Chapter 267: Insults
The standoff continued for several long moments, with Xùyán pinned by the dark spear while Grim struggled against the corruption’s growing influence.
The enlarged fox paced impatiently, its predatory instincts demanding immediate action.
"You can’t fight what you are forever," Xùyán said through gritted teeth, the draining spear making speech difficult. "The dark mana doesn’t just give power. It reveals the truth about a person. And the truth is that you’re a killer, just like me."
"I’m nothing like you," Grim replied, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Aren’t you?" Xùyán pressed, sensing weakness in his opponent’s resolve. "How many have you killed to reach this point? How many obstacles have you removed without a second thought?"
The words hit home, bringing memories back of killing people in the arena, slaughtering elves, and even framing a family for treason.
The dark mana fed on these memories, using them to erode his resistance.
"That was different," Grim said, though the distinction seemed increasingly meaningless.
"Was it?" Xùyán continued with malicious persistence. "Or were you just better at justifying necessary violence? At least I’m honest about what I am."
The fox’s mental voice joined the assault on Grim’s resolve. "He’s right. You’ve killed before, and you’ll kill again. Why pretend otherwise?"
"Stop talking," Grim ordered, but he wasn’t sure if he was addressing Xùyán or his own thoughts.
"Oh, I have plenty more to say," Xùyán replied with vicious satisfaction. "Let me tell you about your father, the great Rowan van Ambrose. The man who abandoned his family when they needed him most."