The Yellow Ocean (3)

Suddenly Akira sprints up to the edge of the yellow-colored water.

He went, towards the edge of the yellow-colored water, even with the really scary screams of the Werehyenas ( Genea Aqua Variant ) closing in closer and closer.

Then with one jump, he entered into thick yellow water.

Akira stood at the edge of the yellow ocean, but it wasn't deep enough to submerge him fully only half of his legs were submerged in the water.

"Wha-?!"

"Akira, what's gotten into you?!"

Anna screamed, in absolute concern.

"You'll get hurt!"

"Get back!"

Victor leaned against his sword and coughed up blood. He looked angrily at Akira, his voice weak but filled with anger.

"Damn kid!"

"Come back here!"

"You're our responsibility, cough… cough."

"You're not supposed to—"

He couldn't finish his sentence because felt weak and worn-out.

Grido sat on his huge bird, staring in wide-eyed astonishment at the unfolding drama.

For a moment, he could not stir the usual quick instincts were bemused by the unbelievable truth.

Akira's was standing

Akira's action didn't ring a dime of sense, but as Grido fisted his hands his thoughts finally cleared.

"In the few hours that i know him, that boy...he hasn't made a single mistake. Not once did he act without thinking. He's been calm-too calm for someone of his age, someone in this situation even when he saved my life from the attack of the Werehyena he was the only one to notice.

Grido's eyes narrowed as a slight smirk appeared at the corner of his lips.

"No, I won't get involved. Not yet. I'll wait and see."

Anna wouldn't just be a bystander, though.

Something in her gut was telling her to save Akira from certain death.

Weary but determined, she forced her legs to keep moving, heading toward the beach. But as she neared the water, something made her stop.

Akira full with life, his whole body limned with an unbright and unblinding, a clear white light-a light that seemed just about ghostly.

The yellow ocean pulled back a little, its surface bubbling and odd, like the water was being pushed back from him.

The boy just released the "Soul Infusion."

Akira had looked at Anna with shining bright white eyes, cold and unchanging, yet speaking with completely authoritative words.

"Stay back."

Anna froze on the spot, as her heart began to go racing with a thudding noise in her chest.

Undoubtedly, this wasn't a request-this was an order.

"For your own good,"

He said, his voice low but serious enough that she stepped back without thinking.

"I will not say it again."

Victor was furious Akira had directly disobeyed him.

He got to his feet, his hand clenching into a fist on the hilt of his sword despite the blood on his gloves.

"You damned kid!"

He shouted, his voice full of anger and tiredness.

"Do you think this is some kind of game?"

"Now stop this!"

"Sylara told you to work with us, not to act on your own!"

Before any of them could answer, one of the Werehyenas leaped toward Akira from the side, its claws gleaming with a hunting look.

The beast in the water at his territory was too quick for anyone to react to, but Akira didn't bat an eyelash.

In one smooth movement, Akira caught the creature by its throat, while it was still in mid-air.

He closed his grip tight, his fingers pressing deep into its skin.

The Werehyena kicked desperately, its claws raking across his arm, but to no effect. Then, a deafening crack echoed through the battlefield.

"Grkkk Grkkk"

Even from afar off, snarling was really loud.

Now, the body of the Werehyena was lifeless his neck was bent at an odd angle within Akira's firm grasp.

Not looking at it any longer, Akira tossed the dead body back into the yellow sea.

The strong thud dislocated waves which fessed far.

The rest were stock-still, all weariness forgotten, staring at him uncomfortably.

Akira emitted an aura of soft-glowing, like a white flame that would burst any time now.

The battlefield fell silent for a moment as Akira stood motionless, his aura faintly pulsating, while the body of the Werehyena seemed to hover on the surface of the yellow sea lifeless.

His head turned very slowly in Victor's direction, but his movements were relaxed and slow.

He focused on Victor with a sharp glare, and his voice cut through the tension like a thunderclap.

"You speak of cooperation..." - He said.

"Of following orders."

Akira stepped forward his eyes flared bright with an uncanny brilliance.

"I stood by."

"I observed."

"I did what you told me"

"I let you lead to see what your so-called team could do."

His voice was cold with frustration, each word a judgment.

"And you know what-?"

Akira was loose, almost casual in his posture, yet utterly deadly.

His blazing white eyes gleaming with an eerie light, and his face was shadowed from the waving luminescence of the unnatural sea.

"It was amazing"

Akira said, his voice full of praise.

"I think you would've been able to clear this in an hour if it were any ordinary C-rank dungeon."

"At first, I thought this team wasn't suited, especially since it was mostly made up of close-combat STARS not needed for this type of dungeon except for Grido."

"But after seeing you, Victor, in action, I changed my mind."

"I admit it , but this—,"

He turned to the thong of Werehyenas surrounding them, whose glowing eyes and sharp teeth reflected the foreboding light of the battlefield,

"This is anything but a normal dungeon."

Victor tried to respond, but before he could say anything, Akira's voice turned completely around, dropping into a venomous growl that silenced the whole gathering.

"And let me remind you of something."

"The name was spoken as if it was sour on his lips.

"I was never ordered by Sylara to be under your command."

"Her exact words were: 'Observe.'"

"See what it is like to work with one of our guild teams."

"Then decide if you want to raid dungeons solo or as a team.'

"So don't even dare lecture me on orders."

Akira's aura burst forth, the thin white light surrounding him ballooning into a blinding radiance that made the air shimmer in undulating waves around his form. His presence became oppressive, like a storm gathering power, ready to unleash its fury.

"Know your place and maybe—just maybe—you'll live long enough to get treated while I finish the job you couldn't."

Akira hissed, his voice chilling enough to freeze the very blood in one's veins.

Anna's heart was hammering in her chest as she stayed there, frozen, with her breath stopped in her throat. Her cheeks were flushing crimson as she though to herself

"Damn, he looks so handsome."

She bit her lip, shaking her head to try and clear it, but her eyes kept straying back to Akira.

Grido was beside his giant bird who suddenly turned back to the small form because he had reached his limit in mana too, watching in stunned silence as his mind whirled about him.

"The boy hadn't simply bested Captain Imzar through luck,"

He thought, his mind replaying the rumors that had flown around.

"He snapped that creature's neck bare-handed...like it was nothing."

"That wasn't a skill , that was pure raw strength."

"He's dangerous."

Victor opened his mouth to reply, but the words died in his throat, pride wrestling with anger against the undeniable ring of truth in Akira's words.

His knuckles as white as snow, his fists tightly clenched, he decided to remain silent after all.

A shrill whistle then pierced the air, followed by a jet of water that flew at Akira's head with deadly precision.

Yet Akira remained unflinching. He moved his head sideways and let the missile whizz past him into the ocean, splashing harmlessly into the sea.

Akira's eyes blazed with a dangerous, feral anger. A wry, predatorial smile curled up and onto his lips.

"Damned fish,"

He said in tones full of utter disrespect.

"Time to kill you all."