Malakai felt a change, like something was leaving his body, then silence. He couldn’t hear Valentine anymore, a moment he loved.
A minute passed, then Valentine’s voice returned, slightly breathless.
Malakai had no idea how that was possible, and he wisely chose not to ask. He wasn’t about to patronize a talkative.
“There’s nothing, Malakai. Just your maid. She’s still sitting by your door. Poor woman. Are you sure she’s a spy?”
“There’s nothing? Are you sure?”
“I checked the mansion. Nothing.”
‘There should be something…’
Malakai frowned. He was so sure that people had been fighting. But he shook the thought away.
‘Doesn’t matter. As long as it didn’t reach here.’
He forced himself to focus once more. Closing his eyes, he returned to listening for any sounds.
The night went by quickly, and just like that, morning came.
Malakai had been counting the hours in his mind. Of course, it wasn’t an accurate count, but he was roughly right. Plus, he had a ghost to confirm for him.
As soon as he felt it was time, Malakai slowly reached toward the open ceiling he’d come through and jumped back into the room, landing gently.
‘I still feel refreshed.’
He had stayed awake all night, yet he didn’t feel tired or sleep-deprived. Instead, he felt… strong and even energetic.
‘It must be because I evolved.’
He couldn’t imagine doing what he had done last night without consequences. His old body wouldn’t have handled it this well.
Suddenly, the voice of the familiar chubby man echoed in his head.
‘Well, good morning!’
Malakai winced. ‘Stop screaming. You’re literally in my head.’
Valentine paused slightly before he lowered his voice, ‘Good morning,’ he whispered.
Malakai only shook his head and went ahead to ignore him. He looked down at his attire, it was dusty from staying up on the ceiling. He quickly dusted it off.
In the process, he heard a knock on the door.
His eyes shot toward it, and he gripped his scythe tightly.
Nyx’s voice came through the door, calm and clear.
“Ninth Vein, Captain Varek is set to leave. What are your orders?”
Malakai lowered his guard slightly.
“Tell him I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Yes, Ninth Vein,” she replied, and he heard her footsteps fading as she walked away.
‘I still think you should be nicer to her,’ Valentine said as Nyx left.
Malakai ignored the chubby man and entered the bathroom to freshen up. Afterwards, he came out, having briefly cleaned himself, and immediately left the room.
A minute later, Malakai walked past the compound with Nyx trailing behind. They reached the carriage, where Varek and his squad were already waiting, bowing and greeting as he approached.
“Ninth Vein.”
But the same scene repeated itself. Malakai simply walked right past him and entered the carriage.
This time though, Varek didn’t clench his fist. In fact, he didn’t even look angry. Instead, he had a serious expression on his face.
Last night, he had taken time to reflect on the entire situation, and something had just dawned on him.
Malakai Von Sanguine, the one everyone considered trash, had just evolved.
The implication was simple: he wasn’t trash anymore. And he was a direct descendant, which meant… his rise within the clan was almost certain, even if it was just a little.
And when Varek thought about how he had been treating him all these years, a chill couldn’t help but crawl down his spine.
Regardless of his hate for Malakai, he was still a warrior. And he had seen Malakai’s eyes.
They didn’t look like the eyes of someone who forgives.
‘I hope they take care of him soon.’
Varek’s eyes turned cold as he turned and mounted his Equilador. The rest of the squad followed, and in the next second, they were airborne, heading toward the City of Blood.
…
In the middle of a forest filled with towering trees, multiple figures stood perched silently on the branches.
They were all clad in black attire that covered them completely, even their faces. On the back of their clothing was the insignia of a wolf with two fangs sticking out.
One look and anyone would immediately take them for assassins.
Their cold gazes were fixed upward, as though waiting for something.
On the largest tree, where only two individuals stood, both radiating immense power of the Synergy stage of evolution, one of them finally broke the silence.
“This is a waste of my time, Delmas,” he muttered.
Delmas, who had a slender frame, turned his head. His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
“I’ve explained its importance to you already, Donju. I don’t like repeating myself.”
Donju, who was broader in build and physique, frowned. His white eyes were filled with irritation.
“Was it not that woman… Khana? She’s basically powerless in the Sanguine clan. You’re more useful than her, Delmas, and you’re not even a direct descendant.”
“You’re too narrow-minded,” Delmas replied. “She’s the wife of a Pulse. A treasured wife. It’s not a bad idea to let her owe us a favour.”
“Then why don’t you do it yourself?” Donju snapped. “Why bring me?”
“You were the only one available,” Delmas said simply. “And we have to prepare for any eventualities. He’s being escorted by a Blood Champion, someone at the Synergy stage of evolution. It can’t hurt to be safe. Besides…” He paused, then added with a small smirk, “I thought you Durandals never ran from battle?”
Donju clicked his tongue irritably. “I can see what you’re trying to do. You must think I’m stupid.”
Delmas didn’t say anything else, maintaining his smile.
Donju clicked his tongue again, more sharply this time, and gestured toward the back, where several figures dressed in the same black attire but with significantly lower auras stood on tree branches, heads bowed in silence.
“Then why bring them? They’ll just slow us down. We’re after one boy.”
“It’s a chance for the new recruits to gain experience,” Delmas said.
“The target is a newly evolved, which means he’s at the Genesis stage. They’re also at the Genesis stage. But he’s just awakened and can’t be used to his powers yet. He should be no problem for them. Let them handle him, and we’ll take care of the Blood Champion and his squad.”