Bloodbound Codex: I Grow Stronger in Secret

The moment the message reached Veyron, he did not even wait to confirm or ask why, as he could already see what was happening on the projection displayed before him. He immediately reached out and tapped a button-like Relic on the side of each Crucible in which the Chimeras were stored. Hundreds of Crucibles covered the large laboratory, each one containing a monster other than an Ex-rank Chimera, whereas the remaining three Ex-rank Chimeras were suspended inside thick green liquid. The moment the Relic was activated, faint light spread across the surface of all three Crucibles as the seals holding them shut began to disappear one after another.

And then, he gave a command through the other Relic in his hand, a small Relic shaped like a pentagon. ”Protect Lord Azarion at all costs and kill whoever tries to harm Lord Azarion.” The moment the command was spoken, the seals of the Crucibles completely disappeared and the thick green liquid inside them began leaking onto the floor.

Chains attached to the bodies of the Chimeras unlocked one after another, falling heavily onto the ground as the creatures inside slowly opened their eyes. Every pair of eyes turned red at almost the exact same moment as the command etched itself into their minds, leaving no room for another order to be given.

The laboratory began to shake.

It wasn’t because of an explosion or an attack, but because of the presence the three Ex-rank Chimeras were releasing. The green liquid continued flowing across the floor as one Chimera after another stepped out of its Crucible.

One was covered in white armor-like skeletal plates that formed across its body, making its entire figure look as if it had been covered in layers of hardened bone. Another possessed four black wings extending from its back, its body carrying features of both birds and monsters. The third Chimera was difficult to properly see. Its body constantly dissolved into black mist before gathering together again, causing its silhouette to shift every few seconds.

Each of the three differed from the others through their appearance and individual abilities, but one thing remained the same.

Ex-rank strength.

Veyron watched the scene without saying anything. The laboratory had remained silent for a long time while the three Chimeras were kept inside their containers, but now all of them had been awakened at once. He looked toward the projection displaying Azarion’s current location before tightening his grip around the pentagonal Relic.

”Go.”

The Chimeras moved immediately.

They did not run toward the exit, and they did not need to be given another command. Their bodies simply disappeared from their positions one after another as the Relics controlling their movement activated. Space folded around each Chimera before their bodies vanished from the laboratory, sending them directly toward the location of the person they had been ordered to protect.

Meanwhile, Velmira was still attacking Azarion.

BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!

Another series of punches struck his body as he remained trapped against the mountain. The defensive Relic surrounding Azarion continued flickering around him, separating the space between his body and Velmira’s fists so that the attacks could not directly make contact with him. However, the constant impacts were still forcing his body deeper into the mountain, and the Relic was beginning to struggle under the repeated attacks.

Azarion’s arms were already covered in cracks and several of his bones had fractured, but he continued protecting his vital areas while trying to find an opening to escape.

’Veyron should have received my message by now.’

Another punch struck his chest.

BOOOOOM!

Azarion’s body was pushed deeper into the mountain, causing a large amount of stone to collapse around him. He gritted his teeth as he tried to endure another attack, but then something changed.

Velmira stopped.

Her fist remained just in front of Azarion’s body as she suddenly turned her head toward the distance.

Azarion noticed the change immediately. He didn’t understand what had happened, but before he could take advantage of the opening, a powerful force suddenly approached from far beyond the mountain range.

BOOOOOM!

A massive figure crashed into the ground between Velmira and Azarion.

The impact destroyed the surrounding rock and sent a shockwave through the mountain, while dust and broken stones were thrown into the air. The fifteen-meter-tall Chimera slowly lifted its body from the crater it had created, its massive frame standing directly between Velmira and Azarion.

Its eyes were completely red.

Velmira had already moved several meters backward from the impact, her gaze fixed on the creature standing in front of her. She could immediately sense the strength coming from its body.

Ex-rank.

Before she could make another move, two more figures appeared around the battlefield.

One Chimera appeared above the mountain with four black wings spread behind its body, while the other landed on a broken section of rock with its body partially dissolving into black mist. The three Chimeras looked toward Velmira with killing intent as their bodies released their respective auras.

Within only a few seconds, the entire area around Azarion had changed. The three Chimeras had surrounded Velmira from different positions, leaving Azarion behind them while following the command that had been etched into their minds.

Velmira did not move.

She simply stood there and observed the three creatures surrounding her. The white-armored Chimera stood directly ahead of her, its massive body blocking most of the mountain behind it. Above her, the Chimera with four black wings remained suspended in the air, its wings slowly moving as it maintained its position. The Shadow Chimera remained the most difficult to track, its body repeatedly dissolving into black mist before reforming several meters away.

None of them spoke.

The killing intent they released was enough to make their purpose obvious.

Velmira’s eyes narrowed slightly as she observed their movements, ’Each one is strange, what is that substance surrounding their bodies? and most of all How is Azarion even able to create and control such monsters?’ All three were Ex-rank, but their presence was different from ordinary Ex-rank beings. Their bodies had clearly been modified to withstand an enormous amount of power, and even now, while standing still, they were releasing enough pressure to distort the surrounding air.

She glanced toward Azarion again. He was still trapped inside the mountain, but something about his expression had changed. The fear that had remained on his face during her previous attacks was gradually disappearing.

Velmira noticed it immediately, ’He had been planning to unleash these monsters in other continents...and now that he is in a bind, he is using them, but he is not a fool to think that only this much is enough for any continents or even me, he had some other plans.’

’Well, it doesn’t matter now, He will die by my hands today no matter what.’ She thought as she took one last look at Azarion before a small smile formed in her lips.

Azarion slowly lowered his arms.

And the very next moment...

All three Chimeras launched themselves toward Velmira.