Raydon checked the system messages with a big, happy smile on his face. Even though it was not enough to level up, the excitement he felt at the thought of the additional experience points he would earn from the remaining lion men was palpable.
As soon as this lion man had been killed, Raydon cast an instant glance over at the other lionmen.
'Good, they have no intention to resist, ' he noted, observing the lion men still on their knees with their heads bowed in acceptance of their fate.
In point of fact, the lionmen's greatest concern at the moment was that Raydon would subjugate them in the same way that he had done with the spirit beasts; consequently, they believed that death would be preferable for them. Additionally, this death was not a true death, and if they died during the match, they would only lose a few levels and all of the items that they were carrying with them. Because of this, they made the collective decision to put up no resistance and serenely accept their death.
'What a luck. I got an expansion orb. ' Raydon thought happily as he noticed a black orb among the items that the lion man's body had left behind after vanishing into the lights.
'I wonder if my Fortune Aura can help me obtain more loot,' Raydon pondered, preparing to approach the next lion man.
Raydon took a brief pause. He started by turning off his presence aura because he had not yet figured out how to use two auras simultaneously.
As soon as Raydon deactivated his Preccense Aura, the suffocating pressure that had been exerted on the lion men immediately vanished. However, because Raydon was a member of a high race, the natural presence that emanated from his body was still sufficient to suppress those who were in the vicinity of him, albeit not as effectively as when he was using this particular sub-skill.
Next, Raydon attempted to channel his aura towards luck, employing his aura technique.
''Damn. ''
Unfortuitously, however, it did not go as he expected, and Raydon was not successful in activating an aura for the very first time.
Thinking back to moments in his life where he had experienced good fortune, Raydon attempted to infuse his aura with those feelings, but to no avail.
Raydon was activating his auras by managing the presence of his body and soul using his own aura technique, while typically using each aura-type. However, because he was unaware of the rules governing the operation of luck, he was unable to figure out how to make use of it.
'I suppose I'll have to find another approach to activate this sub-skill, ' Raydon sighed, feeling a sense of disappointment.
The initial excitement he had felt at the prospect of increasing his luck for acquiring more loot was now replaced with a tinge of melancholy as he realized he could not unlock its potential.
Amidst this disappointment, Raydon proceeded to attack the second lion man with his flaming chain, listening to the agonizing cries that followed.
''Gaaagagghh. ''
[Lv.23 Leonyth (E-Rank) has been killed.]
[Your team gained 23 points.]
[You gained 4600 experience points.]
[Bonus: You gained 805 experiences.]
[Level Up!]
'At least I can still level up normally. ' Raydon continued, using this newfound happiness to soothe the recent feelings of dissatisfaction that he had been experiencing.
[Lv.22 Leonyth (E-Rank) has been killed.]
...
[Lv.25 Leonyth (E-Rank) has been killed.]
..
[Lv.21 Leonyth (E-Rank) has been killed.]
.
[Level Up!]
''Nice. ''
Raydon continued his ruthless attacks, swiftly eliminating four more lion men. With each kill, he felt his experience points grow, propelling him closer to another level.
And once he had finished off every single one of them, including the lion man in the red robe, he made his way up to the final lion man, who had a pale yellow mane and a frail, shriveled body.
Raydon was getting ready to deliver the killing blow when the leader of the lion men's frail voice suddenly reached his ears.
"B-before you k-kill me, may I a-ask something?" With the pressure of existence easing on the leader lion-man, he finally looked up, into Raydon's deep gray eyes adorned with blood, with the courage and willpower he found within himself, and asked.
The lion man did not get an answer to his question from Raydon, but when he saw that he was waiting without attacking, the lion man asked his question, under the impression that he had been granted permission.
''What are you? '' The lion-man was unable to continue staring into those penetrating eyes, and he once more dipped his head and asked the question with a trembling voice.
He had already resigned himself to his impending demise, knowing that he had no strength left to resist. Despite this, he was aware that the terrifying ordeal he had been through would always be present in his thoughts, like a persistent shadow hiding in the corners of his mind.
The harrowing experience of watching himself deteriorate from a proud and powerful king to a feeble and meaningless creature would be etched into his mind for all time.
That is why, as he prepared to die, he clung to a desperate desire for answers in his final moments. He yearned to know the identity of the being who had reduced him to such vulnerability and ignominy. It was a quest for comprehension, a last glimmer of hope in the midst of the overwhelming darkness.
Raydon didn't immediately respond to the lion man's question, allowing a few tense seconds to pass in silence. With a twisted smile on his face, he finally answered.
''I'm a God. ''
With those words, Raydon swung his chain, engulfed in black hellfire, striking the lion man's weak and trembling body, ending his life.
[Lv.19 Leonyth (E-Rank) has been killed.]
[Your team gained 19 points.]
[You gained 3800 experience points.]
[Bonus: You gained 665 experiences.]
And the proud lion man, who was destined to become king, passed away as quietly as his diminishing pride.