Sparring

''Boy, become mine.''

Irina's jaws were almost hitting the floor after hearing Red Pepper's declaration and seeing the dangerous luster in the latter's eyes, she knew Red Pepper wasn't joking she was seriously saying this and for some unknown reason, Irina's heart constricted. At the moment she attributed this feeling to her dislike of how Red Pepper handled men and how many she had, a harem if she were to believe the rumors.

Just as she was about to intervene as she felt the need, Dante had already acted.

''I refuse. I'm not something the current you can own.''

Red Pepper was expecting something else, either he foolishly accepts which would make things boring, or else he refuses because of man's pride to raise his worth but among all of those answers, none seemed to come closer to Dante's answer.

Not only he refused but the reason for his refusal was that Red Pepper wasn't worthy enough to own her.

If previously she had thought nothing of Dante except for his slightly handsome face and beautiful eyes, this time Red Pepper started to seriously take this young man she previously thought nothing of. Not only she wants him, she wanted him even more, he would become her most prized possession but first, she would have to educate him, she needs a toy that obeys her every whim.

Swoosh!

Red Pepper vanished from behind her table and appeared before Dante who was a few away and casually punched him.

''Oh! Rebellious are we?"

Dante easily avoided the punch by lowering his upper to an impossible angle and even counterattacked with a quick leg whip but as one would have expected Red Pepper easily saw it coming and thus dodged.

Everything happened too fast and by the time Irina could intervene things have escalated because Dante's reaction surpassed Red Pepper's expectations coupled with his earliest words, she decided to push things more seriously thus she used a little bit of her power and literally vanished to reappear in front of Dante as if she had just teleported.

''Dante!" Irina was alarmed and feared for the worst, she immediately tried to help but throwing one of her daggers but it was already too late.

Red Pepper punched Dante's chest, this punch was different from the previous one as it was faster and would reach its target soon.

Dante knew he was facing someone more powerful than him, probably stronger like the vice guild master of Hunter's association, however, he didn't panic, he waited until it was the right moment and just as the punch was about to connect, the devil's stigma on his left chest flashed and lightning covered his body and as if his body had turned into a bolt of lightning, he escaped using his Lightning Escape's skill, his destination was Red Pepper's desk.

Bang! Crack!

He was not able to destroy everything as he hoped but a bit of destruction did happen.

Irina's jaws were hanging loosely, she finally remembered this skill he used to save her during the terrorist attack.

Meanwhile, Red Pepper frowned as she failed to achieve her goal, still, she was happy because she found Dante to be interesting. She finally understood his previous answer, certainly is not your average young man she has to acknowledge that.

However, Red Pepper had to vent thus she turned her eyes to the only person remaining.

Irina's body shuddered and she immediately crossed her daggers sensing the danger coming.

Bang!

She was punched in the gut and unlike Dante, she couldn't escape and thus suffered from Red Pepper's attack.

''That's for injuring my men.'' Red Pepper declared before vanishing, going back to her seat.

Irina gasped for air and stumbled on her feet, the world seemed to spin around her. Her eyes darted all over, desperately searching for a way to relieve her body from this miserable feeling. It took her a minute or two to gather her composure, but conflicting thoughts still plagued her mind.

She took a deep breath, then another, and then another. A state of calm returned to her mind for a moment. But sick of having to deal with all this she decided to simply refuse to acknowledge the pain and get on with her day to the best of her ability. Finally, she succeeded and her flushed face started regaining its color.

''Sorry, I was just sparring with you but boy I admit that for a Level 1 awakener you are sure interesting. I'm liking you more and more.'' Red Pepper said, ignoring Irina glaring dagger at her.

Dante didn't respond and massaged his arms which were feeling numb. He thought he had successfully dodged her attack but she still managed to reach him, if weren't for his perfect timing he would have suffered a grave injury, however, he didn't resent her. He had his reasons and the most important one for not outright refusing Red Pepper's awkward way of wooing him it was because she had a dormant system inside her even she was not aware of this. It would be a shame not to make use of this opportunity to initiate the evolution of his system.

Seeing Dante ignoring her, Red Pepper felt hot and licked her lips, this young man will be worthy of her time as she would make to torture him as she desires.

''Irina, I'll give you a free pass because of this juicy piece of meat you have brought. So, tell me what you want to know.'' Finally, Red Pepper became serious making Irina gulp. The Queen of the Underworld Network was giving her a free pass, it would be a shame not to use it.

Irina cleared up her throat and made a request.