Malric still couldn’t believe what was happening. He was shocked to see a boar—Zuru—so powerful. As he stared at the beast, he glanced over at Nolan.
What should I do? he thought. Can I really defeat him? Is there a chance he’s toying with me? Or maybe... maybe he hasn’t realized how strong I really am. Before he becomes truly dangerous... it’s better to take him out now.
"I don’t really want to fight. I don’t have anything against you. Why are you trying to attack me? Not just attack—you’re trying to kill me," Nolan said.
"You’re trying to act dumb. You know how dangerous you are. But it doesn’t matter whether you’re evil or not. Someone with that power—the power you possess—shouldn’t be alive in this world. You’re too dangerous," Malric replied.
He started walking toward Nolan.
Zuru charged at that moment, aiming not at Nolan, but directly at Malric.
"Stop!" Malric shouted. "You wouldn’t dare—"
"Don’t take another step," Nolan warned. "If you move, I’ll destroy this sword with my fist."
"Give that back. That sword is precious to me," he said.
"I’ll break it if you don’t do what I say. Do you understand what I’m about to do?" Nolan replied.
"You wouldn’t dare," Malric said.
"Yes, I will. Try me," Nolan answered.
Malric moved—faster than light, like a flash. He appeared right in front of Nolan, slashing with his claw. Nolan jumped back, reacting instinctively.
As he landed, he raised the sword and bent it slightly. To his surprise, it flexed easily.
"Stop!" Malric shouted, raising a hand. Nolan paused.
"If I don’t break this sword, are you going to let me go?" Nolan asked, locking eyes with Malric.
Malric pulled back his claw. "I will never let you go," he said.
Nolan tightened his grip, ready to snap the sword in half.
"Stop! Stop!" Malric shouted again. "I’ll let you go. Just give me that sword. It’s so precious to me—please, give it back!"
Nolan lowered the sword. He looked like he was going to hand it over—but then he paused. A memory flashed in his mind—how many times Malric had tried to kill him.
This isn’t someone I can trust.
"I’m not giving the sword back. I’ll keep it—for assurance," Nolan said.
"What do you mean? Give it back now! I already told you I’m not going to harm you," Malric snapped.
Nolan raised the sword and smirked.
"How do you expect me to trust a tiger-looking man?" he said.
"Who do you think you are, calling me a tiger-looking man?!" Malric growled, eyes narrowing.
"Well, forget that," Nolan said. "You’re going to follow me to the cave—where the boar was. My boar didn’t attack you—Zuru, his name is Zuru—because I gave him a signal not to. Go there. We’ll stay in the cave and have a proper chat. Because honestly, I don’t understand what you’ve been saying."
"You think I’m going to trust you after everything?" Malric replied coldly. "Maybe I can. But people always go back on their word. No one ever says it, but do you think humans mean what they say? When a human makes a promise, they keep it. We’re not like humans."
Malric’s expression darkened.
"Well, whatever," Nolan replied. "If you want your sword, follow me."
He climbed onto Zuru’s back.
"Hey! Come back here! Where do you think you’re going?!" Malric shouted.
"Zuru, start moving," Nolan said, ignoring him.
Zuru began walking slowly. The cave wasn’t far.
Malric had no choice. He was furious, but he followed them. He trailed behind as they moved. After about three minutes, they reached the cave entrance.
Nolan jumped down from Zuru’s back and turned to Malric.
"So, you actually followed us," he said. "While we’re at it, just give me my sword. I don’t want to get involved with a human—or whatever you are."
Malric answered, "You’re going to explain all this nonsense if you want your sword back. You’ll accompany me."
"Fine," Nolan said, then turned and walked into the cave.
Malric raised a fist and followed, trailing behind Zuru and Nolan. Then they stopped.
As Malric stepped closer, his eyes widened. In the cave were boars—dozens of them. Big, small, young, adult. He’d never seen so many in one place.
But that wasn’t what he cared about.
All that mattered to him was getting his sword back.