Published at 5th of January 2026 9:03 am

Chapter 1669 Lupus's Duel (Part 2)

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Although Lupus had no idea what Bluebird’s true intention was, he welcomed the situation with open arms. Deep down, he was glad for the chance to fight again. Ever since becoming part of Jack’s group, things had felt different. The battles, the tension, the constant pressure hanging over the packs, it all reminded him that this world wasn’t forgiving, and that strength still mattered.

While training alongside Jack’s group, Lupus had focused heavily on refining his Qi control. He had pushed himself further than he ever had back when they were knights in training, learning how to guide his energy instead of letting it surge wildly. Even with the system suppressing his power, he could feel the progress he had made. That alone made him eager to see where he stood.

“Thank you, my friend,” Jack said quietly as Bluebird stepped forward.

Jack’s voice carried concern, not just for Lupus, but for everything that had led them here. If the three outsiders won the duel, then by the rules, the contest was already decided. But even then, Jack didn’t know how things were meant to end. The trouble wouldn’t simply vanish. The suffering spreading through the world wouldn’t suddenly stop. That was why, despite everything, Jack placed his faith in Bluebird. With him here, at least there was a chance.

“Alright,” Bluebird said calmly, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Let’s do this.”

Before Lupus could even finish transforming, Bluebird moved.

He kicked off the ground with incredible force, crossing the distance between them in an instant. Lupus barely had time to react before the hilt of Bluebird’s sword slammed into his stomach. The impact was brutal. A shockwave rippled outward, the force of Qi bursting through the air as Lupus was sent flying backward.

His feet left the ground entirely, his body lifted and thrown as though he weighed nothing.

Lupus skidded across the dirt, nearly crashing back toward Steve and his pack. However, even as he flew, his transformation continued. Fur spread across his body, claws extending as he dug into the earth. With a sharp motion, he drove his hands into the ground, clawing through the soil and stopping his momentum.

Without hesitation, Lupus launched himself forward again.

“Right, right,” Bluebird said, drawing his sword fully this time. “You were always more resilient than the others.”

Lupus attacked first.

His claws lashed out, sharp and wide, cutting through the air as he aimed for Bluebird’s chest. Bluebird responded instantly, swinging his sword in a precise arc. Qi surged along the blade as it clashed against Lupus’s claws, metal and force grinding together.

The sound echoed across the battlefield.

Lupus adjusted, shifting tactics. He mixed in fists and kicks, driving his attacks forward with raw physical force backed by controlled Qi. But every time, Bluebird met him effortlessly. Sometimes he blocked with the flat of his blade. Other times, he redirected Lupus’s attacks using only the side of the sword, never overcommitting, never wasting movement.

To the onlookers, the fight was mesmerizing.

Both fighters moved continuously, strikes flowing one after another without pause. Lupus attacked relentlessly, his movements fast and aggressive. Bluebird responded with perfect timing, never retreating too far, never pressing too hard.

But there was a clear difference between them.

Bluebird wasn’t truly attacking.

Yes, he swung his sword. Yes, he clashed with Lupus head-on. But every strike from Bluebird came only as a response. He matched Lupus’s power exactly, no more, no less, as if mirroring him.

That realization unsettled Lupus.

‘Even after all the Qi training… I still can’t overpower him?’ Lupus thought as another clash sent vibrations through his arms. ‘Shouldn’t I be stronger by now?’

The question gnawed at him. If his strength wasn’t enough, then what was Bluebird doing differently?

As the fight continued, Lupus noticed something else, something far more troubling.

Bluebird wasn’t reacting late.

At times, Bluebird’s sword was already moving before Lupus committed to an attack. The blade swung at odd angles, striking Lupus’s arms aside just as he moved, disrupting his attacks before they fully formed.

It was as if Bluebird knew where Lupus would strike before Lupus himself did.

That was when it clicked.

‘He’s not just matching me… he’s reading me.’

Lupus pushed harder, forcing his Qi through his limbs, speeding up his attacks. But no matter how he changed his rhythm, Bluebird stayed one step ahead. The sword intercepted claws before they landed. His footwork cut off angles Lupus thought were open.

Bluebird’s eyes were calm, focused.

What Lupus didn’t realize was that Bluebird was following the white lines only he could see. The faint paths of opportunity guided his movements, showing him the optimal timing and positioning for each strike. Normally, those lines revealed lethal openings, but Bluebird adjusted them, deliberately choosing less decisive paths.

He could have ended the fight earlier.

He chose not to.

‘I’m sorry, Lupus,’ Bluebird thought as he deflected another strike. ‘You’ve grown stronger. Far stronger than before. But if I end this too quickly, they’ll notice.’

Bluebird ducked low, avoiding a claw aimed at his head. In one smooth motion, he swung his sword upward, striking both of Lupus’s arms inward. The impact forced Lupus’s limbs together, breaking his balance.

Before Lupus could recover, Bluebird stepped in.

His fist slammed into Lupus’s ribs.

The blow was devastating.

The Qi-infused strike crushed the air between them, driving Lupus down to one knee. Pain exploded through his side, his breath knocked from his lungs.

Bluebird didn’t stop.

He grabbed Lupus by the head, his grip firm but controlled.

“Stay down,” Bluebird whispered.

Then he slammed Lupus’s head into the ground.

The impact shook the earth beneath them.

Dust rose into the air as Lupus lay still, his body refusing to respond. Normally, he would have fought on. Normally, he would have forced himself to stand no matter the cost.

But this time, he didn’t.

Because Lupus knew the truth.

Bluebird had already spared him more than once during the fight. If Bluebird wanted him defeated, it would have happened far earlier.

Maybe one day, when the system no longer suppressed his power, Lupus would want a true duel with Bluebird. One without restraints. One without hesitation.

But today wasn’t that day.

“The match is over,” Bluebird said, straightening as he turned toward Jack. “Which means there’s only one thing left, isn’t there?”

Silence fell over both packs.

Everyone understood what came next.

The duel had run its course. The outcome was clear. And now, to resolve everything, to decide the fate of both packs, the final battle could no longer be avoided.

A battle between Alphas.

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