CHAPTER 81: YOU'RE NOT JUST A BEAST

Scene: Prison – First Floor, West Wing]

The hallway shook under Ashenfang's massive steps. The four-legged beast, covered in dark-gray armor-like skin, had flames erupting from its maw. His roars echoed like thunder, shaking even the second floor above.

Around him, soldiers and prisoners charged, yelling spells and slashing with weapons.

Ashenfang didn't slow.

Vice captain: "Stop that thing—NOW!"

A burst of fire shot from a wand—useless.

The flames hit Ashenfang's thick hide and fizzled out like sparks on a mountain.

Another prisoner used earth magic—"Stone Trap!"

Spikes shot from the ground to pierce the beast.

**Ashenfang leapt—clearing them with one massive jump—and crashed down with a stomp that sent a shockwave, knocking back a dozen enemies at once.

Tracey stood behind him, shouting,

"Ashenfang! Stop going too far—you're burning everything!"

But the beast didn't listen. He never did.

Ashenfang opened his jaws wide—

"Inferno Breath!"

A wave of fire exploded forward, engulfing dozens member and prisoners of the royal army in its heat. Screams filled the air as enemies scattered in panic.

Then from the flames, someone stepped forward.

A man in red armor, with a blazing aura surrounding him.

Captain Reon, known for his brutal swordsmanship and command of fire.

His red eyes locked onto Tracey.

Reon: "So this is your pet? He's out of control. You can't tame a monster like that."

Tracey growled, stepping forward.

"He's not a pet. He's my partner."

Reon pointed his flaming sword.

"Then let's see if he survives this."

"Fire Sword Art: Crimson Slash!"

The flame-wrapped sword sliced through the air, sending a burning arc straight toward Ashenfang.

Tracey's eyes widened—Ashenfang didn't dodge.

He couldn't. He was in a blind rampage.

Without thinking, Tracey leapt in front of him.

The sword slash hit Tracey full force—burning through his t-shirt, slicing across his chest.

Blood splattered.

He dropped to one knee, gasping.

Ashenfang stopped.

His glowing red eyes locked onto Tracey, seeing him bleed—because of him.

For the first time, something changed in that beast's eyes.

He stepped forward, slowly, lowering his massive head beside Tracey.

Tracey (smiling faintly):

"You big idiot… I protected you. Because you're not just a beast. You're my friend."

Ashenfang stared… then let out a low rumble, like a growl softened into sorrow.

He crouched down—his back low to the ground.

Tracey blinked.

"…You want me to ride you?"

The beast didn't respond. But he didn't move either.

Tracey climbed on his back, his hand gripping the thick fur around Ashenfang's neck.

For the first time… Ashenfang accepted him.

They were no longer wild beast and summoner. They were one.

Tracey (grinning through the pain):

"Alright then… Let's go wild. Together."

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The tide turned.

Ashenfang charged, with Tracey on his back.

Reon raised his sword again.

"Crimson Barrage!"

Flaming swords rained from the sky.

Tracey shouted,

"Dodge right!"

Ashenfang moved instantly—weaving through the flames, each footstep smashing the floor as they danced through fire.

Tracey lifted his hand.

"Beast Magic: Flame Shield!"

A barrier surrounded them as the fire rained down.

Ashenfang leapt high, landing directly in the middle of a group of soldiers.

"Roaring Slam!"

His body smashed down like a falling meteor—knocking them all out cold.

Reon gritted his teeth.

"You're still just a boy riding a stupid beast!"

He rushed in, sword ablaze.

Tracey and Ashenfang moved as one.

"Ashenfang, left sweep!"

The beast spun, his tail whipping across, slamming Reon against the wall, cracking it.

Before Reon could move , he is completely standing in a corner and have to way to run .

Tracey (coldly):

"Your flames… burned the wrong people today."

"Ashenfang! Inferno Charge!"

Flames covered Ashenfang's body as he rushed forward like a comet, smashing into Reon with unstoppable force.

The wall behind the captain collapsed.

Reon slumped to the ground—burned, broken, and defeated.

The remaining prisoners and soldiers saw what happened. Their leader was down. Their magic had no effect. They ran.

Total silence.

Ashenfang stood tall, flame and smoke rising around him. Tracey, still on his back, looked down at the fallen enemies.

He gripped Ashenfang's fur tighter and whispered:

"Thank you… for finally hearing me."

Ashenfang let out a deep rumble, a softer one this time.

The bond was real now.

Tracey and Ashenfang—true partners. Not master and beast. But warriors side by side.

Scene: The Hidden Floor

The battle on the first floor had ended. Every prisoner, soldier, squad member, and captain lay unconscious, defeated, and scattered across the ground.

Without wasting a second, Tracey and the rest of the CA squad turned to Mirae, then sprinted toward the staircase leading to the second floor. At the same time, in another corridor, Ari, Ezren, and Jack—accompanied by his CA members—were rushing down a separate stairwell that led into the same floor.

As they entered, they were met with a strange sight—numerous prison cells lined the corridor, but most of them were empty. Unlike the crude cells on the first floor, these were reinforced with refined magic inscriptions and intricate barriers.

Ezren scanned the area and said, "Lady Ari, according to what Silver told us, your parents are being held at the very end of this floor."

Without hesitation, they picked up speed, dashing toward the far end of the corridor. But when they arrived, they found nothing—just a dead end.

Confusion washed over them.

"This doesn't make sense," Ari muttered, glancing around.

Suddenly, they felt it—a pulse of magic energy radiating from a nearby wall. Ezren narrowed his eyes, then stepped forward.

"Stand back," he ordered, raising his hand. "Stone Magic: Stone Drill!"

A massive drill made of compressed earth materialized and roared to life, boring into the wall. But to everyone's surprise, the wall crumbled like paper—it wasn't a wall at all, but a concealed door.

Behind it was a hidden chamber illuminated by dim magical light. A prison stood at the center.

Inside the cell, Ari's heart stopped—her parents were there, unconscious but alive. However, they weren't alone.

Three figures stood leisurely in the chamber.

One sat in a corner, smirking. "Which one of you idiots gave away our location?"

Another scratched the back of his head. "Oops. My bad. Still, I was getting bored. It's more fun guiding strong enemies here if we get to have a good fight."

The third, leaning against the wall, spoke calmly, "They're strong. I could feel the tremors from the first floor. This might be interesting."

Ezren's eyes widened. He took a step back. "This is bad... All three of them—two-star captains."

One of the captains narrowed his eyes. "Wait… that's Ezren, the CA commander from Pyronis Empire, isn't it? And some of these members… aren't they considered close to vice-captain level?"

Ezren's thoughts raced. A two-star captain is tough enough, but all three? And they might have vice-captains here too… Ari can't take one of them on alone, not at that level.

The one sitting in the corner suddenly vanished in a blur.

"ARI!" Ezren shouted.

Jimmy—the one who had been sitting—struck with lightning speed. Ari barely managed to block his blade with her sword, skidding back from the force.

One of the other captains chuckled. "Interesting. If Jimmy made the first move, she must be strong."

The remaining two captains lunged forward toward Ezren and his team.

Ezren barked orders. "Vice Commander Ryel, Jack—handle their vice-captains! Don't let them interfere!"

But one of the enemy captains laughed darkly as he clashed blades with Ezren. "You have no idea what you're up against. See Jimmy? He's Eminence-ranked. He's almost on par with a Vice General… an S-LOW class."

Ezren's heart sank. This is worse than I imagined. Ari can't handle someone of that rank alone…

They needed backup—and fast. Mirae and the others had to finish their battle and arrive before it was too late.

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Battle Matchups:

•Ari vs. Jimmy (Eminence Rank)

• Ezren vs. Two Captains

• Vice Commander Ryel, Jack, and CA Members vs. Three Vice-Captains