Chapter Eighty-Three: Coward (Second Update)

Ling Mo had to admit, in that instant, he was utterly stunned by Anton’s words. He carefully recalled every word Anton had just said, chewing over each syllable, trying to grasp the meaning. Only after a long pause did he continue the exchange, his thoughts tinged with confusion: “What do you mean? Are you saying she’ll become the next Anton?!”

“No, just that there’s a possibility she might be the next Anton, provided she survives that long.”

“But—but! Isn’t Anton always chosen from among your tribe of lava tortoises?”

“That’s your assumption, not mine,” Anton replied with a sly chuckle, shaking his head lightly. “I happened to overhear you explaining things to your apprentice during your live broadcast. Most of what you said was correct—‘Anton’ is indeed a title. The first Anton, one hundred and seventy thousand years ago, and the current Anton are both from our turtle clan, but the fourth Anton, fifty thousand years ago, was a fire phoenix, and ninety thousand years ago, the third Anton was a tyrannosaurus.”

“So as long as certain conditions are met, any creature can become ‘Anton,’ is that it?” Ling Mo pondered for a moment, his voice growing hoarse. “I think I understand… old friend, when did you set your sights on Katherine?”

“From the moment you all entered the area shrouded in black mist,” Anton answered readily. “Anyone who touches the mist is as good as being scanned by my spiritual senses—everything becomes crystal clear to me. When I found her, I was ecstatic! Old friend, after all these years, at last you’ve brought me something good.”

Ling Mo remained silent, but Anton didn’t seem to mind and continued, “In fact, back then I almost passed the Flame of Origin to you. The first time I met you, I realized you could barely qualify as a candidate, but you were just on the edge, so I hesitated, agonized over it—and ended up falling asleep in my indecision. When you appeared before me the second time, I noticed you’d grown too fast for me to be sure I could transfer the Flame of Origin into you, so I never brought it up again.”

“So this time, when you saw that Katherine was a suitable candidate, you gave me free rein, letting me bring her to your Lake of Origin, then transformed her without hesitation?”

“Exactly. For this moment, I even paid the price of losing three of my children to your attacks. Be content—as her master, you should be happy for your apprentice. She’s gained the potential to evolve into an eighth-tier magical beast. Isn’t that something worth celebrating?”

“But Katherine is human—she’s not a magical beast at all…”

“Human? And what of it? How long has your kind even called yourselves ‘human’?” Anton cut him off, a mocking undertone in his thoughts. “Besides, one hundred and twenty thousand years ago, when it was your ancestors’ turn to become ‘Anton,’ they refused, saying humanity was too weak and still needed their protection. Fifty thousand years ago, when the opportunity came again, your ancestor chose death rather than accept the role. Now that you humans are on the verge of unifying the continent, do you still intend to evade this responsibility?”

Through this mental exchange, Ling Mo could easily sense the heavy irony and deep resentment in Anton’s words. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if Anton was speaking the truth. Shaking his head to suppress his shock, Ling Mo said, “What you’re talking about… it’s all too ancient. Humans’ lifespans are nothing compared to yours. Even the strongest only live a few centuries. Events from tens of thousands of years ago… that’s far too remote. You can’t force this… responsibility, yes, you can’t forcibly lay this responsibility on Katherine just because of grudges from dozens or even hundreds of generations ago!”

“I can’t? And why not? Hah! Twenty thousand years ago, when the previous Anton, the Flame Spirit, forcibly infused me with the Flame of Origin, did anyone ask if I agreed?” Anton’s tone was cold and unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation. Then, his voice softened: “Old friend, she’s merely gained the possibility of advancing to the eighth tier. There’s still a long road ahead, and plenty of time. I have the patience to wait for her natural growth. Look on the bright side—she might not even reach the eighth tier before she dies.”

Ling Mo found the statement especially jarring and didn’t know how to respond. After a long silence, he finally said, “So, by bringing her to your Lake of Origin, I’ve harmed her?”

“Harmed her? I wouldn’t say that. Even if you hadn’t brought her, I would have seized her by force.” Anton sounded utterly unconcerned.

Though Anton’s tone was calm, Ling Mo could still sense the unwavering determination within. He let out a long sigh and said, “In any case, I can’t beat you, so I suppose that’s that. But the path to the eighth tier is so long—if she dies along the way, what will you do then?”

“Nothing,” Anton replied. At this question, his massive form trembled slightly, his head lifting as he exuded the terrifying aura of a true eighth-tier magical beast. “If it comes to that, I’ll simply force my way into human society and unleash a massacre. As long as I kill enough, I’ll eventually find another suitable successor.”

“Is that really necessary? Do you need to go that far?”

“Why do you think the Golden Fortress of Meldicus attacked the Windy Plains? Do you humans think you can keep pushing back the debts you owe?” Anton stopped abruptly, withdrawing all his oppressive presence. “Enough for now. You’ll understand in time. For now, look to your apprentice—she seems to be waking up.”

With that, Anton lowered his colossal head, gazing at Katherine on the ground. Ling Mo, too, put aside his questions for the moment and looked at the seated Katherine.

A cluster of orange-red flames had ignited on her skin, enveloping her completely. Gradually, the flames shrank down, until they were no larger than a fist, hovering over her heart. They suddenly flared bright, then vanished inside her body, disappearing altogether.

At the same time, Katherine opened her eyes. She looked around in confusion, and due to her angle, the first thing she saw was not Ling Mo, but Anton’s immense head, a kilometer long, his crimson eyes as large as fields, and that monstrous maw—so terrifying it defied description—lined with blazing fire, opening slightly as if about to bite down on her.

She immediately burst into wailing, “Lord Anton! I was wrong! I was forced into this! Please don’t eat me—my flesh is sour and tastes awful!”

(P.S. The first volume of this book, The Rainforest of Beasts, is coming to a close. The last two or three chapters have taken a lot of careful thought—I kept writing and deleting, writing and deleting, until I was finally satisfied enough to publish them. Tomorrow’s update will likely be in the evening. Don’t forget to vote!)