The Yamamoto clan is one founded on honor and combat. It is a martial house where it is not only strived, but expected that those who carry the name are to become [Samurai]. Jiro, as the eldest of the clan head is expected to take the leadership role of his father after serving the Inquisition for a decade.

  With such an expectation, Jiro’s studies consisted of not only combat, but in the study of the Inquisition. Such study includes history, combat, politics, and most importantly, a thorough understanding of the wolven’s most hated enemy: Fenrimorphs.

  Unfortunately, such plans turn awry when his father perishes and the command of the Yamamoto clan in Kyoshi rests upon his shoulders. Regardless, though his position restricts him from joining the Inquisition, his studies prior offer great insight into Fenrimorphs.

  It is from this insight that Jiro understands the threat level of a fourteen-horned Fenrimorph as dictated by the inquisition: At two horns, a Fenrimorph can be safely killed by a single skilled [Swordsman]. At four and six horns, a [Swift Swordsman] can safely kill a Fenrimorph with proper equipment. At eight horns, a [Samurai] can safely kill a Fenrimorph without a skill. At ten horns, the [Samurai] requires an activatable sword skill. At twelve, multiple [Samurai] become necessary. At fourteen, a named [Samurai] is recommended.

  Based on this logic, the approaching alpha Fenrimorph requires a [Samurai] at the level of Elder Ning. Unfortunately, such logic doesn't take into account unique Hoka-Kaeru, passive skills, and most importantly- Fenrimorph numbers.

  It also doesn’t take into account a [Druids] ability to transform.

  Jiros’ mouth opens wide as Quasi Eludo changes from tiny kitten to towering royal wyvern with thick jet-black scales reminiscent of Boriss’s armor. It is a large and majestic thing whose height nearly reaches that of the Alpha.

  “He had such a form?” He hears his brother ask aloud.

  “You did not know?” Jiro asks without shifting his head from the view.

  Quasi roars in challenge, one which the Alpha replies in kind.

  “No, his other form is smaller. I didn’t even know he could transform into that.”

  Quasi and the Alpha finish their roars and then rush at each other. The water violently shakes with each step as the two monstrosities traverse the water. When they reach each other, the battle commences. They ram into one-another- grappling, clawing, and attempting to sink their maws upon the others flesh. Their claws rake upon each other's hide, shredding through scales with each swipe while their tails batter upon the other like hammers upon metal.

  “So, he was holding back.” Jiro says with more venom than he intends.

  “I’m sure honorable Quasi has his reasons,” Yuto argues back with the same level of reaction as when Jiro forced him to break his oath. A dishonorable action on his part, one he fully regrets ever doing. He should have trusted his brother, but instead trampled on that trust. And even now, he still holds needless aggression towards Quasi. Sure, Quasi arrived moments after Elder Ning was defeated. If he’d arrived sooner, then there would be less death and the fight against Ning would have been significantly easier.

  “All transformations require mana to take place. The larger the transformation, the larger the cost and the shorter the duration.” Auranta explains.

  Listening to the explanation grows the regret in Jiros stomach. If Quasi had arrived sooner and taken such a form, would he be able to fight the alpha?

  Shaking his head at such thoughts, Jiro figures reflection can wait until later. For now, he’ll focus on the fight.

  The Wyvern and Alpha continue their violent dance, crushing trees, stones, and dirt with each movement. As the fight drags on, Jiro slowly realizes that the two aren't nearly as equally matched. The Alpha is stronger, heavier, and far more durable. Quasi though, is far faster.

  “He looks like he’s losing. Should we assist?” Yuto asks the question Jiro was about to.

  “No,” Nepenthes says adamantly. “Quasi is winning.”

  Juto focuses back on the fight, but all he finds is Quasi on the defensive. Both are taking hits and losing scales, but it’s clear that Quasi constantly has to reposition to avoid getting pinned down.

  “He still looks like he’s losing,” Jiro says.

  “A conflict between monsters differs from ones between the sentient races. When monsters clash, damage is all but guaranteed. What determines the winner of a conflict is not the quantity of damage, but where the damage is manifest.”

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  Jiro frowns at such an answer. As far as he can see, Quasi’s body is covered in crushed and bleeding scales, whereas the alpha looks to have taken far less damage. As Jiro focuses more and more on the fight, he finally notices where Quasi has been focusing.

  _________________________________________________________________

  I twist and dodge under the Alphas arm. Its claws rake through my back scales, further opening the wound. At the same time, my own claws rip through the Alphas thick neck, removing the last bit of armor surrounding it. As the alpha moves to bite, I’m already shifting away out of range.

  As strong as I am in this form, the Alpha is unfortunately stronger. More muscle, more armor, more weight, immunity to bleed, and most importantly, far more time. If I had an hour in my current form, I could slowly and safely dismantle the Alpha without taking even a hit. Unfortunately, I’ve less than a minute left.

  I take a breath and rush into the fight again, but this time I wait for the swipe. I lean back as its claws pass inches from me. As soon as the claw passes, I call upon the heat within my abdomen, at a bulging organ near my lungs. I feel the gas form and then ignite. Opening my maw, I release a stream of fire directly at the alphas face. It reacts in surprise as its arms move to shield its eyes.

  That's when the opening reveals itself. Rushing forward, I wrap my long tail around its exposed neck as tightly as I can. Then I jump and spread my wings and flap. With as much force as I can, I ascend upwards, slowing a moment as I feel significant resistance. But I continue flapping more and more, ascending a meter higher with every downstroke. As I do, I glance down to find the Alpha struggling to breathe. It claws at my tail in panic, crushing the scales around it alongside my flesh. Thankfully, wyvern bones are too hard for anything but the Alphas jaws to destroy.

  Once I’ve reached a respectable height. I start to spin horizontally, pulling the Fenrimorph to the sides. As I get faster and fast, I start shifting to a vertical spin. Once I am spinning vertically with the Fenrimorph still attached, I quickly descend down without halting my rotation. As I near the ground, I put my plan into action. With a growl, I extend my wing before I hit the ground while flicking my tail like one would a sling.

  The Alphas body crashes into the earth with enough force to create a massive crater alongside an earthquake felt throughout the island. As I land and approach the Alpha, fear takes me for a moment. Several eyes turn to me, fully alive and not dead. The Alpha growls at me threateningly, as though promising death.

  I approach warily, my body sore from the maneuver. When I near, I find that its threats mean nothing, for its bones lie crushed underneath its flesh. Somehow, its skull survived the impact.

  Mmmm. Mana is about all out. Better finish this now.

  Kneeling down, I wrap my jaw around its neck and then rip out its throat until all vessels leading to the head are severed.

  As the Alpha closes its eyes for good, I feel my mana nearing to zero.

  At the same time, I feel an overwhelming urge rise up from my current form. With little control, I raise up my mouth, open my maw, and roar a jet of victorious flame pierces the sky.

  ____________________________________________________________

  Jiro watches as Quasi rips out the Alphas throat, ending the monster for good. With its death, the intelligence of all Fenrimorphs will decline down to its base animalistic levels until a new alpha is chosen. Such a thing will take hours, if not days. More than enough time to get off this island.

  “I should return to the convoy.” He says. He moves to turn, but stops as a roar returns his focus to Quasi. When he looks at the wyvern, he can’t help but follow a jet of flame as it prices a distant cloud. When the flame ends and he looks down. For a moment, Jiro believes he saw a one-armed Fenrimorph where the wyvern was, only for it to seemingly disappear into the alphas corpse.

  “Did anyone else see a Fenrimorph enter the alpha?” Jiro asks.

  “I saw Quasi enter the Alpha. He might be resting inside it.” Yuto answers.

  He frowns. “I must be tired, then. Let's rush back to the convoy. They’re probably being attacked as we speak.”

  “I will assess the [Captain's] condition,” Auranta says. “I’ll catch up as soon as I’m able.”

  “Please hurry.” He says and starts running back to the convoy. Not a second later and he hears the rest of them follow close behind.

  _______________________________________________________________

  Flapping her wings, Auranta glides through the sky towards the crater that is already beginning to fill with water. When she reaches the crater, she dives down to the corpse where Quasi did indeed disappear into, right at the neck area. At her arrival, she sees a grisly scene of her [Captain] in the midst of consuming flesh.

  As she looks at him, she finds that his left arm is in the midst of regeneration and that his gauntlet is nowhere to be found. If not for the unique mana-absorbing fur, she’d struggle to tell the difference between Quasi and any other Fenrimorph. The slight blue tint of his fur is only slight, not enough for most eyes to quickly tell the difference.

  “I hope you realize you’ve just defeated a named threat,” She says while he scarfed down meat. After a good several pounds, he finally turns away from his meal. In a puff of smoke, he returns to his favored form.

  “Just barely. I had to get creative to take the alpha down before I ran out of mana.”

  “It is still an impressive feat on account of your level. Most experts would struggle against such a foe.”

  “Sure, sure.” Quasi yawns. “Come on. Give me a lift.”

  Auranta extends her arms. Quasi jumps and she catches him. It is at this point that she realizes why Clay enjoys carrying him. Quasi isn’t just soft. He is the softest thing that has stimulated her tactile nervous system. A brush of her arm is enough to significantly increase dopamine production.

  “You alright, Auranta? You look… I want to say happy, but I’m not sure.”

  “Your fur is pleasant to touch.”

  “Riiiggghhhttt. Well, you can pet me more later. For now, take me to the convoy.”

  “Yes [Captain].”

  With a flap of her wings, she ascends, turns, and then glides, all while her hand vigorously brushes Quasi's fur.