Already midday, a large crowd had gathered, forming a wide circle in the training grounds behind the base. Soldiers cheered and shouted as if watching a street fight, their voices echoing off the cracked walls.
The crowd's roar was deafening—a wall of sound that pressed against Hiro's ears.
"Come on, Big Sis! Teach this princess a lesson!"
"Show her what the hounds of the Doghouse are capable of!"
"No mercy!"
Fists pumped in the air. Teeth flashed in grins. The heat of the sun mixed with the heat of bloodlust.
At the center of the circle stood Yurei, Longinus already in hand, its golden blade gleaming in the harsh light. Beside her, Hiro stood in his fox form—white fur, crimson markings, nine tails fanned behind him like a living banner.
Neither of them wanted the others to see their embarrassing transformation procedure, so they had transformed before appearing. This time, the chains and the crimson door kept the primal force under lock, lowering the chances of Hiro going berserk.
On the opposite side stood Beatrice, arms crossed, leather jacket replaced by combat gear. Scott waited beside her in human form, his blue suit swapped for something darker, more practical.
"Are you sure you want to continue with this?" Scott asked, his voice low.
"Are you backing down already?" Beatrice smirked. "It's your plan, after all."
"I know, but still…"
Scott's eyes lingered on Hiro. The fox looked confident—too confident. Scott had seen that look before, on fresh slaves who thought their class ranking meant something.
But Beatrice had given him a home. A family. A purpose. And he would do whatever it took to protect that.
Even if it meant winning a fight he wasn't sure he could win.
---
Marian stepped into the center of the makeshift arena, arms spread wide.
"Okay, I think everyone knows the rules of this engagement. No cheap shots. No outside help. Challenger's beast slave will only assist their mistress after taking down their opponent." She looked left, then right. "Are you guys ready?"
Scott immediately dropped to one knee.
A bright blue light engulfed his entire body—flaring, crackling, reshaping. When it faded, a massive gorilla stood in his place.
He was easily seven feet tall, with arms as thick as Hiro's torso and a gleaming silver streak of metal-infused fur running down his back. His yellow eyes were intelligent, almost mocking, and he cracked his knuckles with a sound like rocks grinding together.
But it was the mohawk that really caught Hiro's attention.
Gone was the prim and proper haircut.
Bright purple. Spiked. Fabulous.
"Ready!" both Yurei and Beatrice shouted.
"Fight begin!"
---
Hiro charged.
His paws pounded against the dirt, kicking up dust. Nine tails streamed behind him like white fire. He closed the distance in seconds, claws extended, aiming for Scott's chest.
Let me end this in a single attack.
Severing Claw!
A four-pointed claw slash tore through the air—silver and sharp—aimed directly at Scott's chest.
The gorilla didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't even blink.
*Bang! *
The attack connected. Scott slid backward a few meters, his feet digging trenches in the dirt.
But when the dust cleared, there was no wound. No blood. No damage.
Scott raised both arms into the air, then slammed them into the ground.
Metal Pike!
Large metal spikes erupted from the ground, racing toward Hiro in a jagged line. The earth cracked. Dust exploded.
Hiro unleashed another Severing Claw to intercept—
*Boom! *
A small dust cloud billowed outward. But the metal spikes traveled straight through it, emerging on the other side.
They struck Hiro in the chest.
Pain exploded through his ribs. He flew backward, skidding across the dirt, claws scraping for purchase. When he finally stopped, he released a small whimper.
Damn, that hurt.
"You are still inexperienced."
Hiro's ears perked. The voice was deep, rumbling—but clear.
Wait. I can understand you?
"Yes. Beast slaves have the basic ability to communicate with each other in their beast forms which can evolve to real speech later." Scott's voice was calm, almost clinical. "From the way you're acting, it's becoming more apparent that you lack combat experience."
He took a step forward.
"And that's why you're going to lose."
"We'll see about—"
Before Hiro could finish his comeback, Scott moved.
The gorilla was fast.
Faster than anything that size had any right to be. He closed the distance in seconds, swinging a massive fist toward Hiro's head.
Hiro ducked.
The fist sailed past, close enough to ruffle his fur. He countered with a swipe of his claws, aiming for Scott's chest—
*Clang. *
The gorilla's metal-infused fur deflected the blow like steel scraping steel.
"This is bad," Hiro thought. "Marian said his bones were metal. She didn't say anything about his fur."
Scott grinned—actually grinned—and swung again.
This time, Hiro wasn't fast enough.
The fist caught him in the shoulder, sending him tumbling across the courtyard. He skidded to a stop, pain flaring through his left foreleg. Dirt caked his fur. Blood dripped from a cut above his eye.
Damn it. It's like a noob fighting a pro wrestler.
He pushed himself up, legs trembling.
Am I really going to lose?
---
Across the arena, Yurei watched.
Her grip tightened on Longinus. Her aura flickered—not from fear, but from frustration.
"Hiro," she called through their bond.
"I'm fine," he replied, but she could feel the lie.
"Don't fight his fight. He's stronger than you. Faster. More experienced. So don't try to beat him at his own game."
"Then what do I do?"
"Remember what I taught you. Look for the opening. Every fighter has one."
Hiro's eyes narrowed.
"Even him?"
"Especially him."
Hiro looked at Scott—really looked. The gorilla's stance was perfect. His guard was up. His eyes tracked every movement.
But his left side. Every time he swung, his left flank opened up. Just for a second.
There.
The opening.