The air was thick with tension as Nero sat alone in the abandoned temple, his body aching from the brutal training he had endured over the past few days. The only light came from the flickering candles placed haphazardly around the room, their dim glow casting long, eerie shadows against the cracked stone walls.
Sweat dripped from his brow as he stared at his trembling hands. His veins pulsed with a dark energy—one that felt foreign yet familiar at the same time. It was wild, untamed, waiting to consume him if he lost control.
"Again," he muttered to himself.
He clenched his fists, summoning his blood energy. Crimson chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around an old wooden pillar. The structure groaned under the pressure before shattering into splinters. Nero gritted his teeth, his breath heavy.
Not enough.
He needed more. More strength, more speed, more control.
He closed his eyes and focused, recalling the battles he had fought, the near-death experiences that had forged him into who he was now. If he was going to survive what was coming, he had to push past his limits.
"Just a little more," he whispered.
And then, he resumed his training.
The next morning, the academy bells rang louder than usual. A new mission had arrived — one meant only for Nero’s team. The head instructor stood tall before the gathered crowd, eyes sharp.
“Your target — a rogue demon beast terrorizing the outskirts. No support. This is your test.”
Kain and Ezren exchanged glances, nervous but determined. Nero, however, stood silent, his gaze distant, crimson eyes glowing faintly.
Once outside the academy gates, Ezren nudged Nero. “You sure you’re good? You’ve been… different.”
“I’m fine,” Nero muttered. “Let’s just finish this.”
The forest air grew heavy as they entered. Trees twisted unnaturally, the sky darkening above them. That’s when it appeared — a hulking demon beast, its body covered in dark scales, eyes glowing like molten lava.
“Demon Scaled Behemoth…” Kain whispered. “This thing… it’s way above our rank.”
Ezren swallowed hard. “What do we do, Nero?”
Nero cracked his neck, a wild grin spreading. “We kill it.”
With a roar, the beast charged.
“Blood Chain Bind!” Nero’s voice echoed, crimson chains shot forward, wrapping around the beast’s limbs, halting its charge mid-step.
“Ezren, hit it now!”
Ezren grinned, charging a blood spear. “On it!” He launched the spear, slamming into the beast’s chest, but it roared, breaking free.
Kain dashed forward, sword glowing. “My turn!” He sliced the beast’s leg, staggering it, but the monster’s tail whipped out, sending Kain flying.
Nero’s eyes burned red. “Hellfire Veins!” His veins glowed like lava, his blood igniting. With a roar, he sprinted forward, slashing across the beast’s side — flames erupting from the wound.
The beast screamed, thrashing wildly.
But it wasn’t enough. The Behemoth charged again.
“Shadow Cloak!” Nero vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind the beast. “Demon King’s Grasp!” A giant spectral hand erupted from the ground, grabbing the beast’s head and slamming it down.
“Ezren, Kain — finish it!”
Together, they struck — Ezren’s blood spear piercing the heart, Kain’s blade slicing through the neck.
The beast let out one final roar… then collapsed.
Silence.
Kain dropped to his knees, panting. “We… actually did it.”
Ezren laughed breathlessly. “That was insane… Nero… you…”
Nero stood still, his aura flickering. “This is just the beginning. I need to get stronger… much stronger.”
As they returned, the sky turned crimson. Somewhere in the distance… Beru smiled.
“Soon… my cursed blood will bloom fully within you, Nero.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 27 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments