The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Zephyrion held back a frown.

’Odd.’

Mutated beasts, though evolved, were still beasts at their core. They were territorial, solitary by nature. Different species did not come together to battle.

’They’ve either grown strong enough... or they’re being controlled.’

Zephyrion found the former unlikely.

The strength of a mutated beast was determined by its resonance depth, how far its body had aligned with the WorldPulse, and the extent of its physical adaptation.

The stronger it became, the more intelligence it gained, and the more its body took on the defining traits of its element.

Tempered was the lowest rank among mutated beasts. Parts of their bodies had already transformed into their respective elements, yet large portions of flesh still remained, just like the ones before him.

Forged was the next rank, far rarer. Most of their bodies had fully turned into their elements, making them significantly more powerful and intelligent.

It was already hard for a mark five Vessel to defeat a Tempered alone, except with the help of a truly powerful rune art. One needed to be at least mark six or seven to easily stand a chance. Against a Forged... an ordinary Vessel could only hope for death.

Zephyrion’s gaze settled on the Drogath. Even so, the ape was clearly a Tempered. It was strange to see one displaying such calculated behavior.

"Support the warriors!"

The village head’s roar tore across the field. The grand gates swung open, and a surge of warriors poured out into the clearing.

Their roars followed, rising as they charged the beasts, launching attacks while struggling to hold their ground.

"Tome construct!"

A sharp hum echoed from the village head as metal condensed rapidly before him, taking the shape of a massive, smooth humanoid construct.

He swiftly brought out a wooden slab and pen, his hand moving in quick, practiced strokes as he inscribed runic symbols across its surface.

The slab trembled, then burst into a brilliant light that shot straight into the construct.

In an instant, it expanded, countless metal plates forming and locking over its body in layered armor. A long sword and shield took shape in its hands as the air around it grew heavy.

The village head raised his arms, then brought them down. The construct dipped slightly, then exploded forward with terrifying speed.

The Kharvok answered with a deep, rumbling roar, slamming its claws into the ground.

Countless root-like metal spikes burst upward, lashing toward the construct like lethal whips.

They crashed against its shield with cataclysmic force, yet it forced its way through, closing the distance in a flash. Before the beast could react, the blade drove cleanly through its chin.

As silver blood splattered across the land, Zephyrion’s eyes narrowed.

The exchange, though it felt drawn out, had occurred in a single instant. Yet Zephyrion’s focus remained fixed on the village head and the construct he had summoned.

’An inscription.’

If rune arts were expressions spoken directly to the WorldPulse, then inscriptions were expressions written into form.

They could be unleashed immediately or preserved for later use. Even so, Zephyrion could detect a faint trace of awareness within the construct’s gaze.

The level of complexity required for such an art was immense, far beyond ordinary techniques, and more akin to an ultimate move.

A piercing screech cut across the clearing, and all eyes snapped toward the Selnari. Another construct, nearly identical to the village head’s, wove through the storm of lethal threads with fluid precision.

Gazes shifted toward the rear, where Guren stood with his arms raised.

The village head’s lips spread into a wide grin at the sight. The construct was flawlessly formed, its movements smooth and controlled.

That was his boy. To think he had already mastered the Tome lineage rune arts to such a degree.

In the next moment, the construct closed the distance and drove its blade deep into the beast.

As it collapsed, a wave of stunned, admiring looks turned toward Guren. At such a young age, he could already bring down a mutated beast!

The village head’s sharp voice snapped them out of their reverie.

"Last one! Get the wounded out—we’ll handle it!"

Jenna and the others, who had been waiting at the edge of the gates, rushed onto the battlefield, quickly moving to pull the injured to safety.

The Drogath remained where it stood, silently observing. It was the perfect window to evacuate the wounded.

"Surround it! Don’t let it get away!"

The village head, Guren, and the elders spread out, encircling the massive ape as they watched it warily.

Aside from its strange behavior, Drogaths were known for their thick hides, overwhelming strength, and brutal ferocity.

Facing one head-on was akin to standing before a charging truck. Even the elders at mark five, and those at mark six, would never dare such a thing.

The ape shifted. The village head and elders tensed.

Then it slowly raised both of its massive arms, and the village head’s eyes widened.

"Brace!"

The arms crashed down. An explosion erupted from the point of impact, a violent shockwave kicking up a dense cloud of dust and debris.

The ground split and cracked as the entire area trembled. Even from the wall, Zephyrion felt the vibration run through the stone beneath his feet.

In the heart of the chaos, the Drogath vanished.

Omar’s eyes widened.

"Incoming!"

He reacted instantly, shifting his construct. The metal humanoid flashed in front of him just as the beast’s massive fist came crashing down.

The impact thundered against the shield, the force driving both the construct and the village head backward.

"I got it!"

Elder Marino surged forward, metal aura coiling tightly around his axe as he swung down with full force. The ape slammed both fists against its chest and let out a deafening roar.

"Hirk!"

A violent blast burst outward, striking Marino mid-swing and sending him hurtling back.

The beast’s eyes darted wildly, madness swirling within them as it searched for its next target.

Then it found one.

Its gaze locked onto Jenna and the others dragging the wounded. With a furious roar, it lunged forward.

"It’s going for the wounded!"

The village head’s eyes widened.

"Guren! Stop it!"

"I’m on it!"

Guren’s construct shot forward to intercept, but the beast barreled straight through like it was nothing.

"No!"

The village head’s voice broke into a scream as the beast closed in on Jenna and the others. Every eye widened in horror.

"We have to—!"

Kaiden, who had been about to leap down from the wall, froze mid-motion.

Zephyrion, who had been standing there all along, was gone.

The next time Kaiden saw him, Zephyrion was already standing between Jenna and the beast.