The Rise Of A Tribal Deadbeat - Chapter 72

The feeling of dread and defeat clouded Zus. Zok was standing in front of him like a devil in disguise. He didn’t know why he was feeling that way after seeing a kid. Even the Shamanka had not made me feel this way when she betrayed him, and yet this kid was making him sweat just by standing in front of him.

“I must say, that was quite a stunt you pulled inside the dungeon.” Zok was smiling all the while Zus looked at him as if he was seeing a ghost.

He continued, “You’ve taught me a valuable lesson. Something I will make sure to never forget and for that, I would like to thank you. I hope you would accept my gift as graciously as I accepted your lesson.”

Zok took a step towards Zus, and the latter tripped over a stone and fell down. Zus wasn’t the only one feeling like this. The Hrantas had also run away as they could sense Zok’s murderous intent from far away.

If a herd of beasts could have felt that way when that killing intent was not directed in their way, then Zus’ panic-stricken state did not appear to be exaggerated.

“L-Listen Zok, What I did was out of panic-”

“Shh… did I ask you why you did what you did?” Zok immediately cut the man off, “I don’t care why you did it. However, you should have been careful. But meh, it doesn’t matter. You tried to kill me and failed. Not it’s my turn but unlike you, I won’t fail.”

[The Depraved One is eagerly waiting for your revenge.]

‘I know you are. All of this is nothing but entertainment to you either way.’

Zok shook his head and disappeared before appearing in front of Zus like lightning. Zus tried to get away but against Zok’s enhanced agility, his movements were like a lazy serpent. Before long, Zok plunged his spear deep into the Zus’ calf muscles.

Luminescent blue blood spurted all around them. Zus screamed in pain as he could feel his flesh and bones slowly being seared away from the acidic attribute of the spear. The pain was nothing like Zus had ever felt before.

On top of that, all the pain and hurt Zok had accumulated in the dungeon, was returned tenfold to Zus. That was the reason why Zus was screaming so much. His brain could not take that much pain, to say the least.

Also, Zok had intentionally attacked Zus’ legs because he did not want to accidentally hit some vital spot and have him die on him like that.

“And here I thought I was going easy on you… did you really survive in the Cold Lands on your own or were there others whom you betrayed like me?”

Zok laughed while watching Zus squirm in pain. But it wasn’t enough. Thanks to Zus, Zok had lost trust in everybody because no matter whom he helped or not, everyone either betrayed him or they abandoned him.

But no more. He wouldn’t let anyone do any of those things to him anymore. At that moment, he had decided only those whom he had linked using the Hivemind were worth his trust, anyone else was to be treated like tools and nothing more.

As Zus’ screams started to subside slowly, Zok pulled his spear out tearing his flesh once again, before plunging it into his other leg. All the while Zus was looking at Zok with tear-filled eyes, pleading for mercy.

But sadly for him, he was the one responsible for the destruction of any shred of mercy that Zok previously had in his heart. In a way, Zus was successful in doing what he had wanted to do back in the dungeon.

He did manage to kill Zok. The Zok he had been before was no more. Instead, it was thanks to him, a ruthless, merciless and uncaring Zok was born on that day. Since it all had been possible thanks to Zus, Zok wanted to make sure to give him a suitable gift… By torturing him.

“This blood… why is it shining?” Zok snapped out of his crazed state for a moment when he saw the glowing blood there, “Cero, make sure this bastard does not try to escape.”

Saying so, Zok squatted down to check what was happening. Zok had been killing beasts for quite a while, but he had never witnessed such a thing.

‘Is it because of the darkness?’ Zok thought to himself, ‘No, that couldn’t be it. If it was, then I would have seen the blood of the Chirotera shining as well, on the night I killed them. Wait a moment… could it be.’

He took the spear and grazed the pain of his hand with it. Blood slowly flowed out of the wound and sure enough, his blood was shining in the night as well. Zok had a big brain moment right then and there as he finally realised how did the shamans get to know that he was alive and kicking.

‘It seems, only the blood of Occunians glow in the dark while the blood of the other creatures does not.’ He thought as he turned around once again.

“Looks like I will have to thank you again Zus.” The evil smile once again popped up on his face, “And I happen to know just how to do that.”

Zok proceeded to stab Zus again and again. It was enough to cause him misery, but not death. The blood itself would have attracted a horde of beasts towards them. However, even if they didn’t Zus’ painful screams would.

As if the creatures were listening to his thoughts, soon a horde of beasts came charging towards them. In his pained and confused state, Zus thought the beasts arrival would be a blessing for him. Now, Zok would have to leave him and run to safety.

However, his smile vanished the moment he saw the look on Zok’s face. Something was telling him that, his misery was not going to end so soon.

“Look at your smile.” Zok said before promptly kicking Zus in the face, “Well, you better enjoy this, as this is going to be your last smile ever.”

Saying so, Zok quickly took a vine out of his inventory and wrapped it tightly around Zus’ waist before hopping onto Cero’s back.

‘Come on Cero, let’s give Zus a tour of the beastly glades.’