NOVPUB"YESSSSS! I'M RICHHHH!" someone in the audience screamed at the top of his lungs.
"WE LOVE YOU, NINTH VEIN!" another voice followed.
"NINTH VEIN! NINTH VEIN! NINTH VEIN!"
Someone began the chant, and for a time, the entire region echoed it. The air turned electric with excitement.
In the Sanguine Hall, the clan higher ups stared at Malakai through the screens with varying degrees of intensity.
It was a good thing, a Sanguine had lived up to the name and defeated one of the other clans. Yet, most of them couldn't bring themselves to feel pride.
Drennos' lips had lowered to an extent that should've been impossible. The deep frown on his face made it clear, he didn't like this. Not one bit.
The cheers and roars from the crowd outside reached his ears, and he hated every sound. He wanted to go out there and drain the blood of anyone foolish enough to cheer for this useless boy.
But he couldn't.
He just sat there, eyes cold, his mind flashing with billions of ways to erase this threat.
Compared to him, Varnel was rather… relaxed.
Some Highbloods in the hall were surprised by this, especially those who knew him well. Varnel, of all people, should've been furious.
Yet his expression remained calm. There was even a smile on his face.
But his eyes weren't on Malakai's screen.
They were locked on another, one that showed the figure of Julius, tearing through darkness creatures as he raced through the forest toward the glowing sky.
'Don't fail me, you useless boy.'
His thoughts were cold, but his eyes shimmered with excitement. At the very least, even Julius couldn't screw this up.
…
'He's just like him.'
Rhett was already on his feet, eyes blazing, fists clenched so tight the whites of his knuckles gleamed.
He stared at the screen showing Malakai, gazed at the boy as though looking at a ghost.
It had to be a ghost. There was no other explanation.
Malakai's observation and comprehension. The way he predicted his opponent's movements. The way he fought. The cold look in his eyes.
It was as though he had just watched Valerian fight again.
Without realizing it, Rhett's heart raced. He needed this boy under his tutelage. He needed to protect him at all costs.
If he could, it would be the second coming of Valerian.
'The clan wouldn't know what hit them.'
Excitement radiated through every fiber of his being.
Beside him, Laila frowned as she watched Rhett.
'He has that look again,' she sighed.
…
'I was right to form my first node in my brain.'
Malakai scanned the area again and confirmed it; Thalor was gone.
The battle had been short, but intense.
And right now, he couldn't help but feel confident in his choice. Forming his first node in his brain had paid off.
With his perception heightened, even if he couldn't match others in speed, he could read them. Predict them. Act beforehand.
'The points I get from him should be high.'
Last he checked, Thalor Dae Aurelius was fifth on the rankings. A major target.
He expected a great haul, even if he got only 40%. And he did.
Malakai glanced at the rankings: 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
1. Malakai Von Sanguine – 610 pts
'About 130 points extra.'
He'd had just under 500 points before, and now he had 610. Which meant he had earned the equivalent of six grade one kills.
It was impressive for a single battle. Still, it wasn't enough.
'I need to move.'
With the fight done, Malakai decided to resume the hunt. He briefly inspected his body and confirmed his condition was fine.
He took a step forward, about to shoot off, then paused.
Flash!
His eyes flickered upward as a flare exploded in the sky.
'A flare.'
Flash!
He turned, another flare.
Flash!
A third.
He narrowed his gaze toward the sources, and spotted them. Three youths stood at different angles, all gazing at him with trembling eyes.
'They must have watched the fight.'
He had been too focused on the Aurelius youth to notice them. Not just that, the battle's noise must've drawn others. And, of course, his luck was just bad enough that the ones he drew in… were working for Varnel.
Still, Malakai didn't move. He stood there, demeanor cold, eyes calm.
'It's time I take care of this.'
This situation had dragged on long enough. Malakai knew who was responsible, and what would happen next.
Still, he didn't move. It was time to end this nonsense.
'He should be here soon.'
It had been happening for a while now. Even if he was on the other side of the forest, he would've locked on to this location by now.
Seconds passed. Then a minute.
And just like Malakai expected, a figure emerged from the dense foliage, grinning with a twisted smile.
"There you are," Julius said, voice almost trembling with joy. He looked like he had just found the one thing in the world he truly wanted.
"I've been searching everywhere for you. Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Do you get happy to see trash?" Malakai's words came cold.
Julius froze in place, his eyes twitching.
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to calm the rising rage roaring through his body.
'Calm the fuck down. He can't ruin this for me.'
Then he spoke, voice low and venomous, "You know, these past three days since that fluke happened, I've thought of hundreds of scenarios in my head. Hundreds of ways I'd crush you, bring you down to my feet where you belong."
His lips curled in disgust.
"But now, standing here, looking at you… I just feel sick. My stomach twists in disgust. I hate your eyes. I hate your entire existence. A weakling like you should have been killed the moment you were born. Your parents were foolish enough to keep you…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…but I'll correct that. I'll make you see…"
Julius kept talking. But Malakai had already stopped listening.
Now, only two words thundered in his head on a loop:
Parents. Foolish.
And as they echoed, Malakai saw red.
