Hahaha, you have exceeded my expectations, shapeshifter, in a sinister tone, this is what the strange beast said as it emerged from the trees. Its appearance was strange, like the other monsters that appeared in this area, but the aura it emitted was completely different. There was no doubt that it was the strongest beast they had encountered in this region. Its head resembled that of a goat, with a body similar to a human's, strong and sturdy legs like a wild beast, arms armored with scales, and a black aura surrounding it.
Yet, neither its appearance nor its power affected Ryan and Tail. The anger from the scene that had just unfolded was overwhelming them; their expressions screamed with hatred and fury as if the world had stopped.
At that moment, Ryan finally moved his lips and said, "What is your connection to what's happening in this area? Who are you?"
Hahaha, the beast replied mockingly, "As if the dead care about knowing these details." The aura around it flared, its eyes widened, and its hand transformed into something like a pincer of some insect or some similar tool. The beast charged at Ryan, determined to kill him. However, on the other side, Ryan's expression had not changed even an inch. Instead, the crimson aura around him ignited.
He raised his hand and pointed the palm toward the charging beast. All the aura around him concentrated into his palm, forming a flaming fireball that grew rapidly until it became enormous, so much so that the beast could no longer see Ryan's face. Yet, this did not deter the beast from its path.
In a fleeting moment, the fireball surged forward at an astonishing speed toward the beast, which was rushing toward Ryan with all its might. There was no way to dodge it at that speed, so the beast crossed its arms, forming something like a living shield.
The collision occurred. The Chimera remained standing, trying to push the fireball away while it forcefully pushed it backward. Eventually, the superior fireball pushed the beast several meters back, causing it to crash violently into the trees. A massive explosion erupted as the fireball Ryan had launched collided with the beast. The surrounding area turned into ash, the trees vanished, but through the smoke and thick dust, the beast still stood tall, smiling, its body covered in wounds and burns.
Hahaha, that was truly close. No wonder you've made it this far.
Ryan spoke to the beast again: "Tell me, who are you? And who is in charge here?"
The beast refused to answer and just laughed. While it was enjoying the moment, its laughter rising above any other sound, suddenly something strange appeared behind it. In a fraction of a second, its expression changed, and it dashed away from the spot it had been standing.
Haahhh, woahhh, it sighed: that was really close. In a sharp tone, the beast said, "Why attack from behind, shapeshifter?"
That person was Tail, holding a sharp, medium-length knife made from his gray feathers. He tried to cut the beast lengthwise into two, but its reaction was extremely fast. Yet, the beast realized nothing. Its hand was bleeding—or rather, its left hand was missing.
Tail pointed at the beast, indicating its hand, and said, "If I were you, I wouldn't just stand there arguing in this situation."
The Chimera didn't realize it had lost its hand until Tail pointed it out. Looking at its left side, its hand was gone. At that moment, the beast felt real pain.
Hghghghgh, it grabbed its other hand, trying to stop the bleeding, with a sinister smile: "Hahaha, do you think you've won by cutting my hand? Don't worry, I'll show you a more exciting display. Now it's my turn!"
The beast compressed itself with immense force. Its black aura reignited. Soon, its severed arm began regenerating, and a new arm emerged. The beast waved it, moving the fingers of the new hand, then looked at Tail: "Haah, what do you think? Isn't it amazing?"
Tail replied coldly: "If I were you, I would pay attention to what's behind me."
The Chimera didn't understand Tail's words until a moment later. It turned around, and Ryan was about to slash its body with his claws. Solid scales and sharp claws, like a dragon's arm, tore their way forcefully toward the Chimera's back. This time, a faint smile appeared on Ryan's face, accompanied by whispers: "Didn't I tell you my show is about to begin?"
When Ryan reached the Chimera, the beast slightly deflected its hand, successfully avoiding the attack. Ryan's body, flying like a missile, was exposed to it.
One of the beast's legs retreated slightly, then it surged forward. Ryan kicked its stomach, sending it forcefully upward from the impact. Ryan coughed a little blood from the strike's force, but this was not the end.
The Chimera lunged upward toward Ryan, but at that moment, Tail drew attention. He flew toward Ryan at incredible speed. The Chimera's charge could not keep up. Ryan grabbed him and descended quickly to the ground.
Haah, haah, Ryan was panting, wiping blood from his mouth: "Tail, he's very strong. We probably won't be able to defeat him."
Hahaha, Ryan, are you aware of what you're saying? "Well, let me tell you something. If we're unable to win against him in this situation, then we must become stronger now, no matter the cost."
Haah, yes, that's right.
Ryan stood up again. The duo stood side by side, ready for the upcoming battle, facing their enemy without a trace of fear, driven by the desire to grow stronger. Overcoming this obstacle was all they could think about.
The beast finally landed on the ground, which was covered in ash from the explosion caused by Ryan's attack. It stared at Ryan and Tail: "Hey, shapeshifters, what is your goal in coming here? Or rather, who sent you? What are the shapeshifters doing in this place? Your place is within the fortified areas designated for you. You should be in the shapeshifter academies. What brought you here?"
Ryan responded to the beast's question with another question: "Who are you? And who is in charge here?"
The beast frowned upon hearing Ryan's reply and waved its hand: "Okay, okay, it seems neither of us wants to speak. Then let's settle this with actions, not words."
Both sides prepared for another clash. Ryan and Tail's mutations began to manifest. Tail's gray wings appeared from his back, feathers scattering around him. Ryan's arms and legs became more dragon-like, with sharp claws and crimson scales, ready to attack.
On the other side, the black aura ignited again around the Chimera, as if it were reorganizing its form. Its right arm was half like a sharp sword, and its muscles grew bigger and stronger, the entire area tensed in anticipation of the coming clash.