Looking at the battle-hungry Leman Russ before him, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction.
"Come at me with all you've got! Use your strongest power."
"Awooo!"
Leman Russ let out a wolf's howl and stomped hard against the ground. The ice beneath his feet shattered instantly, and he shot toward the Emperor like a cannonball.
Leman Russ was incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of the Emperor. He swung his massive fist, the wind whistling around it as he aimed straight for the Emperor's chest.
The punch had enough force to shatter a mountain, yet the Emperor remained where he stood, wearing a faint smile.
Raising one hand, he effortlessly blocked Leman Russ's attack. This time, the Emperor chose not to use his Psykic Power, instead engaging Russ in a bare-knuckle brawl.
It was an entertaining father-son game. Fenrisians liked close-quarters combat. If he used Psykic Power to win, Russ wouldn't accept the result. So he had to beat his son at what he did best.
My son! Psykic Power isn't the only thing I excel at. I'm also humanity's greatest warrior in close combat.
"Now that's interesting! Again!" Leman Russ roared, then spun around and launched a powerful side kick at the Emperor's head. The kick was fast and strong in the extreme. It even tore through the air with a piercing boom.
Yet the Emperor merely raised a hand and effortlessly blocked the attack. His movements were graceful and composed, as though he were toying with a ferocious beast.
The Emperor's fists flew like a violent storm, pounding Leman Russ's face. His previous fight with Axis had been play, a test—just a game with a child.
But Leman Russ was an adult Primarch, and the Emperor wouldn't go easy on him. He wanted to properly test a Primarch's combat strength after reaching adulthood.
Leman Russ couldn't even see the Emperor's attacks coming. All he could do was take the blows; he didn't have a chance to fight back.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
He became a giant punching bag, battered by a relentless flurry of blows until his face was bruised and swollen.
"Is this the extent of your strength? Pathetic!
"Russ, haven't you eaten enough? Or have you had a bit too much to drink? I don't think your punches are even as strong as that little guy's were just now!" the Emperor said with a teasing note in his voice.
Leman Russ wasn't angered by the Emperor's words. Instead, he grew even more excited. He abruptly retreated a few steps and clenched both fists. His muscles tensed once more, his body swelled slightly, and his muscles grew even harder. A faint silver glow even appeared across his skin.
Wildness glimmered in his eyes. His Wolf Bloodline had fully awakened. Leman Russ's fangs grew more prominent, sharp claws sprouted from his hands, and his eyes turned blood red.
This was a combat form he had never used before: a complete release of the wolfish savagery within him.
The Emperor gave a slight nod at the sight. When creating the sixth Primarch, he had added a few canine traits, especially those of wolves. Leman Russ's sharp teeth could even bite through ornate armor or weapons.
The teeth of his gene-sons could even snap alloy and shatter Plasteel.
"Hahaha! Now this is more like it! Again! Let me see your strength, stranger!"
Fully unleashed, Leman Russ laughed and charged at the Emperor again. This time, his attacks were even more savage. His fists and feet rained down like a storm, every strike carrying enough force to destroy mountains. He looked like a giant wolf in human form.
Leman Russ attacked with overwhelming ferocity, a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes. Wild howls rang out, and the two wolf brothers who had come with him howled as well.
The two wolves, who had grown up alongside Leman Russ, wanted to join the fight and help him take on the Emperor.
But Leman Russ raised a hand to stop them. This was his fight alone. No one else was allowed to interfere.
"Ha! Awooo!" Leman Russ roared and charged at the Emperor like a cannonball. This time, he was faster and stronger, even leaving an afterimage in the air.
The two clashed again in a fierce exchange, golden fists and claws colliding with a tremendous blast of air and a deafening crash.
Yet no matter how Leman Russ attacked, the Emperor stood his ground with one hand behind his back, easily blocking every blow with the other. The Emperor's strength was like an immovable mountain. No matter how hard Russ tried, he couldn't break through.
Leman Russ's attacks came like a raging storm. Every punch and claw swipe whistled as it tore through the air, as though he meant to overturn the entire frozen wasteland. His fangs gleamed coldly, his blood-red eyes filled with savage battle lust. He fought like a true wild wolf, launching himself at the Emperor without pause.
"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!"
The Emperor's fists hammered into Leman Russ's chest, shoulders, and abdomen. Every blow landed with tremendous force, making Russ's body tremble.
Leman Russ felt as though his bones were about to shatter. He had never taken such heavy punches before, and he could barely keep his balance.
Though Leman Russ's Wolf Bloodline had fully awakened and his strength and speed had reached their peak, he still seemed utterly helpless before the Emperor.
Grinding his teeth, Leman Russ retreated a few steps and clenched his fists. His muscles tensed once more, and he charged at the Emperor again.
But the Wolf King was already at the end of his strength. He had used everything he had, even unleashing his wild nature completely.
Yet he still couldn't defeat his opponent. The battle was about to end.
An hour passed. By then, Leman Russ could only keep fighting through sheer willpower. He swung his fists without any awareness, without a hint of technique—just attacking blindly. Even his punches had grown feeble.
Leman Russ's consciousness was beginning to blur. Seeing this, the Emperor shook his head and swept his leg out, knocking Russ to the ground.
Lying on the ground, Leman Russ gasped for breath. He couldn't get back up. At that moment, he didn't even have the strength to blink.
He had lost—completely and utterly. The man before him, who claimed to be his father, had beaten him into submission.
The two wolf brothers ran over to Leman Russ, whimpering beside him. Then they glared fiercely at the Emperor and growled.
"Do you admit defeat now, my son?" the Emperor asked, looking at Leman Russ lying on the ground.
"Heh! You really are stronger than me. You win! Just as we agreed, I'll join you on the Great Crusade and swear my allegiance to you, Father." Leman Russ said from the ground.
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