Song Chen had already sensed a powerful aura of psionic energy bearing down on him from deep within the defensive line, utterly unlike those of the sixth- and seventh-rank enemies before.
That aura was so oppressive he could barely breathe, as though an invisible hand were pressing against his chest.
He looked up. At the end of the passage, an enormous figure was slowly approaching.
Short and stocky, with four arms like pillars, he was one of the three eighth-rank Blood-Eclipse Clan members.
A bone blade grew from the end of each of the monster's arms. Blood dripped from the blades, some already congealed, some still flowing.
His body was almost twice as wide as it was tall, his skin like rough rock, its surface covered in fine cracks.
With every step, the alloy floor beneath his feet caved in, cracks spreading outward like spiderwebs.
The stocky Blood-Eclipse Clan member spoke. "So you're the one who's killed so many of my brood."
Song Chen did not retreat. He held his blade across his body, his breathing as steady as ever. "Your brood aren't the only ones I'll kill. You're next."
At that, the stocky brute grinned.
It was one of the ugliest smiles Song Chen had ever seen, with scraps of flesh wedged between his teeth.
His four arms slowly rose, and dark red psionic flames ignited along the bone blades. Rather than giving off heat, the flames sent the surrounding temperature plummeting.
Song Chen's heart sank. He knew those flames burned psionic energy. He could not let them touch him.
"Wait. What's your name?" Song Chen suddenly asked.
The stocky brute paused, apparently caught off guard by the question. He froze for a moment, then his grin widened. "The dead don't deserve to know my name."
This Blood-Eclipse Clan