BXBX NOVEL Chapter 362: Slaughter, Demon (1).
Floki, Galip, Cain, Hunter, Susan, Ignis, and Jenny were completely surrounded from all sides. They had gotten deep into the army of {Blood Abominations}, so there was no escaping.
However, this was exactly what Cain had planned. The idea was to draw the attention of the entire {Blood Abomination} army and make them believe that their only hope of escape was to tunnel straight through them.
However, Cain's ace in the hole was Evangeline. Right now, she was on another floating island, receiving the beastmen that had been transported through a {Shadow Gate}, one of her most powerful skills. It could transport a large number of people, but it came at the cost of her not being able to use any shadow-related skills, spells, or abilities for an hour.
That meant she couldn't come to their aide for five whole hours. However, Cain reasoned that the gains were more than the losses.
Now that the beastmen had escaped the encirclement, all they needed to do was find the exit of the fragmented lands and escape through it.
According to Evangeline, the exit was stationary. However, it was located on the outskirts of the fragmented lands, which was very far away. However, using Evangeline's {Shadow Gate} would shorten the amount of time needed to reach it, especially with their numbers.
It was also much safer for them since the dangers of the fragmented lands were nothing to scoff at.
However, this all banked on the probability that Cain and the others would keep the army of {Blood Abominations} and possibly Stingè occupied to enable the plan's success.
It wasn't a foolproof plan. However, it was the best Cain could concoct with their available resources...
***
Meanwhile, the entire group of beastmen stood dumbfounded in front of Evangeline who was glaring down on them with her fiery red eyes.
"A... A goddess!"
"How did we get here?!"
"Are we dead already?!"
Panic consumed them for a while. However, Evangeline waved her hands, and numerous shadow tentacles rose from the ground and slapped all of them across the face.
"Stop panicking and get your asses moving. If any of you lag behind, I'll kill you all." She said coldly. Her brows were furrowed, indicating her extremely terrible mood.
Jutè, who was the defacto leader with Hunter absent came forward,
"Miss Evangeline, where are we running to? Why are we running when Hunter is still out there?!"
Since he knew Evangeline, he reasoned that all this was happening in accordance with Hunter's plans. However, he, as well as the other beastmen that had gathered under Hunter's camp couldn't leave him behind.
The beastmen who were familiar with Hunter and Cain all nodded their heads. They all saw that Hunter and Cain not being here meant that they had most likely stayed behind intentionally.
After all, Hunter had sacrificed for them, they would risk their lives first before they let him almost die again.
Evangeline let out a cold snort, "The more time you waste here, the closer he is to death. If you want to go back, you'll only be a hindrance. The best way to help right now is to run. Run as fast as you can..."
"But we..."
Evangeline's eyes glimmered with a sharp, chilling glint as she stared at all the beastmen. While they were enthralled by her beauty, they were also terrified by the danger hidden beneath.
Jutè let out a sigh, "In that case, we better get moving."
He turned around and barked at the top of his voice,
"Men, get your asses moving! You heard the lady! Move, move!"
Galip and Floki's men hesitated on what to do but ultimately decided to go along as well. Although they had been told to avoid any contact with Hunter's camp, some direction was better than none.
Plus, the temperature of the fragmented lands was always below freezing point. Even though their fur made it more bearable, it could still become fatal if they weren't careful. Moving would increase their body temperature and help them fight against the heat.
Evangeline nodded and pointed at a very distant black spot in the sky. This black spot was the rift between Urbus and the fragmented lands.
"See that? That's our goal."
Jutè nodded, "Understood."
***
Cain stared at the new aether least type with a serious expression on his face...
'They look tough.'
Indeed, these aether beasts resembled the {Blood Abominations} quite a bit. However, they were far more powerful. They seemed to have more intelligence than regular {Blood Abominations}. They also wielded weapons and while they were more lithe, they were still taller and far more muscular than the {Blood Abominations}, and by default, taller than Cain and the rest.
The most obvious difference between them and the {Blood Abominations}, were the gigantic wings at their backs, and the existence of the two extra pairs of hands they possessed.
***
{Crimson Horned Blood Abomination}: Level 99 (Deadly)
Strength: 2,400
Agility: 3,100
Defense: 200
HP: 30,000/30,000
Aether: 10,000/10,000
Skills: Origin Chanting, Grand Physique Augmentation, Blood Cannon, Herding Call.
***
There were two types of {Crimson Horned Blood Abomination}; those with melee weapons, and those that wielded strange-looking staffs and wore an overall with an insignia of a decapitated dragon's head on it.
'Spellcasters?' Cain's eyes narrowed as he realized that these things were going to be far more difficult to deal with than regular {Blood Abominations}. They were even a step above the {Scarlet Blood Abominations}.
Cain spoke in a calm voice,
"Susan, Jenny, provide support. Floki, Ignis... You two defend them. Make sure nothing gets past you two."
Ignis growled at Cain, "Why do I always have to be on guard duty?!"
Cain's eyes were enveloped in red as he turned and stared right into the Cherufe Spawn's eyes. Her face paled when she saw the intensity behind Cain's eyes. She had never seen him look like this before.
"That's an order. I don't have time to play any games with you."
Upon saying that, Cain turned away from her and faced Galip,
"No funny business. If you try anything, I'll kill you before those bastards get you."
"Tch... Whatever, man..." Although Galip tried to put on a brave front, it was obvious he was also intimidated by Cain.
"Hunter, Galip, and I will take the front. Make sure to follow behind us."
Ignis' face was ugly, but she didn't say anything. Rather, swirling flames erupted from her long hair and the cracks on her ashy skin.
Anyone looking at her could tell that she was boiling inside...
"So what's the plan?" Hunter asked as he stood beside Cain and stared their opponents down.
Cain chuckled, "Cut them down. Yeah... That should do just fine..."
Cain was happy the {Blood Abominations} and {Crimson Horned Blood Abominations} had waited.
The [Ki Fire] engulfing his arms had yet to be extinguished, so they burned even as he walked towards them.
"Hunter..." Cain called out as he kept walking.
Hunter's face was stoic as he watched Cain approach the ring of {Crimson Horned Blood Abominations}.
"No holding back..."
His stoic expression was broken by a wild grin that cut across his face from ear to ear,
"Noted!"
Hunter began chanting in a strange language...
A magic circle began floating above his head as the words flowed out of his mouth. The {Crimson Horned Blood Abominations} took this as the signal they had been waiting for. Without wasting any more time, they dashed at Cain and the others at breakneck speeds.
The magic circle above Hunter's head birthed a glowing, spherical ball of flames. Tilting his head, Hunter stopped the chants and opened his mouth. His hands formed a strange hand symbol as the egg-shaped 'star' fell into his mouth and he swallowed,
"Summon: Sun Devourer...."
BOOM!
His orifices erupted with flames alongside the rest of his body, consuming him completely.
Emerging from the flames was an absolutely gigantic wolf-like creature that completely dwarfed all beings on the battlefield.
Cain grinned at Hunter's transformation,
"Impressive! However, I have a transformation of my own as well..."
Cain's body began to morph as soon as his hands formed a hand symbol. A layer of thick crimson and darkness consumed his body, and from it, a Demon of Slaughter was born. His eye sockets exploded with golden light as his body became strengthened.
Mana, Ki, and devil essence churned together in his body to create a creature born for the sole purpose of slaughter.
Three curved horns grew out of his head and curved upward. His eyes had turned into empty sockets that spilled golden light. His body was completely covered in a layer of black and crimson, making him look like an apparition and not a living creature.
The pain consumed him and gifted him madness. A madness that yearned to destroy all that stood before him.
The {Scale of the Abyssal Flame} had become attached to his arm by sticky tendrils of darkness, making it seem as though the curved blade was an extension of his body.
"Rakshasa..."
A deep guttural voice came from the creature that had once been Cain.
Floki stared at the black and red apparition with two golden stars for eyes with an expression of fear and apprehension,
'I knew it! There's no way this lunatic is normal!'
"What the hell?! Who the hell is this guy?!" Galip couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing Cain's transformation.
"It is a transformation ability. It will allow us to clear the {Crimson Horned Blood Abominations} much faster." Susan explained.
Ignoring their chatter, the Rakshasa and the beast of Ragnarok dashed straight into the thick of battle, their weapons drawn and their fangs dripping with saliva to satisfy their bloodthirsty nature...