Gariol Maxle took a deep breath before continuing his explanation. His chest still ached from Qwini's kick, but he knew refusing to answer was not an option.
Qwini sat silently across from him, her sharp eyes fixed on the scientist.
"Speak," she said coldly. "Don't waste my time."
Gariol nodded.
"...Very well."
"Marrowbanes are not ordinary monsters."
"They were created because of the Death Dragons."
Qwini frowned.
"Death Dragons?"
"Yes."
"They are the origin of every Marrowbane."
He slowly walked toward a large blackboard filled with strange diagrams.
"Every Death Dragon constantly releases a mysterious energy."
"That energy infects corpses, animals, and even living creatures."
"Those infected beings eventually transform into Marrowbanes."
Qwini listened without interrupting.
"The closer a Marrowbane is to its Death Dragon, the stronger it becomes," Gariol continued. "Some can become several times more powerful simply by remaining near their creator."
"So destroying the Death Dragon weakens them?" Qwini asked.
Gariol shook his head.
"No."
"That's the terrifying part."
"We still don't fully understand their weakness."
He sighed.
"Years ago I believed sunlight was their greatest enemy."
"I was wrong."
"Ice-region Marrowbanes survive perfectly under constant daylight."
"Their hearts are unbelievably durable."
"Breaking them is nearly impossible."
Qwini folded her arms.
"So there isn't a universal weakness."
"Exactly."
Gariol pointed toward another document.
"But among all known Marrowbane species..."
"...one race stands above the others."
"The Blood Marrowbanes."
His expression became serious.
"I don't even like calling them Marrowbanes."
"They're something entirely different."
Qwini narrowed her eyes.
"What makes them special?"
"They possess overwhelming physical strength."
"Their speed surpasses most ordinary Marrowbanes."
"They manipulate razor-sharp Blood Threads."
"They can create Blood Shadows to regenerate damaged flesh."
"And..."
He hesitated.
"They possess frightening intelligence."
Qwini remained silent.
Gariol swallowed.
"The most terrifying thing about them..."
"...is their endless hunger."
"They don't simply kill humans."
"They love consuming blood."
"They become stronger with every drop."
The laboratory fell silent.
Qwini quietly memorized every word.
"So Blood Marrowbanes are the greatest threat?"
Gariol nodded.
"Without question."
Meanwhile — Ruined Hospital
Deep beneath the collapsed hospital...
The battle had already begun.
The newly transformed Blood Soldiers charged toward Black ViSage.
Their crimson bodies moved unnaturally fast.
Each step cracked the stone floor.
Black ViSage stood motionless.
His black mask concealed every trace of emotion.
Only his calm breathing echoed through the underground chamber.
The Blood Soldiers attacked simultaneously.
Instead of retreating...
Black ViSage vanished.
Whoosh!
The adventurers could no longer follow his movements.
Only flashes of blue light appeared throughout the room.
Neisa Jeremy frowned.
"Fast..."
"So fast..."
Blue flames suddenly erupted behind one Blood Soldier.
A glowing chain shot forward like a living serpent.
Clang!
The chain wrapped around the monster's body before it could react.
Another chain appeared.
Then another.
Within seconds, every Blood Soldier had been imprisoned inside cages made entirely of brilliant blue chains.
The chains burned with mystical fire, preventing them from escaping.
The Blood Soldiers roared and struggled violently.
Nothing happened.
Their prison did not move even an inch.
Neisa slowly clapped her hands.
"Impressive."
"I truly didn't expect you to defeat them so easily."
Black ViSage turned toward her.
His voice remained calm.
"You..."
"...are a Scarlet Devilion."
Neisa's smile disappeared.
"You know about my race?"
Black ViSage nodded.
"The Scarlet Devilions."
"An ancient royal bloodline."
"They possess the ability to create armies from blood."
Neisa looked genuinely surprised.
"Interesting..."
"Very interesting."
She crossed her arms.
"Most humans have never even heard our name."
Black ViSage continued.
"Tell me."
"How many brothers and sisters do you have?"
Neisa blinked.
"What?"
"I asked a simple question."
"How many?"
She laughed softly.
"Why should I answer that?"
Black ViSage continued speaking as though he hadn't heard her.
"The Devilion Royal Family follows an old tradition."
"They allow only three royal children to survive."
Neisa's smile slowly faded.
"If a king has four..."
"...five..."
"...or even seven children..."
"...they are forced into an arena."
"The siblings fight each other."
"The strongest three survive."
"The rest die."
Silence filled the hospital.
For the first time...
Neisa looked genuinely shocked.
"...How..."
"How do you know that?"
Her crimson eyes stared directly at Black ViSage.
"...Who are you?"
"I can't sense a normal human aura from you."
Black ViSage ignored the question.
"So tell me."
"Did you survive that royal selection..."
"...or did you escape before it began?"
Neisa remained silent.
Black ViSage continued.
"Kings no longer rule the modern world."
"I don't know your objective."
"And frankly..."
"I don't care."
"My mission is simple."
"I'm here to rescue my comrades."
He slowly raised one hand.
"I'll give you one minute."
"Restore every Blood Soldier."
"Release my companions."
"And I'll leave."
"I won't pursue you."
Neisa stared at him for several seconds.
Then...
She burst into laughter.
"Hahaha..."
"You honestly believe I'd abandon my own army?"
"What an amusing man."
She stepped forward.
"Instead..."
"I'll make you my servant."
"I'll give you power."
"Wealth."
"Pleasure."
"Everything you desire."
Her voice became soft and seductive.
"Join me."
Black ViSage didn't move.
He didn't even answer.
Neisa frowned.
"...Nothing?"
She slowly circled around him.
"My beauty doesn't interest you?"
"My authority doesn't affect you?"
"My charm doesn't work either?"
Still...
No response.
Black ViSage simply watched her in silence.
Neisa sighed dramatically.
"What a troublesome man."
"I suppose I have no choice."
Her smile vanished.
"If you refuse to become mine..."
"...then I'll simply kill you."
Black ViSage spoke calmly.
"How many times must I reject you?"
"I'm not interested."
Neisa chuckled.
"Very well."
"You forced my hand."
A crimson aura exploded from her body.
Boom!
The entire underground hospital shook violently.
Her nurse uniform dissolved into countless crimson feathers.
Two enormous radiant wings unfolded behind her.
Golden horns emerged from her head.
A glowing crimson halo floated above her hair.
Her entire appearance transformed into that of a royal Devilion.
She looked beautiful.
Majestic.
Terrifying.
Neisa smiled proudly.
"I rarely reveal my true form."
"You should feel honored."
"I transformed because..."
"...you're far more mysterious than any human I've ever met."
Black ViSage looked at her without fear.
"Hm."
"You certainly talk a lot."
Neisa's smile twitched.
"I could kill you right now."
Black ViSage continued.
"But I won't."
"If you die..."
"...your Blood Soldiers will collapse with you."
"My companions would perish."
"And I don't intend to sacrifice innocent people."
Neisa laughed softly.
"So you've fought Devilions before."
"You understand how our Blood Contracts work."
"Interesting."
She slowly pointed at him.
"Then let me make one final offer."
"Join me."
"I'll give you power beyond imagination."
"You'll never regret it."
Black ViSage shook his head.
"No."
"Then..."
Neisa spread her wings.
"...prepare yourself."
Blue flames ignited around Black ViSage's fists.
The underground hospital trembled beneath the pressure of their auras.
Neither of them moved.
Both silently waited...
...for the first strike that would begin the battle.