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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7 – The Hunters Awaken

The forest stank of blood and smoke.

Lian leaned against a scorched tree, breathing hard. The shattered Forbidden Core's ashes still floated through the air like dying embers, clinging to his clothes, his skin. The Tyrant's Heart beat steady in his chest now—too steady.

Like it was waiting.

No, like it was listening.

He glanced at his trembling hands. His veins still glowed faintly where the power had surged through him. He had won… but it didn't feel like victory. It felt like the beginning of something much larger.

And the Oracle's warning echoed in his mind.

Nine Cores. Nine tyrants. One heart that made kings kneel.

He didn't know what any of that meant yet. But he knew one thing.

People would come for him.

He didn't have to wait long.

A howl tore through the night.

Not a beast's howl.

Something sharper.

Something that made the flames flicker as if the forest itself wanted to flee.

Lian straightened, hand tightening on his cracked sword.

Branches rustled. Figures emerged from the treeline, moving like shadows given flesh.

Five of them.

Clad in armor forged from the bones of fallen starbeasts, their helms bore jagged crests shaped like antlers. Long black cloaks trailed behind them, untouched by ash or wind.

And on their chests, a single emblem glowed faintly—a burning crown.

The mark of a Core King.

"Found it," one of them said. His voice was a rasp under his helm.

Another stepped forward, eyes glowing faint gold. He studied the empty crater where the Forbidden Core had shattered.

"The first has awakened," he murmured. "The Tyrant's Heart beats again."

Their leader—a towering figure carrying a spear crackling with faint blue lightning—turned toward Lian.

"You," he said. His tone was not angry. It was worse. Cold. Certain.

"Hand it over."

Lian didn't move.

"I don't have it."

The leader's head tilted slightly. "Lies. I can feel it in you. The Heart. Its pulse sings louder than thunder. Give it to us, and you may yet live."

Lian almost laughed.

He was bruised, bleeding, his sword barely holding together. His body screamed in protest with every breath.

And still, something inside him refused to bow.

The same part of him that had sworn vengeance under falling stars.

The same part that now burned with the Forbidden Core's power.

"No," he said simply.

The leader sighed. "Then die."

They moved fast.

Too fast.

One blink, and they were already upon him—shadows with spears, blades, and bone-forged chains that glowed faintly with runic light.

Lian barely raised his sword before the first strike crashed against him. The impact rattled his arms to the shoulder, nearly tearing the weapon from his grip.

The second blow came low, sweeping his legs.

He staggered back, blocking wildly. Sparks flew as steel met bone-forged metal again and again.

They were faster. Stronger.

And more coordinated than the beast had been.

The Tyrant's Heart pulsed inside him like war drums.

[Warning: Host Body Integrity 53%. Overclocking Possible.]

[Overclock? Y/N]

Lian's breath came ragged. He knew what that meant.

More power. More speed.

More risk.

His eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

The world snapped into sharp focus.

His veins blazed as the Tyrant's Heart roared to life again. Strength surged through him, burning like molten iron in his blood.

The next spear thrust came.

This time, he didn't block.

He moved.

Faster than they expected.

His blade slashed upward, severing the weapon's shaft in one blow. He spun, driving his fist into the attacker's chest. Bone armor cracked under the impact, hurling the man back into a tree hard enough to splinter bark.

The others faltered for half a second.

It was all he needed.

Lian leapt forward, his sword a silver arc in the firelight. He cut through another's chain before it wrapped his arm, then slammed the hilt into the man's helm.

Blood sprayed as the figure collapsed.

Two down. Three left.

But the leader was already moving.

Lightning leapt along his spear as he charged, thrusting with terrifying precision.

The blow caught Lian across the side before he could dodge fully. Pain exploded through his ribs as the spear's power seared flesh.

He stumbled, barely keeping his footing.

The leader's voice was calm as ever.

"You are not ready for what you carry."

The next strike came like a thunderclap.

Lian raised his sword. Steel met lightning—and shattered.

The blade broke in half, fragments spinning through the night.

The leader stepped closer, spear raised for the killing blow.

Then the ground itself trembled.

A low rumble rolled through the forest.

The Core King's scouts froze, heads turning.

From the darkness beyond the burning trees, a distant roar rose—deeper and louder than any beast's cry.

The leader's eyes narrowed. "Another one…?"

The Oracle's words came back to Lian at once.

Nine Cores. Nine tyrants.

Was another Forbidden Core awakening?

The scouts withdrew slowly, the leader's gaze never leaving Lian.

"This is not over," he said. "The Core Kings will have what belongs to them."

And with that, they vanished into the smoke like phantoms.

Lian stood alone, bleeding, weapon broken, the Tyrant's Heart still burning inside him.

The Beast Tide raged in the distance.

And somewhere out there… another Forbidden Core had stirred.

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