Iron taste instill in his mouth as he was trying to get up after being hit and thrown severely.
Flunra looks at the ground beneath him and finds that his vision is blurry, he was never really an exceptional fighter without his ancient runic abilities. Aside from that, the current situation he's in is usually avoided by the younger him.
Going through many battles, he learned that living is the best possible outcome.
Anyone that prefers to die on the battlefield without a just cause is a fool that was tricked by the fancy word of 'honor', the world will keep moving and they can't change a thing if they are dead and buried in the ground.
But despite his experience, he can't avoid this fight right now.
Since he has evolved into a higher-ranked bloodline that he thought was impossible, he now has the duty to prove that he's worthy of this power. If there are a thousand possibilities for the outcome of this fight, none of them involved Flunra backing away from the fight.
Whether he's going to win or die, the answer will never be avoiding the fight.
Nothing would stop him, but his body says otherwise as he reverts back to his human form.
Floral scent mixed with the horrified stench of blood seeped into his nose, the flowing water of the river was stifled by the sound of battles in the background that keeps on going. But the roars of the Tigermen are more ambient.
Gripping the ground tightly, Flunra stands up strugglingly.
Immediately after he stands up, the scenery of the capital city with the Tigermen pushing the Dwarves and Dark Elves back can be seen. Blocking the middle of his view was King Samobas that is glancing over his shoulder, sensing that Flunra has stood back up.
"You are blessed by the War God's Valor, I respect you for it" King Samobas said.
Most of his enemies who have been reduced to Flunra's state would not be able to stand anymore, yet he showed no sign of yielding as he stands strongly on his two feet. It's a clear sign that Flunra is also a battle-hardened individual.
Nothing in his life is easy, and that kind of tolerance comes to play right now.
King Samobas turned around to face Flunra once again, his vassals are already pushing back the enemy's forces and the war will end soon enough. As their King, he should also wrap up the fight he had with Flunra, "It was a mistake to attack us, the next thing I'll do after I defeated you is to send a messenger and inform the higher-rank Supernatural races about this band of traitors. Not long your Alpha would also be located, and he will pay for this"
"Do you have any last words, warrior?" King Samobas asked with a tone of respect.
Although they were on opposing sides, the respect he had for Flunra is blooming. It's the respect between warriors, between two individuals that lived the hard path of life, a life that not many have chosen.
Upon hearing this, Flunra kept silent for a good minute trying to calm his rough breathing.
Inhaling as much air as possible, Flunra closed his eyes to savor the scent of tainted air before he opens his eyes again. But instead of answering, he suddenly said, "Alpha, don't meddle with this fight. I already swore to finish this task myself..."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtOut of nowhere, King Samobas widened his eyes when he saw a figure appearing behind Flunra.
Flunra already sensed the arrival of his Alpha hiding in the shadows, he knows that it would be over if the Alpha stepped into the fight but he didn't want that. In spite of his condition, he still has more fights in him than it looks.
Looking at the figure that stands domineeringly behind Flunra, King Samobas becomes alert.
Standing behind Flunra is definitely a human with his arms crossed in front, his eyes are that of an indifferent one, completely emotionless while inspecting King Samobas with his eyes. Blood also decorated his arms, showing that he has killed something before getting here.
Not a glimpse of aura, the figure looked like any regular human that doesn't know how to fight.
But King Samobas heard that Flunra called this figure the Alpha, and that can only be one thing. And realizing that makes King Samobas feel ultimately wary, the Alpha should be way stronger than Flunra which he considered to be a tough adversary.
Chance-wise, he knows for certain that the Alpha is way stronger than him.
While looking at King Samobas, Rex noticed that it seems King Samobas knows that he's way stronger. It's written clearly on his wary expression, but even then there's not a hint of bleak aura coming out of his body.
Rex was intrigued by this fierce individual, 'Mentally, this Tigerman is stronger than many'
'Even the high-rank Supernatural races feel fear when I stand in front of them, but this Tigerman, Samobas doesn't feel any of that and can keep his composure' he thought, he was completely intrigued by King Samobas' will.
Glancing at Flunra, he then asked, "Why didn't you tell me that you're still weakened?"
"I've been given a blessing by you to reach a higher-rank bloodline, there's no excuse for me to not be able to finish the task you gave me. I plead you to step back, I'll finish this fight and present this Tigerman's head for you" Flunra replied with a decisive tone that shows his determination.
Although he can just one-shot King Samobas right now, he prevents himself from doing so.
From the looks of it, Flunra really wanted to beat King Samobas himself despite his weakened state. Even if Rex wanted to, he can't find himself doing it due to the burning passion inside Flunra's eyes that wanted to prove himself to be worthy.
In that regard, Rex hides his smile before he decided to take the sidelines.
But that is not the only reason, the incident that happened on his way here is playing inside his mind.
Getting permission from the Alpha, Flunra looks back at King Samobas that is troubled.
"Don't worry, the Alpha wouldn't interfere, this fight is only between you and me" Flunra said reassuringly, he saw how King Samobas is really wary of Rex's presence that stood behind like the incarnate of death itself.
But King Samobas then gritted his teeth, "If that's the case, I have a proposition for the Alpha"
"Speak" Rex replied shortly.
King Samobas then smiled finding that Rex is willing to listen to his proposition, he then finally continues, "As the fight is between the two of us, I want to propose that if I win, the Dark Elves, Dwarves, and you to seize the attack and leave us be"
"And if you lose...?" Rex added again with his eyes squinted.
Pondering for a moment, King Samobas then replied, "You can do whatever you want"
Upon hearing this Rex can't help but laughs out loud, he can't believe that he's going to agree to this proposition knowing the fact that the Tigerman Race is at a clear disadvantage right now. But with respect to Flunra, he has no other choice, 'Samobas... he's pretty fierce and cunning'
Declining the proposition will just make Rex looks unconfident in Flurna's strength.
King Samobas knew that and decided to exploit that holes, he only needs to win against Flunra who is already a bit away from defeat to make his kingdom win this way. "What do you think, Silverstar Alpha...? Do you accept my proposition?" he asked again.
"Okay, I'll accept" Rex finally declared confidently.
Giving a light nod to Flunra that is glad to be given this chance to prove himself, Rex walks to the side to witness the fight between Flunra and King Samobas. Both are heavily injured and weakened, this fight would be settled by whose will is stronger.
Managing to force Rex to agree, King Samobas smiled as he went to his battle stance.
Flunra also responds by turning back into his Werewolf form and getting into his battle stance, the both of them are sizing up each other, trying to find the parts that are wounded the most in order to be taken advantage of.
While standing on the side, Rex marvels at Flunra's newest form and also scanned him.
<Flunra>
Race: Paragon of Primordial Werewolf
Power: Seventh Rank(Peak) - Ancient Rune Grandmaster (4)
Mental: 11,700
Strength: 21,630
Agility: 25,350
Endurance: 17,620
Intelligence: 14,000
Despite being classified as still in the seventh rank realm, Flunra has stats points comparable to a mid-eighth rank realm such as King Jorik and even King Samobas. Most of the shackles inside of him has been broken when he evolved into a higher-rank bloodline.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFlunra has turned from Primordial Werewolf into Paragon of Primordial Werewolf.
Compared to the Primordial Werewolf's powers which are already quite strong, the Paragon of Primordial Werewolf is everything times two. Every component of power has become stronger, and Flunra now lets out a suppressing aura that makes one close to him feel ill.
It only works on certain creatures, but that's also his added power.
Not only that, but Paragon of Primordial Werewolf can also harness moonlight spells.
Unlike regular Werewolves that have only the talented ones able to become a shaman, the Paragon of Primordial Werewolf instantly becomes able to access the power of a shaman. But it needed to be learned, so Flunra is not able to access his shaman's powers yet.
In a sense, he's the perfect form of Werewolf's evolution. The Perfect Werewolf.
Although he has become way stronger compared to his previous self, his opponent, King Samobas cultivates the pinnacle of the Beast Breathing Technique. On the way here, Rex already bought information regarding the Tigermen race for 10,000 gold.
Just like any other time, learning about the race has become a habit of Rex before meeting them.
From that information he now knew why Flunra is having a difficult time against King Samobas, it was the fact that King Samobas has perfected the three main techniques of the Tigermen to the absolute limit.
Psshh...
Rex saw a focused aura surrounding King Samobas' body like an Awakened's elemental aura.
Awakened has it easy to learn to use its elements to make an elemental aura, second-rank Awakened is able to do that. But it's different for the Tigermen, their breaths changed color in using each technique.
If they trained to the absolute limit, they can finally access the focused aura.
Similar to King Mark for the Werewolves, the Tigermen view focused aura like that. It shows the high prestige of a King. Tigerman which has one focus aura is very respected, but King Samobas has all three focus auras.
On top of that, he also mastered yellow force which makes him even stronger.
Like swirling wind that seeped out of King Samobas' skin, a mix of red, green, and blue aura started to envelop King Samobas' body. It makes his aura even sharper, and his body stronger than it already is.
'What a talent, it seems he's the reason why the Tigermen fight so fiercely' Rex thought.
Although his attention was focused on the fight between Flunra and King Samobas, he can see that the Tigermen near the capital city was fighting ferociously with high morale. It's like they do not fear death and more the other way around.
But Rex understands, seeing their King winning is definitely a powerful morale boost.
Rex finds King Samobas really interesting, his first goal was to exterminate the Tigermen but now he changed his mind. 'Under a strong leader will be a strong subordinate, they become stronger as they are inspired by the leader. But that tutorship and loyalty lie a perfect way to manipulate them'
'If I play it right, the Tigermen might succumb to me...' he thought with a sinister smile.
Despite having the Dwarves, Dark Elves, and Elves, Rex knows that it's not enough. If he wanted to create a formidable nation, he needs more people that can strengthen his soon-to-be nation. Tigermen might make a mighty ally, it's clearly exhibited by how they can fight two other races at the same time.
It would be a shame if Rex didn't exploit this moment to gain a mighty ally.
With that inside his mind, Rex blinks his eyes to focus back onto Flunra and King Samobas that is inching for the fight. 'All that is needed is for Flunra to win. Don't disappoint me, Flunra... I'm watching you'