Chapter 21 - True Power Pt.2

True power, Shuzen's power, was growing closer and closer.However, at the same time, the wide gap between them made itself more and more apparent. The undeniable truth was that Shuzen, as well as any S-rank tamer, was truly transcendent to any low rank.As he effortlessly continued playing with the A-rank's onslaught, Kai knew that 100 A-rank's together wouldn't amount to anything. They didn't know true power.Approaching the corpse, Kai knew he hadn't yet either. This brief influx, all of these power-ups, they were amazing. But they were also fleeting. Like a child learning how to speak. Sure, the first few sentences are enough, but once you become an adult, it is expected that you can say more than "I like food."That's how it felt here. Although these powerups were monumental steps for him, they wouldn't compare to his later self–this thought was nothing short of exhilarating.Still, there wasn't much he could do about that except to become stronger. So, ignoring the raging battle overhead, he watched as his fire traveled to the corpse. He instantly knew that this tamer and his beasts wouldn't be nearly as easily corrupted.He was B-rank after all.As Kai fought against the B-rank's resistance, the battle above exponentially grew in its intensity. This is because the A-rank tamer finally got a hit on Shuzen, barely grazing his arm. Still, the threat was enough for Shuzen to narrow his eyes and get serious.For most people, the poison from the barb of the scorpion's tail would have killed its target instantly. However, due to Shuzen's SSS rank venom skill, it instead healed up.The A-rank watched with dread as his most favored plan only led to healing his opponent.'Is there anything I can even do?'Shuzen answered for him, no longer playing around with his prey.The trees of the jungle cried against the clashing auras. Neither paid any mind to the tamer on the ground nor the flying foliage and branches in the air. They were far too focused on each other.Shuzen was focused on caving in the A-rank's head, and the A-rank was focused on surviving.Jumping from the tree with such force it instantly cracked, Shuzen adopted the traits of a Chico with his right hand, preparing to land a single devastating blow that would splatter his enemy's brains all over the battlefield.'I can't block this attack!' The A-rank thought as he stared wide-eyed at doom.His instincts kicking in, he found his arms moving to cover his face on their own. As they rose, they adopted the traits of a scorpion's mighty exoskeleton. Still, even with this added defense Shuzen's attack was not to be impeded."AAGHH!!!"He screamed in pain as Shuzen's hand shattered the exoskeleton, nearly breaking the tamer's arms as well.'Why the hell did we attack them! Why the hell did I take this job!' Many thoughts of desperation and regret crossed the tamer's mind in this instance as he saw true power. The promises he was given were meaningless. The Chucadori, the S-rank beast they were sent to intercept from these 2, wasn't worth this.As the red glint of Shuzen's murderous gaze slowed the perception of time around the tamer-as that is what happens when you are about to die-many thoughts raced through his mind.'I knew better than to take this job. That stupid fucking upstart... that bird brain asshole... he wanted to show the boss his skills. He was probably the first to die!''I knew there was a better way to get the money. A way that wouldn't get us killed! A few simple beasts! Even if it took us longer, I'd get the money. I'd- save her.''I'm sorry Essie, you're not gonna get that treatment after all. Oh well, I'll see you soon then. Unless some miracle-'His thoughts were ended by the beast.Shuzen's grin instantly left his face as a blur flew past him, leaving tendons and bones in its wake. The beast cried out a roar, dropping the last few remains of the tamer from its mouth. Then it turned its furious gaze to Shuzen.It was as if it thought 'This one won't break apart when I try to eat it.'The roar shook even Kai from his current task of corrupting the B-rank. He knew that sound, as it had been ingrained in his head ever since he was reborn.'Kai, if you hear that roar, that sounds like the mix between a bird's and a lion's, run. Find cover. Pray.' His mother would tell him.The Chucadori was so fearsome that even the dumbest Baka knew to fear it.Luckily for him, it was targeting Shuzen now.But then that means...'One of them killed that A-rank instantly. The A-rank that I wouldn't even be able to touch... they killed instantly.'For the first time, Kai wasn't entirely enthralled by Shuzen's power and the promise it had for himself. He knew that at any instant, his entire life, his grand plans, could easily be taken away.Just as fast as his own father had taken his life before.Knowing it would do him no good to interfere in their battle, or to study it, he returned his focus to the B-rank's corpse in front of him.He had to corrupt him.Summoning an even greater amount of fire from his fingertips, he attempted to scourge the entire concept of free will from the tamer.However, his current fire wasn't nearly enough. Compared to the raging inferno he needed, this fire couldn't even be described as kindling. Even as the fire covered the entire corpse down to its soul, burning away every resistance it could find, it still wasn't close to enough.'I need more. I need more power, more flames. I need so much that even just the thought of resisting my control allows me to dominate him.'Kai felt more fire build in his fingers. Then more and more. Soon the fire covered his hands, then it began crawling across his arm until it reached his just. From there, it was as if the flame had found its nexus. A small orb of fire formed in his chest, before branching outward from there. The fire covered his head, legs, arms, and the entire rest of his body in an instant.And it kept growing. The small breeze on the jungle floor seemed to entice the flames even more. Soon, the fire grew from his body until it surrounded the entire jungle floor. Foliage, vines, branches, bugs, and small critters all turned to the black of death.Then this fire coalesced into a single point.The one he wished to corrupt.Walking amongst the field of the dead, Kai felt the tamer's resistance crumble apart like a body exposed to acid.Kneeling down to the black, Kai smiled as the tamer's power invigorated him.He had succeeded. This soul was now his. His to use, his to master. The surrounding death meant nothing. The jungle would grow again.Kai didn't even pay any mind to the primal battle between Shuzen and the Chucadori.He had his first taste of true power, after all.