Chapter 456: Mane King
Within minutes, the cave system filled with responding pack members. Twenty-five superior-rank Golden Manes arrived from various hunting grounds and patrol routes, their golden bodies creating a sea of gold in the cave. Each creature radiated immense power and aggression, their eyes blazing with hunger for vengeance against whoever had dared to violate their territory.
The assembled pack included some of the most dangerous predators in the entire region, creatures whose individual power exceeded most superior-rank beasts, amplified by pack coordination that had been refined through generations of successful hunts. Together, they represented enough danger to the most powerful territories in the region.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, the assembled lions maintained respectful silence as their king prepared for war, but hunger blazed in their eyes.
Sensing all of his kin arriving at their assembly point, the Mane King rose to his full, imposing height. His legendary presence filled the cave system, making even his superior-rank subordinates feel small in comparison to their absolute leader.
Without the need for words or additional commands, he took off toward the location where his pack member had died. Twenty-five superior-ranked Golden Manes followed in perfect formation, their movement creating a golden tide of death that flowed through the forest with the simple intent to kill.
Even the neighbouring territories felt the Mane King’s roar of fury. The Laughing Death pack, and even creatures near the Grieving Hollow, recognised the sound and understood its implications. Someone had made the worst mistake of their life by killing a Golden Mane within the pack’s territory, and the legendary king’s response would be swift, overwhelming, and absolutely merciless.
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The pack moved through their territory with supernatural speed, covering miles of dense forest in minutes through paths that only they knew existed. Their approach was silent despite their numbers, each creature moving with the stealth of assassins.
As they neared the location where their packmate had died, the Mane King signalled for positioning. His subordinates spread into a wide circle, surrounding the area where the intruder’s scent was strongest while maintaining visual contact with their leader.
The scent trail led them to a clearing where something unprecedented awaited their arrival.