The underground hall fell into complete silence.
Zane stood calmly with one hand in his pocket, his gaze moving across the grotesque creatures surrounding him before finally settling on Jax.
"..."
The young half-demon stood between them.
Or rather...
Whatever he had become.
His gray horns continued growing little by little, rough cracks spreading across their surface. Thick black tears streamed down his face, leaving dark trails behind, while his fingernails slowly elongated into razor-sharp claws.
His entire body trembled.
"Grrrrrrrr..."
The low growl echoed throughout the chamber.
For a brief moment...
No one moved.
Then—
One of the grotesque creatures lunged.
Its twisted body crossed the distance in an instant, its enormous claw descending toward Zane's chest.
Slash!
The creature froze.
Its own claw...
Had shattered into countless pieces.
Zane hadn't moved.
He hadn't even flinched.
