Rivers of the Night

The Alpha was now in the Quasi Cloud Realm. The gap between it and the Quasi Dome of Heaven Realm, however, was still far too large. Meeting it head-on wasn't an option.

The Alpha was an Arcane Beast now, but this Quasi Dome of Heaven Realm wolf was at least that. As for the humanoid on its back, it was probably even beyond.

This wasn't a simple matter of burning more blood for more power anymore. The gap was too large.

In fact, Theron could already feel that while taking out the wolf would be easier than taking out the humanoid, the humanoid being tied to the wolf likewise made it easier to deal with it as well.

Ironically, if Theron focused too much on killing the easier target first, then he would make the fight harder on himself, not easier.

The more he flipped and changed this battle in his mind, the more Theron realized that he had almost no advantages at all…

But one.

Ice Spirit Beasts lacked intelligence. The Alpha alone was smarter than the both of them combined, let alone when Theron was added to the equation.

BANG!

The Alpha and Theron spiraled out of the air, slammed by a wall of wind as they barely dodged.

Their reaction was quick, activating a series of [Entangling Clouds] to change direction even while upside down.

The Alpha bounced across five different locations in quick succession, spinning back to the ground upright and ready for the next exchange.

It was right to be so focused. As fast as it was, the Ice Spirit Wolf was even faster, landing near where they steadied themselves, its maw open to take a bite out of the Alpha's head.

Instead, it met Theron's spear.

BANG.

Theron's blade glided through the air, pulsing waves of crimson blooming on its tip. It looked as though the reaper's scythe was cutting across space itself.

Using [Entangling Blood Vein Pupils], he didn't just add atmospheric Gold Mana to the air, but he also combined his Mana with the Alpha's Blood Mana, amplifying his power several times over.

At the same time, he activated [Songful Blade], burning at his soul and unleashing all his might at once.

One strength after another layered together, and from a situation where the wolf thought it had the undisputed upper hand, it found its head being split in two.

A ghastly injury was opened up, and its furious howl rampaged, but the Alpha had already taken a step into the air. The human-hound duo activated [Entangling Silence] at the perfect moment.

Between its pain and the sudden disappearance of Theron and the Alpha's aura, the wolf lost track of where they were. It lashed out at the spot they had just been, while a pale-faced Theron and the sharp-eyed Alpha were both high above the two of them.

Theron raised his spear high into the air, [Songful Blade] pushing his soul to its very limits. He pulled everything he had in his body, and the Alpha's own Blood Mana churned to the point it lost 30% of its size in a flashing instant of time.

The Alpha vanished into Theron's bracelet at the instant the latter's attack reached its peak.

Sharp, howling winds formed around Theron as he pulled on his Shifty Swordfish Echo. And then, as though he wasn't satisfied with this alone, he pulled on his Blue Pufferfish Echo.

His Mandates, the Alpha's Blood Mana, his Echoes—they all came together, forming a blade to end all blades.

And then he descended.

The humanoid Ice Spirit Beast didn't even seem to know what was happening. It was lazily lounging on the back of the wolf, seemingly happy to let it deal with everything. Why would it need to interfere in a battle against a Silver Mancy ant?

That was when Theron slashed down with the momentum of the world. His Mana was so restrained and controlled that even he couldn't hear its howling.

It would work.

At least it seemed like it would until the humanoid Ice Spirit Beast suddenly looked up.

The aura that formed its flesh flashed, and that skeleton beneath appeared again. Its head tilted as though it was a little surprised but hardly moved.

And then it vanished.

BANG!

Theron's blade ran right through the enraged wolf Ice Spirit Beast. Being none the wiser, and facing a perfect treasure of the Treading Cloud Resonance, it didn't stand a single chance.

But Theron was already cursing within. He had drawn the humanoid into a false sense of security, even making a show of using [Songful Blade] once at half capacity before unveiling its true potential.

Yet—

BANG!

Theron's back curled from a hit from behind. His spine shattered, what was left of his ribs from the first exchange crumbling with it.

He tried to turn in the air to face his enemy, but he was too slow. It ended with the side of his body being embedded into the wall of the valley, the chill seeping into his bones even with his active Mandates.

Half his body turned to ice in an instant.

The humanoid Ice Spirit Beast walked forward as Theron tried to cough up blood but came up empty. Whatever was left of his blood at this point was probably frozen beyond recognition.

He grunted, trying to peel himself out of the wall.

He never got the chance.

The humanoid Ice Spirit Beast plucked him out by his neck instead.

The chill was even greater than what Theron had experienced in the wall. It felt like this creature was the epitome of cold, a perfect being of Ice. Trying to use his Mandates before it was like trying to crack a rock with an egg.

It looked at Theron curiously, its head tilting from side to side as though interested in how a little Silver Mancer could be so strong.

But it found nothing of interest… or maybe it just wasn't smart enough to do so.

While it wasn't smart enough, it was certainly strong enough to do as it pleased.

Its hand squeezed down, and ice shards crumbled in its hand.

Theron's head and body exploded, leaving nothing.