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"I know you're awake. Stop pretending."
The werewolf's voice reverberated through Kael's ears, compelling him to open one eye. He was suspended from the thatched roof, hanging upside down in the middle of the room, his head swaying back and forth. His blurred vision fixed upon the werewolf, who stood next to a woman proclaiming herself the Guardian of Aethralis—a figure she believed he had annihilated, though he had no knowledge of who or what Aethralis was. To his right stood a man with two small horns protruding from his forehead, his face devoid of emotion. This sight elicited a fleeting smirk from Kael, which vanished almost instantly. These were insignificant adversaries, he thought, closing his eyes once more, savoring the remnants of his interrupted slumber.
"You can't be serious," the werewolf growled, and Kael's eyes snapped open. The word "fucking" had been echoing in his mind since he first emerged from the ocean, a word whose meaning eluded him. He locked eyes with the werewolf, whose bright yellow eyes seemed to shine with an almost hypnotic allure.
Effortlessly, Kael freed himself from the threads and landed gracefully on the floor. It was then he realized he was no longer naked but clad in a dead-brown, old-fashioned top and trousers.
"I love the scent," he remarked, inhaling deeply.
"Those are my clothes," the werewolf retorted, causing Kael's eyes to widen in surprise. How could these garments fit such a massive creature? The werewolf seemed unfamiliar to him, and he wondered if he had encountered one before. Regardless, they were insignificant compared to him. He was a rank five celestial novice, possessing immense power.
Suddenly, Kael erupted into uncontrollable laughter, startling the three beings before him. "What do you want from me?" he asked, standing with arms akimbo.
This infuriated the horned man, but he remained composed, awaiting the werewolf's command. "Explanation. We want to know why you destroyed our home," the werewolf demanded.
"Your home? You call this forest a home?" Kael chuckled, finding the werewolf's words amusing. He sensed a presence behind him, but before he could react, his face was slammed into the ground. The horned man, Misturi, had his hands around Kael's neck, lifting and slamming him repeatedly, burying his face into the dirt.
"That's enough, Misturi. Do not let your anger control you," the calm voice of the young woman interjected. Misturi lifted Kael, whose face was now bloodied.
"He's not even strong enough to stand before our Great Liam. Are you certain, Tryan, that this man killed a Direbrinbare?" Misturi asked, still gripping Kael's neck.
"I killed not just one but dozens of them. I'm sure you can't even stand against one," Kael boasted. Misturi released him with a forceful shove and delivered a powerful blow, sending Kael flying out of the room, shattering the door in the process.
"Damn, why is he so strong?" Kael muttered, feeling the impact of the punch as he struggled to rise. It was already nightfall, and the silver rays of the moon illuminated his body.
ALEXA: NOTICE! THE BEING YOU'RE UP AGAINST IS IN THE RANK FIVE OF A NEXUS SERVANT. THE RACE IS CONFIRMED TO BE AN URC.
"An UrC?" Kael exclaimed, sitting up. Misturi approached, his right hand aflame.
"Are you trying to scare me now?" Kael leapt to his feet, fists clenched, glaring at Misturi, who smiled broadly.
"I love this guy," Misturi chuckled, glancing at the werewolf and Tryan, who had kept their eyes closed throughout. In a flash, Kael launched at Misturi, aiming a blow at his face. Misturi's attention seemed diverted, the perfect moment to strike. But Misturi caught Kael's fist effortlessly with his left hand.
'Who is this guy? Is he a god?' Kael thought, struggling to control his subconscious as he heard his bones cracking under Misturi's grip. He had to act quickly before the tides turned.
"Poison breathing," he whispered, releasing toxic substances into the air. But Misturi's grip only tightened.
"I'm resistant to poison," Misturi stated. Before Kael could process this, a powerful blow struck his face. He bounced into the air, restrained by Misturi's hold.
"Let me show you something," Misturi said, placing two fingers on Kael's forehead. Kael's brain spun, and he screamed in agony. Misturi released him, and he fell, only to be caught by Tryan.
"Misturi, I think you knocked him out," Tryan said, cradling Kael and gently stroking his dark hair.
"He's pretending. He's not unconscious," Misturi asserted. "He saw through my magic art."
"That's not possible, Misturi. Unless he's..."
"A human," the three exclaimed in unison, causing Kael to sigh.
"What's the fuss all about? You're disturbing my sleep. It's comfortable here, you know," Kael said dreamily, his head resting on Tryan's bosom, enjoying his dream.
"Take him to the inn and get him treated. He's an important guest of our village. We shouldn't have treated him this way," the werewolf, Great Liam, commanded.
"I'll do as you say, Great Liam," Tryan replied, carrying Kael like a child. Suddenly, Kael vanished from her arms and emerged from Misturi's shadow, attempting to strangle him.
"Surprise!" Kael screamed, but he was jabbed in the stomach and crashed to the ground, drifting into unconsciousness.
"I'm sorry, Great Liam. I'll take care of him," Misturi apologized, picking up Kael effortlessly and dragging him to the inn.
"If he is indeed human, we have much to ask him," Liam, the White Werewolf, said to Tryan, who nodded in agreement.
"I'll prepare a feast for him. I'm sure he must be hungry."