I am the Only Son of Nyx

Chapter 172: Killing Blow

Kai thought about it for a second.

Considering the House of Night was crawling with Nightborns, perhaps there was a preferred type of nourishment, and it so happened to be Star Beasts. But he could not be sure yet, as it’s still a big assumption.

In order for him to really know, he could ask Noxian about it.

And if Noxian has no idea, then the other way would be to experiment more.

Ever since he awakened his Primordial Bloodline, he had been devouring a lot of beings, but they were mostly limited to what the academy could offer; only Awakened Monsters as well as Awakened Supernals with low-rated divine bloodlines.

He needed to devour an Awakened Supernal with a high-rated divine bloodline first.

Only then could he know whether the House of Night indeed preferred Star Beasts.

But it’s not going to be easy.

Not only are there fewer Supernals with a high-rated bloodline like Matilda, for example, but it’s also impossible for him to kill anyone freely within the academy’s territory. And because the number of freshmen has dwindled, another one missing would be quickly identified.

He could kill and devour someone in the Dead Range, but he would be caught.

And that’s not worth it.

In any case, I should really stick to killing Star Beasts.

"Hey, Kai," Bree suddenly called.

"Hmm?" Kai looked up at her and found her also looking up. "What is it now?"

"Is that yours?"

"What ’s mine?"

"That..." Bree pointed up at the night sky, specifically at a dark blob that was thrumming with mana. She had been inspecting it while Kai was busy devouring the carcass and decided to ask as she remembered him having an ability like this one. "I’ve seen you use it before."

Kai stared at the blob, and then quickly sucked in a cold breath.

It was the Black Starfall imprint that he had recently obtained.

He didn’t remember using it, but it must’ve happened while he was battling Barbara.

"Yes, it’s mine. I didn’t even remember using it. Let me get rid of it," Kai reached out his hand to disperse the black star; his mind was already turning back to the Star Beast. But he suddenly sensed something that made his hand freeze.

Not that he couldn’t disperse the black star, but because it was locked onto something.

Someone.

His brows drew together.

Hold on a minute... Is it actually pointing at Barbara? I think it’s really locked onto her position.

Kai could feel from the thrumming of mana inside—that it was locked onto someone moving slowly in the distance; like the optocollic reflex of a bird. And if he released it, he was certain that a big lance of darkness would be fired.

One that was charged with his bloated power from earlier due to the Pyre Overload.

And since Barbara was wounded, she probably couldn’t block it.

Should I...? I can kill her right now and be done with it.

"I can see the killing intent in your eyes, Kai," Bree suddenly interrupted—snapping him out of his trance. Now that she had seen Kai’s other side, she could tell when he is brushing that side. It was his eyes that betrayed him. "Don’t even think about killing Barbara."

"What is your relationship with that woman?" Kai asked.

"Nothing," Bree rubbed his head gently with both hands, playing with his hair. "I don’t have any relationship with her other than being groupmates. And I’m not telling you this because I care about her. Just that her death would attract too much attention."

For a second, Kai’s hand remained raised and pointed at the black star.

It trembled with his dilemma as to whether to spare Barbara or get rid of her right now.

After what happened, there’s no saying that she won’t come after him later.

Another powerful enemy was the last thing he needed right now. Kai’s eyes flickered with the cold resolve to end Barbara for good. No one was around to witness it other than his friends, and a chance like this would never come again. "I’m sorry, Bree," He said—but his voice was firm. Determined. "She attacked me with the intent to kill. I can’t show mercy. Not when she thinks my life is hers to take simply because she’s a High Angel and I’m a Lesser Angel."

Kai had sworn that he would slaughter every person who made use of the broken system.

He’d kill every single one.

It was his promise to Bella, and he’s going to fulfil it.

"I stopped you earlier because I thought you wouldn’t want to kill Barbara—but you’re sober now, and you still want to kill her," Bree smiled and looked up at the black star. "I won’t stop you again. Do what you think is best for you."

Swish—!

Kai charged mana into the black star.

As of this moment, he was completely exhausted and drained of mana—but he should still be able to do this. Blood drizzled down his nose as he riled the black star, and as his eyes blurred from over-exertion, the black star detonated.

Swoosh—!

From it, a big dark lance cruised through the sky like a dark bullet.

It moved fast and silently.

Even if Barbara was still at full power, she wouldn’t be unscathed from trying to block this.

And now, when she’s greatly weakened and wounded, there’s simply no chance for her.

Crash—!

Kai and Bree could hear the loud crash in the distance as the big dark lance struck its intended target. Following that crash was another detonation of mana as the lance exploded, which was a further confirmation of the kill.

"Should we check?" Bree asked.

"Of course," Kai nodded without hesitation. "Confirming the kill is always a must."

Not only that, but he also wanted to devour Barbara, as that might give him enough experience to learn Kaelmorath’s second Ending Fragment. No need for him to hunt Awakened Monsters to gather the remaining experience needed to reach three thousand.

"You can get off now," Kai said flatly, waiting for Bree to get off.

"Oh, right..." Bree chuckled inwardly, forgetting that she was still sitting on his shoulders.

Both of them began leaving the clearing—heading straight to where the black lance had been fired. As he walked, Kai wiped the blood from his nose and frowned hard. My mana stat is really abnormal, and yet I still can’t endure the Prye Overload?

He realized how exhausted he was when he started walking.

Just a few steps in, and he already needed Bree to support him, which was embarrassing.

But then again, with the amount of mana he exerted during his battle against Barbara, it would be a miracle for him to be fine right after. Perhaps the Pyre Overload was completely attuned to the Supernal.

It would push one past the limit, regardless of their stats.

Kai believed that was the case, as that’s the only thing that made sense.

Climbing the steep incline was harder now that he had barely any strength remaining.

Much harder.

Earlier, the incline only took them a minute or a bit over that. Now, it took almost five minutes for Kai and Bree to reach the peak and look over the desolate stone expanse again. And the two took a short break to catch their breaths.

"Are you tired too?" Kai asked as he stole a glance at her; she was sweating profusely.

"Just a bit," Bree nodded but quickly waved her hand dismissively, reassuring Kai that she was going to be fine. "I’m not as tired as you. Leave the rest to me. This is only due to that terrible corruption from the Star Beast. Unlike you—I haven’t digested a single Crystallized Teardrop of Argus."

Kai forgot about that.

He was way more resistant to the Star Beast’s corruption compared to the other students.

Even in comparison to a High Angel like Bree.

She has a Coloured Halo, but it’s not developed enough to be able to endure the Star Beast’s aura of corruption perfectly. Some would seep through—especially recalling how violent that Star Beast was.

"You’re bringing it up again..." Kai smiled sheepishly.

He thought that after the bucket of flowers, it was finally time to forget about his mistake.

But it seemed Bree is going to make it haunt him forever.

Bree had already forgiven him, yes, but that doesn’t mean she would stop talking about it.

Going down the decline was far easier than climbing the steep incline. All Kai and Bree needed to do was lower themselves and slide down all the way to the bottom. And at the same time—Bryan approached them from the distance.

"Holy shit!" He exclaimed even before nearing them. "Did you see that?! Something crashed down from the sky!"

As he stopped and panted, he realized the two didn’t seem to be surprised.

It was then he realized something.

"Hold on a minute, that was you?" He asked, pointing at Kai with his index finger.

"Something like that," Kai shrugged and continued onward. "Gotta finish what I started."

"Are you stupid, or are you stupid? We stopped you from making a mistake, and you made it anyway the second you had the chance to?"

"She’s going to be a problem in the future."

"But she’s a High Angel! A missing High Angel... the academy would investigate this without a doubt. Thoroughly!"

"That’s why we gotta clean up the mess."

Kai knew and had already accepted the risk of the academy investigating this incident. After all, Barbara wasn’t only a High Angel, but she’s also the leader of Auric Cabal. A high-profile student whose death would echo through every sector of the academy.

No chance the academy would let this go easily.

Because of that, they need to get to Barbara’s corpse and erase all traces.

"I really got myself into a troublesome group, huh..." Bryan complained—as he walked lazily on the side, already feeling the throbbing headache that would come when the news that the leader of the Auric Cabal died spreads. "If this keeps up, like today, I am going to be the one who’d die first."

"Relax," Bree giggled lightly. "I don’t think the underworld would want you, anyway."

"Bree," Bryan looked at her exasperatedly. "Not you too... I’m not that ugly, am I?"

"I think we’re here," Kai said as he saw a crack up ahead.

Since this area was quite an open space—he could really see that there was a figure lying on the stone with a pool of blood surrounding her. It must be Barbara. As he was about to rush and check, a hand covered his mouth from behind and pulled him away.

He stumbled backward, dragged away, and only stopped once he was behind a boulder.