Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!
Chapter 399: Duel with Me

Chapter 399: Chapter 399: Duel with Me

The footsteps that had stepped out of the door retracted, and Yang Yu turned his head toward Iyas,

"Do you have anything else you want to say? If it’s just a question, I can answer it for you."

Rising from the bed, Iyas’s gaze lingered on the bare walls, not daring to meet Yang Yu’s eyes, for fear of seeing an impatient look on his face.

After a moment of Silence, Iyas finally mustered the courage to ask her question,

"What will it take for you all to accept me again... to let me become your partner once more?"

Yang Yu did not immediately answer Iyas’s question but instead asked,

"Why do you so desperately want to be my companion? What exactly is your purpose?"

For what purpose exactly?

If it had been the Iyas from before, she would have said without hesitation that it was all to rescue her brother, Hake.

But now, to continue traveling with Yang Yu and the others, she had to lay bare the true thoughts within her heart.

Rubbing her thumbs back and forth, Iyas spoke softly of her true innermost thoughts,

"I want... I want to continue adventuring with you all, to explore the outside world together.

That is my true heart’s desire.

This feeling, it’s just as strong as the desire to save Hake.

In these few short months, I have seen how vast and wonderful the world is and have been captivated by it.

These few months have completely overturned my understanding of the seventy-six years I lived in the village.

I, I’ve been irresistibly drawn to this world.

So, can you let me, rejoin the team?"

In her heart, Iyas always placed her brother’s safety first, but there were things that had been influencing her without her noticing, and under Yang Yu’s leadership, she realized she was just a frog at the bottom of a well, having seen only the tip of the iceberg of this world.

Unconsciously, her curiosity about the world was ignited by Yang Yu, and she longed to see more of it.

Yet Iyas chose to bury these feelings deep down, not allowing herself to be happy alone before Hake was rescued.

Sometimes, she even felt guilty for any small happiness she obtained in her daily life.

What Iyas wanted to confess was not just that—being able to adventure with Yang Yu and the others was a real happiness. She didn’t want to run away from this joy, nor did she want to let it slip away from her.

"If you want to see the world, there are plenty of ways to do it, you don’t have to be my partner."

Yang Yu was unmoved by Iyas’s words, saying this indifferently.

Clenching her fists tightly, Iyas held back the tears that threatened to spill,

"Then, what will it take for you to accept me again?

I know I was wrong.

Back then, I shouldn’t have ignored you, I should have seriously learned how to use the Holy Light.

Back then, I shouldn’t have made my own decisions, chasing after the assassin alone without telling anyone, putting myself in danger.

Back then, I shouldn’t have disobeyed your orders, staying outside the forest.

Back then... I shouldn’t have, confronted you, breaking away from the team on my own..."

At this point, Iyas’s voice was choked with emotion,

"I really, truly, know I was wrong. Please give me another chance, this time I will definitely be able to be your good partner, I swear to the goddess."

With a sigh, Yang Yu gave Iyas a look that said, "I’m at my wit’s end with you,"

"Since you so desperately want to join my team, I will give you a chance.

My team does not take on mediocrity.

Take your bow, go outside, and duel with me.

If you can defeat me, I will let you rejoin the team."

Hearing Yang Yu say this, Iyas clutched the bedsheet tightly.

To defeat Yang Yu was no easy task, and by making this request, he was effectively declining her offer in a diplomatic way.

Yet, even with the slimmest hope, Iyas decided to give it a try.

She wasn’t ready to part ways with the team; she wanted to extend those happy days, to laugh with them.

"I understand; I will fight you. If I win, I hope you will not go back on your word."

Lifting her head, Iyas’s and Yang Yu’s eyes met, hers harboring an unusual determination while Yang Yu’s face remained expressionless as he tossed a bottle of potions to Iyas.

She caught the potion, swung it back and forth, the half-bottle of pale gold liquid swaying in the exquisite vial — Iyas clearly recognized it as an incredibly precious potion.

"Use it. Your wounds will heal quickly, and that will make things fair. Change your clothes and come downstairs immediately; we can’t stay in this town too long. Follow us to the nearby forest, where we will decide the outcome."

With the potion in hand, Iyas suddenly felt somewhat overwhelmed.

By giving her this valuable potion, did he harbor a little hope for her?

Could she truly live up to that expectation?

No...

What she should be considering now is how to be worthy of that expectation.

She opened the stopper and drank the potion in one gulp; under the potion’s effect, her battered body slowly began to heal.

She removed the bandages and changed into the clothes Yang Yu had left for her.

Having descended the stairs, Yang Yu and Bai Jin were settling the bill. Bai Jin, seeing Iyas, didn’t say anything; she simply avoided Iyas’s gaze and hid beside Yang Yu, trying her best not to be seen by Iyas.

After settling the bill, Yang Yu and his group immediately left the town.

Without rest, Iyas followed them to the nearby forest.

In the midst of the forest, a massive Silver Wolf lay resting amidst the bushes, apparently not surprised by Iyas’s arrival, continuing to close its eyes, seemingly meditating.

After surveying the woods for a while, Yang Yu chose an open space,

"Let this be the place for our duel. The range of movement, a radius of thirty meters with me at the center," Yang Yu beckoned Bai Jin with a hand gesture, "Bai Jin, please mark the boundaries."

Bai Jin remained silent, only nodding as she drew a thirty-meter radius around Yang Yu. Afterward, she moved to Lotcar’s side and waited quietly for the duel to begin.

Yang Yu walked to the edge of the designated area with not a hint of emotion in his eyes, while Iyas stepped over the low threshold of ice and drew her bow and arrows.

Despite previous encounters where they had fought, those times Yang Yu had been more focused on coaching her and had not used his full strength; Iyas had no idea what his current level of power might be.

Nonetheless, it went without saying how strong he must be, given he had saved her from the sewer.

At least, it was beyond her current ability to match.

But now, she couldn’t back down.

Iyas drew her bowstring, aiming the arrow directly at Yang Yu.