Chapter 265: What Are You?

Byung sat upon his throne of bones, the feral mask still covering his face as he watched the massive orgy unfold before him. The bonfire crackled wildly, casting dancing shadows over the writhing bodies of goblins and Stonehide orc females. Moans, growls, and the sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the night air. The corrupted blood mixed with the libido enhancer was working perfectly.

A dark, satisfied grin spread across Byung’s lips beneath the mask. "This... this is progress," he muttered to himself. "A significant step toward building the army I need."

His eyes scanned the scene with glee. Sneegle was buried between two powerful orc women, laughing breathlessly as they rode him. Poggle was on all fours, taking one from behind while desperately pleasuring another with his mouth. Even Borkle had shed his usual restraint, passionately claiming a curvaceous orc female against a pile of furs. They were having the time of their lives and this was going to be the norm despite the chances of fatalities still existing.

Byung had no idea how effective his blood would be especially since he had only done this once.

Byung’s own body began to burn with need. The sight of so much raw breeding stirred something primal in him. He shifted on the throne, his cock already hard and throbbing.

Grishka stood silently behind him like a loyal sentinel. Byung turned his head slightly and spoke to her.

"Grishka... look at them. This is only the beginning. Soon our numbers will explode. Stronger offspring. Evolved bloodlines."

Grishka signed with her large hands, her movements graceful despite her size.

"They are enjoying themselves. Many have already asked when the next ritual will be."

Byung chuckled. "Good. Tell them there will be many more. But tonight..." He paused, his voice dropping. "I won’t be emptying myself into you or Naruz. I need to go to Valera after this. She is the one I have chosen tonight so make sure I’m not disturbed," Byung said, looking at her stomach before a smirk creased his face.

Grishka’s hands moved again, a hint of reluctance in her gestures.

"Valera... is she strong enough? You said she just woke up."

"She’s weak right now, but that’s exactly why I need her," Byung replied. "Our connection is different, I cannot quite explain it. Fucking her will—"

Suddenly, something shifted in the air.

Byung froze. A cold, oppressive feeling washed over him, like death itself was breathing down his neck. The bonfire seemed to dim for a moment.

"W-What the fuck is this...?" Byung thought, his body tensing.

He tried to ignore it, but the sensation grew stronger. Valera was still too weak to sense it, but Byung could. This wasn’t just imagination.

"This feels like... death..." he whispered.

A powerful migraine slammed into his skull like a hammer. The world spun violently. Byung groaned and stumbled forward off the throne.

Grishka moved with surprising speed for her size. Her massive arms caught him before he could fall, holding him securely against her chest.

"Byung!" she signed frantically with one hand while supporting him with the other.

"What is wrong? Are you hurt?"

Byung winced, holding his head. "I’m... I’m fine. Just a headache. I need some fresh air. The smoke from the bonfire... it’s too thick. Continue watching over the ceremony. Make sure it goes to completion. Don’t let anyone slack off."

Grishka’s hands moved quickly, concern evident.

"Let me go with you. You don’t look well."

"No," Byung said firmly, forcing himself to stand straight. "Stay here. You are their goddess. They need to see you watching. I’ll be back soon. This is an order, Grishka."

She hesitated, her hands hovering mid-air before she finally signed:

"Come back quickly. I will watch everything."

Byung nodded and stumbled away from the roaring bonfire and the loud orgy. The further he walked from the settlement, the stranger he felt. The migraine was still there, but something was calling him — pulling him toward the dark forest beyond the borders.

"The hell is going on...?" he muttered, breathing heavily.

The mana in his body began reacting wildly. His corrupted pathways flared and resonated with something unseen, almost as if they were singing toward an unknown frequency. The headache strangely lessened the closer he got to whatever was calling him.

Byung stopped in a small clearing, his chest heaving. "This mana... it’s going crazy. What is resonating with me?"

He turned around, intending to head back to the settlement and the safety of the bonfire.

The moment he did, the creature appeared.

It materialized silently right in front of him — a small figure draped in a dark, tattered robe from head to toe. Two large, blackened horns curved upward from beneath the deep hood. No face was visible, only an endless void and the faint glint of something ancient and malevolent.

The air grew deathly cold. The ground beneath the creature’s feet instantly turned black and rotten.

Byung’s eyes widened behind his mask. His corrupted mana surged violently in response.

The horned figure stared at him for a long, silent moment before a low, rasping voice finally echoed directly inside Byung’s mind.

"You are the one."

-

The dwarf sat on a weathered stone, chin resting on his fist, looking thoroughly bored as the creature possessing Kragg’s body tore into yet another corpse. Blood and flesh flew everywhere under the moonlight.

Suddenly, the creature froze mid-bite. Its glowing red eyes widened, and for the first time since their uneasy alliance began, a clear flicker of worry crossed its monstrous face.

"No..." it hissed, dropping the half-eaten body. "Something else has slipped through the barrier."

The dwarf raised an eyebrow, completely confused. "What the hell are you talking about? Another one of your kind?"

The entity ignored him, standing upright as Kragg’s body twitched unnaturally. It tilted its head, as if listening to something far away. Its voice dropped into a low, uneasy growl.

"This one is different... older. It should not be here. Not now." The creature’s clawed hands clenched tightly. "I can feel it. It’s already moving. This was not part of the plan."

The dwarf stood up, growing more irritated. "Plan? What plan? You’ve been speaking in riddles. Is this another monster?"

The creature turned sharply toward the dwarf, its red eyes burning with rare unease.

"You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it, dwarf," it snapped. "This thing does not hunger like I do. It does not serve chaos. It simply... exists. And where it exists, life ends. If it has truly crossed over, then the balance is already broken."

The dwarf crossed his arms, still lost. "So what? We use it to our advantage. Another monster on our side can only help bring the barrier down faster."

The creature let out a bitter, distorted laugh, but the worry in its eyes remained.

"You fool... Some things should never be allowed to roam free."

It glanced once more toward the distant horizon, toward Byung’s settlement, visibly unsettled for the first time.