Trapped in the Beastworld Breeder System (BL)-Chapter 72: Strangling — devilish technique

Aries summoned power from his system and activated his living armament: his silver hair skill. His short, curly hair began to extend rapidly as he stood in place, growing long and wrapping around his hands, stretching taut in his grasp like living whips.

The spectators’ eyes widened with surprise at the display. Even Aldric’s usually composed expression flickered in shock. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

As the hair finished extending, Aries flung it forward with no particular technique, aiming straight for Aldric’s leg. The strands coiled around it instantly, and he yanked sharply, dragging Aldric forward.

Caught off guard, Aldric staggered, barely managing to regain his footing.

A small, triumphant smile crept across Aries’ lips as he realized he had actually caused an effect. Gasps echoed through the arena as everyone watched Aldric struggle against the hair’s grip.

Annoyed but determined, Aldric channeled strength into his sword and lunged at Aries.

He was astonishingly fast, Aries had to admit. One second, Aldric was a distant figure; the next, he was only a breath away. If Aries hadn’t moved aside in time, the slash would have cut him.

’It doesn’t look like he’s just sparring with me,’ Aries thought, sensing the full intensity behind Aldric’s attack.

[Yes. If you hadn’t moved aside in time, you would have been hurt badly,] the system confirmed.

A tense stare-down followed as Aries watched Aldric from across the short distance. Aldric panted heavily, evidence that the previous strike had consumed a considerable amount of his strength.

Aries, too, was breathing hard, having summoned all his willpower and mental fortitude to avoid being cut.

As he conversed with the system, Aries sought to understand how to properly use the hair skill.

’This hair isn’t just about moving it, is it?’ he asked internally.

[Of course not. It is currently at Level 1 and can be used both as a shield and as a weapon. You can slash at an opponent—its effect depends on your strength versus theirs. It can act as a whip or a sword. You can also wrap it around your body for protection, though that depends on your opponent’s fortitude.]

Before Aries could process this fully, Aldric had already regained his stance. He lunged again, sword raised high, aiming a downward strike with full force. Even Aldric’s eyes widened in surprise when he realized Aries wasn’t dodging, but he couldn’t retract his swing in time.

"Well," Aries muttered under his breath, "if he does this, it’s his time to die then."

At the last moment, Aries’ hair shot out, wrapping around the descending sword. The blade pierced the strands but slowed just enough for Aries to step aside, narrowly avoiding the strike.

Just right after defending himself, without hesitation, he lashed his hair toward Aldric again. The whip-like strike barely brushed him; Aldric felt only a fleeting heat along his body. Before Aries could retract the strands, Aldric grabbed the hair, yanking Aries toward him.

Sword still in hand, Aldric slashed at Aries’ legs, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

"I won. The fight has ended," Aldric declared, chest heaving, his gaze sharp and confident.

He turned to the spectators, smiling with his sword raised high in his hand.

But then, Aries shouted behind him, "What do you mean?"

The slash at his leg, truly did draw blood, but that slash alone wasn’t enough to hinder Aries. It healed just as it has been inflected, and he rose back to his feet.

Aldric, with his back turned toward Aries, making him unaware of what was happening behind him.

But the gasps of the spectators both in front of and behind him forced him to glance back, and it was almost too late. Aries hair shot out and wrapped tightly around Aldric’s neck.

"What was I thinking?"

"Yes, it can’t cut you, but if I use my strength properly, it should strangle your neck!" Aries shouted, pulling Aldric down with his hair.

He mounted him, still wrapped tightly, tugging harder to increase the pressure.

Aldric thrashed beneath him, gasping for breath, but the hair held firm. The arena fell silent as everyone watched in awe, stunned at the sight before them.

The almighty Lord Aldric was beneath the frail human, gasping for breath.

Aries didn’t fully understand what he was doing, not that he knew he was hurting him, but he couldn’t decide whether to stop or continue. Whether Aldric was about to die or could last another hour, he kept strangling him, and Aldric had no way to escape.

Until a loud voice rang out, accompanied by a breeze that felt like someone’s hands pushing Aries away from Aldric. He found himself thrown backward, face-first onto the floor. Quickly, he turned his head and saw Thales and Slvy standing just beside Aldric.

Slvy’s eyes narrowed, and he hissed in annoyance at Aldric, who still clutched his neck, gasping for air.

Thales, however, fixed his gaze on Aries.

"What fighting technique was that?" he asked, voice sharp and curious.

"Huh?" Aries replied, blinking in confusion, his mind racing.

’Don’t tell me he called strangling, something so uncultured, a fighting technique?’ he thought bitterly.

Before Aries could ponder further, Aldric’s enraged voice cut through the tension. "He rigged the fight! I had wonz I drew blood, but then suddenly, he cheated! He used some potion to heal himself, wiped the blood, and from nowhere unleashed this devilish technique!"

"Wait!" Aries shouted back, frustration bubbling up.

He was annoyed not because of Aldric’s bullying but because of how people refused to accept defeat. "When you were slashing and lunging at me, you didn’t call that devilish. But when I strangle you, suddenly there’s a problem? And what potion are you talking about? You mean my self-healing abilities?"

"What?" Thales asked, genuinely surprised, tilting his head.

His impression of Aries shifted slightly. All this time, Aries had been hiding these abilities, abilities that were clearly far beyond what anyone expected.

As Thales studied him, he realized why the king had chosen this young man. Aries wasn’t just a frail human, like those bred in the old times for mere breeding or labor.

Meanwhile, Slvy’s expression hardened as he gave Aldric a sharp, intimidating stare.

The fact that Aries could put Aldric in such a vulnerable state made him boil with anger. He had once believed that his stupid nephew might soon rank up and become a trainer, but now, seeing this unfold, it seemed Aldric would remain a normal warrior for life.

Because how could he possibly lose face to a total newcomer?

As these thoughts swirled in their minds, Aries glanced at Aldric one last time, a hiss escaping his lips. Then, he turned to Thales and said, "Look, what you called an unknown technique isn’t really one."

"I mean, it just involves strangling the neck. You can use your hand, but it’s usually more effective when a rope is used, or, in my case, my hair. These are part of my abilities: my hair as an armament, my healing abilities."

"Do you mean to say you can also heal others?" Thales asked, eyes narrowing slightly. Aries nodded.

’Though it might cost me a little, I don’t mind spending it depending on who I’m healing,’ he thought to himself.

Thales then turned his attention to Aldric. "You are doing too much. When I left, I told you to focus only on showing him around. I never said you should test him, did I?"

Aldric’s face tightened as he struggled to gather his composure. His heart thumped loudly as he anticipated what was coming next. He staggered slightly before finally regaining his footing, then bowed deeply.

"I’m very sorry, My Lord. I was just trying to gauge his strength," he said, voice low and respectful.

"Yes. And I’m sure you’ve managed to gauge that now," Thales replied calmly.

"No..." Aldric began.

"No what?" Thales prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"But..." Aldric tried again.

"What happened was barely enough to determine Aries’ rank. Perhaps he’s level 5, or level 1, the fight was just child’s play," Aldric admitted, and Thales’ brows furrowed slightly as Aries smirked faintly.

"You say so," Thales replied with a slight chuckle, shaking his head.

He then turned to the other warriors on the field. "You should all return to your tasks."

Turning back to Aries, Thales said, "And you, relay my greetings to the second prince. And apologies for the poor hospitality. Tomorrow, you will be tested to determine your rank, and further training will commence thereafter."

"Oh..." Aries muttered, bowing slightly. "I can leave now?"

Thales nodded, and a bright smile curved across Aries’ face as he began to walk away.

But Slvy’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Your ability is impressive, but you need to work on your strength, agility, endurance, and combat skills to wield it effectively," Slvy said, tone firm. "Yes, you had a good weapon, but you weren’t able to use it at all except through a sneak attack."

Aries didn’t reply. It wasn’t that Slvy’s words didn’t make sense, he just knew it wasn’t the time to entertain advice from someone who already had their opinions.

Instead, he simply continued walking, ready to exit the field.