Chapter 39 - The Beast’s Wrath

The South American jungle, already scarred by battles, had grown deathly quiet. The ancient ruins loomed in the distance, a silent witness to the chaos yet to come. The oppressive humidity wrapped around Armaan like a vice as he stared across the clearing. Kurohiko "The Beast of the Hive" Ishimura stood before him, a mountain of muscle and ferocity.

Kurohiko's hulking form seemed out of place in the quiet jungle, his massive fists clenched as his crimson eyes bore into Armaan. His hybrid features—thick exoskeletal plates running along his arms and legs, jagged claws, and a horn-like protrusion on his forehead—gave him an otherworldly appearance. The ground beneath his feet cracked with every step he took, his presence alone causing the air to tremble.

You're the runt they sent to fight me?" Kurohiko growled, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Armaan's spine. "I'll break you before you can even raise that blade."

Armaan swallowed hard, gripping the hilt of his weapon—a specialized short blade gifted to him by Professor Kalendra. He could feel the familiar warmth of the smoke inside him, ready to be unleashed. But against an opponent like Kurohiko, he knew it wouldn't be enough.

This is survival," Armaan muttered to himself, his knuckles white as he tightened his grip. "Just survive."

Kurohiko wasted no time. With a roar that shook the jungle, he charged, his massive fists swinging like wrecking balls. Armaan barely managed to roll out of the way, the impact of Kurohiko's strike sending debris flying.

Part 1: Survival

Armaan scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding as Kurohiko advanced. He released a burst of smoke from his palms, using it to obscure his movements. The dense cloud surrounded him, but Kurohiko merely laughed.

"Do you think hiding will save you?" Kurohiko roared, his claws slashing through the smoke with ease. "I'll find you no matter where you run!"

Armaan darted through the jungle, using the smoke as a cover to stay ahead of Kurohiko's relentless pursuit. He leaped over fallen trees, slid under low-hanging branches, and used the uneven terrain to his advantage. But no matter how fast he moved, Kurohiko was always just behind him, his heavy footsteps shaking the ground.

The first strike came too fast to dodge. Kurohiko's fist grazed Armaan's shoulder, the impact sending him tumbling across the ground. Pain flared in his arm, but he forced himself to get up, his vision blurry.

"Is that all you've got?" Kurohiko sneered, his grin revealing sharp teeth. "You're not even worth the effort."

Armaan gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't overpower Kurohiko, not yet. He had to outthink him.

Part 2: The Turning Point

Armaan took a deep breath, the smoke around him swirling as he focused. He released more smoke, letting it billow out in thick clouds that covered the battlefield. This time, he moved with it, using the smoke to boost his speed. Each step propelled him forward, his movements faster and more fluid.

Kurohiko growled, swiping at the smoke, but his strikes hit nothing but air. Armaan appeared behind him, slashing at his exposed side with the blade. The strike landed, but the blade barely pierced Kurohiko's thick exoskeleton.

Annoying little pest!" Kurohiko bellowed, spinning around and striking with his claws. Armaan dodged, the attack missing him by mere inches.

The two continued to clash, Kurohiko's brute strength against Armaan's speed and agility. Each strike from Kurohiko left craters in the ground, while Armaan's attacks, though precise, struggled to do significant damage.

But Armaan wasn't fighting to win—not yet. He was learning, observing Kurohiko's patterns and weaknesses. With every dodge, every counter, he grew more confident.

You're getting cocky," Kurohiko snarled, his crimson eyes glowing brighter. "Let's see how you handle this!"

Kurohiko roared as his body began to shift, his hybrid features becoming more pronounced. His exoskeleton thickened, his claws elongated, and his muscles bulged. He had entered his Level 1 Form and his power skyrocketed.

Armaan coughed, the taste of blood filling his mouth as he tried to steady his trembling body. Kurohiko loomed over him, his massive form radiating power, his Level 1 Form making him look like a nightmare brought to life. Thick plates of exoskeleton covered his body, glinting in the dim light, while jagged claws scraped against the ground with every step. The ground beneath him seemed to tremble as his aura grew more oppressive.

"You're pathetic," Kurohiko sneered, his voice a guttural growl. "Even with all that smoke, all that speed, you can't hurt me. You're just delaying the inevitable."

Armaan forced himself to his feet, leaning heavily on the blade gifted by Professor Kalendra. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps, his chest heaving as he struggled to stay upright. He could feel the smoke swirling within him, ready to be unleashed, but it wasn't enough. Not against a monster like Kurohiko.

His hand trembled as he reached into his pouch, pulling out two of the high-concentration cigarettes. The mere thought of lighting it made his heart pound faster—he knew the risks. The last time he'd used one, it had pushed his body to its absolute limit. But now, he had no choice.

Armaan lit the cigarette, the sharp tang of nicotine filling his lungs. The effect was immediate. His muscles tightened, his veins bulging as raw power surged through his body. The smoke around him thickened, coiling like a living entity, responding to his every movement. His vision sharpened, and the world seemed to slow as his body adapted to the sudden burst of energy.

Kurohiko tilted his head, amused. "Oh? Is this your last-ditch effort? Fine. Show me what you've got."

The Clash Begins

Armaan moved first, his body a blur as he shot forward, propelled by the smoke bursting from his legs. The speed was unlike anything he had ever achieved before, his movements almost invisible to the naked eye. His blade slashed through the air, aiming for the weak points in Kurohiko's exoskeleton.

Kurohiko grunted as the blade scraped across his arm, leaving a shallow cut. He retaliated with a wild swing, his claws slicing through the air. Armaan ducked, the attack missing him by inches, and countered with a quick strike to Kurohiko's side.

The two exchanged blows in a deadly dance, each strike carrying the weight of their full strength. Armaan's smoke-enhanced speed allowed him to stay ahead of Kurohiko's attacks, but the beast's raw power made every counter a gamble. The ground cracked beneath their feet, and the jungle around them became a battlefield of destruction.

You're faster now," Kurohiko admitted, his tone laced with mockery. "But speed won't save you forever."

Armaan gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his face as he pushed himself harder. He could feel his body beginning to strain, the effects of the high-concentration cigarette taking their toll. His muscles burned, his heart raced, and his vision began to blur, but he couldn't stop—not yet.

Kurohiko's Full Power

Kurohiko roared, his claws digging into the ground as he unleashed a shockwave of energy that sent Armaan skidding back. The beast's aura flared, his body swelling with even more power as his Level 1 Form reached its peak.

Let me show you what real power looks like," Kurohiko growled, charging forward with terrifying speed. His claws struck like lightning, each swipe tearing through the smoke and leaving deep gashes in the ground.

Armaan barely managed to dodge, his movements becoming more frantic as Kurohiko's attacks grew faster and more precise. The beast was adapting, his wild, untamed nature giving way to calculated strikes that left Armaan with no room to counter.

A clawed hand grazed Armaan's shoulder, the impact sending him tumbling across the ground. He cried out in pain, clutching his arm as blood seeped through his fingers. Kurohiko laughed, the sound echoing through the battlefield."Is this all you've got?" Kurohiko taunted, his crimson eyes gleaming. "You're weak, just like the rest of your kind."

Pushing Beyond Limits

Armaan struggled to his feet, his vision swimming as he lit a second high-concentration cigarette. His body protested, his heart pounding like a drum as the nicotine coursed through his veins. The smoke around him thickened, wrapping around his body like armor as his speed and strength skyrocketed.

He felt like he was on fire, every nerve in his body screaming in protest. His muscles bulged, his veins pulsing with raw energy. He could feel his heartbeat echoing in his ears, each thud a reminder that his body wasn't built to handle this level of power.

But he didn't care. He couldn't afford to care.

With a roar, Armaan launched himself at Kurohiko, the ground cracking beneath him as he propelled himself forward. His blade slashed through the air with devastating force, each strike aimed at the beast's weak points.

Kurohiko snarled as the blade pierced his exoskeleton, leaving deeper wounds than before. Blood dripped from his arms and legs as Armaan pressed the attack, his movements a blur of speed and precision.

You're pushing yourself too far," Kurohiko growled, his tone laced with frustration. "You'll burn out before you can finish me."

"Maybe," Armaan panted, his voice strained. "But I'll take you down with me."

The Final Blow

The two clashed in a flurry of strikes, their movements so fast that they became a blur. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the jungle, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Armaan's blade glowed with the heat of his relentless strikes, the smoke enhancing every movement.

Kurohiko roared, his claws swinging in a desperate attempt to land a decisive blow. But Armaan was faster, dodging and weaving through the onslaught with inhuman agility. He could feel his body reaching its limit, but he refused to stop.

With a burst of smoke, Armaan propelled himself into the air, his blade raised high. He focused all his remaining energy into a single strike, the smoke around him condensing into a swirling vortex.

"This ends now!" Armaan shouted, his voice echoing through the battlefield.

The blade struck true, slicing through Kurohiko's exoskeleton and into his chest. The beast's roar turned into a choked gasp as blood sprayed from the wound. Armaan landed behind him, his body trembling as the smoke dissipated.

Kurohiko staggered, his massive form swaying before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash. Armaan fell to his knees, his vision darkening as exhaustion overtook him. The world around him blurred, the sounds of the jungle fading into silence.

The jungle fell into a suffocating silence as Kurohiko's lifeless body crumpled into the dirt. Armaan slumped to his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion. Every muscle screamed in protest as he struggled to breathe, the aftereffects of the high-concentration nicotine cigarettes wreaking havoc on his system. His vision blurred, the edges of the world fading into darkness.

Armaan!" Neha's panicked voice cut through the haze. She stumbled toward him, her armor battered, her face smeared with dirt and blood. She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands shaking as she grabbed his shoulders.

Stay with me!" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "You did it, Armaan. You defeated him. But you have to stay awake!"

Armaan opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His chest heaved as he struggled for air, his body on the verge of collapse. Neha's gaze darted around the clearing, her heart pounding as she realized how vulnerable they were.

And then it came—a laugh. Low and chilling, it echoed through the ruins like the whisper of death itself.