Chapter 88: Fear

The night was illuminated by a massive, radiant moon, casting a pale glow over the battlefield.

The werewolves, having fully transformed into their monstrous forms, roared as they clenched their razor-sharp claws.

Ready to face the maidservants wielding iron swords and the members of Shadow Raven.

Zoltov leaped from his chariot, his claws gleaming under the moonlight lunging straight at Katran.

However Katran dodged with calculated agility, completely ignoring Zoltov as he made his way toward Holmerion.

Furious at being disregarded, Zoltov unleashed a devastating bestial aura instantly killing several human maids nearby.

"How dare you ignore me—ME, Zoltov, warrior of Etrakios!" he bellowed before charging at Katran, his claws aiming for his back.

However, his attack was intercepted by Nilyna, who stepped in with a sadistic smile.

"Sorry, little pup, but Katran has more important matters to deal with."

Enraged Zoltov lashed out at Nilyna with brute savagery, but she dodged each attack with an almost supernatural grace.

Under the moon's glow, her movements resembled a mesmerizing dance—a deadly ballet beneath the stars.

Finding an opening, Zoltov grabbed Nilyna by the throat and slammed her violently to the ground, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

However, Nilyna swiftly flipped backward, landing effortlessly on her feet. Dust clung to her, but she remained unharmed.

Zoltov narrowed his eyes, intrigued.

"Interesting… human surrender sure you're fast and agile but you don't stand a chance that tiny daggers can't even pierce my skin."

He raised his eyes to the moon, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"WAHAAAA!" he howled as he began transforming into his ultimate bestial form.

His size nearly doubled, his muscles swelled, and his claws extended to deadly lengths.

Nilyna, far from intimidated, displayed an even darker grin.

"Did you really think I was fighting seriously until now?"

Before Zoltov could react, a sickening sound echoed through the battlefield.

His left arm dropped to the ground, cleanly severed.

He staggered back, stunned, eyes darting to Nilyna.

In her hands, she held a pair of crimson and gold knuckle-blades, glistening under the moonlight.

"I didn't want to use these here," she sighed "but you've left me no choice."

Zoltov growling activated his regeneration, his arm rapidly growing back.

He lunged at Nilyna once more, but she remained untouchable parrying every strike with ease before retaliating with a brutal series of uppercuts and hooks.

Each blow struck his face with such force that blood splattered in the air.

A mix of rage and disbelief swirled within Zoltov's mind.

 What is this monstrous strength? Is that girl is she even really a human?

Zoltov let out a pained scream as one of Nilyna's strikes sliced through his right eye.

Overcome with fury, he managed to grab her and sank his fangs deep into her neck before leaping back.

Laughing he licked the blood from his mouth, staring at her triumphantly.

"Hahaha! I finally got you, you wretched wench! A werewolf's bite is laced with deadly venom. You'll die in agony soon enough!"

His injured eye healed rapidly, but then realize something was wrong here.

Nilyna wasn't writhing in pain and she wasn't seem panicked at all.

Instead, she watched him with cold amusement.

"Why… why she isn't afraid?" Zoltov thought, unsettled.

Nilyna smirked, her eyes glinting with malice. "I'm quite sure you're wondering why I'm not trembling in fear so let me enlighten you."

She took a step forward, ensuring Zoltov was listening.

"My family has served the royal family of Ednia since its founding we protect the royal family and we assassinate on their command."

Zoltov scoffed, looking down on her with disdain.

"Are you telling me your pathetic life story because you know you're going to die?"

Nilyna chuckled.

"Since my birth, I was trained to master the different variant art of assassination and specializing in one particular....poison."

Zoltov's expression changed his eyes widened.

"W-what did you say ?"

Nilyna's sadistic grin widened.

"Your bite won't affect me. The poisons my family cultivates are far more lethal than your so-called venom. And for your information, my daggers are coated with multiple toxins, distilled from the deadliest serpents living in the island of Ednia."

Zoltov froze a strange sensation coursed through his body.

His fur darkened to a sickly violet hue, and yellow spots began forming on his skin.

"It's beginning," Nilyna murmured triumphantly. "When I slashed you, the poison seeped into your bloodstream. Your regenerative ability—your greatest asset—is now your downfall. Every cell you rebuild spreads the toxin further."

Zoltov let out a bloodcurdling scream. "HAAAAA! I-it… hurts!"

Nilyna remained unfazed. "Your accelerated metabolism is acting as a catalyst. Your nervous system is destroying itself, your muscles are deteriorating, and your lungs are going to be uselesse. You will endure unimaginable agony before death finally claims you."

The powerful werewolf fell to his knees, paralyzed.

For the first time in his life—something he had inflicted on countless foes before slaughtering them—Zoltov experienced a true fear bone-chilling terror.

From afar, the other werewolves who had witnessed the scene were in shock.

One of them screamed, "We need to help Lord Zoltov!"

With a cold gaze Nilyna flung four daggers, piercing the skulls of the approaching werewolves.

They collapsed before they could reach her.

Zoltov lying motionless on the ground, struggled to speak.

The poison had rendered his body useless.

Nilyna looked down at him with icy indifference.

"I see. You can't even speak anymore. It seems the poison has shut down every muscle in your body. How fortunate for you—I'm in a good mood tonight, and I'd rather not waste any more time here."

Even in his immobilized state, Zoltov in that moment felt a strange sense of relief.

He wouldn't have to endure this suffering much longer.

With surgical precision, Nilyna drove her dagger into his heart ending his torment.

Blood splattered across her face, but she paid it no mind.

As she rose to her feet, she gazed up at the moon and whispered.

"At twilight… everything will be over."