74: Realization and Death

Silver, Hans, Joe, and every single beast in the greenbelt and outskirts all had various reactions when the presence of a second 'sun' appeared above them.

The beasts which were already scurrying away in fear and panic had expressions of madness and immense panic.

Some beasts broke through on the spot and advanced to the next level, causing their speed to skyrocket.

Some burnt their blood essence, increasing their speed drastically.

The unlucky and weakest ones were stomped to death by the stronger beasts in the beast tide.

Skulls, bones, flesh, and blood filled the path of the beast tide. But despite the immense number of deaths that had occurred in the beast tide, one would realize that the beast tide did not seem to have decreased at all.

However, that was a misconception due to the fact that some of the already large beasts already became bigger due to the breakthroughs they had or the burning of their blood essence.

Although the number of beasts in the beast tides had decreased, the danger it posed had not. In fact, it had increased.

Despite all the measures and desperations taken by the beasts, their bestial instincts knew that they were not safe at all.

The encroaching feeling of death crawled across their bodies.

Faster

Faster!

FASTER!

FASTERRR!!!

These were the thoughts of the beasts as they desperately hoped to escape the second 'sun' above them.

----

Meanwhile, Hans and Joe had different reactions when they felt and saw the second sun above them.

"Tell me this is a nightmare."

Despite keeping his gaze on the second 'sun' above them and saying such words, Han's speed did not slow down.

In fact, he seemed to pick up the pace. Although his gaze was on the second 'sun' in the sky, his pace and the steps he took never faltered.

Non-cultivators would have marveled at this. However, it was nothing special when one had either a sixth sense, a seventh sense, or a spiritual sense.

Two seconds later, Hans' eyes flashed with desire. A desire to live.

'I need to live. I can't die here.'

Hans stretched out his left hand and multiple talismans appeared in his hand. He slapped one of the talismans on his body, and just as he was about to slap another on his body, he heard Joe's familiar voice.

An expression of hate and anger instantly appeared on his face.

"HANS! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT UP THERE?!"

Hans looked back with an annoyed and murderous expression.

"WHY DON'T YOU GO UP THERE AND FIND OUT YOU BUFFON!"

"Son of a thousand bitches!" Joe shouted, with his voice clearly lower than previously. However, Hans still heard his words.

He wanted to give a savage and brutal reply, but he knew he didn't have the luxury to do so.

He could feel the beast tide behind him getting faster and stronger, and he could see the 'sun' getting hotter and larger.

"What sort of beast is capable of unleashing such an attack? Is it a Nightmare beast?" Hans mumbled.

He glanced at the sky, but a second later, he shifted his gaze and continued bringing out every defensive artifact or treasure he had.

Shields, talismans, enchanted necklaces and rings, defensive cloaks, and so on.

Hans brought out everything and wore them in ten seconds. However, despite wearing and using every defensive treasure he had, he knew he might not still make it out alive.

"Fuck! What else can I do? My defensive techniques are pathetic and useless in this situation."

Just as Hans was wracking his brain on what to do, he heard Joe's voice once again and he instantly became irritated.

"HEY HANS! I THINK WE HAVE A VERY BIG PROBLEM!"

Hans snapped, and the veins on his neck threatened to burst.

"WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU STILL TALKING TO ME LIKE WE'RE BUDDIES?! SHUT THE FUCK UP AND DIE!!!"

Hans roared with anger, hate, frustration, annoyance, and also a tinge of despair in his voice. Despite trying his best to keep a calm expression, it was all a facade for the despair and hopelessness he was currently feeling as the second 'sun' acted like a guillotine above his head.

"Ah Fuck." Hans cursed while still running.

His attention was no longer on Joe, and what he wanted was some peace and quiet before he took his last breath.

However, Joe's next words almost made him stumble in shock... and fear.

"Uhmm, Hans. I think the massive fireball in the sky is aimed at us. And I think it's specifically aimed at you."

"What?" Hans quickly looked up, and just as Joe said, he was finally able to see the beast behind the massive fireball in the sky.

Also, since he was an archer, he was able to discern the most probable trajectory of the fireball, and when he did, he wished his soul left his body right at that spot.

"What the fuck?! Why?!"

These words encompassed the entirety of the immense shock, confusion, and horror Hans felt as he gazed at the second 'sun' in the sky.

In fact, the shock, confusion, and horror he felt made him stop running.

Since he finally noticed, he could finally feel a sliver of the rage and murderous intent of the beast behind the second 'sun', and this sliver of rage and murderous intent made him realize that no matter what he did, he was going to die in this forest no matter what.

So what was the point in trying to escape?

'But why? Why is it exuding so much murderous intent and rage at me?' An unwilling light flashed in Hans' eyes.

"Why? Why?! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!"

"WHY ARE YOU RELEASING SO MUCH HATE AND KILLING INTENT AT ME?!

Hans' eyes became red as he glared at the beast in the sky with anger, hate, and fear. Even the anger and hate he had towards Joe could not be compared to this.

"I HAVE AMBITIONS! I HAVE GOALS! I HAVE DESIRES! I HAVE DREAMS! I REFUSE TO DIE BY YOUR HANDS!"

"I REFUSE TO BE KILLED BY YOU FOOLISH BEAST!"

"IT'S NOT LIKE I DID SOMETHING WRONG! IT'S NOT LIKE I KILLED YOUR…"

Just as Hans was raging on and on and on, he did not know how nor did he know why, but he was finally able to see the beast who was behind his despair, incoming death, and anger.

And when he did, the words he was about to say got stuck in his throat. He croaked.

"... Y-Y-Yo-Your child…" He stuttered, "... I-I killed your child."

His eyes widened, then his lips parted into a wide smile.

"I see. I fucking see. Hahahaha. I killed your child!"

Hans then laughed hysterically, his expression bordering one of madness and despair as everything finally clicked for him.

"I CURSE YOU MY EMPLOYER! WHOEVER YOU ARE, WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS! I CURSE YOU! I CURSE YOU EVEN TO DEATH!"

"EVEN DEATH SHALL NOT REMOVE THIS CURSE!"

Just as Hans was about to delve deeper into his madness, a chuckle resounded in his ears. He turned to the front, and he saw Joe standing some meters away from him with an indifferent smile on his lips.

"You did well Hans. As long as you're his main target I'll be able to safely escape."

Hans' eyes widened, and then he shook in realization.

"You- You. You told me to shoot down the lion cub. You told me to kill it from afar so that it wouldn't be able to escape."

"You knew that its parent would come for revenge to kill the person that killed its child."

"You knew what that lion cub actually was. You knew the true dangers of our mission."

"You knew that our employer planned on discarding us and did not expect us to make it out alive."

"You knew all of these and you still dare mock me and laugh in front of my face?"

Hans' gaze was filled with despair, anger, hate, murderous intent, and so many negative emotions that the human eyes could normally not emit and contain.

However, Joe was unbothered and his mocking smile widened, becoming even more mocking.

"Who knows, you poor, pathetic, and foolish orphan."

Just as Hans was about to speak, he saw a flash.

Then it was followed by a crisp shattering crunch.

Then it was followed by an extremely brief scream.

Then it was followed by silence.

Then it was followed by another crisp shattering crunch.

Hans stood rooted on the spot, and then he shakily looked to his right.

"Haaa."

He exhaled in awe, dread, and pure amazement as he gazed upon the most beautiful and majestic beast he had ever seen. In the beast's mouth was the mangled body of Joe, or what remained of it.

Hans opened his mouth, but before he could take another breath, his body was engulfed by flames that devoured the scream of the pure pain and terror he released.