Chapter 542: Different Class

The beastkin struggled desperately against the invisible pressure bearing down on them.

Their bodies had become unbearably heavy. Their knees shook, their muscles strained, and even drawing a proper breath had become difficult. The closer they tried to move toward Adam, the more oppressive the pressure seemed to become.

"What... is this?!"

One of them planted his claws into the ground, trying to force himself upright. His arms trembled violently, but he managed to raise his upper body a little.

’My body... why won’t it move?!’

The wolf beastkin gritted his teeth. He was struggling too, but he refused to let the others see his fear.

"Don’t panic! It’s just some kind of intimidation skill!" he barked. "We’ve dealt with magic users before! Break through it!"

"Y-Yeah! Don’t let him scare you!"

One of the beastkin managed to wrench an arm free. His claws scraped against the ground as he forced his body forward, step by agonizing step. Another gathered mana around his limbs, attempting to reinforce his muscles and resist the pressure.

For a moment, they seemed to make progress.

Then Adam’s gaze shifted toward them.

The pressure bearing down on their bodies intensified. The stone beneath their feet fractured, and the beastkin who had been struggling forward collapsed onto one knee.

Adam watched them with mild amusement.

"You’re still trying?"

"SHUT UP!" the wolf beastkin snarled. "You think some cheap trick can hold us forever?! Once we get close, we’ll tear you apart!"

Adam tilted his head.

"I didn’t expect you to still have enough strength to bark."

The wolf beastkin’s expression twisted with rage. He gathered what little strength he could and roared, forcing his body upright. His muscles swelled further as his transformation advanced. Fur spread across his arms and shoulders, his claws lengthened, and his jaw extended into a monstrous muzzle.

The others followed his example.

One beastkin managed to break free from the pressure for a brief moment and launched himself toward Adam. His speed was considerably greater than before, his claws aimed directly at Adam’s throat.

Instead of retreating, Adam simply turned his shoulder.

The claws passed beside his neck, missing by a narrow margin. Before the attacker could recover, Adam struck him with his free hand.

[Sovereign Impact!]

The blow landed squarely against the beastkin’s chest.

The accumulated kinetic force erupted on impact, sending him crashing into the opposite wall. Stone shattered around his body, and he slumped to the ground, coughing blood.

The remaining beastkin froze.

Adam glanced at the fallen attacker.

"That was a little reckless."

The wolf beastkin growled and raised his arm. Dark energy gathered around his claws before he swung it forward, launching several crescent-shaped slashes toward Adam.

Adam shifted his position, keeping Azrynn safely in his arms. The first slash cut through empty air. He tilted his body to avoid the second, while the third struck the ground near his feet, scattering fragments of stone.

Another beastkin took advantage of the distraction and charged from the side.

Adam’s eyes followed him.

A dark tendril burst from the ground and wrapped around the beastkin’s ankle.

[Void Tendril.]

The attacker was yanked off balance and slammed face-first into the stone. Before he could recover, Adam flicked his wrist. The tendril tightened, preventing him from getting back up.

The wolf beastkin watched his companions fall one by one. His confidence was rapidly giving way to anger and desperation.

"YOU BASTARD! STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR TRICKS!"

Adam looked at him.

For a moment, he said nothing.

Then he sighed.

"Well, you brought this on yourself."

His expression turned cold.

The beastkin felt it immediately. The pressure that had already pinned them down was more than enough to make their instincts scream in terror. Their earlier confidence had completely vanished.

’W-What is this?!’

The wolf beastkin’s claws trembled.

’He’s... in a completely different class.’

He had fought powerful warriors before. He had seen beastkin capable of tearing through entire groups of enemies with their bare hands.

But the man before him was different.

The wolf beastkin finally understood that they had picked a fight with something they couldn’t hope to defeat.

Adam watched their expressions change, finding himself rather satisfied with their fear.

"Since you’ve gone out of your way to ruin my evening..."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"I suppose I’ll just have to devour you alive."

The beastkin stared at him.

"De... devour?"

A dark crown slowly materialized above Adam’s head.

The shadows beneath his feet began to spread. They crawled across the cracked stone, climbing the walls and gathering around the beastkin like a living tide.

The wolf beastkin finally understood that the danger wasn’t over.

"WAIT! WHAT ARE YOU-"

A monstrous mouth emerged from the darkness beneath the beastkin who had been pinned by Void Tendril. Rows of jagged teeth closed around his body, swallowing him before he could finish screaming.

The wolf beastkin’s eyes widened.

"RUN!"

He finally managed to force his legs into motion.

His body lurched forward, claws scraping against the ground as he desperately tried to escape. But the shadows had already surrounded him. Several tendrils shot out, wrapping around his arms and legs.

He roared and tore one of them apart.

For an instant, he thought he had broken through.

Then two more tendrils seized him.

The wolf beastkin struggled violently, his muscles bulging as he attempted to rip himself free. His claws carved deep grooves into the stone, but the darkness only tightened its grip.

Adam watched without moving.

The wolf beastkin looked up at him, his expression shifting from fury to desperation.

"Y-You can’t do this! We didn’t know who you were!"

Adam gave him a blank look.

"Would that have made a difference?"

The beastkin had no answer.

A massive shadow rose behind him, opening a mouth lined with countless razor-sharp teeth.

His final scream was swallowed by the darkness.

The remaining beastkin suffered the same fate. Some tried to fight, others attempted to flee, and one even begged for mercy. None could escape the shadows that had already claimed the alley.

The monstrous mouths devoured them one after another until nothing remained.

Only the broken stone and scattered debris bore witness to what had happened.

Eventually, the darkness retreated, flowing back toward Adam’s feet. The crown above his head faded away, leaving the alley strangely quiet.

A series of familiar notifications appeared before his eyes.

[5 Beastkin Defeated!]

[+320 EXP | +410 EP]

[+5 Souls Acquired]

Adam glanced at the notifications before dismissing them.

"Well, that was troublesome."

He adjusted Azrynn in his arms, making sure she was comfortable.

The dark elf had remained unusually quiet throughout the encounter. Her eyes were only half-open, and her head rested against his chest.

"Hmm... Adam...?"

"Yeah?"

"...Are we there yet?"

Adam stared at her for a moment.

Then he let out a tired sigh.

"No. Not even close."

Adam glanced around the alley, taking in the damaged walls and cracked pavement.

He had no intention of staying there any longer than necessary. The commotion might have attracted attention, and considering how crowded Ferrund was because of the tournament, it was only a matter of time before someone came to investigate.

’I should leave before anyone comes looking.’

He adjusted Azrynn in his arms and glanced at the pocket where Sylphy was sleeping.

"Let’s get you two somewhere comfortable."

Without another word, Adam walked toward the alley’s exit. He casually checked the street before stepping out, making sure nobody was paying particular attention to him.

Fortunately, the surrounding streets were still busy. The noise of merchants and passing adventurers easily concealed his footsteps, and nobody seemed to have noticed anything unusual.

Adam continued searching until he found a modest inn a little farther from the busier part of the city.

After paying for a room, he carried Azrynn upstairs and gently laid her on the bed.

She immediately curled up beneath the blanket, seemingly unaware of anything happening around her.

Adam watched her for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Honestly, what am I supposed to do with you?"

Just as he was about to pull away, Azrynn stirred beneath the blanket and suddenly reached out and wrapped both arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

Adam was caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.

"Whoa! Easy there."

Azrynn looked up at him through her half-lidded eyes. Her cheeks were still flushed, and a faint smile played on her lips.

"You’re... really warm..."

"That’s probably because you’re drunk."

She giggled softly, seemingly finding his answer amusing. Then she leaned closer, her voice dropping into a gentle, teasing whisper.

"Are you always this kind to girls you carry around...?"

Adam raised an eyebrow.

"Only when they’re too drunk to walk."

"Is that so...?"

Her fingers lightly played with the fabric around his collar.

"Then... maybe I should get drunk more often..."