A year had passed since the incident in the Northern Mountaintops and everyone made significant progress. Lexi finally was able to be at ease with the creation of her newly made prosthetic.
After she learned that she could infuse her magic into the blade, she started to fight more aggressively but it did suit her style. Beasts that used to be a problem for her were no longer a problem.
The arm and blade were embedded with arcane runes, their faint glow revealing the infusion of ancient magic. Each swing, the rune flickered, responding to the rhythm of her heartbeat, as it coursed through her body. The sound of a soft hum from the intricate gears and mechanisms, harmonizing with the rhythmic heartbeat within her body.
Throughout the year, her prosthetic bore the scars of countless battles, evidence of its role in Lexi's pursuit of strength. The sword itself shimmered with an ethereal luminescence, its surface adorned with werewolf-like patterns.
The blade was an astounding nine feet long with a crucible's edge, its razor sharp edge cut through the air with ease. In her hands, the sword became an extension of her will, a conduit through which the echoes of her purpose, a harbinger of both retribution and hope for werewolf kind.
With her new prosthetic, she felt invincible as she went into combat without a hint of fear in her mind. Each swing would release a wave of yellow poison.
She would effortlessly poison and cut down any beast that was in her way. Those who would saw her movement would be amazed as she would do an elegant blade dance. Her eyes shined with her indomitable spirt.
"Lexi! Slow down!" Sophie said as she arrived at the scene and was astounded by the dead beasts around her. "Did you do this? This is amazing!"
"They were weaker than I had thought…" Lexi said with a bored voice.
"Let's retrieve what we need and head back. Baron is being promoted to leader." Sophie revealed.
"Baron? I thought Antares was gonna be the leader."
"Antares declined the role of leader so Baron will be taking the role."
As they walked back to the base of operations, they were approaching a wall of stone and wood. Spikes of stone could be seen at the base of the wall and pointed out from the wall. Along the wall were intricate designs of werewolves fighting off their attackers.
Once they were within range, a pair of gates opened and their friends welcomed them inside. Inside, the camp had drastically changed from a barren land to a well-developed campground.
The cave had changed from looking like a standard one to a large forgery. Just outside the forgery, racks of weapons could be seen. Further away, dummies made of wood could be seen slightly damaged and near the stage of being broken.
"Welcome back." Lycaon said, greeting them.
As if he didn't exist, they completely ignored him and continued walking toward their destination. Ever since the incident, the relationship between the friends and Lycaon had changed mildly.
Sebastian did his best to ensure they got the concept of Lycaon's thought process but they still had some lingering distrust for him. Not only did he almost cripple Baron, but he also tried to kill Sebastian in his Antares persona.
Some of them did find reason in Lycaon's aggression as if they heard that someone wielded a demonic sword with the potential of destroying the world, they wouldn't hesitate to get rid of that problem.
Although they knew Antares had the demonic sword, he said that it was sealed behind a powerful seal and wouldn't come out unless he got specific items, which he declined that he would ever think about gathering.
Some did think bad about him but were reminded by his heroic feats that saved them. They knew that if he wanted to, he could have killed them at the very beginning.
As the two girls approached the cave entrance, Baron and Carlos could be seen hammering away at a new piece of gear. Unlike last time, the cave was now enclosed to prevent the smoke and steam from leaving the cave.
____
A Year Ago…
"Wake him up. I want to hear from him." Sebastian in his Antares persona said.
With a splash of water, Lycaon woke up from his nap and noticed that he was chained down by a pair of earth handcuffs. Although he could break out of them, he knew that it wouldn't be a good idea but it was a reminder that he needed to contain himself, if he wished to be part of the group.
"Are you gonna sit there dumbfounded or are you gonna explain why you attacked me?" Sebastian asked.
Looking at his surroundings, Lycaon noticed that everyone was hostile toward him. He wasn't surprised by this at all since he knew they all were friends and if one of them got hurt, they would harm the attacker.
"As I said before, you wield the demon blade, Murasama. A weapon capable of destroying the world. Although I knew everyone would be angered by my aggression, I was just looking at the bigger picture.
You said you were from a criminal syndicate? Did it not cross your mind that they would also know about the demonic blade?" Lycaon explained.
"I already explained to them about that beast and its orders. We just want to know why it crossed your mind to kill Antares? We know you wouldn't act without proper reason. Even if the beast ordered you to do it and with the information provided, you wouldn't just at him" Baron said.
"Fine! You want to know? I wanted to kill Antares because he reminds me a lot about Sebastian. I figured with the excuse of him wielding the demonic blade that I could kill him and not face much consequences.
Ever since we learned about him being alive, I'm constantly reminded of what he did to us! To me! He was a lot stronger than me and I was angered that he wasn't using that strength for good! He received special training from Jack and I was jealous of that!" Lycaon explained.
"Is that really it? You thought I was this person Sebastian?" Sebastian questioned.
____
Back to Present Time…
"As the previous leader, I hereby declared Baron as the leader." Lycaon announced on stage.
Celebrating, everyone congratulated Baron on his new promotion. Meanwhile Lycaon had walked off the stage and went into a small cabin.
For his betrayal, he was sentenced to live alone in a cabin. He didn't really mind as it wasn't that bad and at least he had a place to call his home. Did he regret his actions? No, even though he explained his reasoning, he still thought for the better of the world.
With a loose cannon like Antares, he thought he would use that strength for evil. He figured he would go to the demon continent and explain his situation so the demons may rise again but since he was so tunnel-visioned, he forgot all about Antares' accomplishments.
"So, what will you be for today?" Sebastian asked, leaning against Lycaon's cabin.
"I don't know… Everyone hates me for what I have done…" Lycaon replied.
"How about we go on a hunt? I could use a partner."
"Why pick me?"
"Because I need everyone to trust you again. I know it may seem out of nowhere but I heard of you guys. You were the glue that held everything together and with that gone, the group will likely do foolish things." Sebastian explained.
"If it's fine with you, then sure."
After accepting his offer, Lycaon and Sebastian exited the camp and went on a hunt. He asked Lycaon this because he also wanted to see whether he would kill him or not. Since it had been a year, he was able to rank up to Beginner D-Rank.
"What beast will we be hunting?" Lycaon asked.
"I don't know yet. Whatever beast that is D-Rank will be fine." Sebastian replied.
'D-Rank? Why does he want to hunt a D-Rank beast? Wait… He's planning to rank-up! Is this what he meant by gaining their trust again?!' Lycaon thought in disbelief.
Before he could talk to him again, a beast lunged from the trees and nearly pounced onto Lycaon, if not for his slowed field. Slowed, the beast watched as Lycaon pulled out a dagger and thrusted it into its chest.
"Awhooo!" The beast howled.
"Perfect! This beast will lure its alpha here!" Sebastian said.
The sound of footsteps in the distance could be heard as a pack of blue wolf-like beasts appeared from out of the forest. As they stepped out, Lycaon felt a denser mana deep within stalking them.
"You feel that? That's the King Ice Skinwalker!" Sebastian revealed. "Seeing that facial expression, you're confused. But let me ask you this, why would an Ice Direwolf be this far away from the Northern Mountaintops?"
It finally clicked in Lycaon's head. Why would an Ice Dire wolf be this far out? They heard of Skinwalkers but they were a rare creature to encounter but then again, this dimension is strange so why wouldn't a pack of them be here.
"May I remind you that I won't be strong enough to face the King." Lycaon said.
"That's fine. I just need you to distract the others while I deal with it!" Sebastian said before flash-stepping away.
In front of his eyes, he watched as Sebastian effortlessly cleaved a Skinwalker in half and continued on forward.
'This guy is one crazy bastard!' Lycaon thought.
Flash-stepping forward, Sebastian stood in front of the King Skinwalker. As he looked at it, he was surprised by how ugly it looked.
Its appearance was very disfigured and looked like a old pile of bones with its tight gray skin. Unlike the other Skinwalkers, the King was in its original form. Normally, when a Skinwalker transforms, its physical body changes along with it and adapt traits similar to the transformed beast.
"You're one ugly motherf***er!" Sebastian said.
As if it understood what he said, it lunged forward with such swiftness that Sebastian almost was unable to react. Slightly grazed, Sebastian swung his fist for its abdomen but felt no impact.
"I must say, you're rather quick on your feet." He said as he saw the Skinwalker ten meters away from him. "I hate those that are faster than me so how about no dodging or running?"
"Rah!" It screamed.
"Fine… Have it your way!"
In an instant, he appeared in front of the Skinwalker and swung his fist down with all his might.
Bang!
Surprised, he swiftly regained his composure and surveyed his surroundings, it dawn on him that the Skinwalker's agility was faster than he expected as it left an afterimage in its wake. Scanning this surroundings, he saw heard a faint snap of a twig and instinctively hurled his small knives in response.
Stab!
"Rah!"
Just before it could vanish again, a chain swiftly wrapped around its leg, and with a forceful pull, it was fell over onto the ground.
"Like I said, I hate those faster than me." Sebastian said as he swung his world energy infused fist down onto the Skinwalker.
Splat!
He watched as the Skinwalker's face burst into pieces with slightest touch of world energy from his clenched fist.
"For a King Skinwalker, you were awfully weak but I guess that's a good thing."
He reached down, grabbing its body, then opened his jaws and chomped down on its arm. As if it was a steak, he devoured the body by tearing its limbs off.
"Hey! I finished thos- What the hell are you doing?!" Lycaon said as his expression twist in disgust as he observed Sebastian consuming the dead King Skinwalker.
"Gaining… Strength!"
As he reached the core, he crushed it in his hand, sensing a surge of power flooding into his body. Over time, a fiery sensation engulfed him, unmistakably familiar, as he understood that he going through the process of ranking up.
"Keep watch over me as I rank up." Sebastian mumbled before passing out.