"Does that mean you're after my bounty?"

  "No, I'm not some lowly bounty hunter. As a commander of the Kasaka Army, I'll either capture you or kill you in the attempt!"

  The commander sneered.

  "I hope you don't die too quickly!"

  Kawao took a combat stance and began channeling more energy.

  "And which commander do I have the honor of facing?"

  "The commander of the First Unit! Feratu, the Wandering Wild! Let’s see if you can survive the jungle!"

  "I'm pretty confident I can!"

  Suddenly, Feratu began to transform. He dropped to all fours, his body igniting in flames as his hands and feet turned into razor-sharp claws. Before Kawao's eyes, he morphed into a massive flaming jaguar.

  "Flaming Beast: Jaguar!"

  Kawao only seemed mildly surprised. In recent days, he had learned more about different types of Nyds. His opponent was using a metamorphic Nyd, which allowed him to transform into another form. This was achieved because his Nyd artifact contained the soul of the entity he could transform into— in Feratu's case, the soul of a jaguar.

  Luckily, Kawao had some experience fighting wild animals.

  Feratu leaped at him.

  Kawao crouched, ready.

  And the hunt began.

  Feratu attacked like a feral beast, his burning claws slashing relentlessly. Tables and chairs shattered and ignited wherever his blows landed. Kawao dodged the first few strikes with ease, but then, just as he avoided an attack and maneuvered behind Feratu, his opponent's tail elongated and lashed out, striking him with brutal force.

  The tail caught Kawao's side. Although he managed to shield himself with energy, the blow shredded part of his clothing and left his skin red and lightly burned.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  I forgot—he’s not just a wild animal. He’s a man in the form of a beast! That makes him far more dangerous. He’s also using techniques no ordinary animal could. I underestimated him.

  Kawao reevaluated the situation.

  If I couldn’t beat Fetu, how am I supposed to defeat him? I’m still too weak to achieve my revenge. But if I can survive this, I’ll grow stronger. I need to escape with Sordo. This isn’t the time for a decisive fight!

  Feratu perched on a large cabinet, glaring down like a predator stalking its prey.

  "You’re holding up better than I expected," Feratu growled, his tone laced with animalistic menace.

  The situation was dire. Kawao scanned the room quickly. There! Sordo’s retractable spear lay among the wreckage of a table a few meters away.

  If Kawao could get the spear, he might stand a chance. He had spent his life hunting with a spear. With that weapon and his strength, he could at least hold his ground.

  Feratu lunged again.

  This is my chance!

  As Feratu leaped, Kawao dashed forward, sliding under the beast and grabbing the spear.

  Feratu turned, snarling, to face him.

  Kawao extended the spear and let it rest in his hands. It felt natural, like an extension of his body.

  He gathered his energy, pouring it into the weapon.

  "Stage One: Grey Glare!"

  The familiar grey aura enveloped him. His training had improved his control over this form. It still wasn’t perfect, but it was manageable.

  Energy coursed through the spear, strengthening and reinforcing it.

  "Ready for round two?"

  "Now I see why they call you the Grey Demon. This just got interesting!"

  The battle resumed, now more balanced. The spear made all the difference. Kawao could not only dodge Feratu's flaming claws but deflect them as well. His improved technique allowed him to fight on even terms.

  For a brief moment, Kawao thought victory might be within reach.

  But that hope vanished when Feratu unleashed another technique.

  He began moving at blinding speed, leaping erratically around the room.

  "Beast Hunt: Jaguar!" Feratu bellowed, entering a frenzied state. Like a hurricane, he tore through the tower, his claws slashing everything in sight.

  Furniture and walls disintegrated under the assault. Kawao struggled to protect himself and the unconscious Sordo, taking several hits in the process.

  When the storm of attacks finally ended, Kawao was left panting heavily. His clothes were in tatters, and long, sharp wounds covered his body. Without the protection of Stage One, he would have been reduced to a bloody pulp.

  Feratu’s attacks had turned the tower into a smoldering ruin. Even the walls bore gaping holes from his rampage.

  But then Kawao noticed something—the tower was groaning, creaking under its own weight.

  The structure was collapsing.

  He had to get out, now.

  Feratu began spinning rapidly, his tail extending further.

  "Burning Storm Tail!"

  Kawao acted immediately. He hoisted Sordo onto his shoulder, breaking through a nearby wall to escape the collapsing tower.

  Moments later, the structure gave way entirely.

  Feratu looked up in shock as the mighty tower crumbled, burying him under the rubble.

  The area was engulfed in a dense cloud of dust.