Grey: Monsters

Wolot's approaching figure was the last thing I saw before I was about to pass out.

That punch really struck hard.

What's that guy hiding in his hand—a piece of metal?

It wouldn't hurt to take a quick nap; I won't die anyway.

"Don't close your eyes, Ryuma!"

B's voice jolted me back just as I was drifting away, but I was too late.

Wolot grabbed me by the neck and lifted me off the ground; my feet dangled, unable to touch down.

His strength was hellish.

I shot a tentacle, impaling his chest, but it was futile.

"You won't find his core easily in this form; he has to transform first," B reminded.

Wolot tightened his grip, then flung me. I transformed midair, crashing through multiple buildings before coming to a stop.

"Finally, now we fight. Please, don't ruin my expectations."

He let out a loud roar as he transformed. He was no different from the others I'd faced—the same size, the same appearance—except for the red light glowing from his chest, likely his core.

If I can just reach it and destroy it, everything will end.

I hurled tentacles at him, but he vanished before my eyes.

It was just like Saiya's trick.

I turned around but didn't see anyone—then suddenly, a crushing blow landed on my gut. He followed it with two more strikes to my face, then kicked me miles away.

His movements were precise; each hit seamlessly linked to the last, forming a flawless combo. This wasn't some random skill—this was real combat expertise, earned through rigorous training and relentless fighting. Even I could tell.

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself properly. My apologies; all this time, I mistook you for Xeno. I'm Wolot, a Xcri-KI warrior model. In other words, I was created and run on the brain cells of over a thousand Xcri warriors—their will, their strength, their weaknesses. I bear them all. Biologically, you're incapable of defeating me."

He appeared in front of me and delivered three kicks to my face, each one harder than the last.

I caught his leg before he could pull away, swung him around, and hurled him, sending him crashing into some nearby buildings.

He emerged from the dust, unharmed and still full of energy. I'd expected as much.

He grabbed onto a building with one arm, tore it from its foundation, and hurled it at me.

"What the hell is that?"

Even though it was massive, its speed was insane. I bent to the side, narrowly dodging it, only to look up and see multiple buildings flying toward me.

My body moved instinctively, dodging each attack.

"That's very impressive, I have to say. Now let's wrap this up so I can retrieve you and begin the next phase."

He clenched his fist, returning to a fighting stance.

"Ryuma, I know a way to beat Wolot."

B's voice came through for the first time.

"If you knew, why keep quiet until now?"

"Because I wasn't sure you'd accept."

"Accept? What are you talking about—a deal?"

As we spoke, Wolot charged at me again. This time, I could follow his movements; I blocked each punch and kick, picked up some of the metal, and wiped it across him.

"I need to take over your body. It's the only way we can beat him," B said.

Letting him take control means I'll just sit back and watch as he does as he pleases. Is B stronger than me? What difference would it make if we switch places—it's still one body, after all.

What if he's stronger than me? Maybe he'll win, but then what? Will he just sit back and let me take over? His main goal was always to have my body for himself; what if this is just a way to achieve that? He could take over, betray me, kill everyone in the area.

Anix called him a traitor...

"B, I don't care what you do to me. I should have been dead a long time ago, and you gave me this second chance. But I want your word, B—don't hurt any of my friends. Please."

"I won't hurt them, I promise you that, but that's not the only price. You're alive and using my power because of your consciousness and emotions. Taking control will diminish those. In other words, you'll lose some of your humanity. I might not be the one to hurt your friends eventually. If you're okay with this, may I proceed?"

B knows best how to use his powers; I'm just borrowing them. If I give him a chance, he's promised not to hurt anyone, and that's what matters most. But the price—my humanity…

"Do it, B."

"Very well, as you wish."

The heat inside me rose sharply, choking me, burning my throat—I couldn't breathe. I felt an intense rage boiling within me; it was B's rage, directed at…who? My vision began to blur, my existence slipping away into nothingness—no thoughts, no emotions, just an endless void. Gradually, I faded away.

***

[Third-Person POV: Ryuma will now be referred to as Xeno.]

"AAARRRHGgh!"

Xeno let out a shrieking roar, sending waves through the Hokkaido Base. The ground trembled with its echoes.

A sizzling sound emerged as steam escaped the corners of his mouth.

"You finally showed yourself, traitor," Wolot sneered, but Xeno was unfazed. He extended his hand, and his flesh melded, hardening into a long Japanese katana.

Wolot's eyes widened, though he wasn't truly shocked.

"You were the one who killed Lynx, after all. Master Nero will be furious."

Xeno crouched, raising the katana above his head, pointing its tip directly at Wolot.

"Wolot, you'll die here."