Chapter 18 - Feast, Beast

 "What do you mean 'take matters in my own hands'?" one of the noblemen, a man with a broad chest and a towering physique spoke, glaring at the presumed child before him. The others stood to their feet as well, ignoring the last three confused bandits.

 "Oh?" Requiem stared at the nobles trying to oppress him with their auras as adults. He guessed all the fools here were too pig-headed to get a good grasp of the truth. He snapped a finger and the great Dragnur turned to face them, causing a few to stagger back and cower.

 "Who sent you, kid?" the fattest of the bunch questioned, the fat on his face and belly trembling as he staggered forward, waving a finger. A woman rushed to his side, sporting a stern look. They'd shown some semblance in perchance, and Requiem thought them siblings.

 That was interesting to know, but anyways.

 Dragnur leapt forward and in a collapsing flash of light, his paws smashed down on the duo. The light in Requiems eyes gleamed as Dragnur lifted his paws, shaking off the blood before dropped the paws back to the ground, focusing its predatory gaze on the others. 

 ⦗Killed 2 Viscounts⦘

 ⦗Earned 20 DP⦘

 Requiem blinked. Usually, others killing in his name did not draw this system notification, "I will chalk it up to the fact Dragnur is acting as a familiar in absence of none." He held his chin, frowning with his brows knitted as he glanced around the other Nobles.

 "Is it m-money you want?" the man from earliest shouted, breaking into a cold sweat, "I would make you the richest in the city! I would give you everything you need if you just spare me! Please!"

 Requiem stared at the man as if he was a wandering fool, then exploded into a maniacal laugh, sending chills down their spine. He took his time, lifting his visor slightly and wiping the tear off his cheek, "Oh, I'm sorry — ahem! — Dragnur! Have a feast."

 The beast's predatory eyes lit up, and it vanished into the shadows. Blood sprayed in the air as it dashed across the room, flashing of white and red appearing in various locations. Their screams rose to the ceilings as they tried to flee, trampling on the bodies of another in terror.

 ⦗Killed 3 Viscounts⦘

 ⦗Earned 30 DP⦘

 ⦗Killed 2 Earls⦘

 ⦗Earned 60 DP⦘

 They ran as fast as their legs could carry them, some reaching the door to drag it open but in the sights of the beast, they were too slow. In in flash of black and red, sharp cries pierced the silence as Dragnur maimed the nobles, scattering their gore and bones as it shook its head.

 ⦗Killed 5 Viscounts⦘

 ⦗Earned 50 DP⦘

 "Why…" one of them who had lived, a man perceived to be in his middle ages, trembled with his head bowed and arms wrapped around his knees. His resolve had been shattered and as he heard it, the footsteps approaching him, he ran mad!

 "Why!" he screamed, howling like a wolf, rising to his feet with veins popping all over his body, a vicious rage burned in his bloodshot eyes as he grabbed Requiem by the collar, trying his best to lift the child but, his efforts proved fruitless. 

 Requiem stabbed with his blade, then calmly dragged it out, stepping back. The man, consumed by despair, stared at his trembling hands, filled with his own blood. He vomited blood, collapsing to his knees, then crashing to the ground completely motionless.

 ⦗Quest: Destroy the Slavers, 2/3⦘

 ⦗Reward: Destiny Points + 100⦘

 "Oh?" Requiem blinked, observing this screen with a thoughtful expression on his face. From the killing of these noblemen, he had advanced in the quest and earned a 50% reward increase. He held his chin, turning around to the bandits that had darted to a corner.

 "If I can terminate the last trace of the slavers, would I gain a 50 or 100% increase in rewards." A thoughtful expression formed on his face as Dragnur dashed forth, clapping them under its paws. He waited until the beast was done, "Let's go, Dragnur. Yver said to take care of you."

 He had been the one babying Requiem.

 Requiem turned around calmly and faced the door. The door was kicked down, collapsing to the ground before him and spraying blood and flesh around. He was calm as he watched a few of those bandits from outside burst in through, likely attracted by the commotion.

 They looked around, preparing to charge, stepping back in abject horror in the next moment. As the stench of blood filled their nostrils, the scenery played: blood dripped from the ceiling, the dead bodies of their comrades scattered around the room, maimed with missing or flung limbs.

 Standing in the midst of it all was a child, covered in blood. Behind the child was a massive beast, gnawing down on the heads of their comrades, men who they laughed with mere moments ago, until it spat it out, raising its head and wiping its mouth as it turned to them.

 "Oh please, do not fear — yet." Requiem spread out his hands, smiling as the men turned to him, their eyes bloodshot. He coughed to clear his throat and before any of them could attack he spoke, "I, Requiem, command you to go out and slaughter every other noble in this city."

 ⦗Blessing Active!⦘

 They bowed before him, turned around and left. He chuckled, bursting into laughter as they all charged out to carry out his command, wishing he had done this earlier. After they had vanished, a silence prevailed and Requiem turned to Dragnur, "Let's go."

——

 "That's the signal!"

 One of the slaves on horseback pointed to the thick smoke rising into the clouds from a distant building, and the others turned in its direction. Smoke filled the city, but the sight of this one caused their eyes to narrow. It was too ethereal.

 "Charge!" Gerald, who had been waiting ever since the rain of lightning, gave the order with his eyes bloodshot. Everyone roared, following him as he charged down the hills. Some bandits moving up this hill to secure it were cut down by the charging slaves.

 The gates, wide open, allowed an easy invasion. The archers drew back their arrows and fired at the enemy archers. Some missed, but quickly compensated for their errors. Soon, the people noticed the charging men slaughtering all of the slaves, and their began to cheer.

 "Backup had arrived!"

 "They were saved!"