At the forefront of the battlefield, at the left edge of the massive rift in space, the ground dry, cracking and blackened as scattered chunks of creatures of corruption littered a clearing.

Alpha stood — his frame tense, white fur erect, teeth bared as threatening growls reverberated from the depths of his throat.

He was meant to be battling alongside the other squad members under Roy's lead, but the constant pour of enemies through the rift had long separated them all.

Which was good — the enemy before him was too dangerous, and it was best he faced it alone.

Alpha's ruby-red pupils reflected the silhouette of his foe, his snout twitching from the repulsive stench of overwhelming corruption.

Though his figure was bathed in the rotten black blood of all the enemies he had decimated, this one before him was on another level. The stench of the beast provoked both rage and fear from the depths of his heart.

There was something else — he could feel an intense rejection to this enemy echoing from his blood. It pushed him so hard that it began expressing itself through persuasive silent whispers.

"My, oh my… To think I would meet a descendant of the Astral Wolves here… Fate really has me in mind!" a deep, cold voice sounded.

[Warning! Seventh Finger of Gluttony — Rudark Detected!]

The spawn of corruption slowly paced around Alpha's figure. On all fours, it could surprisingly pass as a canine.

Its eyes held sinister flickering purple embers, its teeth long and thick, its dripping snout threatening enough bite force to crunch through metal.

Its fur? There was none — only hungry, furious flames dancing across its body. Its tail swayed with each step. It was the very definition of a hellhound.

"I wonder what a pup of such a prestigious race like yours is doing here… Whatever. I'll still be sticking to my principles: kill first, ask questions later!" Its long, pale whitish tongue caressed its lips.

In terms of size, the monster was far superior to Alpha, towering over him by a whopping four feet. Unable to cast a shadow from its flaming body, it cast a brilliant silhouette instead over Alpha.

Grrrrrrrrrr!

Alpha growled menacingly. Though evolved, he still hadn't gained the ability to speak.

Rudark's eyes glinted with glee as it suddenly pounced on its perceived prey.

Its maw wide open, seeking to kill in one fierce assault — aiming for Alpha's throat.

Not that Alpha was having it. He didn't back down, also going for a lunge. His opponent was already in the air and couldn't dodge, so he took the opportunity as soon as it presented itself.

Rudark's eyes flamed with surprise. Any other beast in Alpha's shoes would have retreated — but this pup… a true descendant of the Astral Wolves indeed!

Its body burst into a more furious brilliance as the flames all over its frame combusted, aiming to scorch the fast-approaching Alpha.

The blast of heat knocked him away, the burning smell reeking from his figure as his white fur became charred.

Shaking his body, Alpha got right up as soon as he landed — only to meet a massive flaming paw coming down on him.

His left back leg prickled with pain, so he couldn't dodge quickly, leaving him to take the attack.

The paw struck with raging ferocity. A sickening crack rang out as Alpha's skull caved on impact, the reverberation traveling to his brain and giving him a concussion.

He saw white. His jaws sagged uncontrollably as his head pounded into the dry, hardened earth.

His body felt weak as strength receded from all limbs.

But Rudark wasn't done. Its gaze taunting, crimson-red claws protruded from its paws as it went for a vicious swipe.

Once again defenseless, the attack struck — the searing hot claws digging through Alpha's hide as easily as a hot knife through butter. His ribs cut just as easily, and the unbearable heat sought to cook his organs.

Alpha's sorry frame flew from impact, letting out a pained whine as his figure skidded across the earth.

Once his figure came to rest, limbs trembling, Alpha struggled to rise — his fur bristling and bloodied.

He finally got to his feet, but was in pain. Underneath his thick hide and skin, cracks ran through his entire bone frame, his tendons threatening to snap at any moment.

"Kakakakakah! So satisfying… To think I could catch an Astral Wolf lacking! The heavens have smiled on me!" Rudark cackled in mad glee.

Its eyes flickered with fear as a memory of its last encounter with the vicious Astral Wolf race surfaced. A stinging pain prickled its abdomen — a wide, deep scar twitched. It was the only part of its body bare of flames, as though a force repelling the fire was present.

Its jaw tightened as its gaze slowly coated with rage. It was going to vent all its anger on this pup today. It wouldn't stop until the flames of anger in its heart had been doused.

It burst into a sprint, headed toward the looming Alpha. The unresigned gaze of Alpha deeply irritated it.

"Let's see what look you'll have when I'm done with you!"

The flaming, streaking figure of Rudark rammed into Alpha's limping frame, flinging him into the air.

Rudark leapt, eyes glowing sinisterly, jaw parting — sinking its teeth into a meaty part of Alpha, using the moment of his fall to rip out a good chunk of flesh.

On landing back on the ground, the heat from its body cooked the piece of meat in its mouth as it chewed and savored the succulent flesh, eyes rolling.

"That's some good stuff… More!"

Jaws dripping with hungry drool and tongue dangling, Rudark stared at Alpha's helpless figure — eyes burning with lust for more.

Meanwhile, on Alpha's end, he lay helpless, all strength lost, breathing laboriously.

After his recent evolution, the condition for his skill Ancestral Descent to activate had become more complicated.

Apparently, it had to be at a life-or-death juncture to access a more evolved state.

And thanks to Rudark, that condition had been met.

Alpha's crimson gaze fumed sinisterly… As his heart thudded heavily, his blood slowly glistened with gold.

It was time to turn the tables.

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