Chapter 43: The Aftermath of Power

Chapter 43: The Aftermath of Power

Kazuki sat alone by the campfire, the flickering flames casting long shadows across his face. The warmth of the fire couldn't chase away the chill that gripped his heart. His hands trembled slightly as he stared at his palms, still stained with the blood of the Bloodfang Alpha.

Tara and Elara watched him from a distance, their expressions etched with concern. Tara leaned closer to Elara, her voice hushed. "He hasn't said a word since he snapped out of it."

Elara bit her lip, her eyes heavy with worry. "That power... it wasn't Kazuki. It was something else. Something darker."

"But what if it was him?" Tara whispered, her fingers fidgeting with the hilt of her dagger. "What if that's who he really is?"

Elara shook her head firmly. "No. I know Kazuki. He's not a monster."

Tara said nothing, but her gaze remained fixed on Kazuki, her jaw clenched.

Kazuki's mind was a whirlpool of conflicting emotions. The sensation of the Shadow Grizzly's power still lingered beneath his skin, a dark, throbbing pulse that refused to fade. It had felt so good — too good. The power, the strength, the primal fury. For a moment, he had felt unstoppable, invincible.

But it wasn't just the power that haunted him. It was the look in Elara's eyes — the fear, the uncertainty, the pain. He had almost hurt her. The thought twisted his gut, and a wave of nausea washed over him.

[System Alert: Beast Assimilation corruption rate has decreased to 10%.]

"Ten percent..." Kazuki muttered, clenching his fists. "How far can I go before I lose myself completely?"

[Recommendation: Cease use of Beast Assimilation until further mental fortification is acquired.]

Kazuki ground his teeth. "And what happens if I don't?"

[If corruption rate reaches 50%, user may enter a state of irreversible beastification. Mental faculties will be overridden by primal instincts.]

Kazuki's heart sank. "Fifty percent... and I'm already at ten."

[Warning: Current emotional instability detected. Initiating mental stabilization protocol.]

A cool, calming sensation washed over Kazuki, easing the tension in his muscles and the pounding in his skull. His breaths came slower, deeper, as the darkness within him receded, if only slightly.

"Kazuki?" Elara's voice broke through the silence. She approached cautiously, her eyes soft. "Are you... okay?"

Kazuki forced a smile, but it was a hollow gesture. "I'm fine."

Elara knelt beside him, her hand resting on his. "You don't have to pretend. Not with me."

Kazuki swallowed, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I almost lost control. I almost... hurt you."

Elara's hand tightened around his. "But you didn't. You stopped yourself. That's what matters."

"But what if next time I can't?" Kazuki whispered, his voice strained. "What if next time... I really do become a monster?"

Elara leaned closer, her forehead pressing against his. "You won't. Because you're Kazuki. And no matter how strong that beast inside you is, I know you're stronger."

Kazuki's heart hammered in his chest, her words a balm to his wounded soul. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her touch, the softness of her breath against his skin.

But the moment was shattered by a low growl that echoed from the darkness beyond the campfire.

Tara jumped to her feet, drawing her daggers. "We're not alone."

Kazuki's eyes snapped open, his senses sharpening. The air was thick with the scent of blood and fur. Shadows shifted in the trees, and the glow of crimson eyes flickered in the darkness.

"More Bloodfangs," Kazuki muttered, his jaw clenching.

[System Alert: Enemy detected — Bloodfang Pack. Number of hostiles: 6. Class: B.]

"Six of them..." Elara whispered, her bow already drawn.

Kazuki stood, his eyes narrowing. "Stay close. Protect Elara. I'll handle them."

Tara shot him a glare. "Are you insane? You can barely stand."

"I can handle it," Kazuki said, his voice firm. "I have to."

The first Bloodfang lunged from the trees, its massive jaws snapping at Kazuki's throat. Kazuki ducked, rolling beneath it and slashing upward with his sword. Blood sprayed, and the beast howled, staggering back.

Before Kazuki could catch his breath, another Bloodfang charged, its claws aimed at his back. Kazuki spun, narrowly avoiding the attack, but the third Bloodfang was already upon him, its jaws closing around his arm.

Kazuki gritted his teeth as the beast's fangs sank into his flesh. Pain flared through his arm, but he refused to scream. Instead, he planted his foot against the beast's chest and kicked it off, his blood splattering across the ground.

"Kazuki!" Elara shouted, her arrow piercing another Bloodfang's eye. It howled, thrashing wildly before collapsing to the ground.

Tara darted forward, her daggers flashing as she slashed at another beast's legs. It roared, collapsing to one knee, and Tara delivered the finishing blow, driving her blade deep into its neck.

Kazuki panted, his vision blurring. The Shadow Grizzly's power surged within him, a dark, insistent pulse that urged him to let go, to unleash the beast within.

[Warning. Corruption rate rising to 12%. Proceed with caution.]

"No," Kazuki muttered, clenching his fists. "Not now... not yet..."

But the Bloodfangs weren't done. The remaining three circled him, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust. They lunged as one, a coordinated attack meant to tear him apart.

Kazuki's mind went blank. Time seemed to slow as the beasts closed in, their fangs and claws flashing in the firelight.

And then, something inside him snapped.

A surge of crimson energy exploded from Kazuki's body, blasting the Bloodfangs back. They yelped, crashing into the trees, but Kazuki didn't stop. The power surged through him, filling every inch of his body with raw, untamed strength.

[Warning. Corruption rate at 15%. Mental instability imminent.]

Kazuki's eyes burned crimson, his breathing ragged. The beasts struggled to their feet, but Kazuki was already upon them. His fists moved like lightning, each strike a devastating blow that echoed through the forest.

Blood splattered across his face, his clothes, the ground. The Bloodfangs fell one by one, their bodies broken and bleeding.

When the last beast hit the ground, Kazuki stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving. The crimson aura flickered around him, and his eyes remained red, wild, untamed.

"Kazuki..." Elara whispered, stepping forward.

Kazuki's gaze snapped to her, his expression blank, unrecognizable.

And for the first time, Elara felt a chill of fear crawl down her spine as she stared into his eyes — eyes that no longer seemed entirely human.