The Roar of an Old Father! (update)

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"ROAR—!"

A pained, ferocious roar shook the warehouse, causing the doorframes to rattle. Vander, now on all fours, dragged his right arm—a steel claw enhanced by alchemy—across the ground, sending sparks flying.

His jaw hung low, and his eyes rolled back, revealing a deep, molten red, as if lava flowed within them.

"SNORT—!"

Vander shook his head, his back arching as the alchemical pump on his spine whirred and rose before slamming back down with a loud thud.

HISS—!

Steam hissed from the pump's valves as Vander vanished from his spot, transforming into a crimson blur that lunged straight at Link.

Link's eyes twitched. No cooldown on "Infinite Duress"?

That's insane!

The crimson blur closed the distance in an instant, Vander's fangs bared and saliva dripping from his teeth. His massive, clawed right arm swung toward Link like a dragon's tail, wild and unstoppable.

Link's eyes widened, the blue glow around his pupils flickering as he twisted his foot against the ground and vanished from his spot.

SCREECH—!

The steel claw scraped the ground, sending sparks flying and leaving deep gouges in the tiles.

Link reappeared behind Vander, his fist crackling with electricity as he aimed a devastating punch at the back of Vander's neck, carefully avoiding the alchemical pump on his spine.

THUD—!

The force of the blow sent Vander's head snapping back, his flesh tearing and bones cracking. Yet, instead of faltering, the fury in his eyes only intensified.

Vander twisted mid-air, his right arm continuing its sweeping motion. His neck twisted unnaturally, muscles tearing, but with a single shake of his head, the injuries healed instantly.

The regenerative abilities Singed had given him had surpassed human limits.

The electric engine in Link's exoskeleton crackled as Vander's steel claw sliced through the air. Link could hear the hiss of the claw cutting through the air and see the muscles within the claw twitching.

Leaning back to dodge the swipe, Link coiled his body like a spring before unleashing a powerful kick.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

The air compressed with each kick as Link's feet slammed into Vander's steel claw, sending him flying backward like he'd been hit by a battering ram. Vander bounced several times on the ground before crashing into the wall.

THUD—!

Vander left a dent in the wall as he slid down, the alchemical pump on his back rising and falling again, injecting him with more potent chemicals.

The fluids circulated through his body, enhancing his strength and healing.

"ROAR—!"

Vander roared to the sky, slamming his arms against the wall to push himself back up.

But before he could move, a flash of silver lightning streaked through the air, and Link was in front of him again. Link's fists shot forward like a bull's horns, slamming into Vander and sending him crashing back into the wall.

This time, most of Vander's body was embedded in the wall, leaving only his arms, reverse-jointed legs, and head exposed.

"Huff—" Link exhaled softly. "What a monster. Even a block of iron would've turned to dust after that, but you're still standing!"

"ROAR—!"

Vander struggled to free himself from the wall, his roars growing more frantic. But before he could break free, Link's fist shot upward, smashing into Vander's jaw and sending teeth flying like rain.

Singed, watching from the sidelines, winced.

You call Vander a monster?

Have some self-awareness!

You're the real monster here!

With just a temporary boost from the new Shimmer mist and an exoskeleton, you're beating the Beast of Zaun like he's a stray dog.

You're the most terrifying one here!

Janna was completely stunned. Was this the same scheming, cunning Link she knew?

His performance rivaled that of the elite warriors of the ancient Shuriman Empire.

Those warriors had followed the Ascended, honing their bodies to the peak of human potential.

Yet here was Link, matching their prowess with just a vial of potion and a suit of armor. It was almost unbelievable.

"Janna—"

Link snapped Vander's left arm and legs, then pinned his head with one hand and stepped on his right steel claw with his foot.

"Coming!"

Janna shook off her shock and flew over, landing on Vander's head. Her soft murmurs transformed into an ancient, soothing melody that calmed Vander's fractured mind.

Under the influence of the song, Vander's snarling expression softened, and his struggles weakened.

The red in his eyes faded, replaced by a dazed confusion.

The change was astonishing, but Link didn't dare relax. He kept his eyes locked on Vander, calling out to him.

"Vander, look at me! Vander!!"

Vander's ears twitched, and his eyes shifted toward Link. His brows furrowed as he tried to make out the figure calling his name.

"Vander... Vander... Vander..."

Link's calls echoed like distant thunder in Vander's ears, loud but indistinct, only adding to the fog in his mind.

"Link, just calling his name won't rebuild his shattered psyche!" Janna's voice resonated through the air. "I've suppressed his bestial nature and helped gather his fragmented mind, but to wake him, we need an anchor—something strong enough to stabilize his spirit. Otherwise, he'll fall back into chaos."

Link thought for a moment. Vander was like a coma patient on the verge of waking.

He could sense the outside world but couldn't break free on his own. He needed a stronger stimulus.

So—

"Vander, do you remember the riverbed and the blisters from the old days at the bar?"

At these words, Vander's eyelids twitched, and his face contorted in struggle. His throat produced garbled sounds.

"Ri... river... riverbed..."

"That's right, the riverbed and the blisters!" Link pressed on, seizing the opportunity. "Do you remember what you promised their mother?"

"That even if you had to dig the riverbed until your hands were covered in blisters, you'd give them a better future!"

"You promised, Vander. You promised!"

The red in Vander's eyes was almost gone now, revealing his heterochromatic irises.

He was on the brink of waking.

"Link, keep going! I'm almost done rebuilding his mind!"

Janna, sensing the shift in Vander's spirit, urged Link on.

Seeing that Vander could now form fragmented words, Link's spirits lifted, and he spoke rapidly.

"Do you remember Powder?"

"Pow... Powder... Powder!"

The bestial light in Vander's eyes faded visibly. Singed, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but step out from cover, muttering in awe, "This is incredible."

But the moment Singed spoke, Vander's face twisted in pain, and he let out a roar.

"One-eyed fool, shut up!" Janna glared at Singed, sensing Vander's fragile psyche teetering on the edge again.

Singed froze, an awkward expression on his face as he retreated.

The pain he had inflicted on Vander during the改造 process now came back to haunt him.

"Link, keep going! We're almost there!" Janna's song continued as she urged Link on. "We need a strong stimulus—something powerful enough to anchor his mind!"

"A strong stimulus... something strong!" Link's eyes lit up as an idea struck him. He leaned close to Vander's ear and whispered, "Vander, without you around, Vi's started dating some rich girl from Piltover."

"They've been sharing a bed, and Vi even—"

Before Link could finish, Vander's struggling expression froze. His eyes flickered rapidly, and with a sudden burst of strength, he shoved Link away and roared, sending Janna flying.

"No! Absolutely not! I won't allow it!!"

Vander broke free from the wall, his roar echoing through the warehouse.

"Dating some girl? Not on my watch!!"