Chapter 55: Anhiliting Force
An unrelenting tidal force plowed through the wolf king’s frame.
Delivering an attack so ferocious, Roy’s biceps bulged, his uniform tightening. Bulging veins burst into geysers of blood, his arm becoming bloodied.
Roy teeth clenched hard letting out a muffled grunt from the bone deep pain, his eyes going blurry for a split second.
The wolf king howled in fear as its ability, Pack Synergy, resonated from the depths of its soul, attempting to transfer damage.
Booooooom!
Splurt! Splurt! Splurt! Splurt! Splurt!
The cataclysmic force raged through the skill, as damage traveled through its entire pack. One by one, retreating grey wolves suddenly erupted into bloody mists. The damage, still not satiated, moved to the next. It raged so — and like a boomerang, after killing through the entire pack, it returned to the original target.
"No—" its howl was cut short as its frame followed suit, and with a sickening squelch, the wolf king was reduced to a mush of meat and blood.
Huff! Huff! Huff!
Roy’s lungs greedily sucked up oxygen, his blood pumping furiously, steam exhaling from his pores.
He gazed at the mushy remains of the Beast Lord with a frown. What was meant to be a one-sided battle became quite the opposite.
His legendary Gauntlets of Justice faded along with his baton. It was through these two weapons that Roy channeled Bash (SSS) to the limit — making it a 12x + 12x buff in damage. The resulting recoil damage was so powerful it left the bones of his arm in shards, his veins a mess, and his muscles in shreds.
The throbbing pain came in waves, they were so much he could hardly think straight.
He had to go this far for a mere level 13 Lord... Compared to his effortless battle with level 29 floor bosses, it went to show how countless times more formidable a Lord was in comparison.
And this was only a Beast Lord, with a premature territory and zero powerful subordinates. Compared to more competent others, Roy could imagine how much more terrifying they would be.
This was a lesson to Roy: never underestimate a Lord, no matter how much stronger you think yourself to be.
[Congratulations! Host has completed Quest: Conquer the Wolf King’s army and claim their territory!]
[Clear condition: Act on your own with no support other than the Arm of Justice — The Oracle, as you aid and conquer the enemies (Mystery Rewards!) — Completed!]
[Rewards: Order Crown of the Wolf King (????), 100,000 JP, Territory: Grey Mountain Range Ownership!]
[Host must plant structure: Police Outpost in Branch Territory to solidify ownership.]
Roy read through this silently. Before he did anything else, there was something he had to do first.
"Rest here. I will be back." Roy’s voice echoed toward Jake, while his figure had long vanished.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Jake collapsed. The mental struggle of space had cost him... but he had also gained a lot.
The pain and the struggle of trying to override a Lords control in their territory also had its benefits...
[Comprehension: Space 9.4%]
"Very much worth it," he affirmed with a smile.
...
Roy reached the mountain summit. He was in a hurry to find Alpha and the others — he had a premonition that something wasn’t quite right.
How did Amon have a skill that belonged to Alpha?
Very soon, he could hear faint barks and whimpers from the depths of the highest cave.
Without hesitation, he lunged into the dark, murky depths. The fact that it was already evening outside didn’t help the lighting either.
His eyes glowed a brilliant hue as his skill, Eyes of Truth, ran at full power.
After following the trail for a bit, he came into a clearing. It was still dark, but bright eyes lit up in the lightless atmosphere.
Woof! Woof!
The dogs in captivity barked excitedly. They might have never met him before, but they could still feel the bond that linked them to him. This was their true master.
But this sight didn’t ease Roy’s worry in the slightest. There were 30 dogs bound in chains visible in his sight — all German Shepherds — and none of them were Alpha.
Regardless, he proceeded to unshackle the bunch. The moment they were unbound, they didn’t scamper off. Instead, they stood behind their master, tails wagging excitedly, ready to serve. Thinking for a bit, he decided to ask:
"Which of you knows where Alpha is?" These dogs were definitely an enlightened bunch, so if they could direct him, that would save him a lot of trouble.
Woof!
A bright-eyed, dark grey furry one among them barked affirmatively.
"Good. Lead the way... The rest of you go wait outside."
And they all did as told — one leading the path for Roy while the rest made their way out.
They went through another series of maze-like narrow corridors. At this point, if not for the K-9, Roy would most likely have gotten lost in this directionally unfriendly path.
And finally, they arrived. "Alpha, are you okay?"
Roy hurriedly rushed over to the emaciated figure — Alpha, strung to the walls.
The poor dog could only whine weakly in response to his master’s call.
Roy quickly noticed the scar across Alpha’s nape. Anger brewed in his heart, his fists clenching.
That fucking bastard got off easy! Roy exclaimed with gritted teeth.
It was obvious what had happened. Alpha’s skill, Ancestral Descent, was a result of a powerful bloodline he had.
So obviously, for Amon to have gotten the skill, the sick bastard bled Alpha dry — consuming his blood and claiming part of the bloodline.
"Sorry... So sorry. If... if only I had arrived earlier... this wouldn’t have happened." Roy pleaded guiltily.
Sensing his master’s distraught Alpha could only lick his hands weakly, in sign of consolation. Roy began panicking — Alpha’s state was quite dire, and he could kick the bucket anytime soon.
Worse was that Roy didn’t have any sort of healing skill that could help the little guy. His fingers caressed Alpha’s fur as his mind calculated at full speed what could be used to save Alpha at this moment.
He wasn’t ready to lose a comrade so early. No matter the cost, he had to save Alpha.
In the end, he came to a conclusion. "That’s the only thing I have that could possibly turn this situation around..."
[Host has fed Legendary Divine Dew Drop to a subordinate!]
[Divine Dew Drop remaining: 3/5]
[Subordinate Alpha is going through changes...]
[Subordinate Alpha’s bloodline is resonating with divine spark...]
Suddenly, Alpha’s body drifted away from Roy’s grasp, as though levitating mid-air. His fur stirred as it began to change...
[Subordinate is evolving...]
[Evolution has entered a critical juncture...]
[Subordinate Alpha is at the verge of becoming something greater but needs a push...]
[Requesting... Does Host wish to bestow the Wolf King Order upon Subordinate Alpha? Y/N]
Without hesitation, Roy replied, "Yes."