Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Blitz. Swoosh. Zoom.

Eren deftly scaled Nova's back, launching a relentless assault with his transcendent-grade axe. The bear's resilient hide proved no match for the ferocity of Eren's attacks, and Galen's inability to intervene only exacerbated the tragedy unfolding before him.

As Eren reached the giant bear's neck he spun around like a storm and used his Axe Arts. He struck the back of the bear's neck thrice in rapid succession, piercing through the Ironskin fur and inflicting a grave injury. Nova howled in agony, hurtling toward Galen despite Ertaur's assault.

Just as Galen and his beast companion prepared to aid each other, their hope was shattered as Eren charged his Labrys with a fusion of fire and lightning, driving the blade into Nova's wounded nape once more. In a swift, devastating motion, Eren severed the beast's head as it thundered toward Galen. The decapitated body continued its relentless charge, leaving a trail of blood in its wake.

Tears welled in Galen's eyes as he bore witness to the demise of his loyal Beast Companion at the hands of Eren's merciless attacks. In a surge of newfound anger and determination, Galen turned his wrath toward Eren's summoned creatures.

The fading snakes no longer posed a threat, and knowing he had achieved his goal, Eren allowed Galen to destroy the remnants of his summoned allies. Due to the raging emotions surging within him, Galen couldn't help but harbor extreme hatred for Eren's methods, conveniently forgetting his earlier vendetta-driven actions that had caused this tragedy in the first place.

***

Earlier, Galen was bracing himself to object once again to Eren's utilization of the cruel Beast Contract Spell. In the Amazonian culture, the practice of killing a beast and leaving a Soul Mark on their souls was considered abhorrent.

Instead, the Amazonians used Beast Companion Technique to form a symbiotic relationship with their tamed beasts. This was the reason why Marla and Almera, despite their special status in the community, had chosen to adhere to their core values and abstain from using the Beast Contract Spell.

However, before Galen could voice his objections, Eren's swift and deadly attack snuffed out Nova's life. The words caught in Galen's throat as he watched Nova's decapitated body cease its charging rampage, crashing heavily onto the ground.

***

Descending from Nova's lifeless form, Eren approached Galen calmly, bearing the head of his fallen Beast Companion. "You..." Galen began to speak, but his words were cut short as Eren flung Nova's head towards him, then used flames to cleanse the beast's blood from his hand. "I'm not finished," Eren stated, summoning his most formidable creature, the earth-element Behemoth.

The fabric of space torn asunder behind Eren, revealing the colossal creature that emerged from the rift. Eren had expended nearly all of his remaining mana to summon this entity, utilizing his mastery over space to manifest it silently within a spatial pocket before releasing it fully into existence.

As Behemoth emerged from the spatial rift, a tremor rippled through the surroundings, leaving a tangible sense of unease. Towering at a staggering height of 25 meters and measuring 20 meters in length, this summoned creature exuded a palpable aura of raw power, its mana pulse permeating the air with an intimidating presence.

With its reptilian countenance fused with avian characteristics, Behemoth possessed a visage that commanded vigilance from everyone in the audience. A series of horns adorned its snout, their points piercing through its forehead and other strategic points on its face, lending an air of primal authority.

Positioned on all fours, the creature boasted slender hind legs that supported its colossal frame, while its elongated front limbs resembled a fusion of arms and legs. The creature's body, encased in a robust layer of scales, showcased a variety of earth-elemental formations that merged seamlessly with its form.

Along its spine, rows of jagged, saw-toothed spikes jutted out, further accentuating its formidable appearance. Its claws, sharp and gleaming, possessed an otherworldly quality, akin to forged metal honed for combat.

Behemoth dwarfed Galen in comparison, its sheer size suggesting it could crush him effortlessly beneath its weight. Speechless and overtaken by primal fear, Galen craned his neck to behold the towering monstrosity that appeared seemingly out of thin air.

In that one move, Eren had forced Galen and all the Evokers present to question their own achievements. Behemoth let loose a bone-chilling roar, its front legs thudding against the ground, creating earthquake-like tremors that reverberated through the air.

"How... how can a single Ranker possess such mastery over multiple elements?" Evelina exclaimed, shocked by the sight before her.

Isadora's gaze shifted from Eren to his summoned creature as she added, "Eren is not a normal Ranker by any sense. He possesses even greater variation than we do as Evokers, while still enjoying the advantages of being a Ranker."

Valeria's tone turned grim as she remarked, "Things are not looking good for our emotional fool. Galen's soul must be scarred from Nova's demise due to the connection they shared through the Beast Companion technique. I don't know if Eren did this knowingly or just acted on his instincts. But that doesn't matter right now.

Galen is ill-equipped, both mentally and physically, to face a threat like this." Valeria monitored the battle intently, aware that a duel fought on sacred grounds should be settled honestly between the combatants. However, she resolved to intervene if the situation grew perilous, a decision she was about to discuss with the other Matriarchs.

Before such discussions could take place, Eren pressed forward with his assault, giving Galen and the onlooking audience little time to process his next move. Commanding Behemoth with impeccable swiftness, Eren directed the colossal creature to unleash a devastating attack.

Behemoth's actions were hastened by Eren's use of the Stunning Speed spell, propelling it forward with incredible velocity. Galen desperately attempted to flee from the oncoming Behemoth, but his efforts proved futile as Earth Spikes erupted from the ground, obstructing his path before the creature's massive weight bore down upon him.

Boom!

AN: Behemoth was introduced in chapter 895.