Chaos' Heir

Chapter 947: Loneliness

Chapter 947: Loneliness



A series of sharp ice shards flew in Khan's direction, threatening to dig holes into his body. The attack had the same power as a fourth-level mage's spell, which would usually force him to dodge. However, Khan kept advancing, slamming headfirst into those dangerous spikes.

A noise of shattering glass resounded, trying to expand in the chaos of the battlefield. Tiny ice shards flew everywhere, creating a cloud of shimmering reflections, but a dark figure quickly crossed it, and the spell's leftovers evaporated under its pressure.

Khan stepped forward, his body covered in an intricate net of clotted blood vessels. Shallow holes had littered his skin, but those injuries were already closing. Meanwhile, his bright gaze fell on the huge creature before him.

The spell's source was a three-meter-tall monster. The creature was similar to its fellow specimens, but its paler fur and glass-like spikes revealed a unique mutation. It was also far stronger than anything the army had faced in the past eight months, but Khan barely felt anything approaching it.

The monster growled, crouching forward to point its spikes at Khan. Those glass-like items started to glow as mana flowed inside them. Soon, another wave of ice shards would shoot forward, but Khan was faster.

Khan waved the cursed knife, sending a red slash forward. A humming sound accompanied it, and a fuming line soon appeared on the monster's head and back. Its body split in half in the following second, crashing to the ground to reveal its disgusting insides.

Khan slashed the knife into the air, sending attacks that shot upward before flying back into the battlefield. Each move earned him a kill, but that speed still didn't satisfy him.

The cursed knife was mighty. Nothing could block its attacks, making each slash a confirmed kill. Yet, that weapon lacked the vast area of effect of Khan's spears and other spells.

Khan inspected himself. A mangled corpse was still stuck to his right leg, and a severed head had somehow ended up on his left shoulder, its fangs clinging to his skin but unable to pierce it. Patches of the creatures' blood covered him from head to toe, turning his long hair into a greasy mess that attached itself to his forehead and cheeks. Khan even spotted traces of gore on his dirty cape and torn trousers.

As for how Khan had ended up in that condition, he didn't remember. In his mind, he had simply advanced, rushing where the battlefield needed him. Killing those monsters was as easy as breathing for him, and his brain barely recorded the one-sided slaughter. His breath was also steady, confirming the lack of exhaustion.

'When did this even happen?' Khan wondered, his gaze falling on the white sky. 'When did I get this strong?'

Khan obviously knew how he had gotten there. The toxic pool had long since become useless, limiting his training to the improved [Blood Vortex] and the study of his element. Still, the realization remained shocking, pushing his mind toward topics he loathed.

Sensing the symphony gave Khan a vague summary of the battle. The victory had been overwhelming, but casualties had been unavoidable. A decent number of Scalqa had died, and that waste of valuable life turned his thoughts sour.

'Why did I even bring them here?' Khan questioned. 'I alone would have been enough. It would have been safer, too.'

Khan couldn't help but ponder the value of an army far weaker than him. He felt he was wasting the Scalqa's lives by throwing them into battles he could handle himself. The aliens quickened the planet's conquest, but Khan hated the price they had to pay.

'Life sure feels thin these days,' Khan sighed internally. 'They might weigh me down one day.' Khan suddenly shook his head, noticing the dangerous thoughts. He had always been far stronger than the Scalqa. Taking them under his wing was part of his debt toward Zu-Gru. He had given his life to protect Khan, so Khan would take care of the Scalqa.

'They are my people,' Khan thought. 'Their individual value doesn't matter. Battle prowess is only one aspect of it.'

Khan lifted his knife, earning himself another wave of victory cries. His gaze ran over his army, refueling the Scalqa's battle drive. Loyal subjects surrounded him, but his brain updated him on a sad truth. Khan had never felt lonelier.