Suddenly, before Gruig could even react, a white light erupted from the left side of his vision.
It was so bright and so fast that he could not even lift a hand to defend himself.
A deep boom echoed across the ruined hallway, shaking the walls and rattling every loose stone around them.
Lazry felt the blast hit his face with a wave of heat and dust. For a heartbeat he froze, unable to breathe, and then he slowly turned toward the source.
The white blast had come from his tiny black dog with six glowing eyes.
Lazry stared at the creature, speechless, until the system screen flickered in front of him like a satisfied spirit showing off its handiwork.
The words appeared clearly.
[ Ding!
[ The host now has absolute control over the beast.
[ No curse spirit required.
[ Mental connection is enough. ]
Lazry blinked. Then he laughed under his breath. "Mental connection only. That means I don't even have to lift my hand. I really am born to not do anything… I'm afraid I might become an idle king. Haha!"
Before he could close the transparent screen another notification flashed before his very eyes.
[ Ding!
[ Lycannis Peak Ability received.
[ Moon Power.
[ The host now has endless curse energy during a full moon. ]
Lazry stared at the words and scratched his head. "Wow. That sounds good. But I still can't use curse energy. Although I can do it, my system rewards won't allow it. So what am I supposed to do, admire the moon from a window while everyone else fights?"
He shook his head helplessly, but he couldn't deny a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Even if he could not use the ability, just having it felt like holding a treasure chest he could not open yet. He would boast about it in private later. If something comes up or someone forces him to use curse energy.
The smoke from the explosion finally thinned, drifting away like gray ghosts. The scene that revealed itself made Lazry's breath catch in his throat.
Gruig's body was barely intact.
Only the head, half the neck, a piece of the shoulder, and a mangled section of the stomach were left. Everything else was gone, blasted into dust and scattered pieces.
The young man who had been roaring about pride and challenge a moment ago was lying there with his remaining eyes wide and trembling. His breath was a thin whistle, fading with every exhale.
Lazry swallowed hard. "Damn. That… that was a bit much."
His six eyed demon dog sniffed the smoke as if bored. Then it turned away to sniff the ground again, not even giving the dying boy a single glance.
Lazry rubbed his forehead. "You did not even hesitate. You really are a demon dog."
Winston gasped beside Lazry, horrified. After a few seconds, he's finally able to move again. But his face had gone pale.
"Young master… this is… I do not even know what to say."
Lazry himself felt his throat tighten. He quickly waved his hand and conjured his demon dog back into his Curse Mana Space.
The small beast dissolved into black particles and slipped into his shadow. He could not let anyone see it again until he figured out how to handle this disaster.
Lazry turned toward Winston. His voice was low. "Winston. Did the hotel know we were coming?"
Winston blinked quickly, still shaken from the attack. "Yes. Of course, young master. They always update the system whenever a member of the Lycannis Family arrives."
Lazry pressed his lips together. "Are there cameras?"
Winston froze, then nodded slowly. "Many. This is a high security building. They track everything. Unless we kill everyone inside and destroy all the records, people will know someone attacked him."
Lazry shook his head immediately. "No. I am not killing innocent people. I am not doing something that stupid."
"But young master," Winston whispered urgently, "if anyone thinks you caused this, even an accusation could bring trouble. Gruig is from a powerful branch of the family. If he dies…"
Lazry waved him off. "Let them talk. I am still Eldra's son. She might not like me, but she won't let anyone lay a hand on me. Besides, the cameras would show everything. Gruig insisted on the fight. He attacked first. And he pushed too far."
Lazry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "This is his fault. Not mine."
Winston opened his mouth to speak, but Lazry was already walking toward the exit with calm steps, leaving the destroyed hotel Hall behind him. The air smelled like blood and burnt curse energy, but Lazry did not look back.
He did not need to. He had won. And the best part, he had taken indirectly revenge on the old man Grude.
…
Far away, deep within the Lycannis Family Estate, the ancient formation that guarded the central hall shimmered with faint blue light.
The runes etched into the marble floor pulsed as formation masters checked each line and node, making sure everything was ready for the grand celebration tomorrow.
The defensive formation was one of the strongest in the family. If anyone caused trouble, the whole estate would react instantly.
Old Man Grude stood near the center of the hall, inspecting everything with sharp eyes. His white hair was tied neatly, and his long coat carried the embroidered emblem of the Lycannis crest. He tapped one of his canes lightly against the floor.
"Check the energy conduits again," he ordered. "If something goes wrong during the celebration, the elders will blame me."
"Yes, Elder Grude," the formation masters said quickly.
After a few minutes, another elder approached Grude with a smile. "Grude, the celebration will be magnificent. But there is something I wanted to ask you."
Grude looked at him tiredly. "What is it now?"
The elder leaned closer. "Your grandson. Everyone heard he was talented. So why did you not give him the Nine Tailed Demon Fox? It went to a child with lower background. Shouldn't your own bloodline come first?"
Grude's face hardened, and his voice turned cold. "Do not ask about things you don't understand."
The elder raised his hands. "I only meant that with his talent and your position, he should have been favored. Yet he received nothing special. Was it the council? Did they pressure you? Do they fear you gaining more influence?"
Grude looked away, jaw clenched. "It is complicated. The higher branches do not want me to hold too much power. They pretend it is for balance, but everyone knows it is only fear. Enough questions."
Before he could say more, a young servant rushed toward him. The boy's face was pale and drenched in sweat, and he bowed so low his forehead almost hit the floor.
"S… sir… s… sir… forgive me but… something is wrong…"
The hall fell silent.
Grude's voice dropped to a deep, dangerous tone. "Speak."
The boy trembled harder. "It… it is about your grandson… we received a report… he… he might be in danger… serious danger…"
The elders froze.
Grude's eyes slowly narrowed, and a cold killing intent filled the grand hall.