097. Hatchery 3
The Previous Family Head furrowed his brow at Zeke's words.
'That power from just now... was only 70 percent?!'
He couldn't believe it. Even if he was in his dotage, this was a body that had once reached the realm of a 1st class knight. Yet Zeke—at a mere 70 percent—had matched him blow for blow.
The Previous Family Head's expression darkened. He snorted derisively, denying it to himself.
'No, that can't be... My judgment clouded by such an obvious trick? I'm not what I used to be.'
In this ambiguous situation, the Previous Family Head cleared his mind. He convinced himself it was all a cunning ploy to seize the momentum. After all, Zeke—in Bin's form—had shown considerable skill just moments ago.
But doubt began to creep in, as he gazed at his hand lying on the ground.
"...!"
As a skeleton, there was no pain. But the mental shock hit him full force. It was an utterly unfamiliar experience, one he'd never encountered before.
The giant skeletons around him reacted similarly.
'The family head's wrist... it's broken!!'
'H-how could this happen...'
'What the hell is that guy...'
They felt as if they'd been clubbed over the back of the head. Their minds went blank, unable to accept the scene before them. And for good reason.
This was the head of the Teia family, whom they'd served for ages untold. Even without his original body, he wielded one of the continent's scant ten absolute weapons. They knew he could still hold his own against most family heads.
As the Previous Family Head stared blankly at his hand on the ground, a chill crept up behind him. Its source was none other than Bin.
In an instant, the momentum shifted toward Bin. Any ordinary person would have faltered. But the Previous Family Head laughed calmly in response.
"Kekekekek. Impressive, whelp."
He looked down at Bin, whose eyes glowed green, and shrugged his shoulders. He instinctively knew how crucial momentum was in battle.
Silver smoke began billowing from his body in thick clouds.
"This boiling blood... how long has it been? Come, let us continue."
Blue light flashed from his remaining hand. In that moment, Astraphe reappeared. It was clear: even with one hand shattered, his fighting spirit remained unbroken.
"As long as I stand firm on these two legs, I shall never yield the Teia hatchery to outsiders!"
He was a man of strict principles. He reaffirmed his convictions once more.
Bin gazed at him with green eyes and spoke.
"One hand wasn't enough, I see."
"No matter what becomes of this body... I shall fulfill my duty."
"A fine attitude. But you'd best steel yourself."
As Bin finished speaking, a fierce glint flashed in his green eyes. Meanwhile, blue lightning crackled from the Previous Family Head's single hand.
Crackle-crackle.
As the blue mana spread outward, the ground began to tremble.
Rumble-rumble.
It was a massive surge of mana—more menacing than before, and larger too. Bigger even than when he'd faced Zeke.
Irin's eyes widened at the sight.
'Just releasing mana is enough to shake the surroundings...!'
She couldn't help but gasp in admiration. The raw power of mana alone sent chills down her spine. It was no wonder he'd guarded the Teia hatchery for so long.
His overwhelming mana spoke of his dignity in his stead.
Yet despite that crushing pressure, Bin didn't so much as blink. He stared calmly, unflinching.
To Irin, it was nothing short of miraculous.
'How can he stay so composed...'
This was a situation where death could come at any moment. But Bin's expression never changed as he watched the Previous Family Head, all while emitting his own magi to counter the mana.
His poise made it seem like he was savoring the moment.
A smirk tugged at Bin's lips.
That was when the Previous Family Head swung his blue-glowing Astraphe at Bin.
"For daring to set foot in the sacred Teia hatchery, pay the price for your sin."
Whoosh.
Just as Astraphe neared Bin's throat, green smoke from his left arm formed a golem arm that blocked the spear.
Thud!
The dull sound revealed the truth: no significant damage had been dealt. The golem arm's resistance to electricity made it possible.
The Previous Family Head's face darkened in an instant.
'...!'
It felt different from clashing with Zeke at 70 percent. The recoil jolted his hand, disrupting his grip on the spear.
But he wasn't one to stop there. He readjusted his hold and swung again.
Bin calmly parried each attack.
'Left. Right. Straight on.'
Thud! Thud! Thud...!
The more they exchanged blows, the more the Previous Family Head's expression soured.
'To