Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint

Runken let out a deep, guttural laugh.

With a powerful leap, Lalion slammed his front hooves into Lahu Khan’s chest. The impact seared a hoof-shaped brand into Lahu Khan’s pectorals, but he endured the blow and thrust his spear forward. The weapon pierced straight through Lalion from head to tail, spiraling violently as it turned the vampire beast into a mist of blood.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, Lalion’s body regenerated. Shaking off the remnants of the attack, he charged again, ramming his massive frame into Lahu Khan. The centaur warrior held his ground and shouted,

“Lalion! You are the same as ever!”

Tyrkanzyaka’s first Elder, Lalion, was an Elder, yet not one. He was the last remnant of the young girl Tyr and the first creation of Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka. Unlike the other Elders who retained their individual egos, Lalion existed solely to reflect the Progenitor’s will. While the other Elders had once been human, Lalion was nothing more than an echo of an old friend brought to life through Tyrkanzyaka’s memories.

Even now, when Tyrkanzyaka had freed herself from the shackles of blood, Lalion remained unchanged. Loyal to the very end, he stood as an unyielding barrier against the betrayers. His overwhelming power alone was enough to be called a divine authority. Without any technique, without any deeper reasoning, Lalion crushed Lahu Khan with sheer brute strength.

The battle reached a stalemate.

Bakuta and Muri, after trading a few blows, ceased their aggression. Those two had always been creatures of whim, their anger flaring up impulsively once freed from the blood’s restraint, but lacking any deeper intent. Meanwhile, Erzebeth, the one vampire with true power to threaten Tyrkanzyaka, had been sent flying and was nowhere to be seen.

For Lahu Khan, this was an unappealing fight. His goal was the preservation of his kind—the centaurs. He had joined the rebellion against the Progenitor because the fractured power structure after the blood’s restraint had vanished made him uneasy. Had the rebellion failed, he had already resolved to flee into the jungle with his kin. With four legs beneath him, no one could match his speed.@@novelbin@@

For someone with an escape plan in mind, there was no reason to fight wholeheartedly. Even though he had the strength to break free of Lalion, Lahu Khan instead chose to wrestle with him while carefully observing the situation.

“Hahaha! Progenitor! You are far from finished!”

Ironically, the one filling the void left by Erzebeth was Runken. It was Runken himself who had given Tyrkanzyaka the opportunity to evolve by challenging her. And yet now, he was standing against her.

Tyrkanzyaka’s shadow moved, swinging an arm as if brushing off an insect. The massive limb shattered walls and floors as it slammed toward Runken.

Runken did not wield any unique divine authority. His only assets were his unbreakable body and his ceaseless fighting spirit. However, when overwhelming strength was combined with an indomitable will, that in itself became an unshakable force. Even the True Blood of the Progenitor could not suppress the primal hunger of the last boar beastman. His instincts drove him forward, no matter how strong his opponent.

“Hhrmph!”

Runken charged straight into the Progenitor’s shadow. The sheer size and density of the shadow dwarfed him. It moved with unnatural speed for its mass, bearing down on him like an onrushing war chariot.

The impact was catastrophic. Runken’s body was crushed from legs to skull. His head was driven into his own torso, but even then, his fists continued to strike forward.

Even as his knees ground against the stone floor, Runken gritted his teeth and unleashed a barrage of wild punches. Dozens—no, hundreds—of shockwaves erupted over the surface of the shadow. If one strike was not enough, then he would strike again, and again, without end.

Tyrkanzyaka’s shadow was intricately woven, but it was still an imitation of her true body. Unlike her original form, it was not invulnerable. As Runken targeted the same spot repeatedly, the darkness wavered. With a final, headbutt, he shattered a portion of the shadow and let out a triumphant roar, his body drenched in blood.

But it was only a single arm.

Two new arms sprouted instantly from the darkness. They seized Runken and hurled him skyward. A new hole was carved into the ceiling of the Midnight Castle as his howls faded into the distance.

Tyrkanzyaka did not care.

Her focus was elsewhere. Her voice was heavy, filled with quiet menace.

[…Where is Hugh?]

“If you’re talking about your little lover, he’s already fled. Abandoned you and ran.”

Cabilla, who had been watching the battle unfold from a distance, remained as composed as ever, despite how dire the situation had become. Tyrkanzyaka’s gaze sharpened as she turned toward Cabilla.

[He must have withdrawn temporarily, sensing danger.]