V3 Chapter 18

“Dammit! How did they notice we were here?”

“Damn it! How did this happen?!”

Soon, something stirred from within the bushes, and several people; or rather Werebeasts came out from them, all busily moving in different directions. They were originally planning on approaching as close as possible and jumping at their targets all at once. Because of the strange power that was obstructing one’s perception in this land, they took that as an opportunity. After all, Werebeasts generally didn’t rely on perception-type skill, instead, they relied on their beastly instincts.

In fact, it can even be said that in this place, Werebeasts had an incredible edge against humans due to their Superhuman Instincts and senses. Here, they were like fishes returning to sea, their natural habitat, while humans would be like trapped apes.

Up until now, they have hunted human adventurers in this way, and they had killed quite an incredible amount as well, boosting their confidence. That’s why the moment they realized that it was Iris Redheid Grimwald had come into their territory, they still went on in their hunt, relying on the advantages they had. Still, they didn’t forget to be extra careful since the target they laid their eyes on was none other than the infamous Storm Princess.

But to think, apart from their plan being destroyed in an instant, even their prided hiding skills were seen through by the other party, even the prideful Werebeasts could not easily accept such hard smack reality. Because of this shock, several young Werebeasts immediately became prey by the rampaging Human Princess, whose speed was even faster than an Elite Lycan, appearing and disappearing in this thick, and dense forest filled with trees and massive foliage. Her every action invoke a strung gust of wind, and when she moved, it’s as if her entire body was being pushed, or lifted by the wind itself.

No wonder she was called by the name Storm Princess—either her combat ability, her style of fighting, or the magic ability innately possessed by her, she really looks like the living manifestation of the Storm.

Cries and howls of pain echoed and despair echoed in the entire area. Listening to them, the slightly older and more experienced Werebeasts finally reacted, snapping out from their shock and fear. They all know that facing the infamous Storm Princess head-on is an act of suicide.

Once they were caught, there was no advantage in making an ambush anymore. Rather, it was more dangerous for them if they were grouped up. They were currently facing none other than the Ice Prince and the Storm Princess together. There was no chance of winning if they fought them directly.

“Fan out! It’s more dangerous if we bunch up!”

“Try, but don’t think I’ll let you succeed!”

Iris bolted towards a large group of Werebeasts and brandished her sword as if she didn’t even have the slightest intention of letting them slip away. With each slash, blood sprayed over the grass and a body fell to the ground.

“Damn it! How could this even be happening!!”

“We’ll all die if this continues!”

“Even if we die, we must bring at least one of them with us!!”

“For the glory of the Beast God!!”

As the group of Werebeasts was getting pushed back into despair by Iris alone, some became mad and instead of running away, charge towards the direction of Asceius.

Asceius stared at the incoming Werebeasts, and his expression turned even colder.

“Cian,” he turned beside him, trying to say something. However, when he did, he was surprised to see that the person he was standing side by side just a while ago had actually disappeared. When? And where did he go? He wondered while feeling somewhat amazed by Cian’s movement skill that even he was unable to perceive.

But what can be noted, however, was the fact that Cian changing sides at this moment, has never crossed his mind. Instead, he thought Cian was once again playing somewhere else. If this was Iris, she would have been cursing and assuming that Cian had hidden himself, or that he had finally shown its true colors, waiting for an attack.

Of course, that wouldn’t happen.

As a testament to that was that the moment the Werebeasts showed themselves, Leona suddenly appeared at the nearest one, and pounced at him. Its appearance caused a shriek of horror to the Werebeasts.

With a loud roar, some younger Werebeasts immediately stumbled and fell on the ground. The Majesty of the King, an aura befitting the strongest beasts appeared, assaulting them.

“How is this possible!? Why is a Manticore in this place? And why is it at the side of the humans!?” such doubts and horror appeared in the area, halting the incoming suicidal Werebeasts. But this was proven a mistake.

Sharp icicles appeared above them. And before they could even react, or understand what had happened, sharp, meter-long icicles started raining down from above. Blood painted the entire area, and screams of death lingered.

Asceius and Leona worked together. Leona, with her [Golden Body] which was impervious to all attacks stood in front and attacking and killing anyone who came close. She looked like a guardian deity courageously protecting Asceius from being besieged. While Asceius, at the same time, displayed his incredible prowess in magic, freezing and killing any attackers with icicles. He looked like the very manifestation of a stormy blizzard that came to wrecked everything in his path.

The powerful Werebeasts couldn't even come close. Still, even more, doubtful and confused, as to why the Manticore which was under the Lion King's care was turning her claws at them. What is happening? Perhaps, it's another Monster, native in this world? But how were they able to tame it? Such questions appeared in their confused minds.

Blood painted the green of the forest, and the silence was filled with roars and cries of pain and death. However, even though Iris, Asceius, and Leona had been slaughtering enemies at an inhuman pace, there were still numerous Werebeasts hiding in the bushes.

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*Rustle*

Asceius heard a muffled sound of stealthy footsteps from behind. It seemed like they were aiming to attack from the blind spot. With a slightly irritated face, Asceius was about to send another bout of blizzard to them but that’s when he noticed the person he was looking for. It was Cian.

But what is he doing?

Why is he eating even now?

That’s right, unlike the carnage that was currently happening in the entire area, Cian was happily, and peacefully roasting and eating barbecued meat beside the bonfire, all while watching the fight occurring as if it was unrelated to him. His expression never even changes. Perhaps, he was thinking, ‘Eh? There are Iris and Asceius there, so perhaps, there is no point if he went out as well?’ or ‘There fight is nothing to do with me, so why would I care about them?’ something along those lines.

Unfortunately, however, this kind of dream would not be realized.

When Asceius realized where the sneak attackers were going, he was so taken aback that a small laugh came out of his mouth. They were moving towards him, with full raging killing intent. They might have targeted Cian because unlike them, his name wasn’t well known.

Furthermore, to top it off, he was just a mere Foxman, whose ability among the Werebeasts was the lowest. He might have been the weakest of them all. Worst, they might have even thought he was a captured slave or a porter of some sort. Though, with the clear absence of a collar, it was safe to assume that it would be the latter.

Then, that only means one thing—as a Foxman, Cian was a traitor among their kind for helping, or even befriending humans, much less the royal siblings.

Hence, despite not doing anything he was targeted.

Asceius thought.

But whatever the case was,

Could they have been expecting this?

The place that they are heading now,

Those idiots. Of all the choices they could have made, they still managed to choose the worst.

Unbeknownst to these idiots, the weakest they thought of was actually the death god himself.

… …

The crazed Werebeasts was certain that they would surely die at that place. Even if they tried to run away, but with the mad Storm Princess in pursuit, only a miracle could save them.

They needed to be faster than the wind, or as fast as lightning if they wanted to escape with their lives. But who can beat the Storm Princess in speed?

No one among the Werebeasts present has that confidence.

The Storm Princess has already displayed her glory and prestige after defeating the youngest Beast King who prided himself in speed in just a matter of minutes. After that battle, she had been entitled as the Storm Princess that was far above her peers. That glory and battle cost the confidence of many Werebeasts to go against her.

Turning your back against someone strong and fast is but a fool’s choice. It would only make your death quicker, and more horrible.

What's even worse. Even in death, you will carry the brand of a coward. For the Werebeasts who take immense pride in their bravery and strength, turning your back against your opponent is a humiliation. It would have been fine if you survive as you will still have the chance to take back that humiliation.

But death? What can you do if you’re dead? The Beast God will scorn the beasts who died cowardly and pitifully.

And so, if they are destined to die, they might as well die with great honor!

Though, whether bullying a weaker enemy because they can’t win against a stronger opponent is a symbol of a great honor they were so desperate to obtain, this had already been ignored. There's no fair in war, that's perhaps what they are thinking, however. Nevertheless, it's not a very honorable pride.

“...And I was trying to not stand out,”

A fed-up voice echoed.

“Just why do people could not leave me alone?”

It was a cold voice.

When the voice was still resounding, the figure of the Foxman sitting just beside the bonfire and eating skewered meat, suddenly disappeared.

“…?!”

The Werebeasts were still charging at the bonfire when they suddenly felt fatal danger getting closer to them.

They felt like being aimed at by an ancient giant beast.

They suddenly felt scared and started to sweat.

What’s going on?!

One of the Werebeast had it even stronger, it almost turned him mad. The werebeast exclaimed. When he was about to turn around and run away, however—realizing is not right - Puff! - A black shining light shined and approached fast. Blood splashed. The Werebeast’s right hand had been cut off!

At the same time, somebody kicked his chest hard. He has been kicked out dozens of meters away and then crashed on a big tree, losing his consciousness. Then, to the other Werebeasts. Though some were able to manage to block the incoming blade, still, they were kicked away, causing several of them to fly in every direction.

“I thought I can ignore you all, as I fear I’m not in the mood to shed blood tonight…but to think you all will come to me.”

A slim figure slowly materializes in thin air.

That was exactly Cian. A long, thin black sword was shaking in his hand. That was [Imagis Realis]. In his eyes, there was killing intent! He glared at the fallen Werebeasts, in an icy cold glare.

Time seemed to stop.

What happened just now caught even the others in surprise.

Even those that were fighting with Iris and Asceius stopped in shock, as their eyes reflected the grim figure of that slender, Foxman wearing black. Whether his power and strength that surprises them or the fact, that a Werebeasts is going against them, both shock them to the core.

Who is this foxman?

“You! You’re a Werebeast! Why are you helping them?! Are you mad!?”

Suddenly, one of the Werebeast angrily shouted while pointing at Cian. It was then followed by the other Werebeasts who snapped out from their shock and started dissing Cian as a traitor.

“You all for sure had a lot to say for someone who started attacking me,” Cian sneered.

“Wha—?! What did you say!? You’re the one who was being friendly with these humans! Do you really think that can be forgiven?!”

“Come! You’re a Werebeast, you don’t belong there! Let’s kill these humans together! What you are doing will make you an enemy to us, your people…and the entire Beast Alliance! You will be our sworn enemy…even your clansmen will be implicated! So come to our site, and help us defeat the enemies of our kind.”

“That’s right, attacking you is a mistake… a mistake…" someone even said, perhaps in desperation.

Cian waved the sword before his eyes as he smiled in a vicious way. He casually asked, "Is this really a mistake? What mistake?"

"My… My friend… Listen to me… You don't know what is going on. Look. You hurt me just now, but I guess you didn't know the truth. I won't blame you!"

“Blame me? It’s not needed. I know full well what’s going on here.” Cian snorted. His murderous aura rose up to the peak! “It would have been fine if you’ve left me alone, but now, I guess no one will be leaving here among you!”

“You! Are you mad!!? You choose them than us, your kind?!”

“Who said I can’t?”

“Then, you are traitor! You are a shame to our kind!”

Cian said with a grin.

“What does it matter? I don’t know you at all. Why would I care about what you think?”

"...?!!"

An icy cold silence covered the entire place.

Then, a few moments later, they snapped. The faces of the Werebeasts changed, rage and anger plastered over their faces.

“How dare you!! FOXMAN!!”

“You shall pay for those words! With your life!!”

“You’re a shame to our kind!! A traitor must be killed!!”

“Kill him!!”

With that said, the Werebeasts started screaming and roaring, and they all went charging against him. The Werebeasts become even more beast-like as they rushed towards him. There was even one who suddenly got excited and charged before the other Werebeasts.

He dashed over to Cian with a full face of fierceness. He was an elite Lycan, whose eyes were so sharp and senses better than most. It was his innate ability. He had seen through the strength of Cian better than the others. He knew Cian was too weak. He was sure that the Foxman, acting so courageous before them would fail in a fight against Elite Werebeasts like them. Besides, he was facing five elite Werebeasts at the same time.

For a Foxman who had not even reached the Transformation Stage of an Elite Lycan, Cian was surely a weak prey.