Joan was hunting the goblins one by one. Roaming in the village with his werewolf form. Dashing in the rooftops and pouncing from the top.

Death from above was made and silenced the eerie goblins below. Jumping again on the roofs without a trace of presence.

To the goblins, he was a death sentence for them. He can easily crush them like a jelly with just his brute strength. He was bad news and they were all hunted down.

Just at the top of the tallest building, Joan was sitting on the peak of the roof. Just a slanted roof with tiles on the top. Making him see a great vantage point of bird’s eye view. .

Just as expected, Joan smelled some hooded persons creeping with the smell of the Lord of Affliction. It itched his nose and made him wanted to puke at the smell. They were called the “Child of the Lord of Affliction”.

A follower who received the blessing as well as the power of the Lord himself. Making them drink his blood and successfully become a child of his own.

These persons were bad news for him and it was not something to joke with. They possess their Lord’s powers but not their immortality and undying spirit. Although a weaker version of their lord themselves, they still were nasty to deal with.

Considering their numbers were plenty. Making Joan think that they were the clones of the Lord of Affliction.

Just as he observed, they were dragging the captive villagers towards the gate. Checking them all up before tying them up. Goblins were present and they were all being commanded by the cult leader. Others were stationed as guards and were caressing their weapons.

Just as Joan predicted, they were all underlings of these cultists. Making a diversion for them to kidnap villagers. As Joan thought of it, there was a seal site of the Lord of Corruption nearby this village.

Just as Joan thought, he felt that it was sooner than he knows.

“This all makes sense now, considering there is a seal site nearby. They will be offered to the seal as a sacrifice. Making the seal weaken and letting the enemy let loose. I should have known earlier.” Joan smirked. Then he gulped a handful of saliva.

Without making rush decisions, he carefully planned his next move. If he outrightly attacked them, the villagers will be taken hostage then all things will get awry.

Something a coward and all villains do in their lives. With just the goblins only, this will be easier as they tend to be dumb. But all were in a bind as there were cultists involved with hostages.

Joan can only sigh, if he could just attack the enemies without hostages then all will be easier.

“How about I secure the hostages first then attack the perpetrators? Hmm, nice plan!” Joan smiled.

Jumping high up from the top, he dived to the ground with his hands first. The cultists and goblins perplexed by all the ruckus.

[Beast call]

The wolves appeared and the crows hovering in the air. The wolves then growled with teeth and canines being shown. Crows cawed while flapping their wings.

They all surrounded the hostages and all attacked the goblin guards of the villagers. Bodies littered the ground as soon as the dust extinguished by the wind.

“Protect the villagers! I will solo them all!” Joan shouted.

“As you wish master!” Shouted Canine.

“Oh? What do we have here? A Lycan in this lands? Just what are you doing here stranger?” Their supposed leader initiated the conversation.

“I am just a wandering hermit. Just a passerby. I didn’t think some child of Demon lords has just passed when I visited! What a coincidence is it that you arrived here in the middle of the night with villagers tied in the hands. Can you further explain to me what is going on? I am confused!” Joan said then grinned.

The Cult leader bit his lips. Face grumbling with anger.

“You dare! Kill him!” He shouted then pointed his fingers to Joan.

Joan can only laugh at their faces. They seemed agitated a bit by his remarks. Just as Joan expected, the Lord of Affliction has two powers. And that was first; the power to suck your mana out and seal your mana well just by their touch. Second, Spikes of death–able to stab you from emerging spikes from the ground.

As he battled him in the past, he was forced to such a pitiful state as his mana well was sealed. Only able to use the elements, but thanks to it, he suffered minimally but all his students were killed.

Joan can only sigh in his past’s helplessness. Making him pour out his anger towards the enemies.

Just after the enemies attack with their leaders’ go signal, he also charged at them. Spikes rose on his front, and so he dashed sideways. Evading it in hair’s breadth.

Continuing his dash, he was getting nearer to the enemies. Making the spikes rose faster from the ground but also making their accuracy to be improved.

“Somebody stop him! He should be the first to be offered to our master!” The leader shouted to his followers.

“Catch me if you can!” Joan growled.

Just after that, Joan attacked one of the enemies. The nearest from where he stood but it didn’t flinch a bit. Joan stabbed his heart with his hands but he just smiled on the process.

“Now seal him!” Their leader shouted.

Joan then can’t move his hands from the body of the enemy. Spikes appeared from the body of the enemy and it stabbed Joan’s arms. Locking it with spikes.

“Cowards!” Joan shouted.

Making him surrounded by the enemies and his feet were spiked by their makings. Making Joan groan to the pain but he can’t move his feet.

Another set of spikes stab the cultist as well as him to all his body.

Making him in a very dire situation. Joan growled and fangs were shown. The enemy leader approached him and clapped his hands. Hoods removed and finally shown his veiny face and pale skin.

“Well well well, what do we have here? Isn’t this the one who mocked us earlier? I am impressed with your courage! You know what? We are stronger than before compared to us being ordinary persons. We are loved and blessed with powers from the master of all Affliction. You will regret stopping us and being on our way.” He said then snapped his fingers.

“Well, do you want to join us? I will spare your life if you join. You are going to be one of the strongest after you drink his blood and live with him for uncountable years! You will not age! It was a great honour without being a mythical stage. A shortcut to immortality! Hahaha!” He swayed his arms wide and laughed hysterically.

Joan joined his laughter and his voice were of a growling husky. Making the place awkward for the both of them.

“As you can see, I already have plans to be mythical and whoever offers me to be a demon will insult me in the process. Don’t you dare insult my dream or you will pay the price,” Joan growled then snapped the spikes.

“These spikes are easy to make but yours are brittle. The original owner sure has higher toughness compared to you all.” Joan said then dashed towards him.

“Seal him!” The cult leader shouted. Being perplexed by him being easily shaking off their spikes.