Chapter 28 – Unchained Power
The beast’s form shifted again, its twisted limbs reforming as it snarled. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Akari with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. But this time, she didn’t step back.
Her breath was steady.
Her mind was clear.
She could feel it—her body, her power, the energy around her. It was as if her very being had awakened beyond the system’s constraints.
Tsubaki, her nine-tailed fox, growled beside her, spectral flames flickering across its fur.
The beast lunged.
And Akari moved.
A burst of power surged through her legs as she dashed forward, her sword slashing upward. Sparks of energy crackled against the beast’s dark form as her blade made contact.
> Critical Strike!
The system no longer dictated her movements. But her instincts did.
The beast shrieked, recoiling as dark, oily mist bled from its wounds. But it wasn’t finished. The shadows around them pulsed, and within seconds, two more creatures emerged from the abyss—one resembling a massive spider with jagged, crystalline legs, the other a hunched, ape-like figure with six clawed arms.
Akari’s eyes narrowed.
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The Arbiter watched in silence from the distance, their presence a constant reminder that this wasn’t just a fight.
This was a test.
A test to see if she could truly stand on her own.
“Fine,” Akari murmured. “Let’s see how strong I really am.”
Beyond Mortal Limits
The three beasts charged in unison.
Akari didn’t hesitate.
With a flick of her wrist, she commanded Tsubaki.
“Burn them.”
The fox’s spectral tails ignited, a wave of blue fire erupting from its mouth. The flames struck the spider-like beast first, its crystal legs melting under the searing heat. It let out an ear-piercing screech before collapsing.
Akari twisted, dodging the ape-like creature’s claws by mere inches.
Her footwork was sharper. Her movements were faster.
She could see the beast’s attacks before they landed, like an instinct that had been sharpened beyond her former limits.
The massive ape roared, its claws descending in a deadly arc—
But Akari was faster.
She sidestepped at the last second, shifting her weight, and drove her sword straight through its chest.
A massive shockwave erupted as the blade connected, the beast’s body convulsing before crumbling into mist.
Only one remained.
The original shadow beast.
It was wounded, its form flickering with instability. But instead of retreating, it let out a final, furious roar—
And its entire body exploded outward, forming a massive vortex of swirling black energy.
Akari’s eyes widened.
It was going to consume everything.
For a split second, hesitation gripped her.
Then—
Her instincts took over.
She didn’t think.
She moved.
Akari raised her free hand, reaching into the swirling chaos, and did something she never could before—
She pulled.
A force rushed through her, cold and electric, as she seized control of the energy itself.
Her fingers tightened—
And the vortex froze.
For a moment, the world stood still.
Then—
BOOM.
The energy collapsed inward, imploding into Akari’s grasp before dissipating completely.
Silence fell.
The battlefield was empty. The beasts were gone.
And Akari stood at the center of it all, her breathing heavy, her body thrumming with power she had never felt before.
She had won.
But more importantly—
She had taken her first step beyond the system’s control.
The Arbiter’s Verdict
A slow clap echoed through the ruins.
Akari turned to see the Arbiter watching her, their shadowed form still unreadable.
“Interesting,” they murmured.
Their voice was different this time. Not just amused, but… intrigued.
Akari straightened, gripping her sword.
“What now?” she asked, her voice firm.
The Arbiter tilted their head.
“Now?” They chuckled. “Now, we see how far you can truly go.”
The world around them shifted again—
And the true trial was about to begin.
