Levi backed into a corner, chest heaving, as the last Void Hounds and stray monsters scattered under the ACBT's relentless assault. Dust swirled around him; the city streets were a graveyard of shattered glass and twisted metal.
A small, trembling creature skulked from behind a burnt out car. a minor Corrupted Beast, no bigger than a large dog. Its black fur bristled with violet veins, eyes glowing faintly. It froze when it spotted Levi, hissing and snapping.
"Alright… first tame," Levi muttered, trying to steady his shaking hands. "Let's see if this body can do it."
[System: Target eligible for taming. Success rate: 85%.]
Levi gripped a jagged shard of glass, holding it not as a weapon, but as a focus. The creature's body tensed, every muscle ready to strike.
[System: Taming process initiated. Focus on willpower. Control your instincts.]
Levi forced himself to breathe slowly, recalling memories of past encounters with monsters. Calm. Dominance. Authority. Not fear.
The Corrupted Beast lunged. Levi didn't flinch. He locked eyes with it, projecting everything he had learned as humanity's strongest soldier.
[System: Progress → 40%… 60%… 85%…]
The creature skidded to a halt mid-leap, surprised by Levi's unwavering gaze. Its fur shimmered, violet veins dimming slightly.
Levi extended his hand.
"I'm not your enemy… now kneel before your superior."
A faint growl rumbled, then a tentative step forward.
[System: Success! Creature tamed. Name it.]
"Am gonna name you Ragnar," Levi said.
The Corrupted Beast wagged its tail or something like a tail and padded to Levi's side, its violet glow pulsing gently.
Levi exhaled, chest pounding. "Alright… you're mine. Let's see what you've got."
But more beasts stirred in the distance. This was only the beginning.
Captain Aizen called out, "All civilians into the closest evacuation building! Keep moving!"
"We're gonna need backup," Aizen said into the wired earpiece, notifying the headquarters.
By a flickering coincidence, Aizen's rival appeared a man known for his ruthless precision and flair: Mikoto Akai, clad in a pure red suit with black-gold-tinted glasses, short crimson hair catching the light.
"Great… it's four eyes," Captain Aizen muttered, irritation flashing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Aizen grabbed Miss Shoko's hand, guiding her toward the evacuation building. His heart thumped strangely. Why did it feel like it couldn't let anything happen to her? Was there… something lingering between Miss Shoko and Haruto, the vessel he now inhabited?
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