The ground beneath the man's feet cracked as he launched forward, his body becoming a blur of motion.
In the blink of an eye, he was upon Juer'lo, his flaming fist crashing hard into the demon's abdomen.
Boom!
The impact forced Juer'lo's massive body to slide back several feet, his heels digging furrows into the earth as dust and ash scattered.
But instead of pain, a low, rumbling chuckle slipped from the demon's throat.
His claws shot out like iron shackles, wrapping firmly around the human's wrist before he could retreat.
The man's eyes widened as he yanked, twisted, and pulled—yet his arm didn't budge an inch.
"A talent…" Juer'lo said, his voice almost admiring yet still soaked in venom. "One that lets you kill a one-horned demon on the first day of awakening…"
His grin spread wider, his crimson eyes glimmering with wicked light. "…It's quite powerful indeed."
