Chapter 48

Hammer fist had his hands full right now, trying to stay alive as the rain began to pick up and thunder seemed to incite his enemies into attacking him.

The Algurians, mixed with the small army's attacks using Artes or other unique ways of utilizing their Aura, tore through his flesh every time he was distracted by one of these freaks of nature, especially one particular man that took every opportunity to take a bite out of him!

Whether or not it was his way of fighting, this became hard to defend against since they were of the same tier right now as all Hammer fists 'buffs' had worn off.

He was merely at the peak of the 6th tier, and his current state of mind prevented him from focusing on this fight.

The 'blood calling' craved for the blood of demons!

With none of them carrying even an ounce of such blood, there was no way to use his full power against them.

This was another downside of his ongoing state.

This is one of the reasons why his tribe fell from grace, as it was the best time to attack an enemy that would ignore everyone else and won't really fight back!

The algurians fought against such enemies in the past.

They even wiped out a village that practiced the same kind of rituals, so they know how much of a threat this strange man can be if his target was them instead!

Never again will they allow such practices exist in the world.

And this time, they'll have this abomination's head as a trophy!

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Meanwhile, as the mutated brute was trying to escape his pursuers.

There were a group of people riding powerful-looking horses braving through this bizarre rainstorm that suddenly formed above them.

Each of them has different and strange features on their bodies thanks to regular clothes no longer fit them properly.

Every single one of them shirtless, exposing their trained and 'changed' torso, with baggy slacks to cover their legs, with mufflers over their heads and around their necks.

They had an 'Arabian' vibe to them.

They were here for one reason.

To come in contact with the group within the demon's realm.

It was an order From their empress who had given them a second lease in life.

Old disabled veterans of the harsh wars made into hybrid warriors, unflinching to pain, unafraid of death!

A small portion of the elites was willing to do anything for their empress, especially when The empress herself would take care of their families if they were ever slain during this trip.

The leader was a hybrid human who received the cells from an ogre's heart and a Lizardman's liver. These two grafted organs gave him incredible strength and resilience as their features became apparent on his head that had grown a small horn on one side of it and weight that shook the ground with every step of his steed that had been strengthened to withstand his changes.

His name was Hougan, who will become a commander for one of the armies under the empress once this mission is done.

His most prominent features were the numerous stitches and patches on his body due to the countless things that needed to be replaced in his body, All so that he may serve his country and beloved empress better.

Unlike the others, this man was enthralled by her wisdom, beauty, and determination to have a better future.

All of Catherine's actions made the man adore her, making him one of her admirers and looking for the right time to seek her hand.

This is why Hougan was willing to take this task because after becoming a commander, the next two ranks he could rise to will give him a chance that the man now yearns for.

This soon-to-be commander hasn't realized the changes he had been going through.

The fluctuating emotions of a Lizardman amplified the instincts of an ogre seeking a mate.

This was one important detail that Catherine didn't mention to the soldiers.

As for the few other men before Hougan, it'll be up to your own imagination when they became a 'problem' to Catherine's interests.

It didn't take long for them to reach the group that was giving a strange-looking lizardman a one-sided beatdown.

But there were two significant problems with their group.

Some of them had demon organs grafted into their bodies!

With one of them getting injured by a random Artes that came from ahead of them!

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This very moment seemed to be the last of hammer fist.

He got forcefully pushed into the ground on his back, numerous injuries from cuts and bites.

He watched the gloomy skies as the rain grew stronger as he laid there. One of his attackers, Artes, flew into the distance thanks to bouncing off of his defenses.

Hammer fist had no quarrel with them, and the blood calling made him ignore them even if they would claim his life when there were no demons in the vicinity.

The lizardman groaned weakly as his arms blocked their vicious attacks as his strength was beginning to leave him.

That was until the wind picked up, despite the rain, a peculiar scent entered the area.

The kind that quickly sped his heartbeat to the point where it nearly burst.

The kind that made his flesh rearrange itself for its current purpose, his body's way to preserve itself for the oath that was made.

One that is unique to demons!

The scent of demons was like injecting adrenaline into Hammer fist's bloodstream. His demeanor changed from someone trying not to fight his attackers to a bull that would stop at nothing until he destroys the cause of his anger!

His eyes gained a red hue as the rest of his body seemed to reinvigorate itself!

Hammer fist began to breathe heavily as he gradually pushed back his 'obstacles,' they weren't his target, but when someone that bears the blood of his hated foes arrives within the range of his senses.

It would be best to get out of the way, as the lizardman would harm his own kin right now if they blocked him!

The lizardman grew larger in size again before releasing a howl of fury, sure he was tired and weakened from the attacks he received.

But the scent of his most hated enemy brought forth his second wind, momentarily tripling his overall might!

Like a heavyweight bulldozer, he smashed through everything that stood in his way by smacking them away into the distance, slamming them deep into the ground, or delivering a few crippling blows while making his way to the source. That drove him to near insanity!

Hammer fist had no intention of killing his attackers, at least, those that survived his relentless attacks like a certain green giant that would wreak havoc whenever he got angry~

Those that were either of the same tiers or one below it barely survived, knocked out, or crippled. They were unable to do anything right now.

Now, like a wild beast, his mind was beginning to degrade from the ongoing mutation, exhaustion, and mindless hatred for demons.

The newcomers received a bone-chilling surprise as The hunting instinct of Hammer fist made him attack silently as he jumped at one of the demon hybrids at the back of their group!

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The low, muffled cry for help made them turn and only managed to see the feet of their comrade that disappeared behind one of the large trees.

Being an experienced commander and confident in his current strength, Hougan quickly ordered his groups to gather up and have them back to back to spread their view.

It didn't take long to see that large lizardman who was ripping his victim apart with his teeth as his two arms held the soldier down.

Hammer fist had been fighting for so long that right now, the onlookers could easily mistake him for a local monster!

Especially when he finally finished off the soldier, he looked towards the group, with a piece of an intestine hanging off the side of his mouth, his head stained with blood, and right now, his eyes had no sign of intelligence.

So you can say that he was truly a monster right now!

Hammer fist released a low and slow growl before charging at them again, while Hougan met the charge with his tower shield.

*SFX of metal screeching* *Clang*

The shield blocked the claw attack from the lizardman, leaving 5 claw marks horizontally on the shield before his shoulder slammed into it!

Their strength was more or less equal at the moment, But Hougan pulled out a sword then began his retaliation while standing his ground with a stab to this monster's ribcage!

But nature seemed to have other ideas as tens of lightning bolts struck the vicinity. Some hit both Hammer fist and Hougan.

But the loud explosion in the distance, with the ground, suddenly shaking heavily, brought their actions to a stop as powerful gusts of wind assaulted everyone, and all three groups were to suffer the shockwaves caused by an EXTREMELY LARGE thunderstorm and 11 nukes that went off 15 seconds shortly after the storm!