PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

609 Chapter 609 Unholy Nobility.

(Desmond’s side)

The blood loss made it difficult to keep a clear mind, and the pain and burning numbness in his gut was debilitating. Yet, Desmond trusted his regenerative abilities to keep him on his feet.

With one hand holding onto his stomach to keep his insides from spilling onto the floor, Desmond got up and faced the person who had left him in that state.

A huge bipedal wolf with pitch-black fur, huge fangs, and claws covered in blood. Neither the thick fur nor the fancy clothes the werewolf wore could hide the powerful muscles beneath that spoke volumes about the kind of predator the creature was.

Displaying the closest thing to a smile a wolf can show, the person in front of Desmond spoke provocatively. “Come on, Desmond, we’re just getting started.”

The next instant, Desmond disappeared, leaving behind only the sound of the wind being torn as he went. A second later, the werewolf flew, crashing into a distant marble wall. Standing where the werewolf used to be, Desmond gave a sadistic smile and answered. “You’re right, Mathias; this is just beginning.”

The werewolf, Mathias, emerged from the rubble and looked at Desmond for a couple of seconds, during which he was silent. Then Mathias smiled and, with a roar, broke the silence. “There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Looks like we have a pretty tough one here with us.”

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Immediately, the hall was filled with applause, whistles, and roars, creating deafening chaos. At least fifty people were present in the audience, mostly members of the Lupan clan, men and women. However, there were also people from the other clans, all from the younger generation.

Every person present wore the finest fabrics, worked by the finest artisans, among the few left in a world filled with violent psychopaths. Jewelry and other signs of status could not be missing among upper-class people, and this was no exception.

.....

Desmond was the same, wearing a European-style suit with a strong gothic flavor. Dressed predominantly in black, with just a bit of blood red and gold, Desmond looked elegant, grim, and dangerous. Of course, in a world dominated by the most primitive and depraved instincts, making Desmond absurdly attractive only did half the job. That he had just traded blows with the heir of the Lupan clan was what put a stamp of quality on the merchandise.

There was hardly a lady at the gala, single or not, who didn’t have her eyes sparkling with lust and desire as they gazed at the stud who had just joined her social circle. Some women cursed the Tremor clan girl for finding him first, but just as many were grateful that Araksia introduced him to her social circle. Many women wouldn’t have done that and instead kept him locked up in a dungeon for themselves.

The ladies of the gala aside, the men had a fairly positive opinion of the newcomer boy, though for entirely different reasons. Strength was all that mattered to many, and men only respected those stronger than themselves, a criterion Desmond met.

Of course, jealousy would have been a problem. Nonetheless, Desmond’s strength hit the sweet spot where he was stronger than the average nobleman but not as strong as an heir to the clan, making many like him even more. It also helped a lot that Desmond was a Darkblood since no one would have to worry about Desmond stealing their food from him and leaving them with nothing.

Speaking of food, the menu set out at the gala was as special and twisted as one would expect in a horrible place like this. Desmond needed every ounce of willpower within him to ignore the atrocities taking place at the snack table.

Cries for help, pleas for mercy, the crying of women and children, all this and more was nothing more than the best condiment for the raw and alive food the nobles of the city enjoyed in meetings of such high level.

Desmond had to endure this concert of horror. At the same time, he listened to the nobles around him talk about the quality of the food and how tender the meat of a certain age or gender was, among other grotesque details.

The entertainment at the gala was by no means better than the food. From the most bloody, slow, and bloody torture to the most brutal and savage mass rape, the event’s entertainment was nothing more than a fest of utter madness and decadence without an ounce of soul or remorse.

After a week of being in this hell, Desmond had begun to go numb. The screams of agony and pleas for help no longer bothered him as much as before, but seeing the so-called nobles around him rejoice in all this insanity still made him feel sick with tremendous hatred and revulsion.

There was a time when Desmond tried to help one of the many victims of endless abuse that he found in his path, but that was just another bitter pill to swallow in this place. Desmond still remembered the look full of madness and malice of that girl who tried to kill and eat him while he slept. There, he understood that no one in this world had a shred of mercy for which it was worth crying.

Victims and predators were the only two types of people in this world, and the only variable between them was their ability to change roles. Whenever a victim had the chance, they would try to become the predator to victimize others without mercy. Desmond learned that lesson the hard way.

Since then, Desmond has been learning about this world and adjusting with the help of the spider-woman Araksia. She fulfilled her promise to help him join the social circle of the nobles in the city. Araksia was precisely why Desmond was invited to the banquet of the heir to the Lupan clan, Mathias Lupan.

As low as Araksia’s position was within her own clan, the girl had the strength to endorse some status among the social circle of the other noble clans. Also, she was one of the few dressmakers in the city, so she was highly regarded by the more vain part of the nobles. Being the spider woman’s companion was a fairly easy way to enter the inner circle of the five clans.

Now, having set foot inside the noble circle, the only thing on Desmond’s mind was to get out of this damn mission. As tough as Desmond could be about many things, this place was no different from hell in more ways than one. Desmond was beginning to feel the psychological pressure.

Having to roll in the sheets with a woman like Araksia didn’t help Desmond’s state of mind much, either. It wasn’t even a matter of being disgusted by Araksia’s spidery features; it was her coal-black heart that Desmond couldn’t bear.

As if she sensed that Desmond was thinking of her, Araksia approached him, wearing an extremely revealing purple silk dress. As she was using the more humanoid form of herself, at Desmond’s request, the woman’s only spidery features were the six ruby-red eyes atop her forehead and the four spidery legs protruding from the back of her tailbone.

Using her spider legs, Araksia hugged Desmond’s side and addressed the heir to the Lupan clan with a hearty but not fawning smile on her crimson lips. “You see, I was right, Mathias. I told you my Desmond was a real man, unlike that fagot Hector who came back crying with mommy after you almost cut him in two during your last banquet.”

The werewolf named Mathias stood tall, looming over Desmond by nearly two feet, and responded. “I admit, I thought it would be like the last few darlings trying to get into our inner circle. As you know, we only accept the best of the best from the five clans. I don’t care if they are Mudbloods or not; all that matters is how tough they are.”

Despite what he said, you could tell a deep contempt on Mathias’s part for Mudbloods. Araksia was used to such scorn, so she didn’t react much; she just kept a cordial smile.

Mathias smirked even more scornfully when he saw the spider woman’s silence. From his point of view, it was natural. The mudbloods were destined to be inferior to the purebloods of the five clans; the spider woman had to feel lucky already to be included in his social circle.

Mathias switched to ignoring Araksia, treating her like nothing more than air in the room, his attention completely focused on Desmond. As the heir to the Lupan clan, Mathias was an apex predator, his instincts were unparalleled, and these told him there was much more to Desmond than it met with the naked eye.

Like a predator recognizing another, Mathias wanted to learn more about Desmond, fight him, compete with him, and kill him if he wasn’t strong enough to entertain him.

Desmond sensed the warlike intent radiating from Mathias, who didn’t bother to hide it. “I’ve heard that Lord Mathias is a great hunter and stallion. I’m quite interested to know how true this is.”

Mathias’ smile grew bloody at Desmond’s taunts, nothing would make him happier than crushing another talented man like him. “I am the heir to the Lupan Clan; I am the best at both. Are you interested in trying it out?”

Desmond flashed a feral smile, not unlike the werewolf’s, and answered. “Well, I know that you plan to organize a hunting party in a few days, so if you extend an invitation to me, I’ll be more than happy to compete with you.”

Mathias frowned slightly in disappointment and commented. “Of course, anyone in our circle who is interested can participate; it is always more fun when there is more competition. But I have to admit I’m a bit disappointed. I thought you might be interested in competing in something right now.”

More than a random comment, the last part of Mathias’s words was said like a demand. The arrogant and bloodthirsty werewolf wanted to play, and he planned to force his new guest to entertain him.

Desmond had already expected that reaction. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have started the conversation with Mathias. “Since the hunt will be left for another day, how about Lord Mathias competing on another matter.”

Satisfied, Mathias played along with Desmond. “What do you have in mind?”

Desmond smiled and responded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Well, a lot of ladies have their eyes on the two of us. How about we see who can satisfy the most women in bed before the gala is over?”

Bloodlust was replaced by boundless lust. Mathias couldn’t help but lick his lips as he set his eyes on more than one of the noblewomen invited to the gala. “That’s an interesting idea you have there; I love it. This way, I can prove to everyone that the best stallions come from my Lupan clan.”

Desmond neither denied nor accepted Mathias’ statement. Instead, he just made a light comment that made Mathias laugh. “I just hope the girls from your Lupan clan are nice to me; I’ve heard they are very fierce in bed.”