Twenty One

Chapter 21

Zethus had already seen her memories and learned everything there was to know about her. This time, it should only be right if he becomes transparent and opens his world to her.

So, he gathered his mind and let his beastly aura envelope his body.

A frost released from his skin and covered his pores like another thin, icy layer above his dermis. A crystalline pattern of scales emerged that reflected the bright light on the mist, giving an iridescent glow.

Along with the brilliance he shows off is a cold dominance that he exudes.

The seemingly harmless display of an ice emperor's splendor in the eyes of Atasha gave off an extremely murderous and frightening atmosphere that could be felt even outside the mist and surrounding areas. 

The coercive and domineering air didn't spare even the black wolf who had been on a stakeout for days. In fact, by the time he felt ominous, he quickly dashed into the woods with lightning speed as though he was being chased by a bullet train with a tail between his legs.

It was quite unsightly for someone who always acted so haughty, but he did so due to his instinct.

"Damn it! To think that a feral beast comparable to Father is inside that cave," he breathed heavily while sprinting away from the hibernaculum's premise. 

Kythe felt that the days he spent waiting to ambush the female were all for nothing! However, somehow, the big furry guy felt relieved that he didn't barge in that pit for mistaking that the strongest ones would be those hexa-gem beasts fighting last time.

It was strange. He felt that same cold element before, but the force was not to this extent. His sense of smell will never go wrong, there's no mistaking it!

"How did a snake beast become so powerful and yet unnoticed!"

Did that icy bastard limit his aura and purposely hide his strength through the veil of winter? How dare he deceive a mighty wolf like him!

Snakes are indeed as hateful as those cunning foxes! He could've died had he been careless. Damn it!

"This won't do. I have to gather men from the pack. I won't let those limbless imbeciles take a female and reproduce. I'd rather kill that female than give her to a vile feral!"

'Limbless dragon,' a moniker given to snakes who resembled the legendary winged serpent beast. Their whole body is like a weapon created for destruction. Hard defensive scales, sharp claws, and fangs, agile and strong elongated bodies, and natural lethal venoms on top of their jewel elements.

Compared to a snake beast feared for their ferocity and deadly battle-geared body structure, a wolf could hardly compete. Not just wolves but hardly most beastmen would avoid clashing with them.

Even if their population was dwindling, they were still considered an apex predator even among the feral beasts.

However, that's only true if it's with the same number count. Snakes are crude, uncivilized, and lone beastmen. A well-known fact that describes them among the beastmen.

They are only a clan in name but truthfully, they are all scattered like rice grains. It would be no exaggeration to say that barbarians are more civilized than them.

For this reason, a lot of problems arise and affect them until the present.

As time goes on, the word 'limbless' becomes nothing but a mockery that is akin to a depraved caterpillar who will always be stepped on and will never achieve prosperity.

Be that as it may, even though females look down on their lifestyle, they would never on their strength and beauty. They covet their power and elegance like trophies.

Then again, the luxurious life and prestige in big tribes is too much of a comfort that they can't leave.

Who would exchange their lifetime of sheltered living for just one snake beast with no permanent dwelling?

Tribes are not keen on ferals entering their territories. Much so, if it were the snake beasts who are shunned. Thus, it would be a mess if females accepted one as their husband.

They would rather enter a tribe and choose among the tribesmen. For weak females like them, it's the best option they can make.

Besides, the thing that makes beastmen who live in groups, particularly wolves a force to be reckoned with is not their natural ability or immense strength like snakes.

It's the fact that they live in a pack and use their group advantage to prey upon those who are even stronger than them.

Kythe weighed the cons between gritted teeth without looking back. His snow-covered fur was drenched in cold sweat. Yet, his body felt perpetually hot and feverish from shaking uncontrollably.

He couldn't hide the natural response of his body under an apex predator's terrifying influence.

Just the idea of not being able to exert force to resist is infuriating! He hated being at the mercy of another beast!

But that won't be long. He'll surely break that bastard's neck with his own hands.

The black wolf growled and howled menacingly, "I must tell my father about this. He's the only one who can help me now. That female cannot give birth to a brood."

He turned around flashing a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Worms, I'll let you live for the time being. Enjoy it while it lasts."

A wicked smile formed on his lips, picturing their miserable fate. "By then, I'll kill you all in front of the female to show how pitiful you are before taking back what is mine."

Inside the cave, Nemus and Regalus shuddered when they felt a familiar yet strangely powerful aura that was suppressing their own. 

"Damn it! Is that Zethus?" Regalus instantly fell into a dilemma. "Did that crazy bastard breakthrough into a ninth-order bijou?"

"No way!" Nemus sprung up and turned to his older brother. "He just had a breakthrough five years ago. It took him more or less thirty years to step into the eighth order. How can he be so fast when the threshold for every order is worlds apart?" He felt frustrated just thinking about it.

"Unless…" he consumed an elixir or entered into a pact with a great demon- Qixin.

Regalus shook his head as he thought of something irrational. Where would an ambrosia appear in this barren land?

The only demon he knows right now is his brother, Zethus himself. That bastard will surely let them have a taste of hell before they can get close to the female.

"Are we still going to team up and gang up on him?" he swallowed hard before asking hesitantly.

His proud and clear, crimson-colored eyes showed visible ripples of uncertainty.

The two brothers have decided to team up and fight for their right to the female. 

Although the sixth order and the eighth order are two worlds apart, Regalus and Nemus were hoping to take advantage of their elements and naturally greater physique against their brother.

Thunder and fire are two elements that can rival frost; thus, they had thought that there would be a slim chance of getting the upper hand. 

A foolish belief that since they were both hexa-gem bijous, who were already at the peak of the sixth order, they would be able to stand their ground against Zethus, whom they thought was still an eighth order.

However, that was before they realized how crazy the idea was.

Now that Zethus had broken through to a realm only a level lower than a Beiru, the realm of magical creatures, they will only die with just a breath of Zethus that prick! 

"Try it if you want. See how many seconds you'll last." Nemus scoffed.

An eighth order already makes them pressured. What can they even do against a ninth order?

Wait for their impending death?