Beast: Right, but sir, I must ask why you want me to kill the boy.

???: I don’t pay you to ask questions. Do as your told, or perish.

Beast: Yes sir. He will be dead.

--- Chapter 148 ---

Hiro was discharged the next day, and him, Red, Kid, and Junos walked around discussing what is next. Separately, ‘Beast’ gets his suit on, rehinging the jaw, and goes on the hunt. His comrades sit around the room.

Girl: Do you think he's like, actually going to succeed this time?

A guy with deep purple hair, and a weird strip of cloth over his eyes, with wholes to see through begins talking.

Guy: No shot. He is a baby too scared to get hurt.

Another man with short orange hair speaks up.

Orange: Like your one to talk. You never actually get involved with hand-to-hand combat.

Purple: What did you say to me, balloon boy?!

Orange: You heard me.

Suddenly, a guy is lying down in a bed with short black hair has a sound coming from him. Speaking, yet his mouth doesn't move. The voice is abnormally high-pitched.

Black/High pitch: Enough.

He then speaks with his normal mouth.

Black/Normal: You heard them.

Everyone silenced, he gets up.

Black/Normal: Just because he is likely going to die, doesn’t mean we have to count him out prematurely.

Purple: Sorry Toru.

***

While walking through one of the corridors, Red and Hiro part ways with their fellow gang members.

Red: Now, let’s go get Elias and eat some food.

Hiro: Yeah, though I’m not excited for prison food.

Red: I’m sure it's much better than Elune’s grub.

Hiro: Cari would kill you if she heard that.

Red: I only said it cause she didn’t!

The two laugh and continue walking. Then they hear a thumping sound, getting ever closer. They turn around to see the beast bounding toward them. They quickly jump to the sides, dodging as it lunges at them. It gets onto its hind legs and looks back at them.

Red: So your back for another beating huh?

Beast: You can see me? Interesting. But this time, I will win.

Red: So you speak. Do you have a name?

Beast: I am a disgraced. Those with the title of disgraced lose their name and go by their power’s name. So you can call me Beast.

Red: So is that a rule in your gang?

Beast: It is. And once I kill you, I will get my name back.

Red: If the only way to get your name back is my death, then you will die nameless. I don’t want to kill you, it just complicates things.

Beast: Heh, so kind yet arrogant. Kind in that you don’t want to kill me. And arrogant in thinking you can kill me.

Red: We will see.

Red summons his blade, with the actual blade in its incomplete stage. The beast has three claws on each hand, and they extend further to about two feet. It leaps forward claws above his head to drive into Red. Red goes to jump back but realizes he won’t be fast enough. Hiro takes a deep breath in.

Hiro: Unarmed style, whirlwind.

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Hiro spins into a super-fast kick, sending the beast flying back.

Beast: Gagh… Seems you may be trouble. I wanted to just kill off him, and be done with it. But it seems it won't be that simple. Fine.

The beast for the first time has opened its bear-like mouth. From inside, a small yellow ball is visible. The ball turns into a beam heading at high speeds toward Hiro. Hiro’s eyes go wide, knowing he can’t dodge. But Red shoves Hiro to the side, taking the hit.

Hiro: Red!

Red: I’m fine. I always was better at taking hits than you.

Hiro: Yeah, I guess. But we didn’t know that beams power, you coulda got like, insta-deathed!

Red: Woah, I didn’t even think about that…

Hiro: Brother! Sigh. Ok, let’s get this guy.

Red: Right.

Beast: Now that your little comedy routine is done, let’s finish this.

Hiro runs in, using a high power kick. But Beast grabs it and is pushed back a little. Hiro uses his other leg to jump and kick the Beast in the head. However, Beast seems unfazed and continues to hold on. It uses its other hand to carve three deep gashes in Hiros stomach. Red uses this time to run in on the same side. He causes his blade to become complete and scratches its surface. The wound leaks a decent amount of blood, and it lets go of Hiro. It recoils and yells. He thinks about running but remembers what happens if he doesn’t win. He jumps back, and his claws retract a bit. He grabs his top and bottom jaw, forcing it open and exposing a bit of his face. His throat expands, as he hacks up a big ball of yellow energy. Hiro and Red brace themselves, as this beam fires, taking up most of the hallway. When the beam subsides, both Hiro and Red are still standing, but are smoking and damaged.

Beast: Impressive. You can take so much damage and not run away.

Hiro: Yeah, we aren’t all as wimpy as you.

Beast: … Fine. You want to make fun of me, you get the horns.

Hiro: Horns? Bears don’t have horns.

Beast: Not yet. Expand.

Upon uttering expand, his body seems to grow. Filling out the suit, he grows to the size of a full bear. The claws extend to about 4 feet. And its head looks more feral, with two tusks sprouting from the sides of its snout.

Red: Shit, you just had to provoke him.

Hiro: You would have done the same exact thing, don’t give me that.

Red: True.

The beast lunges forward at incredible speed, slamming its fist down onto the ground where they stood. They just barely dodge to the side. They go into attack but are unable to deal any real damage.

Beast: That tickles.

Red and Hiro leap back.

Hiro: Hey Red, I have an idea.

Red: Oh yeah, glad to hear one right about now.

Hiro: remember what we did in the A-ranks? Where you used your power to boost me?

Red: Yeah, but that would take too much of my energy.

Hiro: I know, but I am good with swords. If you give me your sword and focus on making it sharp, we may be able to win.

Red: I see. I won’t be able to keep it sharp for much longer, but it’s worth a shot.

Red tosses Hiro his sword. The blade hones in and grows sharp. Hiro runs in, and uses his sword skills, slashing him over and over again. Hiro’s speed is much higher than the beasts, leading it to be unable to dodge. Swiftly, the beast cries out, before falling over. The blade returns to its incomplete state.

Hiro: That was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be.

They hear slight words coming from the beast.

Beast: Apex predator. Beast Inpolo.

At once the beast rises back to its feet and begins to morph. The fur-like suit began to swirl and form into its real skin. It shrinks to his normal size. Before them is a 6 ft. tall man, with fur on his shoulders, chest, forearms, hands, and groin. His hair is much longer than it normally is, and has large canine teeth. He also has an orangish-red piece on his forehead keeping his hair back. The three claws on each hand are now two singular long, blade-like claws.

Beast: I can’t believe two kids pushed me this far. No matter, you are done for.

He exhales a yellow smog, it surrounds his claw and turns a glowing yellow. He then swings it at full force, causing the air around to distort. The golden energy slash fires at incomprehensible speeds, impacting right into Red. Creating a deep slash across his chest, Red falls over.

Hiro: No! Are you ok?!

Red: I’ll be fine… Hiro, listen carefully. I will be putting all my energy into making it sharp… Must I say more?

Hiro: No need. I got the picture. Give him hell.

Hiro jumps forward, slashing and using every technique he owns. The attacks initially do nothing, but eventually crack his armor, leaving wounds riddled across his body. Not being able to keep up, his eyes look all around for an impossible escape.

Beast: Nonononononono! NOT LIKE THIS!

Hiro runs in for the final attack, but nothing happens.

Hiro: What?

They both look confused, before realizing the blade lost its sharpness.

Beast: … heh… hehehe… HAHAHAHA! YOU WERE SO CLOSE, BUT NOW I WIN!

Beast slashes Hiro and sends him flying back.

Red: I’m sorry. I did it for as long as I could…

Beast: Man, you guys really gave me a scare there.

***

Elias: Where the hell are those two?

Elias waits in the cafeteria, but when they don’t show up, he goes looking for them. Elias goes around the corner, and sees Red and Hiro on the ground, bleeding. He runs over.

Elias: What happened?!

Red: Stay back! The enemy is invisible! And our weapons aren’t strong enough to pierce him!

Elias: Ok, do you know his weaknesses?

Red: Only way we were able to hit him is by channeling my mana into making my blade sharp. But I’m all outta mana.

Elias: I see. Hiro, can you still move?

Hiro: Slower, but yes.

Elias: All right, good. Hiro, get up and attack. Red focus on the sword.

Red: But I'm out of mana!

Elias: I know. But just like you, I have incredibly limited control over my arcana. But something I can do.

Elias places his hand on Red. The seal on the back of his hand glows, and Red realizes what is happening. Elias is funneling all of his mana into Red. Charging him, he can make the blade sharp. Beast has fear in his eyes as he clashes swords with Hiro. Despite Hiro being slower, they have fairly equal speed. Hiro pushes himself further, landing big blows on Beast. Beast begins to sweat, slash after slash impacting him, the pain unbearable. He trips and falls onto his butt. He looks up at Hiro, the bladed pointed in between his eyes.

Hiro: Look, I’m on Red’s side, I don’t want to kill anyone in here. I don’t want to be in jail any longer than I already am. If you swear to never attack us again, I will let you live.

Beast shakes his head furiously.

Beast: Yes, of course! I won’t, I promise!

Hiro: Good. And tell your people to never mess with us again.

Beast: I will!

Hiro lifts the blade and allows Beast to go. He runs through the corridors, several thoughts going through his head. He gets up onto his hind legs and runs around the corner. Around the corner stands the skeleton man who had employed them. Beasts eyes go wide as it grabs his head, palm crushing his nose. It lifts him 3 feet off the ground so his arm is straight, showing how much taller it is than Beast who is 6ft.

???: You failed, Matias Jotin.

Beast is filled with intense fear, starting to tear up.

???: Goodbye.

A black aura appears around its hand, and his struggling stops as he falls limp, his eyes lifeless.

***

Hiro: Jeez, we need to head back to the infirmary.

Red: Yeah. I hope he was the strongest man, and it sends a message.

***

The skeletal figure disappears, reappearing inside the gang's room. He tosses Beast’s lifeless body onto the floor, as it bounces. This caught all the gang members' attention.

???: He failed to kill off the boy. Red has joined Kid’s gang.

A boy with long red hair, and Toru both look at the figure when the info is revealed.

???: You have one week to execute them all.

He turns around and starts walking before he fades into invisibility.