A Man Like None Other (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5425

"Seize them! The master has promised a rich reward!" the Demonic Cultivator roared, leading the charge through the undergrowth with blades of black sorcery swirling at his flanks.

Jared, burdened by the wounded king, staggered through the forest's tangled roots and descending mist. Warm blood seeped from the gash across Aurelius's ribs, soaking Jared's back until it felt as though hot knives pressed against his skin. He had already burned through most of his spiritual energy in the previous battle. Now, only sheer will kept his legs moving, shielding the unconscious monarch while dodging the lethal shadows pursuing them.

"Stop running! Submit, and I'll grant you a quicker death!" the Demonic Cultivator's voice lashed the night air.

Black miasma slithered after that threat like venomous serpents. Several demonic blades whistled past Jared's shoulders, exploding ancient trunks into splinters. Jared clenched his jaw so hard it ached. He dared not look back. He simply dredged up the last scraps of power within him and forced his battered legs to fly.

Cloud Valley lay somewhere beyond the next ridge, veiled by swirling mist. Yet every heartbeat told Jared the Demonic Cultivators were closing in, their savage footfalls drumming through the forest floor like approaching thunder. He pushed onward, lungs burning, while a cold realization seeped into his chest with every breath. Will I end here, nameless among the roots and stones?

A thunderous roar shattered the pursuit's cadence—a primal bellow so loud the treetops trembled and birds burst skyward in panic.

From the shadowed undergrowth surged more than a dozen beast race cultivators, their bodies wrapped in rough-stitched pelts, bone-tipped spears, and blades flashing as they fanned out between Jared and the demon horde.

"You skulking spawn of darkness—how dare you rampage on territory claimed by the bear beast cultivators!" the leader barked. His towering frame bristled with brown fur, and the bone spear in his fist gleamed with a murderous chill.

Recognition lit Jared's eyes, hope flaring where despair had lurked only a moment earlier. "Beast allies," he whispered, almost disbelieving, then felt resolve surge again.

"Fools," the Demonic Cultivator snarled, his face twisting beneath a tarnished helm. "Cut them down!"

Obedient as wolves, dozens of Demonic Cultivators wheeled and charged, blades dripping with black force.

The bear-beast chieftain met them head-on. He roared once—an avalanche of sound—then drove his spear straight through a demon's chest.

Metal shrieked against bone. The demon's blade spun away, and before its owner could scream, the bear-beast's kick sent him sprawling. One brutal thrust followed—white bone punched through throat, dark blood spraying the leaves.

Jared also understood the cost. In a realm now ruled by demons, revealing themselves meant certain death for every beast warrior standing with him.

Hot moisture glazed his eyes before he could stop it.

He nodded—once, hard—hoisted the unconscious Aurelius across his shoulders, and sprinted toward the mist-laden gap that marked Cloud Valley.

He dared not glance back. Each backward look would carve another line of guilt across his heart—for those cultivators could have hidden in silence yet chose open battle for his sake.

Behind him, the clash intensified, punctuated by beastly screams that landed like hammers against his spine, each one a life extinguished in his name.

His fists clenched until nails sliced flesh; droplets of blood streaked the ground beneath his fleeing steps.