Chapter 455: Chapter 455 - Tamers War - No Escape (2/2) Kassian smiled and launched a casual attack, completely underestimating a Ren with the pendant that hid his true mana level after 6 months since Kassian had last seen him. He had considered that day’s purifying light in the children’s battle against Klein as simple nonsense that had seemed revolutionary, it had to be only an intelligent use of the infection that Ravenspire had just cured in his own soldiers. However... He realized he was somewhat wrong when Ren dodged his attack with impossible fluidity and hit him full in the face. Unfortunately the light claws didn’t cut Kassian, instead breaking owing to the fact that there was a big mana density difference. The punch connected exactly like Selphira had done that same day, though the old woman had ended up restraining herself. Kassian stepped back surprised though not truly hurt, more from shock than physical damage. However, rage grew uncontrolled within him. "Damn brat!" he spat, preparing for a more serious attack. Ren maintained his battle position, seemingly waiting for Kassian to approach again. When he finally advanced with lethal intention, Ren opened his fist and blew a good amount of golden spores directly in his face. Kassian’s high corruption was sufficient to eliminate them without major problems, but temporary damage to his eyes and face produced an annoying burning sensation on his skin. Kassian became even more exasperated, wiping the bright particles with furious gestures. "Seriously? You’re keeping more of that shit in your pockets?" He was about to fight more seriously, invoking all his beasts, when laughter stopped them both. Ravenspire was above again, floating in his privileged aerial position. He mocked Kassian a bit with cruel amusement. "A puppeteer generally uses puppets to fight, you know?" he commented condescendingly. Then he added with false consideration: "Though maybe it’s not so difficult or interesting to ’control’ after all." He opened his arms dramatically, and from the semi-demolished walls of the final fight, soldiers cured and altered by Ravenspire began emerging. Hundreds of them, Silver-rank soldiers, their eyes glowing with that purple radiance indicating abyssal control, approached in perfect formation. The sight was terrifying in its scope and coordination, it wasn’t just an enhancement, but the systematic conversion of entire military units into extensions of Ravenspire’s will. Kassian looked at Ren again and stepped back, recognizing he had lowered himself to the child’s level. "You’re right," he admitted, though still angry. "I don’t have to do the dirty work." Then he addressed Ravenspire with impatience: "You finish it." Ravenspire rolled his eyes, wondering why he had to do it when he had so many soldiers who would eventually finish everyone. It was like killing a tied and motionless mouse with a war hammer. But he decided he would do it, because Kassian still served them and while necessary it was better to keep him happy and thinking he was a "guest" instead of a tool. Ravenspire disappeared from sight, using shadows to move. Ren remained standing just the same, in battle position and ready to fight... He never took risk into account before acting. Did he like risking himself so much? Didn’t he fear for his life? Didn’t he know his parents would be sad if something happened to him? It was always second nature... for better or worse, Ren used to throw himself headfirst ignoring fear. Satisfying his curiosity first. But this wasn’t a matter of learning... It was fighting. Could he survive? Could he even win? Why was he doing it in the first place? Why was he fighting? Mooshito knew there was no choice... it was about survival. But there was something more... Ren’s eyes opened even wider, beginning to shine intensely despite the girls asking him to run, as well as Julius who couldn’t interfere as he was blocked by attackers. "Ren!" Luna shouted. "No, please!" Liora added, desperation in her voice. Ravenspire reappeared directly in front of Ren and apologized with mock courtesy. "Nothing personal, little one," he murmured while his claws extended. "Just business." Though he was surprised by the level of light emanating from the child, in the end he just mentally laughed at the power level that remained relatively low. ’At least I recognize your guts,’ he thought with some respect. ’I’ll give you a painless death as reward for your courage.’ Ren glowed more intensely while the girls finished ’carefully’ laying down Larissa, Sirius did the same with Selphira but trying to stop the girls as they screamed while preparing to jump to help him. But they were almost mana exhausted, jumps were slow. And Ravenspire had been too fast for the girls’ reaction, they would have needed higher perception. Though not the case for Ren... In maximum concentration, he listened to Mooshito, who had extended his new golden perception network around the area like an invisible web. "Now," the small mushroom whispered. Ren barely dodged Ravenspire’s blow, receiving only a light cut on his cheek where claws passed too close. His fist rose in a counterattack very similar to what Kassian had swallowed, but which to the half-crow seemed desperate and simple. Even so... Ravenspire was genuinely surprised by Ren’s "lucky" dodge, but immediately recovered his professional composure. After all, he was several times faster, with elevated perception that allowed him to see Ren’s fist approaching in slow motion. That blow not only couldn’t hurt him, but stopped the boy in perfect position for the crow man’s other claw to cut his head this time. "Good fight, boy," Ravenspire murmured while advancing his other claw for the final blow. It was the end. Or it would have been... But a thick root shot out from the ground at insane speed. Through the place where Ren had just dodged, right above his fist... As if the child had summoned it. Not even the crow’s elevated speed and perception saved him. As if Ren had punched him with a titan’s strength, the root sent Ravenspire flying like a rag doll, his body crossing the air at high speed before crashing against the remains of a distant wall. The silence that followed was absolute, broken only by the sound of debris falling where Ravenspire had impacted. Everyone present, both allies and enemies, looked at Ren with expressions of absolute shock. The eleven-year-old boy continued glowing, but now behind him something large was emerging, something more dangerous than anyone here was...