The Forest of Echoes had already tested Ethan Cross and Flame Fox, but the academy's instructors knew the elite B-rank orphan's potential far exceeded what had been seen. Today, a new challenge awaited—one that even S-rank students feared: a wild Mythical-level beast had been spotted outside the forest boundary, near the Azure Peaks. Its mere presence was enough to unnerve seasoned masters.
"Listen up," Instructor Raymond's voice rang through the briefing hall. "The creature you are about to face is High Platinum, approaching Mythical potential. Its intelligence rivals some S-rank students. Its strength is unparalleled in a single combat scenario. You are not here to test survival—this is a true hunt, a measure of power, skill, and synergy. Proceed carefully."
The students' murmurs were frantic. Most glanced at each other nervously. Even elite S-rank students were hesitant. But Ethan's calm demeanor did not falter.
He crouched beside Flame Fox in the academy's courtyard, whispering softly. "This is the first true test. The outside world isn't the forest. Be prepared. Tail one and two for reconnaissance. Tail three for attack, four for defense, five and six for rapid strikes. The fusion will be crucial."
The fox's tails flicked, golden light pulsing faintly. Ethan activated Eye of All Things, scanning the environment, calculating the beast's patterns, strengths, and weaknesses.
[Target: Azure Peaks Mythical Beast – Crimson Roc]
Bloodline: High Platinum
Level: Diamond 1
Evolution Path: Platinum → Gold → Mythical
Combat Ability: Flight, fire manipulation, claws sharp enough to cut stone, extreme speed
Weakness: Vulnerable to concentrated fire bursts near wings during attack cooldown
Intelligence: High, capable of reading battlefield patterns
Ethan's mind raced. This was far beyond any creature he had faced. Not a forest predator or wild wolf, but a true apex beast, capable of turning the battle against multiple S-rank hunters.
Approach to the Azure Peaks
The path to the peak was treacherous. Jagged rocks and steep cliffs tested both human and beast stamina. Many students faltered, stopping to rest. Ethan's fusion allowed him to leap and sprint with inhuman speed, Flame Fox moving in perfect synchronization.
As they reached a clearing, the ground shook. The Crimson Roc appeared, its wings spanning over twenty meters. Every feather shimmered like molten metal, each one capable of slicing through armor. The beast's eyes glowed with raw intelligence, assessing the approaching students like a master chess player.
"Bastards," Lucas hissed from a distance, his Steel-Armored Wolf growling low. "We can't let him get all the glory. That fox is just a Bronze-bloodline house pet! How is it even alive here?"
Ethan ignored him. This was no longer about reputation. Survival—and mastery—was the only goal.
The Crimson Roc roared, a sound like rolling thunder, shaking the surrounding cliffs. Even S-rank students felt the pressure, their beasts trembling instinctively.
First Clash
Ethan partially fused with Flame Fox, feeling the creature's power surge through his own body. Reflexes sharpened, senses heightened, and tactical thinking became instantaneous.
The Roc swooped down, talons aimed directly at Ethan. He sidestepped effortlessly, tail three lashing out in a blazing arc. The fire barely grazed the beast but forced it to adjust its flight path. Tail four extended a defensive barrier, shielding both from sharp rocks and debris as the Roc's wings clipped nearby cliffs.
"Focus on the wings!" Ethan commanded internally. "Tail six, concentrate a flaring strike—wait for the cooldown moment."
The fox's tails responded instantly, forming a coordinated attack pattern. A rapid flame burst hit the Roc's wing, causing a brief stagger. Ethan could feel the beast's reaction through fusion—its pain, its calculation, its intent to counterattack. Every move was shared between him and Flame Fox.
The Roc screeched and unleashed a firewave, incinerating the ground where they had just stood. Ethan reacted instinctively, merging fully with Flame Fox. His body blurred with speed, tails spinning like whips, evading every strike.
Evolution Surge
The Crimson Roc's raw power pushed the fox to its limits. Ethan decided to trigger Evolution Talent. The fox's bronze bloodline had already reached Mythical, but the surge from combat and extreme stress activated latent abilities.
[Flame Fox – Evolution Boost]
Bloodline: Mythical
Level: Diamond 1 → Diamond 3
Combat Growth: Speed +35%, Fire Power +42%, Reflexes +28%
Nine-Tail Potential: 8 active, 1 latent
The fox's tails radiated pure golden flames, each tail now behaving semi-independently. Flame Fox leaped, twisting mid-air, launching a coordinated tail storm directly at the Roc's wings.
The Roc howled in frustration, unable to anticipate the multi-angle attack. One wing was scorched, its flight destabilized. Ethan's fusion allowed him to predict its next move. He surged forward with tail one spinning like a drill, tail two lashing at the creature's exposed legs, while the rest coordinated defensive and offensive maneuvers.
In minutes, the Crimson Roc's dominance was challenged—by a B-rank human fused with a Mythical fox.
Rival Interference
Lucas, furious at seeing Ethan dominate, charged recklessly. "Cross! I'll crush your little mutt!"
Ethan assessed Lucas instantly. His fusion form could handle two opponents simultaneously, but overextension could be fatal. "Flame Fox, defensive mode, protect the flank. I'll distract."
Lucas's Steel-Armored Wolf barreled forward. Ethan dodged and pivoted, sending a tail swipe across Lucas's path, forcing him to stumble. The Roc, enraged, targeted Lucas, inadvertently leaving its side exposed. Ethan used the opportunity to strike. Tail six ignited fully, striking the Roc's chest, sending a shockwave of heat and fire.
Lucas stumbled, watching his target falter, realizing too late that Ethan had orchestrated the perfect trap.
The Apex Strike
The Crimson Roc, now wounded and destabilized, attempted to regain flight. Ethan fully fused, channeling all Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox energy, pushing the fox's latent ninth tail toward awakening. The fusion amplified his perception, strength, and reaction speed exponentially.
"Flame Fox… ninth tail… NOW!" Ethan commanded mentally.
A golden flare erupted, invisible to everyone else but blinding to him. The ninth tail ignited, completing the fox's Nine-Tailed form. Flames danced along each tail, forming a dome of intense heat and power. Ethan's body moved like liquid fire, weaving between Roc's attacks, landing precise strikes with lethal efficiency.
Finally, a twin-tail flame strike pierced the Roc's exposed flank. The creature let out an ear-piercing roar before crashing onto the cliffside, wings broken, unable to continue. Its presence, once dominating, now diminished.
The battlefield fell silent. Students stared in awe. Even instructors, seasoned and experienced, could only nod in disbelief.
Ethan emerged from fusion, Flame Fox at his side, tails flickering in subdued golden light. The Mythical Crimson Roc, apex predator of the Azure Peaks, had been defeated by a B-rank orphan and his fused Mythical fox.
Aftermath
Lucas's eyes burned with rage. "No… this isn't possible… a B-rank… how…"
Ethan ignored him. His gaze turned toward the retreating Roc, now defeated but alive. He respected strength. Killing a creature of this level was unnecessary—learning from it was more valuable.
The instructors approached, Elder Rowan among them. "Remarkable," he said, voice deep and approving. "You have done what no B-rank has done before: dominate a high Platinum-level beast, force it toward Mythical, and survive without external aid. Your fusion mastery, evolution acceleration, and perception… are beyond comprehension."
Whispers erupted among the other students. "That fox… it's not Bronze. Not B-rank. That's… that's Mythical!"
Ethan simply knelt, stroking Flame Fox. "We're not finished," he murmured. "Every battle makes us stronger. Every challenge brings us closer to the path no one else can walk."
Flame Fox purred, golden tails swaying gently. The ninth tail, now fully awakened, radiated a quiet, almost regal aura. The Hidden Beast Emperor's power was growing.
And deep within Ethan, a thought burned: this was only the beginning. There were higher-level Mythical beasts, apex predators, and rival masters far stronger than the academy could contain. The real trials were yet to come.
The Azure Peaks had been conquered—not by strength alone, but by vision, fusion, evolution, and the power of the unseen.
✨ End of Chapter 17 ✨