Chapter 39

Lei Yin? Barnsten, the next elder of the largest clan among the bear people, the Barnsten clan, is rumored to be the strongest. He is also the right-hand man of one of the current elders, Keen? Barnsten. Moreover, he harbors a near-obsessive affection for Keen.

However, this last point is not limited to Lei Yin. To the entire Barnsten clan, especially among the younger generation, Keen enjoys immense popularity. The reason is Keen's bold and straightforward personality, his deep patriotism, and his unparalleled strength among the demi-human races.

Because of this, when the news came, the bear people all thought it was a cruel joke. It was impossible for their beloved elder to be incapacitated by a human. However, the harsh reality was right before their eyes. In the medical facility, Keen lay helplessly, a sight that left no room for doubt.

Seeing the completely changed Keen, Lei Yin was stunned, and then he felt a boiling rage and hatred. He made no effort to suppress the anger rising from his gut, and he immediately approached the elders present to hear the entire story. After learning everything, Lei Yin, ignoring the elders' warnings, informed the entire Barnsten clan of the facts and began preparing for revenge.

Despite the advice from the elders and other clans, the bear people drove them away. Centered around the young members of the Barnsten clan, especially those who admired Keen, a group of over fifty gathered, vowing to punish the detestable humans. Their target, knowing the humans' aim was the Great Tree, decided that the most effective revenge would be to attack them just as they were about to reach the Great Tree. "Let them see their goal but never reach it!" was the idea.

After all, their opponents were just humans and rabbit people. Even if they had defeated Keen, it must have been through a surprise attack or some other despicable means. The bear people were convinced of this. The fog-shrouded forest and the fragile rabbit people were no threat. Lei Yin was an excellent man. Normally, he would never make such a convenient explanation. But his eyes were now clouded by deep anger, and he was not his usual self.

However, even with his eyes clouded, he could still see...

"This is impossible!?"

Keen couldn't help but scream. Because in his eyes, an impossible scene was unfolding. The rabbit people, considered the weakest among the demi-human races, were trampling over the bear people, who were among the strongest and excelled in combat.

"Look, look, look! Infuse your spirit! Engrave this fear!"

"Ahahahaha! Scream like pigs!"

"Disinfect the filth! Hehehehehe!"

The laughter of the Horia clan echoed, and countless lethal slashes flew. There was no trace of the rabbit people's usual gentle and peaceful nature, their aversion to conflict. The bear people, despite their efforts, were shaken and retaliated with curses.

"Damn it! Who are you!?"

"This isn't the rabbit people!"

"Uwaaaaa! They're coming! They're coming!"

Planning to ambush their opponents, they were instead ambushed. The rabbit people, considered low in the demi-human hierarchy, were inexplicably strong. Accurate arrows and stones flew from nowhere, and their methods of disrupting perception were so skillful that they caused cognitive chaos. Their high-level coordinated attacks, coupled with their cheerful laughter as they swung their blades and their mad grins, deeply shook the bear people, leaving the superior bear people in a dire situation.

In a one-on-one battle, the rabbit people could never defeat the bear people. However, over the past ten days, the Horia clan had undergone intense training, which compensated for their innate disadvantages.

Originally, the rabbit people were lower in the hierarchy compared to other demi-human races. However, their ability to detect danger and their stealth skills, honed to avoid conflict and survive, were exceptional. They had survived by relying on these skills.

They could detect enemies earlier and ambush them without being noticed. In terms of race, they indeed had the abilities of assassins. However, their innate nature had always undermined these advantages.

One could say that Aichi's training awakened their instinct for combat. Although he only focused on cursing and pressing them, swinging weapons to injure their opponents, leaving them no time to feel aversion... recalling the words of his former sergeant, Hartman, he subjected them to excessively harsh training over the past ten days, which completely transformed their minds. Admittedly, it might have been a bit too much...

By instilling their bodies with an unhesitating aggressiveness, they displayed considerable combat prowess. The strong bonds of kinship within the clan ensured that their coordination was at the highest level from the start. Their ability to adjust their presence and coordinate effectively produced a significant impact.

Additionally, the many specialized weapons crafted by Aichi were another reason for the Horia clan's drastically improved combat capabilities.

Each member was equipped with two small katanas, which were byproducts of the "+Precision Refinement" training. The extremely thin blades would tear the skin upon contact. Although close combat was challenging for the younger Horia, they possessed innate tracking abilities and could launch sniper attacks from the fog. Even Aichi was taken aback by their skills.

Baru... Barudofurudo, who was obsessed with using a crossbow for sniping, had completely taken on the demeanor of a sniper.

"One shot, one kill! I swear by the name of [Barudofurudo] to blow off your head."

Baru... This is Barudofurudo's recent catchphrase. Incidentally, [Barudofurudo] is his self-proclaimed name. His initial catchphrase was "Sniping!" but Aichi stopped him, much to his dissatisfaction.

Therefore, the panicked bear people had no reason to stand against the current Horia clan. In a short time, their numbers were reduced by half, with nearly half of them killed on the spot.

"Let's retreat for now!"

"Lord Lei Yin! If we continue like this!"

"I'll cover the rear! Ugh!"

"Fujita!"

Although some suggested a retreat, not only was Keen incapacitated, but many of his subordinates were also killed. Lei Yin was still hesitating due to his boiling anger. The Horia snipers did not miss the moment of hesitation. Fujita, who had suggested a retreat and offered to cover the rear, was shot through the temple by an arrow before he could finish speaking.

Lei Yin's formation became disordered, and Kam and his group seized the opportunity to attack.

Arrows flew from the fog, accurately targeting their ankles. Before they could react, sharp slashes decapitated them. The attacker then ran at the perfect moment, thrusting into the back of another.

This was their specialty: appearing silently from behind to deliver a fatal blow. The Horia, using their coordination and control of their presence, played with Lei Yin and his group. Lei Yin and his group trembled. Could these really be the once timid and weak rabbit people? The surviving bear people all wondered.

The resistance continued for a while, but when Lei Yin and his group, who had recovered from the chaos, were already covered in wounds and could barely stand with their weapons, the relentless wave attacks and precise support fire left them gasping for breath. Backed against a sturdy tree, Lei Yin and his group were surrounded by Kam and his group.

"What's wrong, [Bee--] boys! This much! This much determination you lack!"

"The strongest races would be shocked! To be named alongside these [Bee--]! Still, they are [Bee--]!"

"Quickly raise your weapons! You weak [Bee--]!"

These were not the words of the rabbit people or other demi-human races; the bear people were being showered with such insults. Really, what had happened to these guys! The bear people's faces showed shock. Some had already fallen into despair, hugging their heads and trembling. A large, muscular man, with tears in his eyes, pleaded, "Please, no more bullying?" The scene was... surreal.

"Kuji kuji kuji, any last words? Lord Strongest Race?"

Kam, with a malicious expression, spoke these words. With their awakened combat instincts, the once despised situation was unimaginable. Kam spoke words he would never have said before.

"Um..."

Lei Yin's expression twisted in regret. His pupils finally regained their rationality from the chaos. The Horia's assault was like a cold shower, partly due to this. The burning anger over Keen's incapacitation still raged, but now he had to focus on ensuring the survival of his remaining subordinates. His strong sense of responsibility made him regain his composure. He was aware that he was the one who had driven his clan into this dire situation.

"I don't mind what happens to me. Boil me, burn me, do as you please, but my subordinates were brought here by force. I hope you will spare them."

"What, Lord Lei Yin!"

"Lord Lei Yin! That's..."

As soon as Lei Yin spoke, his subordinates began to stir. Lei Yin intended to exchange his life for their survival. He shouted at his shaken subordinates.

"Shut up! ... It's my responsibility that our heads were clouded with blood and our eyes blinded by hatred. Rabbit people... no, Lord Horia. I know this is a deep indulgence. But no matter what, I want to save these people's lives! I beg you to show mercy."

Lei Yin threw away his weapon and knelt, bowing his head. His subordinates, knowing how proud Lei Yin was of his strength and how much courage it took to bow to an enemy, were speechless. Because of this, they couldn't say a word.

Kam and his group's response to Lei Yin, who remained bowed, was...

"But I refuse."

Along with these words, a knife was thrown.

"O!?"

Lei Yin immediately twisted his body to avoid it, but with Kam's thrown knife as the beginning, high-speed arrows and stones were shot from a distance. Lei Yin and his group used their large axes as shields to endure, while the Horia laughed and added more attacks, clearly enjoying it.

"Why!?"

Lei Yin, with a groan, asked the reason for the unprovoked attack.

"Why? You are enemies, right? Does killing you need a reason?"

Kam's answer was simple.

"Ugh, but!"

"Besides, crushing your arrogance and mocking you is quite enjoyable, hahahaha!"

"What!? Bastards! You scoundrels!"

As Kam said, the Horia were truly enjoying themselves. They held bows or crossbows, shooting from a safe distance, mocking Lei Yin and his group. Their manic expressions were typical of those intoxicated by power. It seemed that killing their first targets, and fellow demi-humans, had already removed their mental barriers. They were in a complete state of frenzy.

The attacks grew more brutal, and Lei Yin and his group, huddled together in a square formation, struggled to resist... they were at their limit. Although they avoided fatal wounds, they could not withstand another round of attacks.

Kam's lips curled as he raised