The Game of a Blood Mage

Chapter 109: MAD



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The Pyramid of Todesgott was something that Alex considered one of the strongest items in the Mortal World, and he wasn’t someone who made empty claims. Neither would he have gone through so much trouble to get something in this period where time is very important.



As a dark red aura crawled out of the small, palm-sized pyramid, everything around it seemed to be covered in a feeling of death. Even the beasts couldn’t deny that, and finally, the mountain-sized fox made a move as it charged for Alex, sensing the danger and deciding to take care of it before he fully activated whatever he was doing.



But before the fox could reach him, and even before Alex could fully activate the pyramid, a presence appeared next to the young Blood Mage. If felt like a chilling breath blown into his neck, a man two heads smaller than Alex, who was in his true monstrous form, stood next to him now, casually. Red flowing hair, and two dark horns coming out of his forehead.


 Though Alex was bigger than the man, he didn’t even dare do anything and just turned back to his human form. His eyes were calm as always as he gazed at the man. “The Beast Emperor, I must say, I never predicted you would be in my city and come from out of there.”


“....” Yes, Aesop, the Beast Emperor had been inside the Soul Sect already and seen how the people live there. “You did quite well for yourself. Especially during these hard times, a competent leader like you is very rare nowadays.”


The way he said those words was very casual as if questioning him for a fast-food job. But Alex knew that right now, the difference in power between the Beast Emperor and him was astronomical. Fighting him right now would be nothing short of a death wish.



But Alex wasn’t someone prideful, to begin with. So he immediately fell to his knees. Now bowing to anyone under the heavens? Only fools said that. “Beast Emperor, I am willing to lend my managerial abilities to you. After your victory, I promise you these lands will flourish.”


The Beast Emperor just stared at him with calm eyes. “Humph,” he snorted, a small smirk making its way onto his face. “The last time I trusted a human I ended up imprisoned. Humans will always betray me.”




“Why do you make it sound like only humans are the ambitious ones, my lord,” Alex seemed to have already gotten into a serving attitude. It was as if he had done this for decades. “Any human intelligent creature with intelligence has a chance to betray you, even beasts and the elves who pride themselves in their purity can betray. Why? Because they are aware of themselves, and betrayal works a lot of the time.”


“Yes, I know just how efficient betrayal can be,” said the Beast Emperor, a small smile making its way into his face. “But the beast race has never betrayed me. They followed a fool like me to the grave and back.”



“True,” Alex agreed, unwilling to get into an ideological battle with someone who could vaporize him in one hit. “Until now, no one has betrayed you.”



“Ye-...” the Beast Emperor suddenly stopped talking.



**
Humans originally were unable to use either Mana or Ki. Now, the origins of Mana, which was newer energy that had been learned in the latter parts of human civilization, could be traced to Elves being the first Mana users. Humans just copied that and made it better. Elves were long-lived creatures, if one could live for thousands of years, they weren't the most ambitious of creatures. 



So when humanity copied their magic, they were able to quickly change its nature. Developing dark magic, blood magic, necromancy, and many other magics would make someone able to live longer. Humans chased after immortality, but elves didn't desire it at all.



Still, Ki was much older within humans than Magic was. The original first masters of Ki were beasts, bringing out their mighty life energy to strengthen their attacks. 


Essentially humanity was a master of none but could use both Magic and Ki. Though there were beasts who used Magic and elves who used Ki, they were very rare. 


Still, what Ki had an advantage over Mana was that the instinct to sense danger that they awakened within their user was phenomenal. At the Beast Emperor's level, that instinct would border on clairvoyance, seeing a glimpse of the future.


Still, since he had reached Immortal Rank, the Beast Emperor felt like he was on top of the world. Never before had he felt danger. Yet, as he stared at Alex, it felt like a cold worm was crawling down his spine. His instincts were screaming to get away from this man.


Fwish!


Within an instant, faster than anyone could see, the Beast Emperor had distanced himself from Alex. Sweat dripped on the ground as he breathed heavily and kept staring at the young silver-haired Alex, whose red eyes were filled with child-like innocence.


"Oh? It worked?" Alex dropped his act quite fast, as his face settled into a cold exterior. "That's good, while the calculations were correct. These things sometimes fail very badly. But it seemed like I finally developed a Skill that can threaten an Immortal Rank. Though the preparation takes too long and it's too costly."


"Shut up," said the Beast Emperor coldly. - 'Why? Why did I run away? Wasn't I supposed to be the strongest? With my age alone, I should be wise enough and be able to see through this young man's tricks.'


While right now he was strong, over two thousand years old, the Beast Emperor… used to be but a simple farm cow. Even then, he belonged to a poor farmer. Its journey had been long and hard, to come here to the summit of the world. He had come to a level of power that even Gods were too afraid to descend with their avatars as they would just lose power after he killed them.




The Beast Emperor looked at Pork, the Fire Boar that was almost about to ascend into Godhood. He couldn't help but wonder; is this worth it?


Why is he fighting humans, to begin with? Initially, it was due to revenge, his anger, and madness for being trapped alone for 2000 years. But right now, the fear he felt before had seeped into his heart like a seed of doubt. Was he willing to risk his life for silly revenge? The ones who betrayed him passed away two thousand years ago. So what is the use of killing people now?



"Should I risk my life for nothing?" Wondered the Beast Emperor out loud, but no one dared answer his question.


Even Alex was nervous. In reality, he knew he couldn't win against the Beast Emperor, no matter how hard he tried. Maybe if he had been at Peak Legendary Rank, he might have been able to cook something huge. But for now, that wasn't the case.


What he was trying to lead the Beast Emperor, was to use the Pyramid of Todesgott's aura, which was otherworldly and divine, to scare him. 



It might sound like a silly idea on paper. But, the Beast Emperor had a lot to lose, would g3 2any to take his chances and underestimate his enemy once again. Because if the beasts lose this time they will be hunted to extinction. Even animals like cows will be under watch, just in case they might develop into beasts by awakening their Ki and obtaining consciousness.



On the other hand, even if he wins, what's there to celebrate about? There was still corruption in these lands, and the beasts would starve without anything to eat. Problems like those were already rearing their ugly heads, due to the corruption, almost everything had become inedible.



Alex kept staring at the Beast Emperor's eyes. This made him nervous because he had prepared an array to restrict his opponent for a split second and then teleport away. 



What Alex's plan was based on is the MAD strategy from his previous world, or also known as Mutually Assured Destruction. The reason nations don't use nuclear weapons. Because if one used it, then so would the other, ensuring the destruction of both of the countries. 




Alex was kind of bluffing on his part. As he didn't have something that could destroy the Beast Emperor. But instincts could be tricked, and the Pyramid of Todesgott was made by a part of hell that would make even the strongest beings feel uncomfortable. Why? Because instinctively, they knew that no matter how strong someone became, Hell's creatures would always be dangerous. At least that was what Alex hoped would happen.


He essentially bet on the Beast Emperor's instincts to be too good. Also, he had predicted that the monstrous beast would first check out Soul Sect. When he saw the happy, well-fed, and protected people. 


Alex knew that while the Beast Emperor didn't lack power. He could not manage his beast empire. So that would invoice curiosity and that was why he didn't kill Alex instantly.


"I…" the Beast Emperor looked at his hands, and then back at Alex. "Refuse…"






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A/N: "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." - Sun Tzu, Art of War.