Then Akira sprinted to the edge of the yellow ocean, his movements swift and deliberate. The terrifying screams of the Genea Aqua Variants—echoed behind him, growing louder and more menacing with each passing second. Despite the danger closing in, Akira didn't hesitate. With a single, powerful leap, he plunged into the thick, unnatural liquid.
The yellow ocean wasn't deep enough to fully submerge him; only half of his legs disappeared beneath the surface. The water rippled ominously, its strange hue glowing faintly under the dim light of the battlefield.
"Wha—?!" Anna's voice rang out, sharp with concern. "Akira, what's gotten into you?! You'll get hurt! Get back!"
Victor, leaning heavily on his sword, coughed up blood. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with anger as he glared at Akira. "Damn kid!" he spat, his voice weak but laced with fury. "Come back here! You're our responsibility—cough… cough…" He couldn't finish his sentence, his body betraying him as he slumped forward, exhausted and wounded.
Grido, perched atop his massive bird, watched the scene unfold with wide-eyed astonishment. His usual quick instincts seemed momentarily paralyzed, his mind struggling to process Akira's reckless action. For a moment, he simply stared, unable to comprehend the boy's decision.
But then, Grido's thoughts began to clear. His eyes narrowed as he recalled the past hour. "In the short time I've known him," he thought, "that boy hasn't made a single mistake. Not once has he acted without thinking. He's been calm—too calm for someone his age, especially in a situation like this. Even when he saved my life from that Werehyena, he was the only one who noticed the attack coming."
A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Grido's lips. "No," he decided, his voice low. "I won't get involved. Not yet. I'll wait and see."
Anna, however, wasn't content to stand by. Something in her gut screamed at her to save Akira from what seemed like certain death. Weary but determined, she forced her legs to move, stumbling toward the edge of the yellow ocean. But as she neared the water, she froze.
Akira stood there, his body limned in a soft, ghostly white light. The glow was neither bright nor blinding, but it was unmistakable—a clear, ethereal radiance that seemed to push back the yellow water around him. The surface of the ocean bubbled and churned, as if repelled by his presence.
The boy had unleashed—a skill known as "Soul Infusion."
Akira turned to Anna, his eyes turned now from dark to white shining with an otherworldly brilliance. His gaze was cold and unchanging, yet his words carried an undeniable authority. "Stay back," he commanded, his voice low but firm.
Anna froze, her heart pounding in her chest. This wasn't a request—it was an order.
"For your own good," Akira added, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I will not say it again."
Victor, despite his injuries, struggled to his feet. His hand clenched the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white with rage. "You damned kid!" he shouted, his voice trembling with anger and exhaustion. "Do you think this is some kind of game? Stop this! Guildmaster Sylara told you to work with us, not to act on your own! Or did defeating Captain Imzar get to your head?"
Before anyone could react, one of the Genea Aquas lunged at Akira from the side, its claws gleaming with deadly intent. The creature moved with terrifying speed, but Akira didn't flinch. In one fluid motion, he caught the beast by its throat mid-air, his grip tightening with crushing force.
The Werehyena thrashed wildly, its claws raking across Akira's arm, but the boy didn't so much as blink. Then, with a deafening crack, the creature's neck snapped. Its body went limp, and Akira tossed it aside like a ragdoll, the lifeless form splashing into the yellow sea.
The battlefield fell silent, the remaining Werehyenas hesitating as they stared at their fallen comrade. Akira's aura flared, the soft white glow around him intensifying into a blinding radiance.
Akira turned his head slowly, his blazing white eyes locking onto Victor. His voice cut through the tension like a blade. "You speak of cooperation," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "Of following orders."
He took a step forward, his movements deliberate and unhurried. "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 grew colder, each word a damning judgment. "And you know what? It was amazing."
Akira's lips curled into a wry smile, his expression almost casual despite the deadly aura surrounding him. "I think you would've cleared this in an hour if it were any ordinary C-rank dungeon. At first, I thought this team wasn't suited for this mission—too many close-combat specialists, not enough versatility. But after seeing you in action, Victor, I changed my mind. I admit it. You're skilled."
His gaze shifted to the horde of Werehyenas surrounding them, their glowing eyes and sharp teeth reflecting the eerie light of the battlefield. "But this," he continued, his voice dropping to a venomous growl, "is anything but a normal dungeon."
Victor opened his mouth to retort, but Akira's next words silenced him. "And let me remind you of something," Akira said, his voice cold and cutting. "Sylara never ordered me to be under your command. Her exact words were: 'Observe.' See what it's 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 you dare lecture me on orders."
His presence became overwhelming, like a storm gathering power, ready to unleash its fury. "Know your place," he hissed, his voice chilling enough to freeze the blood in their veins. "And maybe—just maybe—you'll live long enough to get treated while I finish the job you couldn't."
Anna stood frozen, her heart racing as she stared at Akira. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she bit her lip, trying to shake off the thought that had suddenly invaded her mind: "Damn, he looks so handsome."She forced herself to focus, but her eyes kept drifting back to him, drawn to his commanding presence.
Grido, now standing beside his giant bird, watched in stunned silence. His mind raced as he pieced together the rumors he'd heard about Akira. "So, the rumors were true, Im so sure now the boy didn't best Captain Imzar through luck," he thought, his eyes narrowing. "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.No wonder Guildmaster Sylara took an interest in him."
Victor, his pride warring with his anger, clenched his fists. He wanted to argue, to shout, but the undeniable truth in Akira's words left him speechless. He remained silent, his body trembling with frustration. What shocked him even more was that this wasn't an adult speaking to him—it was a child, someone not even fully grown, yet every word dripped with pure venom.
A shrill whistle pierced the air, followed by a jet of water hurtling toward Akira's head with deadly precision. But Akira didn't flinch. He tilted his head slightly, letting the attack whiz past him and splash harmlessly into the ocean.
Akira's lips curled into a predatory smile, his eyes blazing with feral intensity. "Damned fish," he muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Time to kill you all."