Chapter 12: I challenge you to a duel Duel

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: I challenge you to a duel Duel

The man stumbled back, his hand clamped over his bleeding nose. His friend grabbed him, steadying him, but the man shook him off. His eyes burned with rage.

"You’re dead," he snarled. "You hear me? Dead!"

Daniel didn’t respond. His attention was somewhere else.

A screen had appeared in front of his face. A glowing, translucent panel that only he could see.

[Quest Available: Defeat the Insulter]

[Description: A man has insulted your companion. He has shown no remorse. Teach him a lesson.]

[Objective: Defeat the man in a duel.]

[Reward: Instant Level Up]

[Accept: Yes / No]

Daniel read the words. Then he smiled. A slow, wicked smile that spread across his face and lit up his eyes.

He looked at the man. The crowd had gathered now, a ring of curious onlookers forming around them. Lyra was somewhere behind him, her cane still, her head tilted. She couldn’t see what was happening, but she could hear. Everyone could hear.

Daniel raised his hand and pointed at the man.

"You," he said, his voice loud and clear. "I challenge you to a duel."

The man blinked. "What?"

"A duel." Daniel took a step forward. "Just you and me. No weapons. No tricks. We fight until one of us gives up."

The man glanced at his friend, then back at Daniel. A confused, angry look on his face. "Why would I agree to that?"

"Because if you win," Daniel said, "you get to do anything you want with me. Anything."

The crowd murmured. The man’s eyes flickered with interest.

"And if I win," Daniel continued, "you have to apologize to her." He jerked his thumb toward Lyra. "On your knees. In front of everyone."

The man stared at him for a moment. Then he laughed. A loud, mocking laugh that echoed through the street.

"You’re serious?" He wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand. "You want to fight me? For her? A noble trash slave?"

The crowd laughed with him. But Daniel didn’t flinch.

"Those are the terms," he said. "Take it or leave it."

The man’s laughter faded. He looked at Daniel, really looked at him. At his plain clothes. At his unremarkable build. At the complete lack of weapons or armor.

Then he grinned. A cruel, predatory grin.

"Fine," he said. "I accept. But I want to add something."

Daniel’s eyes narrowed. "What?"

"If I win," the man said, his voice dripping with malice, "you don’t interfere with my business with her. Ever again."

Daniel’s face changed. The smile vanished. His jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists.

"You bastard," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "There’s no way am agreeing to that."

The man shrugged. "Then the deal’s off."

Daniel stood there, his chest heaving. He couldn’t agree to that. He couldn’t let this piece of trash anywhere near Lyra. Not after what he said. Not after the way he looked at her.

The man saw the conflict on Daniel’s face. He smirked. "What’s the matter? Scared?"

Daniel took a breath. Then another. His mind raced, searching for a way out.

"Fine," he said finally. "New terms."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"If I win," Daniel said, "you apologize to her. On your knees. And you never speak to her again."

"And if I win?"

Daniel paused. Then he sighed. "If you win, I will run around this entire town five times. Naked."

The crowd gasped. Someone laughed. The man’s eyes widened, then narrowed with amusement.

"Naked?" he repeated.

"Naked," Daniel confirmed.

The man looked at his friend. They exchanged a grin. Then he turned back to Daniel and spat on the ground.

"Deal."

Daniel nodded. He cracked his knuckles and raised his fists.

"Alright then," he said. "Let’s dance."