They sprinted toward the east entrance, where a group of city guards stood frozen in terror.
Before them loomed a behemoth of a creature, its four massive arms raised as it roared with primal fury. One of those arms shot forward toward a trembling guard who looked like he might soil himself from sheer fear.
Just before he was flattened, the large gate guard rushed in, shield raised.
Thud!
The impact sent him flying. His massive shield crumpled like tin foil. Screams erupted across the square as guards and civilians alike were snatched up and devoured like appetizers.
A senior officer shouted orders, rallying his men—only to be silenced mid-sentence as half his body was swiped clean off.
This wasn't an ordinary monster.
"That's a Grade-C demonic beast… the Four-Armed Tiger Demon," Bukanami explained grimly as they advanced.
Unlike most Grade-C threats, its strength was off the charts and its stamina practically limitless. But worse still was its bloodlust—once it tasted blood, it entered a frenzied rampage from which nothing could pull it back.
---
"Itekan, Itoyea—support me. Konacho, go for the legs like always. Tobi, you're on standby. Only intervene if it's a fatal shot," Bukanami ordered, stopping just outside the monster's range.
He unsheathed his golden sword and black machete and assumed a low stance.
From behind, Itoyea watched as a pulse of SE radiated from him—so thick it distorted the air. The aura formed the image of a roaring Chinese dragon above Bukanami's shoulders. He had to fight the urge to step back.
His swordsmanship… it's on another level.
But instead of fear, a fire lit in Itoyea's chest.
I won't back down. I can't.
He tightened his grip on his blade and stilled his mind.
Bukanami smiled. He had expected them to flinch.
Most did when exposed to the full weight of his Dragon's Roar Aura. But not these two. One wasn't fazed at all, and the other had already recovered.
These kids... they're real contenders.
"We're the assault team," Bukanami barked. "Aim for the head. Avoid direct hits from those arms—one blow, and we're out."
Itekan nodded, his expression hardening. He slipped into the shadows, vanishing from view. Only Itoyea wasn't surprised—he'd seen this trick before.
"If you can hold him still for a few seconds, I'll finish it," Itekan's voice echoed from somewhere unseen.
The team surged forward.
---
Konacho led the charge, dashing toward the beast's legs. Her twin chained synthes struck like whips—but they simply bounced off the thick hide.
Four Arms grunted in irritation and swatted at her.
In a blur, Tobi appeared beside her, catching the arm with his massive club. The impact thundered through the air. His strength was holding—barely.
High above, Bukanami called to Itoyea. The two launched upward, raining strikes down from above.
Itoyea danced through the first two forms of the Way of the Wind, his blade like silver lightning.
Bukanami fought with dual-weapon mastery, his black machete coated in dense, compressed SE, and his golden sword radiating light. The contrast made Itekan, watching from afar, blink. The synergy was mesmerizing.
But even with all that power—their attacks didn't break skin.
Four Arms roared in rage and flung them from his shoulders.
Tobi reacted instantly. Seeing Bukanami and Itoyea tumbling midair, he leapt high and intercepted a follow-up swipe with his mace, the sheer force sending tremors through the ground.
"Get your technique ready," Tobi growled at Bukanami. "I'll buy you time."
Bukanami nodded. "Don't burn yourself out."
Of all five, Tobi was the strongest physically. His stamina, his durability—they were unmatched, even compared to Itekan.
Now, he squared his shoulders, gripping the mace tight. A dark brown aura of SE flared around him. His muscles bulged—tripling in size. Thick manes of golden hair unfurled from his scalp. His lashes shifted from black to light brown. He looked like a lion incarnate.
"Ten minutes," he muttered, voice deeper now, primal. "Max."
That's all I've got.
---
Konacho and Bukanami paused, watching his transformation. Even for them, this was rare.
Tobi came from the proud line of Beast Walkers—the Fustavo family of the Brandish Kingdom.
They were born to channel their inner spirit beasts. While others summoned animals, Tobi became one—a partial manifestation of a lion spirit that had defined his bloodline for generations.
He was born under a falling star—a sign of divine blood. His beast form was the purest in five centuries.
His clan had placed all their hopes on him. Groomed him for leadership. Raised him to be the next patriarch.
But fate has cruel hands.
Tobi had abysmally low SE reserves, a tragic irony. The purer the form, the more SE it required. And he simply didn't have enough. The other children saw him as a failure. A threat. A freak.
"Even if I'm cursed... I'll prove I'm more than what they say I am," Tobi thought as he stared down Four Arms.
"Today—I will be useful."
---
Bukanami watched him collide with Four Arms again, this time pushing the demon backward.
Itekan reappeared at his side, Konacho beside him.
"Sorry, what were you saying?" Bukanami asked, still focused on the battle.
"I have a plan!" Itekan declared, face resolute.
Konacho raised an eyebrow.
"Let's hear it."
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.Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)
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