easily but Shax was able to close the distance within that time with a new glaive in hand. 

The centaur slashed at Keen. The werewolf was able to block the strike using his arm, knocking him back and leaving him a large wound. Blood dripped off his arm as he intensely glared at the enemy.

“He is losing ground! Maybe we should help him now!” I told the boss.

“Don’t you even fucking dare, brat!” Keen screamed after he heard what I said.

The centaur came at Keen again with a slash from above. Keen dodged it by swaying his body. After the enemy’s blade came down, the centaur shifted the direction of the blade to decapitate Keen. Keen dodged it by bending his back.

Keen then grabbed on to the enemy’s weapon then kicked the enemy on his abdomen with his two feet.

“Heh” The enemy grunted as he let go of his weapon and grabbed Keen by the foot.

Shax swung Keen who was still holding the weapon in the air then threw him away. Keen who was in mid air threw the weapon towards Shax before his feet made contact with a tree. The werewolf then pushed himself off the tree, launching himself towards Shax.

Shax caught the glaive by its shaft and used it to slash at the approaching werewolf. Keen with his momentum was able to deflect the weapon with his right claw. He then used his left claw to thrust the enemy directly, aiming for its heart.

The centaur was able to use its right arm in time to prevent a fatal strike. Keen’s claw pierced the opponents arm then ice crystals slowly formed from the point of contact. Keen was about to use his right claw to land another strike at the enemy when he was suddenly slammed to the ground, pulling out his claws from the enemy’s arm.

Shax took the opportunity to trample at Keen while he was in the ground with its horse legs. Keen dodged the stomp by rolling on the ground towards the enemy’s direction. 

He was able to go under the enemy’s girth. Keen then used his claw to grab at the enemy’s flank enabling him to ride the centaur’s horse body. The centaur became completely vulnerable.

“What the!?” The enemy uttered in surprise.

“See you in hell.” Keen uttered as he thrust with his claws, aiming at the back of the enemy’s chest.

Shax swayed his body to prevent his heart from being struck but the claws pierced his left shoulder instead.

“Damn you, kid!” The centaur shouted as he grabbed Keen’s arm and threw him away. “Sorry kid, but I guess I need to run now!” 

“Fuck!” Keen looked annoyed as he was still in mid air.

“Not happening.” The boss uttered as he raised his two arms forward and opened the eyes in each of his palms.

Two portals appeared beneath the enemy. Both of the enemy’s front legs got caught and cut by the portals.

“Graaaaaaaaaaah! Teaming up on me, you cowards!” He screamed in pain and frustration.

The enemy’s legs started regenerating quickly but having both his front legs gone immobilized him for a moment. That moment was enough to allow Keen to be back on his feet and catch up to him.

“I thought we were gravely mistaken if we thought we can beat you with numbers?” Keen uttered as he approached the enemy.

“This was not supposed to happen! I was supposed to be unbeatable!” Shax desperately shouted.

“Then it was you who was gravely mistaken.” Keen then touched the centaur’s horse body, slowly freezing the enemy from the point of contact.

The enemy flailed and screamed like crazy. His hoarse voice filled with fear echoed the skies which kind of made me sad and relieved at the same time. If only he had not chased us all the way here then he should still be alive.

It did not take long before his whole body was frozen with his eyes and mouth wide open as he faced the sky. Keen then kicked the seemingly ice sculpture; shattering it to pieces. With that, we killed the enemy though I did not do much this time.

I started the car again and drove towards where Keen was. He was blankly staring at the shattered corpse.

“Hey there, best friend!” I shouted as we stopped near him.

“Who do you think you’re calling best friend, you brat?” Keen answered seemingly irritated.

“What? But a dog is a man’s best friend, right? And you are-“

“I’m not a fucking dog!” Keen shouted without letting me finish my sentence.

“Good job Keen. Sorry for the trouble.” The boss uttered who already returned to his human form.

“Glad to be of service, chief. Feel free to call me anytime.” Keen replied.

“We’ll go back to the office now, you?” The boss asked.

“I’ll follow once I get back to human form. I have my motorcycle somewhere near so you don’t have to worry.” 

“Wow! You got a motorcycle! Let me have a whir sometime!” 

I excitedly requested, I mean a motorcycle is much cooler than a car!

“No way.” Keen bluntly replied. 

I knew that he was going to refuse but it still made me sad.

“How about your injury?” The boss asked.

“It’s just a scratch, don’t mind it.” Keen replied as he looked at his wound which already stopped bleeding.

“Got it, we’ll be off now then.” The boss uttered.

I drove the car away from Keen with the office as our destination. Now that the tension was all gone, the air felt even cooler than before. If it was not a bloody night like this, this road trip would have felt really relaxing.

“Hey boss, you don’t mind me driving all the way home?” I asked.

“Sure, it’s not my ride anyway.” The boss replied then lit another cigarette.

“By the way boss, why did not you do that when we were still being chased at the highway?”

“Hm?”

“You know, cutting both his front legs at the same time. If you were able to do that when we were still being chased then maybe he will not have to go after us all the way, right?”

“He would definitely stop by then.”

“Then why did you not do it?”

“He might have already seen our faces. We’ll be targeted as well if he stays alive.”

“Ah, I see,” I replied.

So we were actually meant to kill him the moment he chased after us. I felt bad about it but the boss’ decision was certainly logical. I think that what happened right now was the boss’ ideal story for tonight.

The boss made it appear that we were helpless in order to build the enemy’s confidence and made him continue his pursuit. Given that, I was still unsure if maybe the boss has even more tricks up his sleeve. Nevertheless, my respect for him got even higher tonight.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” The boss said as he looked at the sky.

I continued driving without saying another word. I think it is for the best if I can get used to this kind of events but I also think otherwise. Not minding the act of taking the lives of others that can never be returned, the thought scares me.

I just hope not to see a lot more of these bloody nights in the future.

Also, I wonder what Sir Ron’s reaction will be after seeing his luxurious car thrashed?