Bloodstar System: Infinite Evolution Through Beast Slaughter

The search for evidence across the House Hurst estate went remarkably smoothly.

More accurately, it went remarkably thoroughly.

Under Joren’s direct orders, Antares Command hauled rare medicinal herbs, high rank minerals, and entire crates of equipment into the open until the piles rose like small hills.

Everything House Hurst had squeezed from Norcrest over generations now belonged to Antares Command.

Two figures made their way through the busy crowd.

Manester came first, hands clasped behind his back, every inch the senior commander inspecting the operation.

Kyo followed at a much more relaxed pace, his red robe hanging loosely from his shoulders.

"Well, look at you."

His teasing voice carried from a distance.

"Commanding the whole operation from a solid gold throne. Very impressive."

Joren had just started to rise when Kyo crossed the remaining distance in a few strides.

"Wait."

Courtesy forgotten, he seized Joren by the shoulder.

"You reached Rank Four?"

That drew a sharp look from Manester as well.

Rank Four?

The brat had fought one battle and somehow advanced his cultivation along the way?

Joren scratched his head, almost embarrassed by the attention.

"Well... while I was fighting Orson, I gained a little insight between life and death."

A modest smile appeared on his face.

"Then I sat here and thought back over that final cut. My protective force suddenly started running wild, so I hurriedly learned a Rank Four cultivation method."

"And then... I accidentally broke through."

Silence.

Manester could feel his blood pressure rising.

When he had advanced from peak Rank Three to Rank Four, he had spent an entire year in seclusion, burned through an enormous amount of resources, and nearly lost control of his cultivation before finally forcing his way across the threshold.

Joren made it sound as easy as drinking water.

"Monster."

Kyo released his shoulder and let out a long breath.

"Breaking through in the middle of a life and death battle means your state of mind and will surpassed your cultivation long ago."

He waved one hand.

Protective force spread outward and sealed the area beneath a soundproof barrier, cutting off the noise from the soldiers outside.

The mood changed with it.

"Now that you are Rank Four, there are things you should know."

Kyo met Joren’s eyes, his voice heavier than before.

"Do you know what that winged creature you killed actually was?"

Joren thought for a moment.

"He called himself a member of the Bloodfiend race."

Kyo nodded.

He took a cigar from inside his robe but did not light it, merely holding it beneath his nose.

"Voidbeasts are not the only threat in this world."

"They are mindless creatures driven by destruction."

"Fiends are different."

"They are intelligent races."

His voice dropped.

"Some resemble humans. Some take the forms of beasts. Others exist as elemental life."

"Certain Fiend races remain neutral. A few even trade with humanity."

"But others were born as predators."

"To them, humans are nothing more than blood feed."

"The Bloodfiend race is among the most notorious."

Joren’s brows drew together slightly.

He had heard fragments of this before, nothing more.

Kyo continued.

"Bloodfiends protect their own viciously, and they never forget a grudge."

"They are one of the major Fiend races, with influence spread across countless territories."

"Judging by the purity of that one’s bloodline, his standing among them was not low."

"And you killed him."

"Then displayed his severed head in public."

Kyo pointed toward the grotesque head lying some distance away.

"That was the same as slapping the entire Bloodfiend race across the face."

"This grudge is settled now."

His gaze lingered on Joren.

"You are going to have trouble."

"When Bloodfiends seek revenge, they do not stop until one side is dead."

"They will cling to you like rot in the bones and keep hunting until they drain you dry."

Manester’s face had grown grim as well.

He knew exactly how difficult the Bloodfiend race could be.

"Scared?"

Kyo suddenly grinned, showing both rows of white teeth.

"Scared of what?"

Joren had not even answered before Kyo answered for him.

He slapped the heavy sword across his back.

"This is what Sirius Bureau exists for."

"The filthy work."

"The dangerous work."

Kyo looked up toward the red star burning in the night sky.

"Sirius Bureau are hunters."

"Our duty is to cut down Voidbeasts and execute Fiends."

Killing intent rolled off him in a heavy wave.

Then he gave Joren’s shoulder a firm slap.

"Still, do not worry too much."

"This is human territory."

"Even a Bloodfiend prince would have to keep his head down here."

"And now you are Rank Four."

"With those ridiculous Talents and that combat power of yours..."

Kyo looked him up and down, amusement entering his eyes.

"When the time comes, who hunts whom may not be so obvious."

"Just stay alert."

Sitting there on a golden toilet in full black armor, Joren hardly looked like someone who needed the warning.

"All right, Manester. We should go."

Kyo stretched and yawned.

"Leave this rough cleanup work to the young."

"I need some sleep."

"And I should figure out how to stew that Blood Truffle into soup..."

He coughed.

"I mean, how to destroy it safely."

Manester shook his head.

Then he gave Joren a steady look.

"Do what you need to do."

"If the sky falls, old bones like ours will hold it up."

With that, the two men disappeared into the night.

Joren watched them go.

The gravity on his face faded.

In its place came a thoughtful smile.

They had explained the danger.

But what about the benefits?

"The Bloodfiend race..."

Joren rubbed his chin, a spark brightening in his eyes.

They held grudges.

They hunted without end.

To him, that hardly sounded like a threat.

It sounded like delivery arriving at his door.

One middle stage Rank Five Bloodfiend had been worth five thousand Bloodstars.

If an entire nest came after him...

Even better.

"Looks like this blade still needs a sharper edge."

Joren glanced down at [Heaven’s Sin].

The corner of his mouth rose.

"The grudge is already settled."

"So do not blame me for what comes next."

"Send more."

"Do not disappoint me."