Monsters and artifacts found in dungeons can be categorized into seven grades. The first grade is the highest and the seventh the lowest.
The monsters released into the wilderness are in the seventh grade, the lowest, and something an average force user should handle.
But not all of the children are average; most are below it.
The team that Zephyr put together has ambushed some monsters. They would corner, turn, and then chase them to a clearing where Zephyr would be waiting.
So that Zephyr could kill them and show his power.
And to be honest, Zephyr's skills are just as impressive as his sister's. He also has the force slash, and his speed cannot be compared to any of his children.
Vacuse acknowledged that as he strode into the clearing and saw Zephyr atop a pile of monsters' corpses. His new subordinates surrounded him with praises.
In his past life, Severin was chased by a monster into the clearing, but this time, he walked in with his own legs.
Zephyr saw him as well, and the smug look on his face was instantly wiped away, to be replaced by something else: hatred and anger. "You fucking bastard, I'm glad you walked in with your own legs. I've been meaning to go after you before."
Vacuse nodded, his hand on his sword. "Then it's good we're meeting now."
Zephyr jumped down, and his twenty subordinates surrounded him as he walked forward. "You think you're something special because Father let you eat at our table? You think you can make fun of me, you filthy animal?"
Vacuse did not say anything. He simply stood there and watched, again marveling at how pathetic he truly was in his previous life. He had cowered and begged for his life, rolling on the dirt just to save his life.
Zephyr got angry that Vacuse did not say anything and only watched with indifference. "You think you're something? I'm going to kill you! But I'll make it slow. I'll take your hand first, and then I will kill you slowly throughout the rest of your life! I'll let you watch as I climb up!"
Vacuse blinked. "This is new. You sure are always creative when it comes to inflicting pain."
"Get him! Hold him down; I want his right hand!"
"I suppose I should be glad you took my left hand the last time," Vacuse mumbled, and his hand went to his sword.
Five of the children rushed forward, their weapons raised and the little force they could use glowing on their bodies.
Vacuse drew his sword and covered it with force even greater than the one he used when fighting Lyra. He swung it.
The slash that came out was like a whip, a twisting snake that hit the five children at once, right on the neck, taking the burden of their heads from them.
Vacuse grinned. "Curious how I haven't stained my sword with blood. I should remedy that."
Five bodies hit the ground with a thud, their heads later, still filled with shock and surprise. Blood pooled quickly beneath them, soaking into the hungry ground and adding to the thickness in the air.
Zephyr was shocked. In his short life, he was the strongest in his set; he even believed he was stronger than his sister. Nobody in his age bracket could threaten him, and he saw the way his father looked at him, the hope of the family.
Nobody should be stronger than him.
Much less a bastard.
He shook his head in denial. "No, it is impossible. A trick! I'm the hope, the Dragon Child!"
Vacuse yawned. "See my red eyes? We're all the Dragon Child. You're not special. You're just full of shit."
"Well, are you guys going to attack me? Very well, I'll come to you!"
Vacuse leaped forward so fast he left a faint blue wind of his shape behind. He jumped into the midst of the remaining subordinates, and his sword danced.
They tried to fight back, but Severin was like some eel monster covered by the force. He was faster and stronger, and he knew just where to hit.
Swung under the sword here, his own sword already passing through the armpit to the heart before he ripped it free. Make the force appear just above the sword, giving it an extended reach that fooled them into thinking they had given him enough space.
He carved flesh like soft wood, used blood as his paint.
Screams erupted, blood stopping screams of finality and helplessness. He had almost killed all of them before the rest realized that it was not a fight.
It was a slaughter, a one-sided slaughter.
The rest turned their backs and ran, but three force slashes suddenly lit up the air and hit them like an arrow, burning into their flesh and snapping their spines.
Drip, drip, drip.
Blood fell from his sword and turned his white robe red, with his eyes painted with the same color.
Vacuse turned to Zephyr. "It's your turn now."
Zephyr gripped his sword with a sweat-covered palm, and he shook. He had met someone much stronger than him. "But how?"
Vacuse shrugged. "I do not know as well. But thank you for playing your part. You made a good stepping stone; you should be glad."
Zephyr held his sword even tighter. "Surely we can talk through this. We are both equals, right? We're both sons of the Dragon. We are both strong. See, I will even denounce myself from the throne. We can be reasonable."
Vacuse frowned. "We are both strong. Hmm, you're right. I think we can do that. Leave the throne for me and be my sidekick in the future."
Zephyr sagged in relief so hard he almost dropped to the ground; his body unclenched, and he smiled. He swallowed. "Thank you."
Vacuse nodded. "It's alright. I mean, I forgive you. You were a child and all that for cutting my hand. But unfortunately, I still cannot forgive the betrayal."
"What? What are you talking about? But you said..."
Vacuse smiled. "I just gave you hope so I can enjoy the despair on your face later."
"You bloody monster!" His sword raised for his force slash.
Vacuse was already on the move; his sword pushed forward and stabbed into the hilt of Zephyr's sword, stopping it from swinging. His left hand shot forward and dug into his opponent's left eye as he ripped it off, breaking the bones beneath as well.
Zephyr screamed and dropped his sword, his two hands going to his eyes.
Vacuse stepped forward, and his sword lit up, the edge covered in blue energy that emitted a shimmer. His sword flashed upward, and he cut Zephyr at the neck angle, together with his wrist.
Vacuse crouched to pick up the head, and he smiled. He felt as if a lighter weight had been removed from his shoulder. Not only that, he felt a rush as he stood in the carnage that he created.
The power to determine others' fate, to drive his own fate as he wanted.
Vacuse wanted more.
"What a wonderful feeling."
Then he lifted the head into the sky as if showing someone.
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Thank you for reading guys
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