[20]

Ethan stroked his chin.

He was definitely intrigued but had no intention of relinquishing control.

"Let's hear a bit more before making a decision."

― ...What a sly fox.

Feon added a small explanation, seemingly exasperated.

― Gaining power through underhanded means always comes with a price. The same goes for that artifact. Continually absorbing the energy of the dead will gradually cause you to lose your sanity.

"I see."

― ...Is that all you have to say?

"Well, it can't be helped."

Everything comes with a corresponding cost.

Losing sanity as a penalty?

Survival was the priority for now.

Even if Ethan started mana training here and now, it was far too late.

By the time Ethan gained enough mana proficiency to stand out, the protagonist's party would already be in the latter part of the story.

'It's not like there's no way.'

Among the items the protagonist had obtained, there were some specialized in mental fortification.

Adjustments to the plan would be necessary, but it wasn't impossible. Just highly troublesome.

― You, you ingrate!

Feon burst out again as Ethan's reaction turned indifferent.

― After giving you this much information, shouldn't you at least show some gratitude?

"Ah, um... thank you."

― You insolent fool! Fine, forget it. Even begging for appreciation has its limits... But my warning isn't a joke. That power will surely lead you to ruin...

'So talkative.'

That was Ethan's honest impression. Because of this, his interest was starting to wane.

Sensing this, Feon stopped talking and subtly brought up the main point.

― ...Could you take me with you?

"...Do I really need to?"

― 'Do I really need to?'...

Feon trembled with humiliation.

Never before had he been treated this way in his life.

Feon pondered whether to desperately explain his worth or accept his impending demise.

He weighed his options.

Feon soon made a decision.

There was no pride left to uphold, and Feon had a purpose.

― If things go on like this, I will soon fade away. The power of that artifact is what's holding me, and its absence hastens my demise. I don't have much time left. But I cannot accept fading away when I still have unfinished business.

His voice was filled with genuine sincerity.

'Finally, he's being straightforward'

Ethan's high-handed attitude finally shifted.

"I'll help you. But there's a price."

Of course, he had no intention of helping for free.

***

Bang!

Hugo drove the vampire back like a beast.

His already exceptional agility and flexibility had doubled, and his once gentle disposition had turned into a wolf's ferocity.

His lengthened claws sliced through solid rock like tofu.

The vampire could only defend desperately.

'A mere half-breed!'

He instinctively knew. The young one before him was a half-blood. As a vampire, a natural enemy to werewolves, he could tell.

'But for a half-breed...'

Bang!

When Hugo struck the wall, a massive tremor reverberated as if an earthquake had hit.

The solid cave wall was deeply gouged.

Vampire Belmont groaned.

He knew instinctively that even a graze would be fatal.

Though he was barely holding on with defense, the end was near.

The outcome was clear.

Belmont was unable to inflict significant damage on Hugo.

Belmont was a vampire, but his power was meager.

While vampire physical abilities were superior, they were exceptional only compared to humans.

The true strength of a vampire lay in magic and enchantment.

But Belmont had two issues.

First, he had no magic to use right now.

Second, his enchantment, in which he had confidence, didn't work on Hugo.

Mental magic like enchantment only worked if the target's rank and intelligence were lower than the caster's.

But Hugo was currently not in a mental state to discuss intelligence, and his rank was not inferior to Belmont's.

There was no chance of victory now.

'Escape is impossible, too.'

Belmont had already lost all his options.

There were a few ways to retreat, but Hugo did not give Belmont any opportunity, relentlessly pushing him back.

There wasn't a single opening.

Belmont felt his breathing tighten.

He was seething with anger, but he also felt a sense of futility for being unable to counterattack properly.

'To be pushed around by a mere child!'

Hugo wasn't even able to control his own body properly.

He was a young pup who had only recently awakened his werewolf blood.

Yet Belmont was being overpowered by him.

He felt furious with himself.

Ssshh!

At that moment, Hugo lunged, swinging his arm.

Belmont barely dodged by leaning his upper body back.

But the assault didn't stop there. Hugo bent down, placing his hands on the ground.

Using his hands for support, he twisted his body around.

His foot struck Belmont's abdomen with tremendous force.

"Gah!"

Thick blood spurted from Belmont's mouth.

Despite just taking a single hit, he suffered significant impact.

Hugo didn't miss the opportunity and prepared to lunge again.

"Stop, Hugo."

Just then, a voice came from behind.

Hugo's yellow eyes turned towards the voice's direction.

Ethan was walking towards them from the other end of the cave.

His steps were leisurely.

― Ho, a werewolf. Quite an impressive one.

"I raised him."

Ethan replied with a proud voice.

It wasn't an incorrect statement. In the original story, Hugo couldn't handle his own power.

Though becoming more beast-like provided great strength, it also placed a heavy burden on the body.

Because it pushed the potential of bones and muscles to the maximum, an ordinary constitution couldn't withstand it.

However, the rigorous training with Ethan enabled Hugo to bear the physical load.

Now that his body could withstand the pressure, Hugo was rampaging wildly.

Ethan watched Hugo for a moment.

"Hmm, it seems he doesn't recognize me."

This was unexpected. He didn't think Hugo would have grown this much.

"Well, there should be a way, right?"

Ethan asked Feon.

Feon sighed at Ethan's optimistic attitude.

― …How did I end up with someone like this…

At the sound of Feon's sigh, seemingly lamenting his fate, Ethan lightly shrugged.

"We don't have much time."

Hugo narrowed his eyes, his yellow gaze carrying a predatory glint.

Hugo was a predator, the top boss in this area.

Ethan knew how to judge his opponent.

'Certain defeat.'

He could predict without confirming.

This was even more extreme.

Hugo was far stronger than any ordinary beast.

― Let me borrow your body for a moment.

"I don't like it."

Ethan's face twisted in displeasure.

Giving up control of his body was not what Ethan wanted.

― …Then what do you propose?

Feon asked in an exasperated voice, to which Ethan grinned.

"Just lend me your strength."

Ethan instinctively knew.

Although Feon was almost in a state close to a thought-form, the power he held was significant.

Ethan wanted that power.

― Arrogant. Do you think you can handle it when you haven't even awakened your mana yet?

Feon felt Ethan's audacity was insolent.

"If you refuse, this ends here."

Ethan didn't back down.

In the end, Feon conceded.

― Sigh... Fine. But know this, I will intervene the moment I feel you are in danger.

"Alright."

This time, Ethan agreed.

It was the best compromise Feon could make.

'I'm curious.'

Facing the feral Hugo, Ethan felt his body itch with anticipation.

― Be careful. Your body might not be able to handle it.

Feon's translucent hand rested on Ethan's shoulder.

A cool sensation was followed by an unknown force flowing into Ethan's body.

― I'm forcibly injecting my mana into you. Normally, there would be rejection, but since the same blood flows within us, it seems there are no major side effects.

Feon spoke in a calm tone, but he was actually quite surprised.

Ethan was greedily absorbing Feon's mana.

Feon was a dead being. Naturally, most of the mana he had once held had dissipated, leaving only a small amount.

Even so, Ethan had yet to awaken his own mana.

No matter how similar their blood was, accepting mana was a different matter altogether.

'I see, so this is how it feels.'

Ethan was acutely attuned to the peculiar sensation entering his body.

'Just like the original description.'

The original story described it as feeling the blood flowing within one's body.

'I think I get how to use it.'

He remembered the protagonist in the original story using mana immediately upon accepting it, leaving those around him in awe, praising it as heaven-sent talent.

Ethan felt a strange sense of competitiveness.

"This should be enough."

― ...I was going to stop even if you didn't say so, you arrogant brat.

Feon shook his head. He had nearly lost most of his mana.

Although it was a temporary measure and wouldn't last long, if he lost all his mana, Feon wouldn't be able to maintain his existence.

Ethan stretched and cracked his neck.

"Don't think about running away."

He smirked at Belmont.

'So this is how you channel mana?'

He concentrated the energy into his feet and stepped forward.

Thud!

The ground dented while Ethan approached the fallen Belmont.

Belmont's eyes widened in alarm.

"Just stay unconscious for a while."

There were still things he needed from this guy.

Ethan grabbed Belmont's head and slammed it into the ground.

Bang!

With a loud crash, Belmont's face hit the ground, and his body went limp.

'I don't have the luxury to make him pass out slowly by choking.'

Seeing that Belmont was about to try escaping, Ethan used a more direct, albeit crude, method to knock him out.

After knocking Belmont out, Ethan turned toward Hugo.

Grrr!

As Ethan approached, Hugo growled and lunged at him.

Swoosh!

'Fast.'

Hugo's movements, though seemingly wild, were quite efficient.

Ethan's body was still incomplete. Borrowing Feon's mana was only a temporary fix.

His body hadn't grown gradually with mana; it had been forcibly adapted.

Thus, Ethan's body was currently out of sync.

'Doing this should be enough.'

Ethan slowly but surely circulated the mana throughout his body.

Until moments ago, he thought defeat was certain, but now he felt none of that.

Hugo's movements were fast and fierce, but straightforward.

Without any feints or tricks, Hugo attacked exactly where his yellow eyes aimed.

This hadn't been a drawback until now.

Even simple attacks, when combined with overwhelming speed, became something else. Just like knowing where a gun is pointed doesn't mean you can dodge the bullet.

But now, Ethan could respond to Hugo's movements.

Swoosh!

Hugo swung his sharp claws wildly.

Ethan dodged Hugo's attacks with mere upper body movements.

Feeling desperate, Hugo moved faster and closed in on Ethan.

As Hugo lunged, Ethan leaned back.

Simultaneously, Ethan extended his leg.

His front kick struck Hugo's solar plexus.

"Gah!"

For the first time, a groan escaped Hugo's mouth.