The first strike from Langris fell like a meteor. His black claw ripped through Luiz’s defense, slashing across his abdomen from side to side. Crimson blood burst in an arc, splattering over the corpses around them.

  — LUIIIZ! — a distant voice shouted from the walls, but he didn’t respond.

  He laughed — a rough, broken laugh, spitting blood between his teeth.

  — It’s just… a scratch.

  Langris tilted his head; the glowing zero burned brighter within his black pupils.

  — You’re not human. You’re stubbornness made flesh.

  — I’m a Cups, — Luiz growled, spinning his spear with trembling hands. — And Cups don’t fall.

  From the charm at his belt, a faint light pulsed again. Arlec emerged, spinning in the air, his colorful hat jingling as if mocking hell itself.

  — Hehehe! You’re bleeding beautifully, my king! Let’s laugh louder so he gets angry!

  — Shut up, Arlec… — Luiz gasped, muscles shaking. — No… actually, laugh for me.

  — WITH PLEASURE! HAHAHA!

  The Lumpa exploded in laughter. The sound echoed like fire, and Luiz’s crimson aura flared — expanding, pulsing, growing. The laughter fed the power.

  Langris lunged forward. Luiz countered with a triple thrust. The first was dodged, the second deflected, the third pierced the Nightmare’s thigh.

  Black blood dripped down. The zero gleamed brighter. Langris looked at the wound and laughed — a dry, grotesque sound.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  — Interesting.

  He spread his black wings and vanished. Luiz spun his spear instinctively, but the claw struck his shoulder, ripping down to the bone. Another swipe grazed his neck.

  The Cups warrior staggered; his vision blurred. His body screamed to fall.

  He jammed the spear into the ground and leaned on it. Blood poured down his legs, pooling beneath his feet. Still… he smiled.

  — You can cut me… break me… — he spat blood, his gaze wild. — But I’ll laugh in your face till the end, bastard!

  Arlec cackled louder, spinning like a crimson top. The bond between them blazed — 40%, 50%. Luiz’s aura became liquid fire, crawling up his body like flames that refused to consume.

  Langris opened his arms, voice booming like distant thunder:

  — Then come, Cups. Let me see how far your madness goes.

  They clashed again. The impact cracked the earth and kicked up a red storm of dust.

  From the walls, soldiers watched in horror.

  — He should be dead already… — an archer whispered. — How is he still standing?

  Beside them, Kátia of the Cups clenched her shield and shouted:

  — Damn fool! Don’t you dare die, Luiz!

  Her hands shook, eyes filled with tears — but her heart beat with pride.

  Down below, the Cups warrior bled — but laughed. Each laugh was a challenge to the gods.

  Langris drove a claw through his abdomen. The sound was wet, sickening. Blood gushed like a living waterfall.

  But Luiz just looked up — and smiled.

  The crimson flame wrapped around his spear. His hair caught fire again; steam rose from his face like evaporating blood. His grin widened — twisted, terrifying, glorious.

  — I… won’t… fall!

  The zero flickered in Langris’s pupils, uncertain for the first time. Because before him no longer stood a man — but a demon of laughter and fury, the beating heart of the Cups.

  And above every scream and thunder, the loudest sound was not pain — it was Luiz’s manic laughter, echoing like a storm of fire and blood.

  The Cups did not fall.

  Not yet.

  End of Chapter 34