Bound By Fury:The Forced Path

Suddenly Akira sprints up to the edge of the yellow-colored water.

He went, towards the edge of the yellow-colored water, even with the really scary screams of the Werehyenas closing in closer and closer.

Then with one jump, he plunged into thick yellow water.

"Wha-?!"

"Akira, what's gotten into you?!"

Anna screamed, in absolute concern, and it was already too late extending a hand towards him.

"You'll get hurt!"

"Get back!"

Victor leaned against his sword and coughed up blood. He looked angrily at Akira, his voice weak but filled with anger.

"Damn kid!"

"Come back here!"

"You're our responsibility, cough… cough."

"You're not supposed to—"

He couldn't finish his sentence because he was losing too much blood and felt weak.

Grido sat on his huge bird, staring in wide-eyed astonishment at the unfolding drama.

For a moment, he could not stir; the usual quick instincts were bemused by the unbelievable truth.

Akira's action didn't ring a dime of sense, but as Grido fisted his hands and his bird restlessly moved under him, his thoughts finally cleared.

"In the last few hours, that boy. he hasn't made a single mistake. Not once did he act without first thinking it over thoroughly. He's been calm-too calm for someone of his age, someone in this situation." "

Grido's eyes narrowed as a slight smirk appeared at the corner of his lips.

"No, I won't get involved. Not yet. I'll wait and see."

Anna wouldn't just be a bystander, though. Something in her gut was telling her to save Akira from certain death.

Weary but willing her legs to run, she ran toward the beach. But as she approached the water, she stopped.

Akira wavered with life, as if a heartbeat, his whole body limned with an un-bright and un-blinding, a clear white light-a light that seemed just about ghostly.

The yellow ocean pulled back a little, its surface bubbling and odd, like the water was being pushed back from him.

The boy Akira has just released the "Soul Infusion."

Akira had looked at Anna with shining bright white eyes, cold and unchanging, yet speaking with completely authoritative words.

"Stay back."

Anna froze on the spot, as her heart began to go racing with a thudding noise in her chest. Undoubtedly, this wasn't a request-this was an order.

"For your own good,"

He said, his voice low but serious enough that she stepped back without thinking.

"I will not say it again."

Victor was furious; Akira had directly disobeyed him.

He got to his feet, his hand clenching into a fist on the hilt of his sword despite the blood on his gloves.

"You damned kid!"

He shouted, his almost shaking voice full of anger and tiredness.

"Do you think this is some kind of game?"

"Now stop this!"

"Sylara told you to work with us, not to act on your own!"

Before any of them could answer, one of the Werehyenas leaped toward Akira from the side, its claws gleaming with a hunting look. The beast in the water at his territory was too quick for anyone to react to, but Akira didn't bat an eyelash.

In one smooth movement, Akira caught the creature by its throat, while it was still in mid-air.

He closed his grip tight, his fingers pressing deep into its skin.

The Werehyena kicked wildly, its claws scratching down his arm, but with no avail. Then, finally, a terrible crack resounded throughout the battlefield.

"Grkkk Grkkk"

Even from afar off, snarling was really loud.

Now, the body of the Werehyena was lifeless his neck was bent at an odd angle within Akira's firm grasp.

Not looking at it any longer, Akira tossed the dead body back into the yellow sea.

The strong thud dislocated waves which fessed far.

The rest were stock-still, all weariness forgotten, staring at him uncomfortably.

Akira emitted an aura of soft-glowing, like a white flame that would burst any time now.

The battlefield was silent for a moment as Akira stood still, his aura pulsating dimly, and the body of the Werehyena sank under the deep yellow sea.

His head turned very slowly in Victor's direction, but his movements were relaxed and slow, almost like a predator judging whether the beast standing before him was worth turning into prey.

He focused on Victor with a sharp glare, and his voice cut through the tension like a thunderclap.

"You speak of cooperation," He said, and his voice sliced through the taut silence.

"Of following orders."

Akira stepped forward; his eyes flared bright with an uncanny brilliance.

"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 was cold with frustration, each word a judgment.

"And you know what?

Another step forward and he was loose, almost casual in his posture, yet utterly deadly.

He took a step forward, his blazing white eyes gleaming with an eerie light, and his face was shadowed from the waving luminescence of the unnatural sea.

"It was impressive"

Akira said, his voice full of praise.

"You would've cleared this in an hour if it were any ordinary C-rank dungeon."

"But this—,"

He turned to the thong of Werehyenas surrounding them, whose glowing eyes and sharp teeth reflected the foreboding light of the battlefield,

"This is anything but a normal dungeon."

Victor tried to respond, but before he could say anything, Akira's voice turned completely around, dropping into a venomous growl that silenced the whole gathering.

"And let me remind you of something.""

"The name was spoken as if it was sour on his lips.

"I was never ordered by Sylara to be under your command."

"Her exact words were: 'Observe.'"

"See what it is 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 even dare lecture me on orders."

Akira's aura burst forth, the thin white light surrounding him ballooning into a blinding radiance that made the air shimmer in undulating waves around his form. His presence became oppressive, like a storm gathering power, ready to unleash its fury.

"Know your place and maybe—just maybe—you'll live long enough to get treated while I finish the job you couldn't."

Akira hissed, his voice chilling enough to freeze the very blood in one's veins.

Anna's heart was hammering in her chest as she stayed there, frozen, with her breath stopped in her throat. Her cheeks were flushing crimson as she though to herself

"Damn, he's so...gutsy."

"And so handsome, too."

She bit her lip, shaking her head to try and clear it, but her eyes kept straying back to Akira.

Grido was beside his giant bird who suddenly turned back to the small for because he had reached his limit in mana too, watching in stunned silence as his mind whirled about him.

"The boy hadn't simply bested Captain Imzar through luck,"

He thought, his mind replaying the rumors that had flown around.

"He had snapped that creature's neck bare-handed...like it was nothing."

"This wasn't a skill; this was pure raw strength."

"He's dangerous."

Victor opened his mouth to reply, but the words died in his throat, pride wrestling with anger against the undeniable ring of truth in Akira's words.

His knuckles as white as snow, his fists tightly clenched, he decided to remain silent after all. A shrill whistle then pierced the air, followed by a jet of water that flew at Akira's head with deadly precision.

Yet Akira remained unflinching. He moved his head sideways and let the missile whizz past him into the ocean, splashing harmlessly into the sea.

Akira's eyes blazed with a dangerous, feral anger. A wry, predatorial smile curled up and onto his lips.

"Damned fish,"

He said in tones full of utter disrespect.

"Time to kill you all."