Chapter 42: Unleashing the Beast
The Bloodfang Alpha's jaws snapped dangerously close to Kazuki's neck, its foul breath hot against his skin. Kazuki gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he struggled to keep the beast's massive maw at bay. His sword trembled in his grasp, the blade inches away from the beast's throat.
"Kazuki! Hold on!" Elara shouted, her bow drawn. She released an arrow, aiming for the Alpha's eye.
But the Bloodfang Alpha was too fast. It twisted its head, the arrow grazing its cheek, leaving a thin, bloody line. The beast snarled, its blood-red eyes locking onto Elara.
"Damn it!" Kazuki roared, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "Focus on me!"
The Alpha's attention snapped back to Kazuki. With a roar, it lunged forward, its massive claws raking across his chest. Kazuki gasped, blood spraying from the fresh wound. He staggered back, his vision blurring.
[Warning. Corruption rate at 10%. Mental instability increasing. Proceed with caution.]
Kazuki's heart pounded, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The Shadow Grizzly's power surged within him, urging him to unleash his full strength. The dark, primal urge clawed at his mind, screaming to be let out.
"Kazuki! Stay focused!" Tara shouted, her daggers flashing as she rushed in to distract the Alpha. She slashed at its hind legs, but the beast was relentless. It swatted her aside with a single swipe, sending her crashing into a nearby tree.
Kazuki's eyes widened. "Tara!"
Tara groaned, struggling to sit up. Blood trickled from a gash on her forehead, and her eyes were unfocused. "I'm... I'm okay..."
Kazuki's vision blurred further, the world taking on a crimson tint. The beast within him howled, its feral hunger growing louder, drowning out all rational thought.
"I can't... I can't hold it back..." Kazuki whispered, his fists clenching. "I need more power..."
[Alpha Command: Primal Awakening activated.]
A surge of crimson energy exploded around Kazuki, engulfing him in a blinding aura. His muscles bulged, his eyes glowing a fierce red as the Shadow Grizzly's essence fully awakened within him.
The Bloodfang Alpha hesitated, its eyes narrowing. For the first time, it seemed to sense the change in Kazuki — the predator now staring back at it.
Kazuki let out a guttural roar, the sound more beast than man. He lunged forward, his speed doubled, his strength tripled. His fist collided with the Alpha's jaw, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. The Alpha yelped, stumbling back, its blood splattering across the ground.
"Kazuki!" Elara cried, her eyes wide with shock. "What... what are you doing?!"
But Kazuki couldn't hear her. The beast within him had taken over, and all he could see was his prey. He charged at the Alpha again, his fists a blur as he pummeled the beast mercilessly.
[Warning. Corruption rate at 15%. Mental instability imminent.]
Kazuki's mind was a swirling storm of rage and bloodlust. The Alpha's roars echoed in his ears, fueling his frenzy. He grabbed the beast by the throat, his claws sinking deep into its flesh.
"You think... you're strong?!" Kazuki growled, his voice distorted. "You're nothing!"
The Alpha whimpered, its eyes wide with fear. But Kazuki didn't stop. He raised his fist, ready to deliver the final blow — the killing strike.
"Kazuki! Stop!" Elara screamed, running toward him. She threw herself between Kazuki and the Alpha, her arms outstretched. "This isn't you!"
Kazuki's fist stopped inches from her face, his chest heaving. The crimson aura flickered, then began to fade. His eyes returned to their normal color, the bloodlust slowly ebbing away.
Kazuki blinked, his gaze focusing on Elara's terrified expression. His heart dropped. "Elara... I..."
The Alpha whimpered beneath his grip, its body trembling. Kazuki released it, stepping back, his hands shaking.
[Corruption rate decreasing. Stabilizing...]
Elara wrapped her arms around him, pressing her forehead to his chest. "You're okay now. You're okay."
Kazuki's breath came in shaky gasps. The primal urge still simmered beneath the surface, but it was weaker now — a distant echo instead of a raging storm.
"I almost... lost myself," Kazuki whispered, his fists clenched.
Elara tightened her hold on him. "But you didn't. You're still here."
Kazuki swallowed, his gaze fixed on the blood staining his hands. The battle was over, but the real fight — the one within him — was just beginning.