Chapter 114: Desperate Situation

The BloodFang members led the Shadow Soldier to the clearing.

His hands remained bound, while the wounds from the tiger’s earlier assault were still visible across his body. He struggled to keep himself upright, but made no effort to resist. He knew all too well that he stood no chance against his captor.

The tiger moved back into its previous place and lay over the blood stained ground. The golden eyes stared menacingly at the approaching soldier.

As the soldier was brought in front of it, the tiger lifted its massive head.

“So, our honored guest.”

It spoke with a deep voice that held a hint of amusement.

The Shadow Soldier didn’t speak.

The tiger looked at him for a while and then said,

“Let’s see how long you can hold your tongue my honoured guest.”

The leader of the BloodFang crept up from the side. He had been intrigued by the captive since the tiger had found him in the forest.

“My Lord, shall I ask him questions?”

He received a brief glance from the tiger.

“No, I will deal with him.”

The leader quickly took a step backward.

The tiger moved its massive body closer and looked the soldier up and down with its golden eyes.

“Who have sent you here?”

No response.

“How many others are aiding you?”

The Shadow Soldier stayed still.

The tiger’s expression tightened into a small frown.

Although he had searched around with his spiritual senses and had not found any signs of other intruders, there was no way to be 100% sure that this soldier wasn’t part of a bigger group.

If someone was able to deploy scouts in such a dangerous area they were clearly very influential.

“Do you understand your current situation?” The tone of the tiger changed. It was much colder now.

The soldier lifted his eyes. But stayed silent.

With a low growl, he said;

“Fine. I’ll just get you to work another way.”

The tiger raised one of his massive paws and placed it on the soldier’s chest.

Pressure increased immediately.

The Shadow Soldier shuddered as the immense aura of the tiger filled him. He had no chance of fighting back.

He knew there was no point.

The tiger may find some useful information if he continued to question him. Even a little information was dangerous for Lucian and the others.

He couldn’t let this happen.

A little energy started to build up inside him.

The tiger felt it almost instantly.

“You’re trying to kill yourself?”

Before the Shadow Soldier could complete the process, the creature released another wave of pressure.

BOOM!

The immense aura surged through its claws, forcibly suppressing the energy gathering inside the soldier’s body.

His attempt was interrupted.

The tiger looked down at him with a cold expression.

“Did you really think I would let you do that?”

The soldier clenched his teeth.

Even his final option had been taken away.

—

Meanwhile, somewhere far within the Shadow Realm, Aldric had already reunited with the other three Shadow Soldiers.

The moment Lucian learned that about the Tiger King and that a larger conspiracy was unfolding, he had immediately instructed Aldric and the others to retreat into the Shadow Realm and remain hidden. He had also ordered them to wait for the remaining Shadow Soldier to arrive before making their next move.

After confirming that everyone had withdrawn safely, Aldric immediately established a connection with Lucian.

Aldric and the other Shadow Soldiers were hiding within the Shadow Realm, not far from the Tiger King’s location. From their position, they had witnessed the entire sequence of events unfold, including the unexpected appearance of the intruder and his subsequent capture., and he immediately established a connection with Lucian to report the situation.

Master, the Shadow Soldier who stayed behind has been captured.

Lucian turned his attention toward him.

What happened?

The tiger caught him before he could escape. He also attempted to destroy himself, but the creature noticed and stopped him.

Lucian’s expression changed slightly.

It even prevented his self-destruction?

Yes, Master. Its reaction was extremely fast.

Lucian remained silent for a moment.

He had already witnessed the tiger’s speed through the captured soldier’s connection. However, learning that it could even suppress a Shadow Soldier’s self-destruction made him reconsider the creature’s strength.

Understood. You and the others should stay hidden. Don’t return to the clearing.

As you command, Master.

Once the connection ended, Lucian immediately focused on the captured Shadow Soldier.

Through their connection, he could see everything happening around him.

The tiger was standing directly before the captive, while the BloodFang leader and several of his subordinates watched from nearby.

Lucian studied the creature for a while.

The tiger’s patience finally ran out.

The Shadow Soldier had ignored every question, and his continued silence was pushing the tiger’s patience to its limit. Its golden eyes narrowed as it tightened its claws around the captive.

“Do you think I won’t kill you?”

The soldier offered no reply.

With a low growl, the tiger shifted its grip and seized him by the throat. Its enormous claw closed around his neck, applying enough pressure to make his entire body tense.

Pain surged through the connection.

Far away, Lucian’s eyebrows drew together as the sensation reached him. His jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, he struggled to suppress the discomfort.

Damn. Its strength is no joke.

He had expected the tiger to be powerful, but feeling the force behind that grip made the difference between them painfully clear. The creature hadn’t even used its full strength, yet the pressure was already enough to make the Shadow Soldier tremble.

If I had faced it directly, things might not have gone in my favor.

Lucian took a slow breath, steadying himself before continuing to observe through the captive.

Back in the clearing, the tiger brought the soldier closer to its face.

“Now answer me. Who sent you? What did you hear?”

Its claws pressed harder against his throat.

The Shadow Soldier struggled to breathe, but he made no attempt to answer. Revealing Lucian’s identity was never an option, regardless of what happened to him.

— CHAPTER END —