What just happened left everyone speechless.
Even Osa.
He never saw this coming.
I thought possessed hybrids were stupid. That they couldn't think for themselves—that's why they're seen as beasts. But why did this Bat King decide to target the weaker hybrids?
The Bat King let out a sharp cry again and dove down.
Its target: a group of seven hybrids using a strange octagonal formation to fight off five bats.
Jack—the person closest to the group—acted quickly. He created a ring of flames and threw it at the Bat King.
Instead of evading, the Bat King met it head-on. It gathered a pool of its greenish acid and spat it at the incoming ring of flames a few seconds before dey collided.
The ring was extinguished.
But the hybrids took advantage of the brief reprieve to launch a counterattack.
"Dean, what's going on?" Osa called out telepathically.
"Yes, boy?"
"Why isn't the old man at the Kenoly Pavilion intervening?" Osa asked doubtfully.
Dean's tone shifted.
"Osa, let me ask you something. If these beasts have been in the Godforsaken Mountain all this while, wouldn't you have noticed them—especially when they're this numerous?"
Osa thought for a moment without takinghis eyes off the chaos that was unfolding.
"I would have indeed noticed them. And they would have also attacked this city a long time ago."
"Now, think about it. What if these beasts were brought here by someone? Someone who can and is probably holding back the old man from intervening in this crisis?"
Osa's eyes widened as the realization hit him.
If someone indeed brought them here, then that person isn't some small frys.
He beheaded a bat with his sharp claws, his mind racing.
Dean chuckled.
"For someone to be able to bring all these beasts here, just imagine how powerful that person needs to be. And if they've been targeting this city for a long time, they would have definitely known about that old man and looked for ways to hold him back from intervening."
"So what you're trying to say is that the old man's hands are tied, right?" Osa asked for confirmation.
"It's just a guess, but the chances are pretty high."
"Dean, isn't this surprising?" Osa asked. "I thought the total number of hybrids in this city was no more than a hundred. But if I had to guess now, there are almost—if not more than—three hundred hybrids fighting off these creatures. How come?"
Dean laughed.
"You're still too ignorant, kid. How can a city like Blue Fur City have only a hundred hybrids? Let me tell you now—the total number of hybrids in this battle is over four hundred. One hundred should be unaffiliated, while the others are City Lord warriors."
Osa was stunned.
Why is it that everything I know is so wrong?
He declared to himself solemnly,
"After everything is over, I'll have to go and read about the history of this city".
While Osa and Dean were conversing, the battle between the top ten and the Bat King had finally reached its climax.
The Bat King, though still as agile, had finally started showing signs of weakness. Black blood oozed from its body.
However, the top ten were also starting to show signs of fatigue. Their attacks were becoming less fierce, their movements slower.
In a moment of carelessness, one of the top ten hybrids made a mistake that would cost him his life.
The Bat King seized the opportunity, spitting its acid onto the hybrid's body.
The corrosion was so strong that it dissolved the hybrid's body into a gooey mess—a terrifying sight that sent shockwaves through the remaining hybrids.
They had thought that the Bat King's acid was not as effective against the powerful top ten as it was against the weaker hybrids.
But now they realized—no one was safe from its corrosive power.
"Foolish!" Dean exclaimed telepathically. "Kid, let me tell you—that Bat King may look weak, but it's a Mortal Realm beast. And to kill it, you'll need a Mortal Realm hybrid. Out of the nine remaining, only the City Lord is almost there, but even he can barely leave a scratch on its body. So the other eight hybrids have no chance against it!"
After listening to Dean's words, Osa was astonished.
"You mean the Bat King isn't even taking them seriously? That's incredible. Just how strong can creatures be after evolving into the Mortal Realm?"
"They are very strong," Dean replied. "So strong that they can dominate all existence in the Awakening stage."
As they spoke, the ground suddenly trembled.
Another hybrid—a mix between a shark and serpent—was sent flying into the city by the Bat King.
Osa watched as the hybrid crashed into the city buildings.
"This one is out of the battle."
Finally, Osa decided to focus on his own fight and try to reduce the numbers of the Bat King's minions as much as he could.
************
Meanwhile—On Top of a Cliff in the Godforsaken Mountain, a figure wrapped in black appeared.
It was difficult to discern the gender—his black clothing blended perfectly into the environment—except for his glowing red eyes.
This figure, though not as muscular like the other person Dean fought with but he was much taller.
He gazed out at Blue Fur City, seemingly able to see the chaos unfolding below.
"How long will it take for the South District to fall?" asked the black-clothed figure in a matured feminine voice that stood in total contrast against his appearance.
The voice seems to carry a strange charm that could tempt any man into surrendering to his lust.
Like a ghost, another figure appeared, kneeling before her.
"Half an hour from now, every existence in this whole city will be destroyed."
Her blood red eyes seems to glitter as she nodded her head gently.
"Not bad. But why will it take this long?"
The kneeling figure reported, "Sir, the South District is full of hidden tigers and crouching dragons.
There are two Mortal Realm hybrids in the South District, and a Lord-level hybrid as well. The Lord-level hybrid is the old chief ancestor of the Kenoly Pavilion, a merchant guild that is affiliated with the Johnson. The two Mortal Realm hybrids are Force King and the City Lord of the South District."
The black-clothed figure exclaimed surprisingly,
"Whoa, that's incredible. If that Lord-level hybrid tries to intervene, waste his old ass. As for those two Mortal Realm hybrids, send Tallest to handle them."
The black-clothed figure's red eyes narrowed into slits as they gazed at the North District.
According to the Region Chief, a powerful artifact is buried in that city. And our priest said that someone with a powerful talent might also have been born there. Before those ants start coming, it would be best to wrap things up.