Blood Assimilation

358 Holy Knight Randy's Fear

As expected, but just as the fiery claws made contact with Liena, her form abruptly dissolved into a shadowy mist, disappearing. Unbeknownst to Flame Claws, her true form reappeared behind him, emerging from his own shadow with her dagger poised.

"Predictable." She whispered, her voice cold and detached.

Flame Claws, alerted by her voice, began to turn his head, but it was too late. Liena had already driven her dagger into the base of his spine, paralyzing him for a moment.

Flame Claws collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Liena stepped out of his shadow and stood before him, her eyes cold and indifferent as she gazed down at him like he was an insect.

"You're too slow." She said, her voice devoid of emotion. "You never stood a chance against me in the first place. But, with how reckless you were, it made it easier for me to defeat you."

"You witch!" Flame Claws growled, attempting to stand. But Liena stomped him back down, forcing him to sprawl helplessly on the ground. He struggled to rise, but it was futile. The flames surrounding his body flickered weakly, their luminosity fading. Having exhausted all his mana in that desperate, last-ditch attack, his transformation could no longer be sustained, and he reverted to his original form, lying prone and defeated.

Weakened and on lying flat on the ground, Flame Claws forced his head to look up at Liena, a mixture of fear and defiance in his eyes. She stared down at him, her expression unreadable.

"H-How...?" Flame Claws, on his last breath, muttered in rasped voice. He could barely utter this single questioning word. His disbelief was palpable — how could he have lost to this human woman when he was clearly stronger?

As if sensing his thoughts, Liena scowled before responding.

"You muscle for brains. Did you think I won by chance? Let me break it down for you so that you can understand." She said, her tone sharp.

"I won because I fight using my brain. And, more importantly, I adapt to my enemies. You, on the other hand, relied heavily on brute strength, one of the blessings of your race, a natural ability you inherently possessed rather than one obtained through rigorous training. Unfortunately, you never truly mastered your inherent ability. Finally, your overconfidence in your physical strength made you complacent, and that's why you lost."

Swish!

In one swift, fluid motion, Liena activated her technique, extended her Shadow blade phantom on her dagger, and struck Flame Claws through the heart, ending the fight. She severed their connection, preventing any potential future dangers.

At that moment, they sensed the cosmic being's gaze momentarily brush against them, deep within Randy's consciousness, before shifting away. That brief glance carried an unsettling animosity, leaving Holy Knight Randy feeling as though he were teetering on the edge of life and death.

The experience shook him tremendously. Holy Knight Randy, whose consciousness was weaker than that of Randy's original consciousness, felt utterly exposed. Had they not shared the same essence as the original consciousness, he feared the cosmic being might have erased him and the other consciousnesses within Randy from existence altogether.

Suddenly, Holy Knight Randy snapped out of his spiraling thoughts, shaking his head to clear his mind.

'Now isn't the time for this. I need to confirm my location, though I have an inkling of where I am.'

He pushed aside the lingering fear gnawing at his mind, refocusing on his present situation. With his mind cleared, he stepped toward the door to the room.

Reaching for the door, he grasped the doorknob and swung the door open. Stepping out, he found himself in a long corridor lined with doors similar to the one he had just exited.

'As expected. This is an inn.' Holy Knight Randy concluded in his mind, scanning his surroundings.

At that moment, a noise caught his attention. Turning, he saw a young woman in what appeared to be a maid's uniform, carrying a mop and bucket, exiting the room adjacent to his. She seemed to be the inn's room attendant. Startled by the sight of him in full Holy Knight armor, the young woman stiffened but quickly feigned relaxation when she recognized him.

"Oh, sir Holy Knight, you're awake. I hope the room was to your liking."

"Which inn is this?" Holy Knight Randy ignored her words and demanded, his tone firm but not overly harsh.

Realizing the inappropriateness of holding onto the cleaning tools, the attendant hastily leaned the mop against the wall and set the bucket down, wiping her hands on her apron before replying.

"This is the Luxurious Inn, sir." The attendant replied hastily, wringing her hands slightly under his continuous sharp gaze.

Holy Knight Randy frowned, processing the information. This was the inn where Brawler Randy had stayed.