‘The training is very useful.’
That had been his plan from the beginning, to observe and make decisions based on how the clan’s training unfolded.
And after just one day, it had already proven itself. It was far more effective than the training regimen he’d crafted for himself.
It covered everything. But what truly drew Malakai’s interest were three disciplines: Live Combat, Darkness Creature Hunt, and Will Resonance.
He could sharpen his techniques and battle skills with live targets. Strengthen his mental resolve against a Blood Champion’s killing intent. But it was the last one, the darkness creature hunt, that made Malakai’s eyes gleam.
During that single class, he had devised a solution to a looming problem.
‘It should work.’
The hunt was three months away, and even now, Malakai was still weaker than the other Veins.
His battle instincts were probably sharper than all of them, but physically, they still had the edge. His capability might not be enough to fully close that gap.
‘Especially her.’
Aurelia Von Sanguine. Julius’ older sister.
They rarely interacted, but Malakai had observed her battle carefully.
‘She’s strong.’
She had defeated a grade one darkness creature in one strike, just like him.
‘She’s formed at least three nodes.’
That was where Malakai’s focus had shifted to, nodes.
To leave the Genesis stage and step into Node Formation, one had to form nodes throughout the body.
These nodes functioned like miniature engines, refining and streamlining the movement of vita, while also pulling in more from the atmosphere.
They were formed in key locations: the brain, heart, arms, legs, and stomach. A total of seven nodes.
There wasn’t a strict order, but most started with limbs because the improvements were immediate. A node in the arm enhanced that arm. Same with the legs.
That was why Malakai had been baffled when he found out Renlo formed his first node… in his stomach.
Regardless…
‘I need to find out where she and Maximus formed theirs. But…’
He hadn’t gotten close enough to either of them to confirm. Julius, however, had practically walked up to him.
‘Julius has formed two nodes… in his right arm and right leg.’
With that settled, Malakai’s mind moved to what came next, how to get the best result in The Hunt. He had to win. There was no room for second place.
Previously, he had calculated that it would take him the full three months to barely form one node. But now, the Darkness Creature Hunt discipline had given him a new idea.
Malakai’s eyes suddenly opened.
“Nyx.”
A knock followed almost instantly, and a familiar voice responded through the door.
“Ninth Vein.”
Malakai stood and let her in. Nyx entered the room and stood still, her head bowed.
Malakai looked her camly. “From the assassins sent for me… you didn’t let anyone go, right?”
Nyx paused slightly, a bit startled. ‘He still doesn’t trust me…’ she thought, feeling a small pang in her chest. Then she bowed even lower.
“No, Ninth Vein. None of them escaped.”
“Good,” Malakai replied, his eyes lighting up.
That meant whoever had sent them was still clueless. At best, they could only make vague assumptions. Which also meant, more assassins might still come.
Malakai turned back to her. “When the next wave of assassins arrive… kill them. But only cripple the darkness creature. Then call for me.”
Nyx paused again, slightly surprised. Her mind worked quickly, drawing the connection. That was the reason behind his earlier question.
‘I was wrong.’
He hadn’t asked because he didn’t trust her, he was planning something. The realization left her strangely relieved. Still, she was his shadow. It wasn’t her place to question his orders.
“Alright, Ninth Vein. Anything else?”
“No.”
With that, Nyx gave one final bow and turned, leaving the room.
Malakai instantly sat cross-legged on his bed and began absorbing vita from the air.
He had already decided where he would form his first node.
Time passed in a blur. And deep into the night, when the moon was high above the sky, a knock came at his door, followed by a familiar voice.
“Ninth Vein.”
Malakai’s eyes snapped open at once. He took in his surroundings… he was still in his room. He had been training nonstop into the night.
He stood up and approached the door. The voice made it easy to recognize who it was. Nyx.
He opened the door and saw her bowing low once again.
“Ninth Vein,” she said calmly. “I’ve done as you asked. They’re waiting for you.”
‘I didn’t even hear anything.’
Nyx had dealt with assassins, and yet he hadn’t heard a single sound. Still, Malakai’s eyes lit up. Finally.
He gave a nod and followed her out to the courtyard.
Two massive, hulking masses of dark flesh and muscle lay sprawled across the ground.
‘Grade Two Enhancers.’
Malakai’s gaze sharpened. They were terrifying creatures, beasts capable of wreaking destruction and death. But right now, they didn’t look anything like that.
Their limbs were crushed and twisted beyond recognition, their bodies torn and shredded, barely clinging to life.
But there was no sympathy in Malakai’s eyes. No hesitation.
Only raw, unfiltered excitement.
He raised his scythe, then brought it down.
The blade pierced through the creature’s hateful, flickering gaze, ending its suffering in a single stroke.
In the next instant, a surge of vita burst out from its body before streaming straight into him.
Malakai’s eyes snapped shut as an overwhelming wave of vita surged through his system.
He instantly focused, using his control to guide the vita toward the part of his body where he had chosen to form his first node.
But because of the sheer volume, it was impossible to contain it all. Despite his control, a large portion of the vita slipped away, dispersing uselessly into the air.
Still, after a minute, Malakai’s eyes opened, filled with nothing but excitement.
This had been his plan.
When a darkness creature died, it released vita into the atmosphere, vita that could be absorbed by the one who delivered the killing blow.
The amount depended entirely on the creature’s grade. And when that happened, the killer’s body would be flooded with a powerful surge of energy all at once.
In the dome, it was common knowledge, advancing through killing darkness creatures was several times faster than normal training.