Chapter 34: Qiyana's Horror

Growing up in the Ixtal cultural environment, Chiana has met many people, but due to the closed nature of Ixtal's culture, she cannot understand why Tarlin's attitude towards her is both respectful and calm.

Although proud, arrogant, and ambitious, Qiyana is not a foolish girl.

After the initial confusion, Qiyana quickly realized something from Tarin's attitude.

But this was ultimately just Qiyana's own conjecture. And Qiyana was never one to keep secrets. She looked at Tarin, taking the recovery potion he offered, and asked directly:

"Your attitude towards me is strange. Is it because of what you said about the future? Or is it something else? Tell me why."

"Um."

Upon hearing Qiyana's question, Tarin nodded, then pointed to his eyes and said, "I can see fragments of the past and future."

"...Oh?" Upon hearing this, Qiyana raised an eyebrow, then said thoughtfully, "So...you saw some of my future? That's why you're paying extra attention to me?"

As she spoke, Qiyana glanced at Lupe and the others beside her, adding, "So you want my help?"

"In terms of confidence, you are exactly the same as I remembered you..." Looking at Qiyana's confident expression, Tarin shook his head helplessly.

In other words, Qiyana does have some real skills; otherwise, given her personality, she would definitely be just an ordinary girl.

But regardless of one's worldview, those who possess ability have the freedom to be proud and arrogant.

Thinking this, Tarin turned his gaze back to Qiyana and said calmly, "The future... has already changed by the time it is seen."

Just like in the future I envisioned, I wasn't here. You weren't here either. And now, I've come to Ixtal, wanting to change things, so I'm observing the real you in my own way, not the you of the prophecy.

"...What do you mean?" Qiyana raised an eyebrow, looking at Tarin and saying, "So, in your eyes, what kind of existence is Qiyana?"

"You are you." Tarin shrugged. "It has nothing to do with Yuen-Alai's identity. Qiana is Qiana herself. I will judge in my own way whether you are worthy of my trust and entrustment."

Upon hearing Tarin's answer, Qiyana nodded thoughtfully, gradually understanding why Tarin, despite caring about her, wasn't as nervous as he was with others...

Thinking this through, Qiyana asked, "So, what's your answer now?"

"Hmm...not bad~" Tarin shrugged, a slight relaxation on his face.

"While she is indeed a bit difficult to get along with, overall... she does resemble Qiyana."

"What do you mean by 'Qiana looks'?" Upon hearing Tarin's assessment, Qiyana frowned, slightly displeased.

"It's... pride, arrogance, confidence, but with the ability to match it," Tallinn explained.

"However, due to the traditional culture of Ixtal, all potential and ability are deliberately ignored, and accompanied by various unfair treatments, thinking and methods are gradually moving towards extremes and biases... Of course, I am referring to the future."

When Qiyana first heard Tarin say that he was proud and arrogant, but possessed that ability, there was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

In Qiyana's view, pride and arrogance are not flaws, but her rightful rights—she possesses elemental potential far exceeding all her sisters and almost surpassing the entire Ixoraken, yet she is not valued.

What's wrong with being a little proud?

Especially after hearing Tarin's explanation, even though she was on guard, Qiyana couldn't help but make the connection—this really is me!

And finally, when he realized that his own thinking and methods were becoming increasingly extreme and biased...

Qiyana fell silent.

Although Qiyana sees this as a choice she was forced to make in Ixtal's environment.

However, it is undeniable that from an objective perspective, especially within the traditional cultural concepts of Ixtal, it is indeed extreme and biased.

Qiyana is proud, so proud that she doesn't bother to hypocritically conceal whether her actions are right or wrong. Or perhaps, in Qiyana's view, these actions are necessary consequences, even if others see them as unscrupulous.

While things haven't progressed to that point yet, Qiyana can sense to some extent that it's only a matter of time.

Thinking this through, Qiyana had no intention of continuing the conversation on this matter. Instead, she nodded casually and then addressed Tarin's comment about being "difficult to get along with":

"Rather than saying I'm difficult to get along with, I think you should really study Ixtal etiquette!"

As she spoke, Qiyana glanced at the recovery potion Tarin had just drunk, wiped the rim of the cup with disgust, and then brought it to her lips with a look of utter disdain, saying:

"If it were my older sisters, you would have already been punished for being rude!"

Tallinn simply gave an awkward but polite smile in response.

This made Qiyana realize that Tarin wasn't worried about anything like this happening. After all, his status as an outsider, his discovery of the Void creatures, and the possibility of the axioms of life all represented Tarin's extraordinary nature—capable people always have many privileges in the face of tradition.

Thinking this, Qiyana felt a strange sense of irritation—because this was the reason Qiyana allowed herself to be proud and arrogant. She just hadn't expected to use it on other people…

While pondering, Qiyana also drank the remaining half bottle of recovery potion in one gulp.

Just as Tarlin said, this recovery potion was indeed not as effective as the Greater Recovery Potion G he had drunk. Or rather, the concentration of life energy was much lower, only about one-third of that of the Greater Recovery Potion G.

Even so, Qiyana's eyes still showed a great deal of fluctuation as she sensed these life energies.

The reason is simple: this energy is not like the new formula discovered and verified based on existing axioms—if this kind of innovation based on existing axioms is standing on the shoulders of giants.

Without a doubt, if this life energy can be reproduced through the axioms of life, then the Tallinn standing here is a giant himself.

Moreover... they came from 'giants' outside of Ixtal.

This made Qiyana clench the bottle in her hand, her eyes flashing with a burning light.

It's not that Qiyana thinks the moon is rounder outside of Ixtal, but rather that Qiyana's ideal is to expand the glory of Ixtal, thereby proving that she is wiser and more powerful than any of Ixtal's ancestors.

And now... although it's only her first attempt, Qiyana keenly senses that the path to her ideal is slowly unfolding.

Thinking this, Qiyana subconsciously looked at Tarin beside her.

prophet……

Although Qiyana was amazed by the various wonders that Tarin displayed, his identity as a prophet was indeed too special.

Thinking this, Qiyana also looked at Tarin and then asked, "If that's the case, what were your thoughts when you approached me, Prophet?"

"Because of some not-so-bright future."

Tallinn still uses the same old explanation, after all, this is the core source of Tallinn's power.

"Because I can see fragments of the past and the future, I see many impending disasters. And these disasters will all erupt in the next hundred years—whether from Runeterra itself, from the Void, or even from the past."

"These calamities will usher Runeterra into a new and turbulent era, where a single misstep could lead to an irreversible apocalypse..."

After a pause, Tallinn shrugged and said:

"Don't let my calm and nonchalant demeanor fool you. My ideal is actually quite simple: to enjoy this world with the people I love and the people who love me. Based on this, I have a long life and great power, all in service of realizing this ideal."

Hearing Tarin frankly state his ideals, Qiyana wrinkled her nose, then gave a soft snort and raised her head, saying:

"How...vulgar! They discovered this entirely new axiomatic system of life energy, yet their ideal is merely this superficial enjoyment. I'm starting to feel sad about this precious knowledge."

As she said this, Qiyana reached out her hand to Tarin and said, "But the great Qiyana wouldn't care about such a small matter. So relax, Qiyana will grant your little selfish wish while becoming the Queen of Runeterra~"

"Wow, that's amazing." Tarin shook hands with Qiyana expressionlessly, his flat, insincere tone probably containing more air than the Lay's potato chips.

But Qiyana didn't care, after all, Tarin was truly skilled.

Talented people should be treated with special consideration.

Qiyana tossed her long, silver-gray curly hair and said with a mix of pride and anticipation, "So tell me, what kind of grand plan have you prepared?"

Upon hearing this, Tarlin nodded, then pointed to the sheds not far away that the beasts were using as temporary shelters and said, "Standing at the village entrance isn't appropriate, let's go inside first."

"No problem~" Qiyana said casually as she walked toward the shed.

"Is there something wrong here?!" Kiana asked in horror as she entered the shed.

From Qiyana's perspective, a group of Paka jungle cats were resting on the ground. Upon noticing the arrival of Tarin and his group, the resting Paka jungle cats opened their eyes, and when they saw Tarin, they deliberately avoided Tarin's gaze and made way for him.

They didn't pay much attention when they saw Lupe and the others, and some kittens even went over to rub against them affectionately. In the past, in order to build good relations, Lupe and the others arranged for the village hunters to hunt with the Paka jungle cats, which can be considered as forging some wilderness friendships.

However, upon seeing Qiyana, a hint of wariness appeared in their eyes.

After a fierce battle, Qiyana has recovered to about 70-80% thanks to a large healing potion, but she still retains a faint trace of blood energy.

This bloody smell is obviously undetectable to ordinary people, but for the Paka jungle cat, whose sense of smell is exceptionally sensitive...

The smell of blood was secondary; more importantly, during the battle, as the Great Jaggi Dragon's intimidating presence continued, Qiyana's body became tainted with the unique pheromone scent of Tarin.

For some time now, this has been used by Tallinn to command herds—during hunts, whichever beast is marked becomes the target of the herd's attack.

Now, sensing the hunting mark on Qiyana, some adult jungle cats almost instinctively straighten their bodies, ready to pounce and bite without hesitation if Tarin just waves his hand slightly.

Qiyana certainly recognized these creatures—the Paka jungle cat, as the top predator in the Ixtal Wilderness, possessed not only formidable physical attributes but also innate primal magic. Even with its massive size, it could move through the woods without making any noise that would alert its prey.

Although the stone armor on its face was formed later in life, combined with primal magic, it can cause terrible damage whether it's biting or pouncing.

Although Qiyana was confident in her abilities, her stamina and mana were severely depleted during the battle with Tarin. And this was especially true at such close range…

It's no exaggeration to say that suddenly entering the attack range of a beast horde of this size is extremely risky. Even if Qiyana were in good condition, let alone now that she's severely exhausted, she could still be seriously injured if she's not careful.

Feeling the bright golden eyes of the Pakarin cat so close at hand, feeling that faint yet unmistakable pure wildness that seemed to pounce on her without hesitation at Tarin's command, even Qiyana felt a heartfelt, primal, and fundamental fear of death, the most basic fear a living being can have.

Tarin waved his hand, signaling the pack to be quiet, then looked at Qiyana and said, "Don't worry, these are my pack, Pakarin cats."

"I know they're Pakarin cats!" Upon hearing this, Qiyana swallowed hard. After confirming that the beasts seemed to be under Tarin's control, she relaxed slightly, but her body still instinctively moved closer to Tarin, saying with a mix of shame and nervousness:

"What I mean is... why are there so many forest cats here? And why are they obeying your commands?!"