Chapter 41: The Beast Within
Kazuki's heart pounded as he lay awake in his tent. The wind howled outside, and the fire crackled, casting dancing shadows on the tent walls. Despite the warmth of the blanket draped over him, a cold sweat clung to his skin.
He couldn't forget the sensation of absorbing the Shadow Grizzly's power. The raw, untamed strength still lingered in his veins, pulsing like a second heartbeat. But it wasn't just the power that unsettled him — it was the overwhelming, consuming urge to hunt, to dominate, to kill.
[Warning. Beast Assimilation has a 2% corruption rate. Prolonged use may result in loss of self-control. Proceed with caution.]
Kazuki's jaw clenched. "Corruption rate? What does that mean?"
[Beast Assimilation allows the user to absorb abilities from defeated beasts. However, prolonged use may lead to mental instability as the user absorbs more primal instincts.]
Kazuki exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "So, if I keep using this power, I could... lose myself?"
[Affirmative. Recommendation: Utilize Beast Assimilation sparingly to minimize risk.]
Kazuki swallowed, his gaze fixed on the tent ceiling. The memory of the Shadow Grizzly's roars echoed in his mind, along with the primal hunger he felt when the beast's power surged through him. It was intoxicating, exhilarating — and terrifying.
A rustling sound outside the tent snapped Kazuki from his thoughts. His senses sharpened immediately, his hand reaching for the sword at his side. "Who's there?"
The tent flap opened, and Elara stepped inside, her expression soft but concerned. "Kazuki? You're still awake?"
Kazuki forced a smile, releasing his grip on the sword. "Yeah. Couldn't sleep."
Elara sat beside him, her emerald eyes searching his face. "You seemed... different today. During the fight."
Kazuki's jaw tightened. "Different how?"
Elara hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her cloak. "More intense. More... ruthless. I understand that you're trying to get stronger, but..."
Kazuki's fists clenched beneath the blanket. "But what?"
"I just don't want you to lose yourself," Elara whispered, her hand resting gently on his. "You're not a beast, Kazuki. You're a good person."
Kazuki's heart ached at her words. He wanted to believe her, but the memory of the Shadow Grizzly's dying roar echoed in his mind, mingling with the dark whispers that had started to creep into his thoughts.
"I'll be fine," Kazuki said, forcing another smile. "I just need to rest."
Elara nodded, but her eyes remained troubled. "If you need to talk, I'm here."
Kazuki watched her leave, the tent flap swaying in the wind. Once she was gone, he buried his face in his hands, the weight of his new power pressing down on him like a crushing wave.
Morning came swiftly, and with it, the group prepared to resume their journey. Tara and Elara packed their belongings, while Kazuki sharpened his sword, the rhythmic scrape of the whetstone almost meditative.
"We're heading deeper into the Shadow Vale, right?" Tara asked, glancing over at Kazuki.
Kazuki nodded, his jaw set. "There are stronger beasts there. If I'm going to master this power, I need to push myself further."
Elara frowned. "But you're already strong enough. Why do you keep pushing yourself so hard?"
Kazuki didn't answer. Instead, he stood, sheathing his sword. "Let's move."
The forest grew denser as they traveled, the trees thicker and the air colder. Shadows seemed to slither between the branches, and the howls of distant beasts echoed through the canopy.
Kazuki's senses were on high alert, every rustle and crackle magnified. His eyes darted around, searching for potential threats. His blood thrummed in his veins, the Shadow Grizzly's power still coursing through him.
Suddenly, a roar echoed through the trees — deeper, more feral than anything they'd encountered before. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the air grew thick with the scent of blood.
Tara drew her daggers, her stance tense. "Something's coming."
Kazuki's eyes narrowed, his breath quickening. The roar grew louder, and a hulking figure burst through the trees — a massive, wolf-like creature with obsidian fur and eyes that glowed a sinister crimson.
[Beast Identified: Bloodfang Alpha — Class A.]
Kazuki's heart skipped a beat. "Class A...?"
The Bloodfang Alpha snarled, baring fangs the size of daggers. Its claws tore through the earth as it charged toward them, its eyes locked onto Kazuki.
"Kazuki! Look out!" Elara shouted.
But Kazuki was already moving, his instincts taking over. The Bloodfang Alpha lunged, its jaws snapping mere inches from Kazuki's face. He ducked, rolling beneath its massive body and slashing at its underbelly. Blood sprayed across the ground, but the beast barely flinched.
"Damn it...!" Kazuki cursed, his grip tightening on his sword. The Shadow Grizzly's power surged within him, urging him to attack, to tear, to kill.
[Warning. Beast Assimilation corruption rate increasing to 5%. Proceed with caution.]
Kazuki's vision blurred, the world around him tinged with red. The Bloodfang Alpha roared again, its massive paw swinging toward him. Kazuki raised his sword to block, but the impact sent him flying backward, crashing through a tree.
"Kazuki!" Elara screamed, rushing toward him.
Kazuki staggered to his feet, blood trickling down his forehead. His eyes burned crimson, the Shadow Grizzly's power thrumming through him like a raging storm.
"I'm not... done yet," Kazuki growled, his voice deeper, almost feral.
The Bloodfang Alpha lunged again, but this time, Kazuki met it head-on. Their bodies collided, the ground shaking beneath them. Claws slashed, fangs snapped, and blood sprayed as they fought, two beasts locked in a brutal struggle.
Kazuki's mind was a haze of violence and bloodlust, the Shadow Grizzly's instincts consuming him. He could feel himself slipping, the darkness clawing at his sanity.
[Warning. Corruption rate at 8%. Mental instability imminent.]
But even as the world blurred around him, one thought remained clear — he had to win. He had to survive. And he had to control the beast within.