"They attacked me first," Nox pointed out, his tone calm but dangerous. "Also, they'll probably bring more harm than good, so the best course of action is to kill them off."
The calmness and absoluteness in Nox's voice sent a biting chill through the spines of everyone present. His dark eyes, which seemed to stare at them but not truly see them, frightened them, making their bodies tremble and cold sweat bead on their temples.
Looking at the resolute expression in Nox's eyes, all the Valkyries felt that their deaths were only a matter of time. They subconsciously turned their pleading gazes toward Akira, knowing she was the only one who could intervene and save them.
Akira bit her lip, feeling the weight of their desperate stares. The Valkyries were one of the most peaceful races on Eos; there was barely any conflict among them, and the thought of such bloodshed was unbearable to her.
No matter what, Akira couldn't let Nox kill them. With determination brimming in her delicate features, she glanced up at Nox, who stood several inches taller than her, and said in a soft yet resolute voice, "Let them go. I'll do anything you want me to."
"Anything?" Nox tilted his head slightly as he asked in a skeptical tone. His eyes narrowed, flashing with a fierce glint. "Anything is a strong word, my lady. Are you sure you can stand by your words?"
There was silence for a moment as everyone locked their eyes on Akira. The faces of the Valkyries burned with anger. Anything... they couldn't even begin to imagine what demand this vile, perverted male would make.
Knowing the kind of species this male was, the Valkyries could almost bet that it would be a sexual demand. The mere thought of their young, delicate princess satiating the urges of this male riled them up, and they began to slowly rise to their feet.
The Supreme Spirit Wolf, who had been standing behind Nox like a guardian, glared at them with its burning crimson eyes as it activated its skill [Dominance Aura].
A crushing pressure slammed into them with a powerful bang, forcing them back to the ground; the force made spiderweb cracks spread through the earth.
With trembling arms, veins bulging as if they might burst, the leader of the Valkyries stammered in a shaky voice, "H-how?"
How is he emitting such a powerful aura? This aura… it feels like it belongs to a beast, but I can't see any beast nearby. And yet… it seems to be coming from him.
"Anything." Akira nodded her head vigorously, making a decision in her heart. "I'll do anything for you—just let my sister go."
Then, with her cheeks burning as hot as molten flames, she whispered in a soft, sweet voice that was barely audible, "I can even become your wife."
"Don't sacrifice your body for this human; he doesn't deserve you."
Despite the powerful pressure, the Valkyries summoned the courage to speak up, grinding their teeth together, veins throbbing on their foreheads.
For a long moment, Nox didn't move. His blood weapons hovered in the air, ready to descend and pierce the women. Then, with a faint sigh, he waved his hand, and the weapons dissolved into red mist. He slowly descended to the ground before landing with a soft thud.
Seeing this, the eyes of the Valkyries lit up, but a sneer appeared on Nox's features as he regarded them with disdain. "I used to think the Valkyries were a proud, noble race that would rather die than bow their heads, but I guess I expected too much. Or is it because you girls are still teenagers?"
Nox's words stung them, and they lowered their heads in shame. A few wanted to protest, to say they weren't all —that the adults who had witnessed countless bloodsheds were much more resilient and experienced—but they couldn't even summon the strength to look up at Nox's face.
"I'll let you girls go, but there won't be a next time," Nox said a moment later. He was no monster. Akira had helped him a lot. The least he could do for her was grant this wish. After all, he would soon leave this dimension and return to the academy, having accomplished his goal of reaching level 30.
I've been away for too long. If I leave, anything that happens won't be my concern. After all, I've already tried my best.
As he thought this, Nox began to leave the scene. Akira exhaled in relief as Nox turned and began walking away. The Valkyries, still dazed, watched him go, their expressions blank with disbelief.
The eyes of the leader of the hunting squad flashed as she felt something strange about Nox but couldn't quite wrap her head around it.
Was it his aura? Why does he seem different?
Moments later, another squad of Valkyries arrived, led by a tall woman with an imposing presence. Her silver armor gleamed in the sunlight, and her piercing gaze swept over the battlefield with a cold gleam in her eyes.
"Erin," one of the injured Valkyries gasped, her voice weak. "You're here…"
"What happened?" Erin demanded sharply, her eyes landing on the leader of the defeated squad. "Speak."
The leader hesitated, glancing in the direction Nox had gone. "It was a male," she finally said in a trembling voice. "He… he overwhelmed us."
"So he was here as well," Erin muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at the footprints of Nox, Akira, and… beast-like hooves, which was strange.
At that moment, the leader of the hunting squad's expression darkened as she said to Erin, "But there's something strange about this male."
"His aura… it's as if he's not fully human. I can sense a trace of our scent on him."
"A trace of our scent? The more time passes, the more curious and intrigued I become about him."
After journeying for a while, Akira and Nox came to a stop in front of an ominous cave.
"That's it," she said, her tone shifting to something more serious. "The boss room of this dimension."
Nox stopped, his eyes scanning the cave entrance. The air around it was thick with oppressive energy, and faint growls echoed from within.
"Did you just say boss room?" Nox raised an eyebrow. A smirk appeared on Akira's face. Something wasn't right. He frowned. Why is she smirking?