The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2446: Facing the Fourth Realm (II)

The Scarlet King and the Heartcram King clenched their fists as a new figure appeared in the sky above them.

The newcomer descended without a sound, as if he had always been there and reality had only just acknowledged his presence.

The man looked to be in his early thirties. His body was forged to absolute perfection—every muscle balanced, every line refined, carrying both explosive power and flawless control. His bare chest was marked with intricate runic patterns that pulsed faintly beneath his skin, each symbol radiating a terrifyingly pure bloodline aura.

His left and right eyes were completely black, devoid of any light.

On his forehead, however, his Ancestor Eye burned with a brilliance that made both Cain and Abraham feel a crushing pressure settle over their souls.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Instead, the Scarlet King and the Heartcram King exchanged a silent glance.

They had no idea when the man had arrived.

Worse yet, they had only sensed him because he had chosen to release his aura.

If he had wished to approach silently... if he had chosen to strike from the shadows...

Both of them would have suffered catastrophic injuries—or worse.

A small smile appeared on the newcomer’s face as he observed their reaction.

"Please," he said calmly. "Continue your conversation. I am pleased to see that there are still Royal Blutlinie capable of choosing diplomacy from time to time—especially when victory is uncertain."

Neither Cain nor Abraham resumed their negotiation.

Before anything else, they needed to understand how to deal with this third presence.

The eyes of the Heartcram King glowed briefly as he focused his perception on the man.

Then his expression shifted.

"You are... the King of the Dark Blood Kingdom."

The newcomer’s smile widened slightly.

"That is correct," he replied with a nod. "I am surprised anyone in this realm still remembers my face after so long."

Cain’s eyes narrowed immediately as he cursed in his mind. "Damn it."

The Dark Blood Kingdom had already sent an assassin after him. And now, instead of acting through agents, its ruler had come personally.

This could not have come at a worse time.

He had just begun negotiating with the Heartcram King, and now he was facing someone whose aura felt even more dangerous.

Abraham’s gaze flickered with calculation. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and performed a respectful bow.

"I humbly greet you," he said. "Please, do not concern yourself with me. If you have business with the Scarlet King, I will gladly yield my place."

He paused, and a cold, murderous light appeared deep within his eyes.

"And if there is anything with which I can assist... please let me know."

Cain’s expression darkened.

The Heartcram King had been willing to negotiate earlier because he was not certain he could kill Cain without paying a heavy price.

But if he allied with the Dark Blood King...

The Scarlet King would have no chance.

Just as the situation seemed to turn completely against him, the Dark Blood King shook his head.

"It is true that I have business with the Scarlet King," he said calmly. "But the same business involves you as well."

His black eyes shifted between the two.

"Since both of you are here... it makes everything much more convenient."

Abraham frowned.

The way the Dark Blood King spoke made it sound as if he and Cain were equals in the same situation.

Cain, on the other hand, allowed himself a faint smirk at Abraham’s reaction.

But his attention quickly returned to the newcomer.

His instincts were screaming without pause.

The aura radiating from the Dark Blood King was sharper and denser than anything Cain had ever faced before.

"The only thing I can compare this to... is the red eyes that watched me when I took the Rank 12 Depravita Supremacy Star."

Seeing that neither man intended to speak freely in his presence, the Dark Blood King sighed softly.

"Very well," he said. "Let us begin."

His gaze settled on Cain.

"First, let me clarify something. I do not particularly care about the death of the Kalous Kingdom’s Crown Prince, nor about the fools he brainwashed into following him."

He paused briefly.

"As for Averus..."

The Dark Blood King frowned slightly, his tone carrying a trace of annoyance.

"I apologize for that. He was ordered to deliver a message, and to attack only if you showed hostility."

Cain was genuinely surprised.

The apology did not reduce his caution—but it did suggest that the Dark Blood Kingdom had not originally intended to treat him as an enemy.

Which raised a more important question.

If that’s the case...

Then why was the Dark Blood King here personally?

The same question crossed Abraham’s mind.

Fortunately, they did not have to wait long for an answer.

"Now that this misunderstanding is cleared," the Dark Blood King continued, "let us proceed to the real matter."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I came here to test you."

He glanced at Abraham.

"Originally, it was going to be a one-on-one evaluation. But since both of you are present..."

The smile widened slightly.

"I will test you at the same time."

For a brief instant, his expression still seemed calm.

Then his eyes turned cold.

So cold that both Cain and Abraham felt their spines tighten.

"You should go all out," he said quietly.

"If I find you too weak..."

The air froze.

"I will kill you."

Both men swallowed instinctively.

The pressure was absolute.

It felt as if invisible blades were resting against their throats.

There was no doubt in their minds.

If the Dark Blood King judged them unworthy, he would eliminate them without hesitation.

As for the reason behind this "test"—

There was no time to ask.

The moment for words had passed.

The Scarlet King and the Heartcram King glanced at each other.

This time, there was no hostility between them.

Only silent agreement.

Their auras erupted simultaneously.

Their Ancestor Drops ignited, releasing terrifying waves of bloodline power as the sky darkened and the ocean convulsed beneath their combined pressure.

Time distorted around Cain.

Oceanic pressure emerged from Abraham.

Then, in the same instant—

Both kings flashed forward.

Their force fields overlapped as they attacked from two different directions with perfect coordination.