The roar sounded like the bellow of a bull, yet also like the hiss of a snake, laden with extreme excitement and repression.
Everyone turned to look.
Then their hearts jolted in alarm.
Beyond the Eternal Plateau, a terrifying monster bearing the traits of Furious Plowblade, Sleepless Serpent, and Evil Night was charging toward the Eternal Altar, bringing rapidly spreading darkness with it.
Its bull's head was enveloped by a gaping snake's maw. Its bovine body was covered in scales, while its abdomen extended into a long serpentine lower body that writhed with every stomp of its hooves. Chaotic power of the night spread across every inch of its surface.
This was a complete patchwork monster.
Before it even arrived, its bizarre aura had already reached them, filling their hearts with trembling fear.
"This is—"
Redrolta's pupils contracted.
His perception was exceptionally sharp, and he immediately sensed how unusual this monster was.
Unlike the other Touching Kindling Users, who possessed two Kindling traits, the monster before them had forcibly fused at least six traits into itself!
"Furious Plowblade, Sleepless Serpent, and Evil Night—did the darkness beyond the world turn them into this?"
The Shepherd's eyes darkened. The situation had developed far beyond everyone's expectations.
Unwilling to accept this, Redrolta stepped forward and called their names. But the monster formed from those Touching Kindling Users had long since completely lost its mind and showed no reaction at all.
Just as everyone stood in uncertainty, the Touching Kindling monster could wait no longer. With a horrifying roar, it charged at them at incredible speed.
In its eyes, the Shepherd, Long Night, and the other Touching Kindling Users had all become delicious food.
"There's no choice."
"It's a monster that has completely lost its reason, not a Touching Kindling User—we have to kill