[Demon Subjugation Exam] [13]

"Now. Tell me—what are you planning to offer me?"

"W—What?" Cattleya stuttered, her mind in disarray. From the moment Travis had been sent flying for seemingly no reason, her thoughts had short-circuited, struggling to process the scene unfolding before her.

Gin, however, was far less flustered. He scowled, clearly displeased by the interruption. He had no time to waste on a fool like this.

"Disappear, human," he growled, raising his hand.

A spike of dark corruption erupted from his palm, shooting toward James with blinding speed. The air itself seemed to warp around the projectile as it tore forward.

But James, still holding his drink in one hand, nonchalantly raised his free hand and caught the spike barehanded.

-BOOM!

The impact unleashed a powerful shockwave, blowing his messy blond hair back. Yet, James remained entirely unfazed.