After a conversation with Hekima that involves a generous number of insults directed at Yuto, the plan is approved and given full support by the [Captain]. After that, Yuto and Quasi leave the wolverine and board the . The ship is quite nice, albeit small. Which, considering the vessel is a Frigate, is understandable.

  Once they descend inside the ship, the lack of space becomes a decent bit more pronounced. Eventually, Yuto arrives at the mess hall where some of Quasi’s crew is waiting. An old human man, a human child, an odd Phytonid, a masked woman, and a leaning short, but plump human.

  “Oy you prick, them hairy mutts be raidin ma weapons!” A short human growls while waving a bottle of what Yuto can smell to be quite hard liquor.

  Quasi hops on the table. “Cillian, it’s fine. It’s an investment.”

  “Givin our shite away is a crap investment,” The short, intoxicated human whines.

  “We’re letting them borrow it for the upcoming mission. They’ll return it after.”

  “If dey all survive!”

  Yuto steps forward and bows. “Honorable Cillian, when our mission is successful, I am sure the survivors will reward you several times the worth of such weapons. But, if they do not or they’re all dead, then know that I will use the standing of my clan to properly reward, if not reimburse you for any costs.”

  Cillian looks at Quasi. “Who da hell is he?”

  Quasi stretches and then sits on the table. “He’s leading the rescue mission to the tower and will be in charge of the [Elite Guards]. Me,” He raises his paw out to two others,” Nepenthes, and Auranta will be joining him.”

  “Can I come with?”

  Eyes turn to the interruption to find a tall, skinny human male arriving with a grin. A glance is all it takes for Yuto to ascertain the new arrival to be quite skilled based solely on his walk. He is a man not only trained in the art of combat, but experienced with it.

  “Sorry Micheal, but we’re fighting Fenrimorphs. A single misstep or scratch is going to end your life.”

  Yuto heavily disagrees with such a decition. He folds his hands upon the table, head lowered in respect. “In most fights that matter,” he begins, “there is always a risk of death. It is the choice of the individual if the risk is worth the honor or not. Having such a choice made by another is a great dishonor not only to them, but to the one removing the choice.”

  Quasi pouts. “Riiight. Well, that’s nice and all, but I’m the [Captain], so unless I can make Micheal immune to the Fenrimorphs curse, he’s not joining the mission.”

  “I can synthesize medication to offer temporary immunity for the length of the mission,” Nepenthes interrupts.

  “Impossible.” Yuto can’t help but call out. “Such a thing has been attempted and failed by levels greater than my own. The best medication created can only slow the transformation.”

  The massive Phytonid tilts her head at Yuto. “I offer temporary immunity, not permanent. The replication rate of the Fenrimorph virus is far too rapid for the human immune response to have any hope to overcome. By Injecting white blood cells modified with suppressor proteins created to suppress Fenrimorph replication, it is fully possible to completely stop the infection from overcoming the human immune response.”

  The cat frowns. “When did you figh- you ate my flesh and experimented with it. Damn. Alright, fine. Micheal, inform Boriss and the other [Gunners] to prepare for combat. Nepenthes, get that drug ready- actually, can you produce some for Yuto and the [Elite Guards]?”

  “I have no knowledge of wolven flesh to generate medication that will not be accepted by their bodies.”

  “Damn. That sucks, but fine. Can you make more of that steroid you provided for Boriss in the Colosseum? We may need it in case of an emergency.”

  The Phytonids bark armor around her neck creaks as she nods. “I can, though Boriss must not consume it, otherwise he risks severe brain damage due to neural strain.”

  “Wait, wait, wait. There's a risk to the drug?”

  “Temporary physical performance augmentation is limited without temporarily removing pain limiters upon a human's psyke. This removal acts by forcing new neural pathway formation that temporarily reduces muscular limits placed by one's mind. A second injection will not only form new pathways, but will use the same ones created. The end result is an overstimulation of the effect and a complete removal of muscular restrictions.”

  “That’s… huh.” Quasi leans down, frowning. “I was expecting just some kind of stimulant, not a superhuman serum. Still, make some for the others.”

  Though Yuto detests the consumption of drugs to boost combat, he is willing to make an exception if the foe are against the empire's most hated enemy.

  “Quasi, I believe you are forgetting a rather significant detail.” The old human finally speaks. And with his speech, Yuto straightens his posture more than it already is. And when the man lands his eye upon him, they remind him of Elder Ning. “Your other form is going to be disliked by your new allies.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Quasi looks at Yuto. “Myers, remember what Valentine said about me.

  “Valentine? As in the leader of the Corsairs?” Yuto asks. “You’ve met the Astral Phantom

  Quasi nods. “I have, and the man is the first to have realised something few have not. For example, care to guess my species? Here's a hint, I’m not a [Druid]?”

  Yuto shakes his head. “It matters not your species, only the honor with which you dictate yourself. Though, if you’re not a [Druid], what are you?”

  “A [Shifter].”

  Yuto nods slowly. “I’ve heard of the class, though I’m unfamiliar with its workings. All I know is that [Shifters] have a greater variety of transformation than a [Druid].”

  “That’s correct. Now, speaking of transformations, what is my current species?”

  Yuto takes a good look at Quasi and his feline traits. He’s clearly some kind of cat, except cats cannot converse verbally as he does, which Yuto believes to be a product of a skill. Though, oddly enough, that prediction now seems incorrect.

  “I do not know.” He answers.

  “Another hint, then. I am currently not transformed.”

  The [Samurai] freezes at the declaration, his eyes widening as he assertions such information. Something feline with the ability to converse outside of a skill, but is also able to carry a class. Eventually his thoughts shift to a story from Elder Ning. A story about how he met the clouds.

  “You're a sovereign!”

  The cat grins. “Indeed. I hope that’s fine with you.”

  Yuto bows his head while repeating what he’d said earlier. “It matters not your species, only the honor with which you dictate yourself.”

  “Huh,” Quasi glances at Myers, “I was told that Wolven tend to be quite discriminatory against other species.”

  “That is mostly true to those who live on Okami and have little interaction with other species. Kyoshi accepts trade from outsiders, and that is enough interaction to reveal that honor can exist in all beings.”

  “But you guys don’t allow other species to live and work alongside you.”

  “Not by choice. If one wants the Inquisitions protection, then they must follow their laws.”

  “I see. Well, that makes it easy then. Yuto, I’m going to show you a transformation that you are not going to like. All I ask is that you remember it’s only a transformation and that you do not reach for the weapon at your hip.”

  Yuto stands and bows. “Honorable Quasi, your presence offers me hope that I may save my brothers and the lives of those I am sworn to protect. I swear upon the Yamamoto clan that what you reveal will not gain my ire.”

  Quasi chuckles. “Let's see how much your word is worth.”

  The cat hops off the table and transforms.

  _________________________________________________________

  The moment I shift into a Fenrimorph, I feel a very familiar weight press upon my psyke. A weight I’d not felt for a very long time.

  Submit!

  Submit!

  Submit!

  Once again, the voice has returned, albright far less potent. The pressure is manageable, and whatever entity that tries to command me lacks the proper force required to exhaust my mental defenses.

  Then again, the pressure originates somewhere deep within Kyoshi- a considerable distance from my current location. If memory serves, the closer I get, the worse the voice will become.

  Regardless, the pressure is currently manageable.

  As for my current situation…

  Sighing at the lack of reaction, I activate my skill and transform back into my cat form. Not that he needs to know it’s a transformation.

  “So, what’d you think?” I ask.

  Yuto nods slowly. “I can see why your transformation can be apprehensive. It is a good thing you asked me to restrict my ire, otherwise I would have attempted to take your head.”

  “Well, it’s nice you didn’t. Now, do you think there will be a problem with my form for the mission? It is the one I use most for combat.”

  “So long as they are warned, I do not believe any of the [Elite Guards] will have significant misgivings about your form. But, I should make it imperative that you have all of them and myself swear to secrecy in regards to your form.”

  “Really? I thought you said it would be fine.”

  “By those in Kyoshi, yes. But if the inquisition were to find out that you have such a transformation, you will be hunted down and killed. The risk of leaving someone like you alive would be considered unacceptable.”

  I hop back on the table and nod. “I’m guessing you don’t feel the same?”

  He shakes his head. “The Inquisition is the place where duty is above Honor- something many clans find egregious. My own clan included.” He sighs. “Regardless, your form is not something that will be easily hidden as not all are honorable enough to stay silent. I can vouch for myself and the [Elite Guards] to not break their words, I cannot do the same for all those we come to rescue.”

  “Do you recommend I keep my form hidden from the survivors?”

  “I do.”

  “Then I’ll do that.” I decide. “Now, how much do you know about Fenrimorphs? Specifically about how they transform.”

  Yuto nods, “Are you asking about Hoka-Kaeru or Jibun-Kaeru?”

  “Both, maybe? I’m not familiar with those terms.”

  “I see. Then allow me to explain.” He clears his throat. “When a Fenrimorph grows stronger, they go through something known as Kaeru. And they do this in two ways. Hoka-Kaeru is a tempering of the environment. Jibun-Kaeru is the tempering of oneself.”

  Before I can ask him to explain, Yuto raises his hand. “Hoka-Kaeru is instigated through environmental trauma like setting a Fenrimorph on fire. They will experience Hoka and ascend into a form best able to survive. They will grow larger, stronger, become immune to fire and even be able to breathe it. Jibun-Kaeru differs in that there is no instigation other than time. After a period of time, they will undergo Jibun, gaining strength and size, including a random beneficiary change. A good example is the loss of fur with a replacement of scales.”

  “Wait, are you telling me they can transform on their own?” I ask.

  Yuto nods. “Indeed. It is why the inquisition rushes to purge islands. If the curse is left to fester, then the island is deemed permanently lost for the infection has grown too powerful.”

  “So they just leave the island?” I ask.

  “They destroy it.” Myers adds.

  Yuto grimaces with a nod. “The inquisition has a mythical class item with the power to sink islands. It is considered a last resort.”

  “How quickly do they undergo Kaeru?” I ask.

  “Depends on the infected individual's levels. A basic classer can take weeks to months, whereas an advanced classer needs only days. With experts, then you can expect hours. Further Jibun takes longer, while additional Hoka require more extreme environments.”

  Before I can ask another question, I am distracted by the arrival of Julia carrying a tray filled with empty glasses. The moment she sees me, she stops. “You are back.”

  My tail weaves left and right. “Indeed. What’s with the tray?”

  “I offered drinks to the guests.” She answers.

  “Oy! Thas mai sake!” Cillian whines.

  I can't help but chuckle. I then turn and hop on the [Samurai] shoulder. “Yuto, we’ll talk more later. Let's head down and make sure your team isn’t too drunk for the mission.”

  Yuto chuckles back before heading down into the hold of my ship.