The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 118: Cutting all ties

The warmth of the fireplace in front of which they were cast a soft glow on their faces, their shadows flickering across the room.

Buji's fingers slowly found Kira's, tracing over it.

"Can I trust you?" Buji asked.

A shiver coursed through her skin. The weight of Buji's question lingered in the air between them. If the effect was more on Buji or Kira, neither could tell. Kira was, however, surprised with the kind of question Buji asked.

She settled her tension, and with a cool voice, replied. "What do you think?"

"And am I supposed to get a question for an answer?"

Silence fell between both of them. Kira removed her stare from Buji, facing the fireplace.

She had never really thought about it—trust. She assumed maybe it was an unspoken understanding between them. Since their admission into Hunter's Academy, they'd always had each other's backs, yet here he was, doing what really...

"We've been together. If not for long, at least since the period we got admitted into this school. And you still can't tell if you can trust me?" Kira said.

"Uhm... that's not he point I'm trying to make, you know," Buji replied. "If I didn't have that much trust in you, I won't have told you about the ordeal."

Nonetheless, he continued reading through the message.

The third point, the association also announced that they will be replacing low-ranked hunters in each team, especially the Debut team. Reason being that the Debut team was only a beginning team, and so, eventually contained such kind of hunters that shouldn't risk their lives for the raid.

"Why are they suddenly considering risk of life?" Buji asked, initially to no one, but since Kira was also there, she replied his question.

"That I can't tell too. During our induction, they could have made it clear to us. But, as hunters, our lives are always on the line in situations like this."

"That's true. I heard that from somewhere...I think. Besides, I noticed it's a general knowledge amongst the students anyway," Buji stated.

"Besides, I think I get their point. They were but trying to tell that poor impact wouldn't do much good, right?"

"Right?" Kira giggled. "I didn't even grab or understand what you said, and you are asking me."

Buji exhaled. 'This is what you get when you talk to dull brains.'

"I'm trying to say that they are conveying division of labour. A situation where three hunters won't be needed for a particular task but for three different tasks," Buji explained.

"I still don't get."

"Then how do you pick up skills and spells fast enough?" Buji asked, still keeping his tone calm even though he felt angry for not being able to convey the message he wanted to.

Kira, however, pressed on, ignoring what Buji said. "One more explanation."

Buji heaved a sigh. "You know the power of hunters according to their ranks, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"So, what I'm trying to say is that if an S-Rank hunter could overcome 3 beasts at a time, instead of giving the task to 3 B or A rank hunters, they will employ 3 S-Rank hunters to overcome 9 beasts," Buji exhaled deeply after saying this.

"Now, you are making the explanation easier," Kira confirmed. "But, how were you able to make this analysis?"

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"Such analysis," Buji said, feeling himself, feeling proud.

But, at the same time, they got another message from the Hunter's association.

Engrossed (3)

The cavern trembled beneath Buji's feet as a wave of heat radiated from his palm, washing over the space like a rolling tide. The ember-red glow of his magic crackled through the air, illuminating the battlefield with a fiery brilliance. His heartbeat steadied, the raw power coursing through his veins sharpening his every sense.

The chains had vanished into the void, but the creature was far from finished. It stood amidst the kneeling skeletons, its glowing eyes narrowing as it regarded Buji with something close to intrigue.

Buji rolled his shoulders, his body feeling lighter, stronger. His newly awakened power hummed within him, waiting to be unleashed.

The creature let out a deep, guttural growl.

Then, without warning—

It lunged.

The force behind its movement shattered the stone beneath it, the sheer speed of its attack almost imperceptible. A dark shadow streaked across the cavern.

But Buji was faster.

With a flicker of his mind, he activated Phantom Step. His body blurred, leaving an afterimage in his place as he pivoted sideways. The monster's clawed strike tore through the space where he had stood, carving deep grooves into the ground.

Buji reappeared a few meters away, his Shadow Assassin skill kicking in. His form melted into the darkness, the flickering torches unable to hold his presence. He was both there and not there, his steps silent, his breath hidden within the folds of the void.

The creature twisted, its instincts honed from centuries of battle. It swung an arm out, the air screaming from the force of its attack.

Buji ducked, weaving through the onslaught of blows. His mind worked rapidly.

'It's strong, fast, but predictable. If I time this right—'

A sudden pressure crashed onto his back.

The monster had anticipated his movement.

Buji barely had time to react before he was slammed into the ground again.

BOOM!

Dust and debris exploded into the air. Pain flared through Buji's body, but he bit down on it, refusing to succumb.

His instincts screamed.

A fraction of a second later—he rolled.

Just as he did, a massive claw tore into the space he had occupied, missing him by mere inches.

Buji twisted mid-air, flipping onto his feet. His vision sharpened. His Emberheart magic burned within him, demanding to be unleashed.

He didn't hold back.

[Emberheart's Successor: Inferno Mode Activated]

Flames erupted from his body, swirling in violent spirals. His veins pulsed with molten energy, his skin glowing like embers beneath the heat. The air shimmered around him, distorting with sheer power.

The creature faltered for the first time.

Buji smirked.

"Your turn," he whispered.

And then—he moved.

The cavern exploded with heat as Buji shot forward, his speed breaking the limits of sight. His Phantom Step left streaks of fire in his wake, his body flickering like a mirage.

The monster swung—

Missed.

Buji was already behind it.

He struck.

BOOM!

A fiery fist crashed into the creature's ribs, sending a shockwave through its massive frame. The impact sent it hurtling backward, slamming into the cavern wall with enough force to crack the stone.

The skeletons flinched, their kneeling forms trembling as dust rained down from above.

Buji didn't stop.

He vanished—and reappeared mid-air above the creature, his Shadow Assassin skill allowing him to materialize at will.

His right foot crashed down onto the monster's chest.

BOOM!

The cavern trembled. The stone beneath the creature's body shattered.

Buji flipped back, landing smoothly. He exhaled. His power had fully awakened.

The monster slowly rose, its glowing eyes flaring with rage. It let out an unearthly howl.

And then—it changed.

The shadows coiled around its form, merging into something grotesque. The chains reappeared, but this time, they crackled with void energy.

Buji's smirk faded.

'Of course, it has another form.'

The creature extended its hands.

The chains lashed out.

Buji reacted instantly. He twisted, his Phantom Step blurring his form as he dodged the first strike.

The second chain shot toward him.

He ducked.

The third wrapped around his arm—

But before it could tighten, he countered.

Buji clenched his fist, igniting his Emberheart magic into the chain.

The metal glowed white-hot.

The creature screeched as it recoiled. The pain was evident.

Buji yanked the burning chain toward him, using the monster's own force against it.

The creature stumbled forward.

Buji moved in for the kill.

His fingers crackled with fire as he formed a blade of pure energy.

With a single step, he drove the flaming blade into the creature's side.

SHRRK!

The monster roared, its body convulsing as flames exploded from the wound.

Buji's gaze darkened.

He twisted the blade deeper.

The creature lashed out blindly.

Buji sidestepped smoothly, watching as the monster's movements became more erratic.

Its chains flickered, its body quivering. The pain was consuming it.

Buji let go of the blade.

With one final movement—he placed his palm against the creature's chest.

He activated his final attack.

[Infernal Burst]

A pillar of fire erupted from his palm, engulfing the creature whole.

The cavern shook.

The skeletons disintegrated from the sheer heat.

The monster let out a final, agonized roar—before its form erupted into embers.

And then—

Silence.

Buji exhaled, the fire around him flickering before slowly dying down.

The cavern was still. The battle was over.

He looked down at his palm. His power was still there, still growing.

His lips curled into a smirk.

"Looks like I won."

[Battle Complete]

Rewards: Shadow Enhancement, Emberheart Mastery (Stage 2), Phantom Step Evolution.

Buji chuckled.

This was only the beginning.