Swordmaster's Youngest Son Chapter 800
Chapter 800
**Chomp, Slurp-!**
The beastmen ensnared by Rakiman’s grasp shrivel so rapidly that their physical forms become unrecognizable in the blink of an eye.
As he closes his fist, the beastmen are crushed like fallen apples, causing blood to seep through Rakiman’s massive fingers.
It was as if he were imbibing the very essence of a potent healing tonic.
Raising his hand, Rakiman swallowed the thick droplets of blood that fell like medicinal nectar.
As his throat moved with slow gulps, the members of Kinzelos found themselves unable to even contemplate an assault.
‘What kind of monster is he...?’
The previously cheerful expression on Badray’s face vanished, hardening instantly.
Berakt finally understood the sheer terror that the lower-ranking soldiers had been enduring.
The absolute pinnacles of the surface’s warrior races were shivering in pure dread.
A desperate urge to escape took root.
The primal instincts of the beastmen screamed that Rakiman Hog was a predator they had to flee from at all costs, not an opponent they could ever hope to defeat.
It wasn't merely a question of a gap in raw power.
In his current state, Rakiman was unable to tap into even a third of the true strength he possessed before his awakening from the seal.
Both Berakt and Badray could see he wasn't at his peak; they realized that a coordinated strike right now would actually offer their best chance at victory.
Yet, they could not easily push past their paralyzing fear.
“I’ve noticed since the last time that the flavor of this blood is quite foul. Perhaps that is simply the limitation of being a half-breed.”
**Chomp!**
Another cluster of beastmen is drawn into Rakiman’s palm. Upon closer inspection, arcs of red lightning reach out to pull and pulverize the victims.
Without meeting any resistance, Rakiman takes another draught of the refined blood.
The remains of the beastmen dissolve into black ash, oxidized by the lightning before scattering into the wind.
“I ordered everyone to retreat!”
However, the beastmen were no different from insects trapped in a spider's silk.
They were unable to move a muscle and could no longer hear Berakt’s shouts.
‘We never should have fired that signal flare...!’
The patrol units had clearly converged here because of the flare lit by the Red Legend Tribe.
Still, it was unlikely the organization's entire main force would mobilize for this.
Had that been the case, they could have simply abandoned this outpost and ordered a total evacuation to the headquarters.
“Stop this, you monster!”
Badray shouted, pressing his great sword against the throats of the incapacitated Red Legend Tribe members.
“You claimed these were your brethren, didn't you? It seems you actually value your own kind. Take one more step, and these fools will lose their heads forever...!”
Naturally, Rakiman did not cease his feeding despite Badray’s frantic threats.
Yet another group of beastmen perished under Rakiman’s reaching hand.
It wasn't that Rakiman devalued the lives of the Red Legend Tribe.
His devotion to his kin surpassed anyone else's, but he maintained the belief that if they fell, he could simply reclaim their remains and grant them the prestige of becoming immortal warriors.
“You half-breeds clearly know nothing of the Red Legend Tribe, which is why you resort to such empty threats.”
“I have no interest in knowing. Can't you view this as a negotiation rather than a threat? As you suggested at the start, just take them and leave quietly. There's no need for us to exhaust ourselves. Your own body doesn't look to be in top condition either.”
“It is quite impressive that you can summon courage despite your terror. I shall offer one final choice. Will you two submit as subordinates to the Red Legend Tribe, or will you continue this pointless struggle?”
“And what happens if we become your subordinates?”
“I will allow them to live and put them to good use.”
“And what about the others?”
“They shall serve as nourishment for me and my kin.”
**Swoosh-!**
Finally breaking through his dread, Badray lunged toward Rakiman, swinging his massive blade.
However, he was unable to pierce the defensive barrier generated by Rakiman’s lightning Qi.
He had not yet recovered the full mental clarity of a 10-star warrior.
Badray’s strike was heavy with the hesitation of one consumed by fright.
“Badray, take the subordinates and escape. I will hold him off for as long as I can.”
While the incoming reinforcements stared at Rakiman, they remained as motionless as statues.
Even though the demons were holding up slightly better, they too felt the creeping fear from watching the terrified beastmen and their demoralized champion.
“Is this how it ends? Dammit. What in the world is happening?”
**Boom...!**
Suddenly, the sound of a distant blast echoed.
As Badray and Berakt whipped their heads around to find the source, they saw red lightning cascading from the heavens.
It was striking in the direction of their primary base.
Other hidden members of the Red Legend Tribe who had been lying in wait began their move.
Simultaneously, a glowing square projection appeared on Rakiman’s bracelet, showing the face of another tribesman.
{Great King of Battle, brother Rakiman, we have successfully neutralized everyone within the facility. Though many attempted to flee, our brother Ozen is currently hunting them down to ensure their elimination.}
It was Andolin.
It had taken Andolin’s team a mere fifteen seconds to seize control of the main base.
With Berakt and Badray occupied here, the fall of the base was essentially guaranteed the moment the Red Legend Tribe arrived.
The lower-tier soldiers and beastmen at the squad leader level were powerless against the aura of even a standard Red Legend Tribe warrior.
With the second-class Kings of Battle recovering their might, any resistance was a waste of effort.
“Brother Ozen’s power has nearly returned to him, so there should be no complications. Is there anything else to report?”
{...We have discovered experimental subjects in the underground labs that resemble the Blue Legend Tribe. They appear to be failed living golems designed to mimic them. Fortunately, my comrades and I confirmed the basement survived the projectiles we launched.}
“I see. The current surface world is proving to be interesting in many ways. Understood, I shall arrive shortly. Do not feel obligated to save any for me; you and the others may fill your Light Hearts.”
{Red Legend Tribe!}
Andolin struck his chest in a formal salute before the projection on the bracelet faded away.
‘The main base has fallen already...?’
‘They shouldn't be defeated this easily. Just how many of these bastards are there?’
Berakt and Badray, having overheard the report, had to force themselves to find their resolve once more.
“You arrogant son of a bitch! You claimed you would leave in peace if we freed your kin. But you were planning this ambush all along, weren't you?”
“The Red Legend Tribe does not speak falsehoods. It is simply that you pathetic creatures failed to grasp an opportunity more precious than gold.”
“Cut the crap! You think this is funny? Watch your back, because this day won't end with you laughing. We will find out who is backing you and wipe them out. This is all-out war from this moment on!”
In response, Rakiman gave a low, rasping laugh that sounded like bubbling molten iron.
“Badray, the pathetic half-breed, and Berakt, the white-skin. I heard reports that you two were among the mightiest of this age, but I find myself deeply unimpressed. Is the human named Jin Runcandel only at your level?”
“Why are you suddenly bringing up the young patriarch of Runcandel?”
“If you are ignorant of that, then tell me of Orgal, your master. Where can he be found? He is said to lead one of the four great powers of this era, so I am curious to have a word with him.”
“If you wanted a conversation, you shouldn't have started a slaughter. Like Badray said, the only thing left between you and Kinzelo is total war.”
“Once more, you throw away a gift of mercy… This is why you will never be more than mere half-breeds.”
A crimson light flared in Rakiman’s eyes like bursting veins.
At that sight, Berakt and Badray felt a fresh wave of soul-crushing terror, while the nearby beastmen collapsed to the earth, broken.
The red Qi coalesced into massive blades in both of Rakiman’s hands.
With every vibration of the twin red swords, the atmosphere warped under the pressure of the lightning.
“Come, half-breeds. My current power might not far exceed your own, but allow me to personally show you the true essence of the mightiest race among all mortals in this world.”
“Kaahhhh!”
“Die, die, die!”
The battle cries of Berakt and Badray were like desperate spells they cast to bolster their own failing spirits.
They could only fight by forcing themselves to embrace their own malice.
They were the only ones within Kinzelo capable of standing before a Great King of Battle and retaining their sanity.
From the first move, the fight was entirely lopsided.
Rakiman moved his blades with an effortless grace, as if participating in a mere game, while Berakt and Badray strained with every fiber of their being, hovering on the edge of death with every second.
Despite their efforts, Berakt and Badray couldn't even tap into half of their true potential.
Just as Rakiman had said, an unbridgeable chasm existed between the predator and the prey.
Consequently, within just a few minutes.
Berakt and Badray were forced to choose retreat.
Though it was a mark of shame, they needed to survive to warn the headquarters and prepare for a future encounter.
Rakiman saw right through their desperation.
He sensed their frantic urge to fly, the overwhelming dread they couldn't fight despite their supposed power, and the sudden sting of humiliation at being weaker than a common soldier.
He relished the thrill of the chase, reading every one of those emotions.
Soon, the two beastmen who represented the strongest of the surface races turned and fled in a panic.
In the end, their will to live crushed what remained of their pride.
Berakt, in particular, had never known such profound disgrace in his life.
Rakiman did not bother to chase the fleeing pair.
His physical speed was still lower than theirs.
Furthermore, he had no real desire to catch them yet.
They would make far better targets once they had matured further.
Instead, Rakiman focused his power and sent a single slash trailing after them.
He required high-quality blood for immediate consumption.
**Swish!**
The strike cleanly took off Badray’s left arm.
Even as his limb was severed, Badray did not slow down or look back, continuing his flight.
Rakiman made no attempt to follow as they vanished from his sight.
He walked forward at a relaxed pace, as if enjoying a casual walk, merely to retrieve the severed arm and the blood it held.
“As I thought, a top-tier meal. I must share half of this with brother Shemat.”
After picking up the arm, Rakiman turned his gaze toward a distant boulder.
He had been aware of that spot for some time.
More specifically, he knew of the person concealed behind it.
“Yona Runcandel. If my hunch is right, you are Jin Runcandel’s sister. I’ve heard that only two humans in this era can hide so effectively: you and the Nameless King. Now, you will go and inform your brother of everything you have witnessed.”
Yona.
Just as Rakiman stated, she had been monitoring the entire event.
She had been scouting the beastmen’s lands recently at Jin’s request.
“Go back and tell your brother this: If he kills Ameris now and turns his back on the Blue Legend Tribe, I will permit him to become a brother of the Red Legend Tribe.”