Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 161 - 159: Half-Beast Heart

His vision was a sea of red. His entire body was wracked with a grinding agony, as if every inch of skin, every joint, and every muscle were bleeding.

The only way to suppress the maddening pain was to act on instinct, throwing one punch after another.

Breaking each other’s bones, tearing at cheeks and shoulders, pummeling stomachs, choking throats, wrenching off legs...

Their battle was filled with the most primal violence. There was no beauty to it, only the rawest display of power.

Like wild beasts.

Westheid had lost all sense of time. How long had he and Mivana been fighting?

A few hours? A whole day and night? Or had it been several days?

All he knew was that the torrential rain had never let up, and neither had their battle.

THUD—THUD—THUD—

For what felt like the hundredth time, Westheid found an opening, pinning Mivana and slamming the Wolf-eared Maiden’s head into the ground with all his might. Each impact sent a shockwave sweeping through the area, yet even a blow this heavy was of little consequence to Mivana.

It was a mere Severe Injury. The moment Westheid’s strength waned, the berserk Beast-eared Maiden seized his shoulder and pulled with all her force.

SCHLICK—

The weakened Westheid had no strength left to counter. As Mivana suddenly surged, she tore straight through his shoulder, ripping one of his arms clean off.

"GRAAAAAH—"

Even Westheid couldn’t endure this level of pain. He let out a ragged roar and fell backward.

Mivana seized the opportunity to flip over and pin the man down. Straddling him, she tore open his throat with her sharp canines and began to greedily drink the Blood of Qinghui, which was suffused with the Power of Order.

This time, Westheid’s persistent "bloodletting therapy" finally paid off. A sliver of clarity flashed in the Beast-eared Maiden’s eyes, and her small mouth, which had seemed capable only of low growls, softly uttered a bewildered sound.

"Teacher... Teacher?"

"Ah, sss... Mivana, are you... *huff*..."

The words escaped Westheid’s throat like a gust of wind. But before he could say more, Mivana’s eyes were once again flooded with crimson, threatening to swallow the faint glimmer of consciousness.

’Again?!’

’This Cursed Source Blood is ridiculously persistent!’

Westheid immediately gritted his teeth and forced himself up. Mustering his last ounce of strength, he clenched his one remaining fist and slammed it into Mivana’s beautiful face, sending blood flying.

Then came a second punch, a third, a fourth...

SPLAT—

SPLAT—

SPLAT—

...until a slender arm caught his fist.

"That’s enough... Teacher West."

Rainwater mixed with blood trickled down the Lady Knight’s pale chin. Through the veil of her violet-black hair, Westheid met a pair of dazzling golden eyes. Mivana’s lips were pressed into a tight line as she gazed at the near-death Westheid.

"I’m... awake now."

Hearing the Wolf-eared Maiden’s voice, Westheid finally let out a long sigh. He fumbled to remove his mask, which was on the verge of cracking apart. The last trace of Divine Power within the Sacred Artifact could barely maintain its physical form.

Westheid couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

"You’re a real handful, Mivana."

Mivana’s eyelids lowered, her gaze a mixture of complex emotions. Her lips trembled as she spoke.

"Why?"

Westheid coughed twice and said,

"I made you a promise. That if you fell into madness, I would beat you until you came to your senses... To be honest, I almost didn’t make it. It was a bit harder than I expected."

"But I kept my word."

Mivana’s beautiful golden eyes widened in an instant. She reflexively grabbed one of Westheid’s hands and said,

"Don’t die, Teacher."

"I’m not going to die."

Westheid glanced at his torn-off arm and said weakly,

"Help me reattach my arm later. It’ll heal on its own. Thanks."

"This fight was a mess, but I’ll do better next time. So Mivana, don’t blame yourself, and don’t be afraid anymore. No matter how many times you fall into madness, I will pull you out of the abyss. I promise you... Let me say it again, this is my promise to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Westheid felt a warm liquid drip onto his cheek and slide to the corner of his lips. He tasted it. It wasn’t blood. ’It was... salty, like tears?’

But he no longer had the strength to get a closer look. After removing the Mask of Fallen Heaven, a tidal wave of exhaustion washed over him. In the face of the Cursed Source Blood, his Withered Glory Sun was cowering like a frightened child, its healing effects slowed to a crawl.

"I’m a little tired. Please, just let me sleep for a bit."

Westheid said weakly, slowly closing his eyes.

"Mm..."

[The web of affection you have woven is showing results]

[You have shared Mivana Frostburn’s Talent: Half-Beast Heart]

[Half-Beast Heart]

[The creation of the Beastmen stemmed from the forbidden experiments of one who sought Ascension. His goal was to create the perfect biological weapon capable of containing the Power of Chaos, but his vision was only half-realized. The creation of life is a Domain that even Celestial Gods dare not tread.]

[Enhanced Senses acquired; Enhanced Constitution acquired; Resistance to Chaos Erosion increased.]

’This Talent? It’s not the Cursed Source Blood I wanted most, but for a top-tier T2, it’s still a good haul. It never hurts to have another skill.’

Westheid sighed in his heart, then finally passed out in relief.

"!!!"

The Wolf-eared Maiden quickly lowered herself, pressing one of her furry beast ears to Westheid’s chest. Only after hearing the strong, powerful heartbeat did her own anxious heart finally settle.

Then, Mivana looked up at the sky, letting the rain wash the bloodstains from her face. In that moment, the Wolf-eared Maiden felt a disorienting feeling, as if time itself had warped.

Years ago, there had been a storm just like this one. She had also been brought back from the brink of madness. The difference was, the "Teacher" Mivana now held in her arms was still alive.

Mivana knew that Westheid, unlike Teacher Viona, was not a purely noble person. He wouldn’t risk his life for some vague, ethereal goal of justice. He would only throw himself into danger for something tangible.

In other words, Westheid had come only to save her, to fulfill his promise to her.

Mivana knelt on the shattered ground, silent for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, the raindrops pouring down from above began to lessen, eventually stopping altogether.

Shafts of clear light, like revelations at the dawn of creation, pierced through the clouds, illuminating the ruined forest one after another.

"The rain has stopped," Mivana murmured in a hoarse voice, reaching out a hand to gaze at the sunlight breaking through the dark clouds.

Then, the Wolf-eared Maiden lay down beside Westheid, gazing at his handsome, blood-stained face.

Mivana had never tried to fall asleep nestled against someone else, but now, she wanted to... she longed to.

She curled up, resting her head in the crook of Westheid’s arm, inhaling the indescribable scent of blood mixed with the man’s own unique musk.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly into a smile.

The whispers that had plagued her ears vanished. The nightmare that had haunted her heart was gone without a trace.

In that moment, Mivana felt an unprecedented... peace and tranquility.