Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 190

Amidst the nobles’ wrathful gazes, the Sun Duke looked on with a face full of curiosity at Yan. The words of Merriott flitted through his mind:

“A young man who, despite his age, exudes the aura of a seasoned noble. Moreover, he knows exactly how to captivate an audience.”

“Should he dream of entering the political arena, he has the potential to rival even the current Duke Zion as a politician.”

“Or perhaps, already favored by the high and mighty, he might just…”

If Merriott’s words were not mere flattery, then Yan was a sprout of a different caliber compared to the all-talk Viscount Morris.

The Sun Duke nodded in agreement.

“Ah, I had almost forgotten about you, the one who’s been stirring up the empire.”

With a gesture from him, the nobles blocking the path between Yan and the Sun Duke parted like the Red Sea.

Yan walked through them, unfazed by the piercing stares of the key nobles from the south.

He then fixed his gaze on the Ifrit at the feet of the Sun Duke.

The Sun Duke, observing Yan inspecting the sword, offered him an out.

“Even now, if you turn back, we’ll pretend this never happened.”

Yan lifted his head in defiance.

“No, I will proceed. And I have a proposal for you.”

“Hmm, it seems today is full of proposals, unlike usual.”

Despite his annoyed tone, Yan could see a flicker of interest in his eyes.

“If I lift this, grant me one request.”

The Sun Duke chuckled, a rare change in his usually stoic expression.

The surrounding nobles scowled at the suggestion.

“Is he asking to be knighted again?”

“The one favored by the Crown Prince? Preposterous.”

“What could he possibly want from the Sun Duke… Ah! Perhaps a collectible?”

Kasa, who had accompanied him, was now visibly uncomfortable.

The nobles introduced by Merriott were asking what was happening.

‘I have no idea…’

I never dreamed he would be so bold without regard for consequences!

Amidst the commotion, the Sun Duke watched Yan’s audacious behavior quietly.

After a moment, he spoke.

“As long as it’s not a frivolous request.”

“Thank you.”

Yan bowed with a sly smile.

Of course, there was a chance he might change his tune later, but he had already thought of something to offer the Sun Duke, something extraordinary and special that the collector could not refuse.

With the proposal made, all that remained was to lift the Ifrit.

Yan exhaled sharply and placed his hand on the sword’s sheath.

Viscount Morris, watching from a corner, sneered.

“Fool.”

He was the laughingstock now, but he was certain Yan would become an even bigger joke.

Like a moth to a flame, Yan was rushing in where others had failed spectacularly.

That was how Viscount Morris saw Yan.

But his smugness was short-lived.

“What madness is this…!”

His eyes widened in disbelief at the scene that unfolded next.

Yan had indeed lifted the Ifrit, if only slightly.

The nobles who had been condemning Yan’s audacity were now wide-eyed in shock.

“He… He lifted it!”

The Sun Duke, too, seemed genuinely surprised, not because Yan had lifted the Ifrit, but because of the subtle energy emanating from it.

While others, including Merriott, seemed oblivious, he could feel it.

‘Can such power even exist in this world?’

The energy, rising like flames, was vast enough to engulf the continent with a single spark.

But just as ordinary people cannot perceive sounds beyond a certain threshold, the nobles in the hall were unaware of it.

Even Merriott, who had reached the third-tier realm, seemed unable to sense it.

The Sun Duke’s face settled into a serious expression, realizing the gravity of the situation.

From the sword hilt that Yan gripped, an energy was surging, ready to explode at any moment.

‘It’s time to intervene.’

The Sun Duke extended his hand towards Yan.

* * *

When Yan opened his eyes, he found himself in a land ablaze.

Before him stood a giant, so immense that his face was indiscernible, radiating intense heat from his entire being. Strangely, he was cloaked in blue flames.

…At last, a human worthy of becoming my host has arrived!

As Yan scrutinized the giant, a thunderous voice echoed from above. It wasn’t hard to deduce that the voice belonged to the giant before him.

“Are you Ifrit?”

Ho, a human knows my name? Indeed, I am Ifrit, the first emissary of Lady Hestia.

In that moment, Yan felt a gaze upon him—violent and sticky. He lifted his head to meet the giant’s eyes, and it was like staring directly into the sun, his eyes stinging with the brightness.

Suddenly…

Snap!

His body stiffened as if time had stopped. Yan tried to frown, but even his facial muscles refused to obey.

The giant of fire smirked at Yan’s plight.

This is my realm. No matter how much you struggle, movement is impossible. Here, I am akin to a god.

Ifrit grinned malevolently.

Your ‘self’ is unnecessary; I plan to extinguish it. Your mind is but an encumbrance to possessing your body.

He chuckled to himself, seemingly admiring his own mercy.

Nevertheless, in recognition of your dedication to offering your body to me, I shall grant you a painless end.

With those words…

Whoosh! Crack!

A hand, as large as a castle, materialized from above and grasped the immobile Yan.

At that very moment, the corners of Yan’s mouth twisted ever so slightly. Had Ifrit been more formidable, or had the power of the flame within Mars been stronger, Yan would not have even considered this method.

That should be enough to engulf him.

The giant was massive, but his presence wasn’t overwhelming.

Whoosh!

With a surge of will, a stream of flame rose from Yan’s chest. Unaware, Ifrit brought Yan closer to his mouth.

As the distance between them narrowed, the Mana Heart within Yan, particularly Mars, began to react strangely. Yan couldn’t be sure, but it felt as if Mars was salivating at the sight of Ifrit.

Never before had he sensed emotion from the other planets, yet from Mars, the feeling was unmistakable.

But he wasn’t worried. The sensation wasn’t hostile; Mars was simply savoring the sight of Ifrit.

…It seems greed isn’t unique to me alone.

Perhaps taking after its master, Mars too knew how to covet.

Yan’s lips curled into a slight smile.

Shall we see how this plays out?

But first, a light test.

Yan closed his eyes and took a slow breath.

Mana began to trickle into his mouth and nose.

The Dragon’s Breath.

A supreme technique that could absorb any energy and convert it into Mana Heart revealed itself once more.

Before long, Ifrit’s face loomed close enough to fill Yan’s vision.

The giant, with eyes dripping molten lava, looked straight at him, a sneer on his colossal face.

You’re engaging in futility.

Just as Ifrit opened his mouth wide to consume Yan…

Whooosh!

Yan intensified the Dragon’s Breath.

A vast amount of mana erupted from Ifrit, drawn into Yan.

The blue flames that enveloped the giant began to be absorbed into Yan’s body.

Surprised by the sudden counterattack, Ifrit’s face showed a hint of shock.

Not bad for a human.

The flames around his massive form shook violently as if caught in a typhoon.

Yet, Ifrit’s smile did not fade.

He had finally found a suitable vessel after an eternity.

Like a rose with thorns, so was Yan.

Even though Yan was absorbing mana in an unknown way, it wasn’t enough to fully assimilate him.

It was merely a slight sting, not a threat.

Ifrit opened his mouth wide.

I’ll enjoy consuming youuuu!

And with that, Ifrit swallowed Yan whole, from head to toe.

Though his belly churned violently, Ifrit paid it no mind.

Once swallowed, escape was impossible unless he chose to regurgitate.

Ifrit licked his lips with a satisfied smile.

Hmm, the taste of a soul is quite unique.

He laughed and lifted his head.

With Yan’s soul eradicated, it was time to claim his body.

The empty shell still clutched the sword that imprisoned him, making the transfer of consciousness a simple task.

The flames around Ifrit’s body began to surge violently.

Rumble!

The flames melted space, and soon, a large hole appeared before Ifrit.

It was a passage into Yan’s body.

He began to walk towards the empty shell that was Yan.

After a long trek, Ifrit emerged from the sword and settled into Yan’s flesh.

He then opened his eyes wide and exclaimed.

Finally! I have escaped the sword at last!

Even when the Goddess of Fire had sealed him in the sword as punishment, he had despaired.

But this body seemed to make the millennia of waiting worthwhile.

Especially since the power of fire felt incredibly strong.

There were also ice, darkness, and an unidentified white energy, but they weren’t concerning.

Had he not found this vessel…

Hehehe, I would’ve gambled against that Juda Caballan.

If his power had been intact, perhaps, but too much had been drained while trapped in the sword.

He had kept some power hidden until the end.

But it wasn’t guaranteed to be enough to subdue Juda Caballan.

However, just as he was about to take the gamble, a perfect vessel appeared.

A vessel with a body so perfect, there was nothing more to desire.

The total mana, appearance, and senses.

He doubted there could be a better body than this.

With that, Ifrit began the process of inscribing his consciousness into Yan’s body.

Starting with the mysterious mana organ near the heart, he set about dismantling and reconstructing the body to his convenience.

The moment Ifrit touched the Mana Heart…

His beaming face froze.

He realized a ferocious presence was glaring at him from within.

The corner of its mouth curled up, drool clearly visible.

Ifrit’s eyes began to tremble at the sight.

You, you are…!