Rex expected no less from Kyran, he has grown so much up to this point.
It was quite unbelievable that he was not even twenty years of age but had developed to this level, his developed mind from being imprisoned was the cause of his growth. He was able to persevere within Iseldra's domain as a teen, and that alone was impressive.
So impressive in fact that Iseldra herself has taken a liking towards him.
Other than that, Kyran's stat build was extremely balanced.
Unlike Adhara who was leaned in agility, he has basically the same amount across all stats.
A perfect build that suited his fighting style of maximizing moonlight energy control.
Moreover, the Beta Enforcer occupation shows its remarkable effect.
Since the matching custom outfit called Silverstar's Vanguard, Rex gave them added +75,000 endurance points, +25,000 agility points, and +15,000 strength points, the excess points that Kyran was given by his tier 2 occupation.
It was extremely potent, providing a couple hundred thousand points as bonus stats.
Rex was tempted by this tier 2 occupation.
Had the others managed to do the same, their power would soar as Kyran did.
"Do you feel stronger, Kyran?" Rex asked, trying to see if Kyran had realized the changes.
Kyran nodded, he was training rigorously the last couple of days to better prepare himself for the upcoming duel and could not help but notice—that his Human form was almost as strong as his Werewolf form normally.
Not to mention, the change was so potent that it was easily noticed.
He wanted to ask Rex about this but he hadn't got the proper time to do that.
"Your standing within the pack has evolved because of your will to serve me better—and you are rewarded for that," Rex explained, deliberately not mentioning the System. "However, the increase in your power would only present if you're within our territory or near Evelyn,"
"So, I had to ask, do you need Evelyn to ensure your victory?" He asked, smirking lightly.
Of course, such an increase in power would have some drawbacks.
Kyran was not expecting to be given power on a silver platter without any conditions.
Upon hearing this, he shook his head, "No, I'll bring victory without her help"
"Good, you are strong either way," Rex nodded in affirmation.
Now, he averted his attention towards Flunra, who was standing upright with a resolute look.
Compared to Adhara and Kyran, he was weaker in his Human form—amounting only to the mid-ninth-rank realm. His method of getting stronger was still the same as the old ways, it was through devouring other beings.
Rex relied on his experience and intelligence a lot to battle his opponents.
Because of that, Flunra hadn't been able to properly cultivate and become stronger.
Even then it was still quite impressive for him to still be that strong while he was busy.
Despite that being the case, Rex still believed that Flunra would be able to do well in the duel as his battle experience was out of this world, honed through three thousand years' worth of fights, there was no way he would lose.
"I see that you haven't been slacking off," Rex muttered with an approving look.
Upon hearing this, Flunra nodded, "A lot of corpses after the great war, a lot of corpses..."
Rex nodded in understanding.
He took most of the Passues' carcasses from the battlefield, but there were still many bodies littering the ground, and it seemed Flunra, made use of them. Additionally, amongst all of the power that his race provided, one was his efficiency in cultivating under the moon.
Because of that, he was still able to catch up.
However, Rex's eyes then landed on the Herald Mark section.
It's inactive...?
Rex frowned for a moment before he realized that it might be the side effect of the Countess being wounded, her power was diminishing to the point, that the Herald Mark Rex bestowed, couldn't be activated.
I sense a weakening in my Banished Dark Moon kingly energy, but this is unexpected still.
Naturally, without the Herald Mark, Flunra would be substantially weaker.
Considering that their pack was challenged, the challenger must've been ready to fight them and it would be foolish to not consider them to be, as strong as, a peak ninth-rank realm—or perhaps even stronger.
Pivoting towards Gistella, he approached and asked, "Where do you want the Herald Mark?"
"On the back of my right hand," Gistella answered, in embarrassment, she was burdening the others with her incompetence, and that didn't feel good. "I can't possibly place it in the same place as Adhara did, I'm not the Female Alpha"
Nodding his head, Rex held her right hand gently and engraved the Herald Mark there.
<Gistella has been blessed by the user's Blood Moon Herald Mark!>
<Blood Moon Herald Mark slot: 1/1>
"I don't know if the pack duel would be an all-out brawl or a one-on-one but if it's the latter— make sure you fight at the very end, okay?" Rex instructed—still holding Gistella's hand. Even with her flaws, she was important to Rex.
Upon hearing this, Gistella nodded in understanding, still troubled and embarrassed.
Just then, however, her eyes widened as she looked back at Rex.
"I want you to know that some nights, you, are the one who stopped me from breaking. Don't take this the wrong way, Gistella. The Herald Mark was given to you not because you are not competent, but because I'm too afraid of losing you. You're important to me"
Rex had sent a telepathy while staring directly into her eyes, holding her hand firmly.
And when Gistella heard the words rang in her mind, she was startled.
Eventually, that startle turned into a smile as she nodded her head, looking at Rex assuringly.
Knowing what she was thinking, Rex was able to say the perfect words for this moment.
Just like that, he turned around and stood before them once again.
Despite being able to scan their stats and know how strong they were right now, Rex could feel from the air around them that they were still hiding some tricks up their sleeves. It was most certainly the result of their training that Rex hadn't seen before.
Something that their race or powers were able to do.
Good, a strong opponent must always have a hidden power, they are ready for the duel.
"I expect nothing but a total triumph from all of you," Rex said loud and clear, declaring his expectations. "Not only because of our reputation but also because this was our very first duel against another pack. Aside from winning the duel, you are also going to stall for time for me, as long as you can"
"Adhara will tell you the details later, you can ask her about it," He added.
Confused by this, Kyran asked, "Aren't you going to come and watch?"
"Unfortunately, I wouldn't. I have urgent things to take care of" Rex replied truthfully.
He couldn't accompany them as this was a good opportunity.
An opportunity that came to his lap.
"I have already prepared the teleportation formation, to go to the proximity of the other pack, in the backyard. Use the formation several hours before midnight, you should be escorted by one of theirs. Keep your guard up—you will be in enemy lines there" Rex continued before he ended up with a smile. "Good luck"
After saying that, Rex went ahead and headed to the castle's gate, intending to go out.
On the other hand, the others looked at his back with questions inside their heads.
But it was clear that Rex was not going to answer them even if they asked.
"Adhara, do you know where he was going? I thought he'd come," Kyran asked from the side.
Upon hearing this, Adhara replied, "He has a plan, and I know what it is, but he shouldn't be exacting that plan right now. I also thought he was going to come with us. Nevertheless, he was not going to turn the Demon turtle, in the Dwarven Kingdom—because the negotiation with the Water Elementals failed, that I know for sure..."
Meanwhile, Rex walked out of the castle and headed straight to the city's main entrance.
Along the way as he was walking on the street, a figure materialized beside him.
It caused the onlookers to be surprised but settled again once they realized who it was.
"So, where are we going today?" Calidora asked, hugging Rex's arm tightly.
Rex cast her a subtle glance before averting his gaze ahead again, "I'm not taking you"
"You asked for the mutated snake, right? So you're heading to the Dwarven Kingdom to turn that Demon, I'm sure. I heard you failed the negotiation, with the Water Elemental—I assume you need whatever you need from them, for the Demon. How come you're going there if you failed?" Calidora asked, she was already piecing the pieces together.
As she said that, a smirk crossed Rex's lips as his eyes glistened brightly.
"Who said I failed? Evelyn failed, not me" He replied mysteriously.
"Oh...?" Calidora smiled excitedly. "As expected of my man, you did something did you?"