Boros noticed another change within himself: he no longer rushed to end fights against those he deemed interesting.
A horde of monsters surrounded Boros and Pureblood, having followed them inside before the heavy doors slammed shut behind them.
Shouts from the many monsters filled the dark-lit, dust-choked room.
"Time to kill!"
"For our entertainment, please don't die so easily!"
"We'll clean up after you!"
"Let's go!"
"More meat for the rest of us!"
"I love meat!"
"I bet you do."
"Which one of you said that!?"
"Show us how cool you can be!"
"Whoever dies, it's good news for us."
"You're quiet newcomer. Never mind buzzings of flies, I'll dispose of them later." Pureblood canted his head. "So, you look kind of strong.
What kind of monster are you? I'm not familiar with the types who dwell up in the mundane world. Tell me your name."
Boros, curious about what Pureblood intended to do, answered, "My n—"
Pureblood swooshed forward in an arc, appearing behind him, biting down on the exposed portion of his neck above his armor with a vicious snarl.
Unfortunately…
"Ah!" Pureblood screamed as he pushed his hands off of Boros' shoulders and leapt back, hissing through the pain.
Boros turned to see blood cascading down Pureblood's chin and rows of shattered teeth.
"Impossible! There is no flesh that my fangs cannot penetrate!"
"I hope you have more to offer than biting."
Watching an enemy slowly crumble into despair. Hard to believe it took me centuries to discover this enjoyable act.
Pureblood lunged to his side, seized an amphibian monster, and impaled its slimy body. In one swift gulp, he drained the monster and discarded the husk before grinning at Boros with a fresh set of gleaming teeth.
"Stay away from the Vampire, or he'll suck you dry!"
"I don't want him to suck me dry!"
"I'm game!"
Monsters nearest Pureblood fled to the opposite end of the room, pressing themselves against the brick walls like cornered rats.
"Regeneration through blood. Passable." Boros crossed his arms. "You may display your next attack."
"Foolish light dweller!" Pureblood roared as he threw his arms wide before a section of his body melted into a living mass. Multifarious dark-winged beasts erupted from his frame. "Don't think so highly of yourself!" The swarm shrieked as it tore through the air, spiraling like a storm of razors toward him.
Boros stood motionless as their attacks glanced off him. A slight shift in stance, and he blurred beside Pureblood. His rigid arm launched the vampire like a missile, smashing him against the brick wall in a burst of viscera.
"Regeneration test." He vanished, reappearing behind two monsters. He snatched and hurled them at the twitching vampire. Flesh met brick with wet explosions, showering Pureblood in gore.
The vampire's remains twitched, then convulsed. Ribbons of blood slithered across the floor, weaving muscle and bone back together. Sinew snapped taut as his jaw reassembled with an audible click. Pureblood rose, licking fresh fangs, his laughter raw and guttural.
"Not the worst regeneration speed I have witnessed. Anything else to show me?"
"I am from the greatest, ancient, noble line of vampires. A monster that relies on exterior armor like weak humans of the past did won't best me." Pureblood's countenance maddened. "You may act calm, but I know you aren't able to sustain your level of strength and speed for long.
Sooner than later, you will exhaust your potential. And that is when I, Pureblood, will stand over your corpse and laugh at the fake monster you are.
So, allow me to enlighten you. In the Monster Association. I am the one and only… true monster! Observe my speed!"
Pureblood blurred before Boros, torso twisting back like a coiled spring before lashing forward. His obsidian wing morphed into a jagged blade, slicing the air in a sweeping curve.
A metallic ring silenced the room.
Boros had his hand raised, palm facing inward. His thumb and forefinger snapped shut on the flat backside of the wing-blade. It trembled in Boros' grip as Pureblood hung suspended above the ground, speechless. Disbelief and creeping dread seeping into his stricken face.
"Your ancient noble line… should remain ancient."
¤ ¤ ¤
Black Sperm lingered behind Homeless Emperor, Nyan, Gums, and Fuhrer Ugly. The group stood on standby inside one of the many flat stone chambers encircling the Monster Association's main hall, after Gyoro Gyoro communicated to them that the heroes would arrive posthaste.
Gyoro Gyoro's voice carried an unusual amount of tension and Monster King Orochi has disappeared. I don't know what information we aren't being informed of, but if I discover it's because—
"When are da heroes going to arrive? Leave dat unforgivable Sweet Mask to me." Fuhrer Ugly's voice broke the quietude as he patted his belly in an obnoxious manner.
Homeless Emperor walked toward the edge of the stone room and gazed at the vast amphitheater-esque arena below. "If you don't, I will. Humanity has stained Mother Earth for far too long."
"It doesn't matter to me…" Nyan yawned as he stretched his arms.
Gums didn't have too much to say on the topic.
Black Sperm's danger senses quaked through him when a blur of motion passed by him before stopping dead still at the center of the stone chamber.
The man in cheap cosplay waved at him "Hi, how are ya?" And then grabbed Fuhrer Ugly, vanishing even faster than he arrived. Fuhrer Ugly didn't get the chance to scream, let alone react.
"What!?" Homeless Emperor spun around.
Nyan flashed into a crack in the wall.
Gums started gnawing at said wall.
Who the hell was that guy? He waved and looked straight at me? Does he not see as a threat? Is he looking down on me!?
Fury enveloped Black Sperm as he stormed from the chamber. He would allow no condescension — not toward his appearance, or his personality.
I don't care if he's a little quick. Once the true 'me' makes its debut, I'll end him.