Luna halted before me, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh really?" she challenged, her voice a melodic purr. "And what makes you think that? You're just a mortal, after all."
Before I could react, she reached out, her touch surprisingly gentle as she tilted my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. Her silver eyes glittered with amusement.
"Oh, and what makes you think I'm a mortal?" I countered, a playful edge to my tone.
Luna laughed, a soft, enchanting sound. "You're quite confident for a mortal," she admitted, her fingers now tracing the line of my jaw with a delicate touch. "I admire that, I must admit."
"You know of the Ruthless Demonic King, yes?" I asked, deciding it was time for the grand reveal. "He is the strongest being in all the realms."
Luna's grip on my neck tightened almost imperceptibly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, he is indeed very powerful. But what does he have to do with you?"
I paused for dramatic effect, letting my voice drop to a low, resonant tone. "So, you don't recognize me? I'M the Demonic King."
Luna's eyes widened in surprise, her hold on my neck loosening. "You… You're the Demonic King?" she scoffed, recovering quickly. "Ha! Are you making a joke? You're just a mortal!"
With a burst of speed, I moved behind her, so close I could feel the warmth radiating from her. "Now tell me I'm mortal," I whispered, my voice a low rumble.
Luna stumbled, caught off guard. She spun around, her expression a mix of shock and annoyance. Her fox ears twitched, betraying her surprise. "You're quite the show-off, aren't you?"
"It's not showing off," I corrected her, my gaze intense. "I'm telling you that you have no chance against me."
Luna crossed her arms, studying me with a critical eye. "I've seen a lot of gods act like this. But that doesn't mean you're invincible."
"Ah, fine then," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "Let's fight. If I win, you will be my… companion."
Luna's eyes gleamed with a spark of challenge. A smirk touched her lips. "Very well. If I win, you will serve me for a… suitable period. Since you have the audacity to challenge a goddess like me," she added, a hint of playful menace in her voice. She summoned her scythe, its silver blade shimmering in the moonlight.
"Fine by me, Goddess Luna," I replied, my excitement building.
We took a few steps back, creating some space between us. Luna settled into a fighting stance, her scythe held ready. I, however, simply stood in place, casually picking at my nose with a finger.
Luna's eyes widened in disbelief. My lack of seriousness seemed to ignite her anger. With a cry, she launched herself at me, her scythe a blur of motion.
I stopped her attack with a single finger. Effortlessly. Without even moving.
Luna's shock was evident. She landed gracefully, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. "How…?" she breathed, her gaze fixed on my seemingly nonchalant stance.
I chuckled, a low, rumbling sound.
Regaining her composure, Luna's grip on her scythe tightened. She charged again, her movements faster, more determined. "Don't get cocky, mortal!" she snarled. "I'll still beat you!"
The fight continued, but it was hardly a contest. Luna attacked with a flurry of slashes and strikes, each one easily blocked. I moved with an almost languid grace, deflecting her attacks without breaking a sweat. Finally, she unleashed a powerful moon slash, a crescent of pure energy aimed at me.
I stopped it with two fingers. The energy dissipated, and Luna's scythe shattered into pieces.
Luna stared at the broken weapon in disbelief. Her eyes darted between the fragments and me, her shock palpable. "How… How did you do that?!"
"Because it's a low-level weapon," I said, a touch of amusement in my voice.
Luna's jaw clenched, her anger and frustration growing. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?"
Her patience snapped. She charged again, abandoning any semblance of strategy. Her movements were wild, desperate. "Stop being so cocky! You're just a lowly mortal, and I'm a goddess! You can't beat me!"
"Oh really? Then do as you please," I said, my voice calm despite the onslaught.
I continued to block every attack, not moving an inch. With a swift motion, I pushed her away, creating some distance. Then, in the blink of an eye, I teleported behind her, my finger lightly touching the delicate curve of her neck. "You lost, my dear companion," I whispered.
Luna gasped, whirling around in shock. "How did you—?!" She quickly composed herself, though a hint of surprise remained in her voice. "No, I didn't lose! This isn't over yet!"
A strange window appeared in my vision, displaying a number:
[Goddess Luna] Affection Percentage: 30%
I raised an eyebrow at the unexpected display. "Goddess Luna, I won fairly. So now, you will be my companion."
Luna's ears flattened against her head in anger. She glared at me, a mixture of fury and determination in her eyes. "You may have caught me off guard, but I'll make you regret underestimating me!"
Before she could make another move, I closed the distance between us. I reached out, my arms encircling her, and lifted her into my arms.
Luna's eyes widened in surprise. She struggled against my hold, but I was too strong. "Put me down this instant!" she protested, her voice sharp. "I am not some kind of doll for you to carry around!"
"If you don't keep quiet," I threatened playfully, a smirk playing on my lips, "then I'll kiss you."
Luna's face flushed crimson. She immediately stopped struggling, her glare intensifying.
I chuckled, pleased with her reaction. I then teleported us to my Demonic Realm, a place where the spiritual energy was thick and potent.