Chapter 7 – Rivalry and Rising Threats
The streets quaked beneath distant roars, a grim reminder that the Corrupted Beasts weren't finished. Smoke coiled around shattered vehicles, their twisted frames glowing faintly under the blood-red moon.
Levi gripped Ragnar's glowing fur, the hound's heartbeat syncing with his own. This wasn't over not by a long shot.
Across the ruined square, Mikoto Akai appeared through the haze, crimson battle-suit glimmering like molten steel. His black-gold glasses flashed as he adjusted them, voice slicing through the chaos:
"Aizen. You always overestimate your team."
Aizen's katana sang, its blade humming with restrained fury. His icy stare didn't waver.
"And you always show up late, Mikoto just in time to see me clean up your mess."
Mikoto's smirk was a blade of its own. Without warning, his palm slammed into the ground. Crimson energy surged outward, splitting the concrete like shattered glass. Rubble spiraled upward in a storm of dust, momentarily blinding the square.
Levi shielded Miss Shoko instinctively, Ragnar growling low.
The Anti-Corrupted Beasts Taskforce exploded into motion:
Hikari "Flashwind" Senzou streaked forward like lightning, cleaving two Whisperers before they blinked.
Renjiro "Iron Titan" Kaede stomped, the earth cracking as a seismic wave pinned a Bloodfang Boar against a wall.
Akane "Crimson Witch" Misora wove her blood sigils midair, snaring an Eclipsed Serpent in writhing chains.
Levi's pulse spiked. This was war and he was in the middle of it.
Mikoto locked eyes with Aizen, smirking.
"Ready to lose today?"
Aizen raised his blade, smirking back.
"We'll see who cleans the streets."
A howl tore through the distance low, guttural, endless. The ground vibrated. The Corrupted Beasts weren't retreating. They were calling reinforcements.
Levi clenched his jaw, whispering to Ragnar:
"Let's show them what we've got… this is our world now."
The city trembled again.
Ragnar bolted toward the wounded, jaws tearing into flesh like a crimson blur.
[System: Pet Hound Leveling Up – 1 → 3]
Levi grinned.
"Atta boy…"
Then *WHISPER*
The sound slid into his skull like ice water. His vision blurred. Voices hissed: "Cut… your throat…" His hands twitched toward his blade.
A sharp chime cut through the madness:
[System Alert: New Quest]
Resist and Kill.
Target: 5 Whisperers.
Penalty: Death.
Levi smirked through clenched teeth.
"LET'S GOOO!"
He lunged, sprinting past Aizen and Mikoto as Ragnar tore through the mist, ready to hunt.