The journey through the desolate plains felt surreal. Yuto had no memory of how he had ended up in this strange world, but as he walked beside the group of cultivators, something gnawed at him—the overwhelming sense that his arrival wasn't a mere accident. The strange energy that flowed within his body, the unnatural strength, and the fiery aura of the Flame Tiger still lingered in his mind.
He glanced around at the group of warriors. They moved with an air of authority, their robes and weapons signifying some form of power. The leader, Elder Ren, walked ahead, his golden beard flowing in the wind. He had introduced himself as the head of the Golden Dragon Sect, a powerful group that governed this strange world's martial and spiritual practices.
"So, you all live here?" Yuto asked, trying to make sense of his surroundings.
The young man who had previously drawn his sword against him, still nursing a bruised ego, shot him a condescending glance. "Of course, we do. You're the one who seems out of place."
Yuto kept his eyes forward, ignoring the jibe. "I'm just trying to figure out where 'here' even is."
Elder Ren, who had been silent until now, turned to face him. "This world is known as the Mystic Realm. It is a place where the strongest cultivate their powers and seek enlightenment. You, however, do not belong to this realm. Your power is… unnatural."
"Unnatural, huh?" Yuto muttered, glancing at his hands. They seemed like they belonged to someone else. He could feel the energy thrumming within his body, a force that felt far more intense than anything he had ever experienced back on Earth.
"Tell me more about this… 'cultivation' thing. You mentioned it earlier," Yuto asked, deciding to focus on the practical side of things for now.
Elder Ren nodded, his gaze turning contemplative. "Cultivation is the art of strengthening the body, mind, and spirit to ascend beyond the limits of mortal existence. We cultivate our spiritual energy, known as 'Qi,' to enhance our abilities. Some even achieve immortality." He paused, then added, "But you… you are different. Your power is tied to something else—something ancient."
Yuto frowned. "Ancient? What do you mean by that?"
Before Elder Ren could answer, a loud roar shattered the silence of the plains. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the roar grew louder, sending ripples of fear through the group.
"A beast," one of the cultivators whispered, his face pale. "A Flame Tiger."
Yuto's heart raced. The memory of the earlier encounter flashed in his mind. That creature, a beast of fire and fury, had nearly killed him. And now, it was back, stronger and more terrifying than before.
"Stay behind me," Elder Ren ordered, raising his hand to signal the group to form a defensive line. The cultivators fanned out, taking stances that suggested years of training in martial arts and spiritual practices.
Yuto's mind raced. His body felt different, stronger, but he had no idea how to control this power. His instincts had guided him once, but could he trust them again?
The roar grew louder, and the creature emerged from the horizon. The Flame Tiger was far larger than before, its flames roaring higher and more violent. It was as though the entire beast had become a living inferno, its fur shimmering with heat, and its eyes blazing with wrath. It wasn't just any beast—it was a force of nature.
The cultivators braced themselves, their Qi swirling around them like a protective shield. Elder Ren stepped forward, his hands glowing with golden energy. "Be careful," he warned, his voice low. "This one is no ordinary Flame Tiger. It has reached the level of a Spirit Beast."
Yuto swallowed, feeling the weight of the situation. He could already tell the beast was no joke, but there was no backing down now. He couldn't just stand on the sidelines and watch.
"Stay close, and be ready," Yuto muttered to himself, clenching his fists. A strange power surged through him once again, more intense than ever before. His body tensed as if every muscle had been stretched to its breaking point. His tail twitched with anticipation, the strange sensation of power flooding his veins.
The Flame Tiger's roar shook the air, and with a terrifying leap, it pounced toward the group. Elder Ren's hands glowed brightly as he unleashed a blast of golden energy at the beast. But the Tiger's fiery mane absorbed the attack, deflecting it like water off a rock. The flames roared higher as it closed the distance.
Yuto didn't hesitate. Before anyone could react, he shot forward, propelled by a burst of speed that left the cultivators behind in a blur. His body moved on instinct, his legs carrying him faster than he'd ever imagined possible.
He closed the gap with the Flame Tiger in mere moments, dodging its fiery swipe with ease. The heat was intense, but it didn't faze him. His eyes narrowed as he saw the opening—an unguarded spot between the beast's fiery mane and its chest.
In a flash, Yuto struck. He swung his fist forward, channeling the raw energy that pulsed through his body. His punch landed with an explosive force, sending shockwaves through the ground. The Tiger roared in pain, stumbling back.
Yuto stood firm, chest heaving, as the beast staggered. He felt the power inside him, but there was something else—an unfamiliar, almost instinctual knowledge of how to harness it. He wasn't just using his physical strength. He was tapping into something more primal, something that had been awakened inside him the moment he arrived in this world.
"Good," Yuto muttered to himself. "I can work with this."
The Flame Tiger, enraged by the attack, spun around, its tail snapping like a whip. The fiery blast from its tail singed the air, but Yuto dodged it effortlessly. He was beginning to feel like he had control, like this body—this strange new form—was becoming his own.
Another roar sounded as the Flame Tiger prepared for its next assault. But this time, Yuto wasn't just reacting. He was planning. He could feel the surge of power building inside him, and without thinking, he raised both hands above his head. Blue energy crackled in his palms as he gathered it all into a single, concentrated ball.
The Tiger charged again, its fangs bared, but Yuto launched the ball of energy at the beast with pinpoint accuracy. The explosion that followed was deafening.
When the smoke cleared, the Flame Tiger lay motionless on the ground, its body scorched and blackened from the blast. Yuto stood there, panting, his heart racing.
The group of cultivators, who had been too stunned to intervene, stared at him in awe. Elder Ren's expression was one of disbelief.
"You…" Elder Ren began, his voice faltering. "You are no ordinary being."
Yuto wiped his brow, still catching his breath. "I'm starting to realize that myself."
The realization hit him harder than any physical blow: he wasn't just a normal person anymore. He had become something… other. Something dangerous.