Heart pounding, I can hear the silver Fenrimorph roaring and making a violent racket above. It seems to be angrily destroying the mansion in its attempt to find me.

  Releasing a slow breath, I take a moment to assess what seemed like a cellar, and is instead revealed to be some kind of dusty armory. Weapons and armor adorn the walls while large boxes filled with weapons sit in the bottom. A closer look reveals that it’s less armory, and more weapon stockpile.

  “Give me a moment to find it.” Yuto says and rushes to the far end of the armor where he begins moving containers. While he does, I turn my attention to the survivors. So far, everyone is accounted for except for three [Elite Guards]. Which, considering the number of Fenrimorphs we’d just fought, is quite low. As for my team, the humans minus Boriss look exhausted, with Gino’s arm hanging limply at his side. A bad gash, one that Nepenthes is actively treating.

  Maybe handing a [Swift Rogue] a runed longsword and taking him to battle wasn’t the best option. Then again, he'll be sure to level faster.

  When I return my attention to Yuto, I notice that the Wolven is struggling to remove some boards from the wall.

  Glancing at my right arm, it has mostly regenerated now. All that’s left is a bit more skin and then fur before I’m fully recovered.

  I walk next to Yuto, place my hand on a board, and then crush the wood with superior strength. I do that for the entire wall, revealing a dark tunnel leading deep inside. The tunnel is made of stone with decaying old wood pillars keeping it from breaking down.

  “Thank you, Quasi.” Yuto says.

  With my Fenrimorph form practically healed, I transform back into a cat.

  “Yuto, what the hell was that silver Fenrimorph? Its fur felt like it was made of steel. Which Kaeru allows that kind of evolution?”

  A pained look crosses Yutos face. “Neither. That was

  “Wait, wait, wait. Are you telling me Fenrimorphs still have class and job skills even after they've turned?”

  “Just Class,” Yuto corrects. “They have access to all passive and active skills. Though, most active skills require a verbal component, so they thankfully can’t utilize it.”

  “Well, Elder Ning has eight horns now. I say we avoid him, otherwise my [Runesmith] is going to have another chunk of metal on her desk.”

  Yuto frowns. “A chunk of met-” A roar above interrupts the [Samurai], reminding him that we’ve still got a raging monstrosity directly above them.

  “Lets move and talk later,” I propose.

  “Agreed.” Yuto raises his arms and instructs his [Elite Guard] to lead inside with torches they’d taken from the walls. My team follows right behind, with me and Yuto taking the rear. Before we depart, Yuto takes a moment to push one of the larger boxes to block the hole.

  The tunnel is dark and quite clearly abandoned, but also somehow still stable. This I can only contribute to the thick pieces of wood placed at the side of the tunnel for support. Eventually, the darkness becomes thick enough that I raise my tail and ignite it. Yuto notices this, even raising a furry eyebrow, but says nothing else.

  It is only after five minutes that he glances back and sees the change.

  “You’re completely on fire and your fur is blue,” He states the obvious. “Are you alright?”

  I grin back at him. “I’m fine. Just making sure we’ve got plenty of light.”

  “By setting yourself on fire?”

  “When my coat is blue, I’m extremely fire resistant, not fire immune. If I increase the heat too much, I’ll actually cook.”

  Yuto nods slowly. “Is this a Sovereign ability?”

  “Yup. Do you like it?”

  Yuto nods slowly. “I do. It reminds me of a named wolven known as

  I can’t help but pout. “Damn, so burning fur isn’t unique. I’m kinda disappointed now.”

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  “Don't be.

  “Let's change the subject for a second. When we reach the survivors, I’m going to have to abandon the group for a moment to visit the tower.”

  “To pray?” Yuto asks curiously. “How long will this take?”

  “A while. I’ll leave my crew with you in case it takes me too long.”

  The wolven frowns at my answer, staring at me with a hardened gaze.

  “To pray?”

  “Ehhh, something like that.” I answer.

  Yuto continues staring at me for a long moment. Eventually, he speaks.

  “I’ve heard rumors that there have been individuals who are able to enter within the towers. Are these rumors true and are you one of them?”

  “If I were to say yes, does that change anything?”

  Yuto continues staring at me for a long moment, then releases a breath. “Not with me. But, I should warn you that the towers are considered sacred. The Inquisition will most likely investigate you if word gets out.”

  “I don’t suppose you can keep such information to yourself?”

  Yuto nods slowly. “I do not hold the towers in such high regard, but many I care about do. So long as you can give me your word that what transpires within the tower is honorable, then I will keep my word.”

  I chuckle. “I don’t think there is a dishonorable way to do anything within the tower. So that's a promise I can easily keep.”

  “I see.” Yuto nods and continues walking.

  “Are you not going to ask what the towers are?”

  Without turning around, Yuto shakes his head. “I have no reason to know, nor do I wish to distract my thoughts with such things. All I want right now is to rescue my brothers and whatever other survivors are present. The mind can wander when time allows.”

  I can't help but bob my head at his words. Just as knowledge is power, it can also be a detriment. A bit of interest can be a catalyst of thought that stifles one's focus and distracts from what is truly more important.

  With our conversation over, we continue through the narrow tunnel for several hours, eventually reaching what seems like an end.

  At the end of a tunnel is a wood wall. Not the decaying, old wood of the tunnel, but a much newer, thicker singular piece.

  “We’re almost there,” Yuto rushes to the front and stops a foot away from the wall. He rests his hand on the wood, even tapping it for good measure.

  “Are we breaking through?” I ask, catching up at the front to provide a lot more light. “Want me to do it?”

  “No, there may be survivors on the other side. Just give me room, I'll do it.”

  I take several steps back as does everyone else. Yuto takes a stance, his left hand grasping his sheath and his right hand grasping the hilt of his katana. With a single growl, I watch as the katana exits the sheathe at incredible speed, slicing into the wood as though it was made of butter. Three swings, all angled and silent.

  When he sheathed his katana, a triangle of wood fell from the wall, revealing a room filled with not only bags of rice, but numerous wolven civilians.

  Yuto enters inside. “Do not fear me. I am Yuto of the Yamamoto clan. I have come to save you all,” He announces to the surprised crowd.

  Immediately after his speech, several [Guards] and [Elite Guards] rush into the current room. They are led by a male wolven with a single arm. When the man notices the intruders, he stops solid, his eyes going wide.

  “Yuto!” The man yells.

  Yuto grins at the familiar face. “Jiro, it’s good you’re still alive.” He looks at the other [Guards] and frowns. “Where is Akio?” He then asks.

  _____________________________________________________________

  Jiro stares at his younger brother and the distraught look on his face.

  “I warned you this could happen, Yuto,” Jiro says as softly as he can. “Akio knew the risks too.”

  “I know… I know. I saw the monster's blood splattered on Akios face. I just hoped he’d have been lucky.”

  “He was lucky, Yuto. He was lucky enough to assist the civilians at the docks before he turned. It is an honorable last moment.”

  Yuto takes a breath at the words. Several slow, even breaths. Out of everyone, Jiro knows that Yuto is easily the most compassionate of the three brothers. He feels the most, but is also the one to follow honor through any hardship.

  Jiro extends a palm to Yutos companions, many of which aren't even Wolfen. “Now, did you want to introduce me to your allies before I call for Mei?”

  “The [Major] is still alive?” Yuto perks up, and then remembers that Akio was to be her husband.

  “She is the reason so many are still alive,” Jiro comments. “But I can speak of what she accomplished later. I believe introductions are in order.” Jiro extends a hand to an approaching cat.

  Yuto extends a clawed hand. “This is the honorable [Captain] Quasi Eludo of the . His assistance is the sole reason for our success in reaching you.”

  “The sole reason?” The cat snorts. It hops up on a nearby rice-wine barrel. “I helped, sure, but you did plenty of the heavy lifting.”

  “Honorable Quasi, do not belittle yourself,” Jiro admonishes. “If my brother says you are the sole reason, then that is so.”

  “The weapons you provided and the assistance against Elder Ning was pivotal in our success arriving here.”

  “You slew Elder Ning!” Jiro touches the stump of his elbow. “How?”

  “Delayed,” Quasi corrects. “It was my [Air Mage] that almost slew him. Only for him to have a Kaeru and heal the damage.”

  “That is my failure,” Jiro apologises. “My skill was not strong enough to end Elder Ning when I fought him. He nicked my arm and barely escaped with his life.”

  “You cut your arm off to survive the infection!” The cat exclaims. “That takes some serious guts.”

  “A paltry sacrifice,” Jiro says, though his words do not match his expression. “All I need is my sword arm to fight effectively.”

  Quasi sniffs. “Well, your left arm smells bad. You might want to have my [Chief Physician] look at it when you can.”

  “Later,” Jiro says. “For now, I will endure. Instead,” he looks to Yuto. “Am I to believe you have an escape plan prepared now that you have arrived?”

  “That is correct. The will be waiting for us past the paddy field. If we use the tunnel leading to the fields and then make our way through, we can escape.”

  Jiro grins. “As expected of my brother, you always have a plan prepared.”

  “So long as he tells someone of it.” Quasi chuckles while Yutos’ fur crinkles.

  Jiro sees the crinkle and grins wider. “Sounds like a good story for when we are free. But first, let me take you to Mei. She is currently keeping watch at the entrance.”

  The wolven turns and waves to follow. Quasi orders his crew to sit tight while he hops on Yuto’s shoulder. They depart from the current room and make their way to the [Major].