Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!
Chapter 530: Malice

Chapter 530: Chapter 530: Malice

Some things exist not as they initially did.

After tens of thousands of years of evolution, the Silver Teeth Clan’s ritual battles had transformed into ceremonies honoring the ancestors.

Since it was a ceremony, compared to the past, it naturally became softer, even if it related to the succession issue of the clan leader, rarely involving fierce battles.

However, now, Lotcar and Kai Bu fought almost fist to flesh, blade to blood, without any intention of stopping before causing real damage.

Near the platform, all members of the Silver Teeth Clan watched the fight with unblinking eyes.

In such an intense fight, a momentary lapse by any of them could result in immediate defeat.

They were afraid to miss any detail that could determine the outcome.

But this level of competition also reminded the members of the Silver Teeth Clan of a contest that had taken place seven years earlier.

That day, Lotcar and Kai Bu had been just as fiercely engaged, trading punches and blood.

In the end, although Lotcar had achieved an overwhelming victory, he had lost consciousness and began attacking indiscriminately.

Had it not been for Lotcar’s wife stepping in front of him, that version of Lotcar could have caused untold injuries before relenting.

Memories of the past replayed in their minds, leaving many feeling uneasy, even quietly praying to the ancestors, hoping that Kai Bu could smoothly deal with Lotcar and avoid repeating history.

But these prayers could not sway the outcome of the battle; they only served as meager comfort.

After several exchanges, Lotcar gained the upper hand, their claws intertwining again as both colossal wolves inevitably flew toward the edge of the platform, their sharp claws scoring the stone, both stopping simultaneously.

Kai Bu breathed heavily, and although he had not neglected his training since becoming the acting clan leader, he still found himself at a disadvantage against Lotcar, just as before.

Lifting his head, Kai Bu looked at Lotcar, who showed no sign of fatigue, his majestic form standing proudly on the platform, blood smearing his mane.

"Again with this attitude, you’ve always held yourself above others," Kai Bu growled, bristling.

Remembering the past ignited a continuous surge of strength within him from the depths of his heart.

Whenever he finally learned something, Lotcar seemed to effortlessly master the same thing.

Whenever he helped others, people first praised Lotcar for being a great brother before commending him.

Whenever he felt he was close to catching up with Lotcar, he found himself frustratingly left behind again.

And Lotcar always appeared unconcerned, casually explaining it all with "I’m older and more capable."

That year, Lotcar easily gained rights to use the Racial Essence, while he himself collapsed in the first round of the youth competition, taking several years to earn the same right.

That year, they both fell for the same girl, but she only had eyes for Lotcar.

That year, when he finally found his life’s goal to contribute to the village, he learned that the Old Clan Chief had chosen Lotcar as the sole candidate for clan leader.

No matter how hard he tried, Lotcar easily had everything he never owned.

Jealousy bred malice.

Long-standing resentments were bound to erupt someday.

Realizing that he could never keep up with Lotcar, Kai Bu became irritable and quick-tempered.

He wanted to destroy everything others possessed.

He wanted to give people a glimmer of hope when he saw them striving, only to ruthlessly crush it and tell them that their efforts were useless.

He did it.

He had no regrets.

But even after calculating everything to completely ruin Lotcar’s life, Lotcar still stood before him.

"Do you always see me that way in your eyes?"

There was a trace of sorrow in Lotcar’s gaze,

"If I had realized earlier, perhaps things wouldn’t have come to this."

Kai Bu lifted his head, "Just as the Old Clan Chief said, you haven’t changed at all from before. You’re still as hateful as in the past."

"No, I’ve changed a lot," Lotcar slowly got into position, "During the seven years I left my clan, I met different people and learned a lot, becoming much calmer.

I can understand your feelings now.

I apologize for not having understood you in the past.

Kai Bu, this is your last chance.

Recognize the path you’re on; those people aren’t worth your trust. Don’t let your heart rot any further."

"Shut up! Don’t talk to me as if you understand everything."

His voice echoed through the forest. Kai Bu glared at Lotcar, his eyes filled with a deadly intent. The blood stuck to his fur seemed to sense Kai Bu’s anger, transforming into a mist of blood hovering around him,

"You don’t understand anything at all.

An apology? How could that be possible! I haven’t done anything wrong.

Come on, attack! Hurry up and attack!

Didn’t you come here to defeat me?

If that’s the case, don’t worry about anything else—abandon your daughter, friends, and clansmen. Give up everything and attack me."

As Kai Bu finished speaking, Lotcar, moving his robust limbs, attacked him again. Kai Bu stood his ground, his paws gripping the platform fiercely, using his body to withstand the attack.

"In the end, you still chose to stand by them and decided to further embrace the darkness in your heart. Then, the injustices and pain I have endured in the past, I will return to you in full, and do so doubly."

Facing Lotcar’s collision, Kai Bu’s claws scratched the ground, ripping several deep crevices in the platform, but he wasn’t pushed out of the arena.

He finally stopped on the platform, turned around, and bit toward Lotcar’s abdomen.

As the attacker, Lotcar hopped back, adjusted his posture, dodged Kai Bu’s bite, and went to Kai Bu’s flank. He opened his massive, Sharp-fanged mouth and pierced Kai Bu’s neck, and vibrant red blood spurted out.

No one expected this scene to occur.

Everyone present knew that Lotcar was striking with lethal intent. They wanted to step forward to stop him, but then they saw Lotcar release his grip and throw Kai Bu out of the arena.

Kai Bu fell into the stream not far from the platform, his blood instantly coloring the small stream red, and he reverted from his gigantic Silver Wolf form to his original Beastmen form.

Standing on the platform, Lotcar did not revert from his Silver Wolf form, nor did he emit any victorious howls. He just stood there, watching Kai Bu who lay on the bank in a pool of blood, unmoved.