Bound By Fury:The Forced Path

The only sounds in that sparring room were Akira's labored breathing and Imzar's controlled breathing as the two bruised but ready men faced off against each other.

Captain Imzar:

"Not bad, kid."

"You've got the ability to match that arrogance, I'll give you that."

Akira: (panting but grinning, his dark eyes glinting with resolution)

"I told you."

"I'm not here to be underestimated."

Imzar's eyes went cold before he sprang again at Akira this time at incredible speed.

Akira was too slow to block the new attack, and Imzar's fist hit Akira's stomach with a dull thud.

Akira: (Gasped, doubling over as his sword clattered to the ground)

"Damn it."

It was a blow that hurt far more than his pride. Clutching his middle, he went dark.

Akira's eyes suddenly blazed with anger as he straightened.

Akira:(voice cold and firm)

"Fuck this."

His fist shot forward with all his might, landing square on the Captain's jaw, and it sounded as if a cannon went off in the room;

Imzar flew meters backward by the force of that impact.

Imzar slammed into the far wall, its surface dented where he had hit, falling onto one knee. He hacked, spitting out a trace of blood, the eyes so wide with shock and anger.

Imzar Arathiel:(coughing)

"You...darn brat where you holding back!?"

Sylara (startled, her usually composed expression shattered.)

"What? What...was that punch?

Akira shrugged his shoulders, confidence welling inside him. He looked down at his sword, which lay at his feet; he made no movement toward it.

"I don't need a my weapon for this."

"I'll finish this fight with my fists."

Akira attacked with another spate of fast, unending movements, which this time Imzar met by gritting his teeth and using his skill.

Imzar Arathiel:(screaming)

"Burst Fisting Blow!"

An invisible shockwave ripped out of Imzar's clenched fist and struck Akira in midcharge, lifting him off his feet and sending him flying across the room.

"What hitted me??"

"My skill Burst Fisting Blow it's a skill that launched punches with the same power as my fists from every direction at 150 m distance is a overpowered skill that drains mana to much to think i had to use it againts you"

Slammed into the ground, he rose back onto his feet and brushed dust from his shoulder with a mocking smile.

Akira: (mockingly)

"Oh that's why"

Imzar:

"What?"

Akira:

"It an amazing skill don't get me wrong but..."

"I wondered why those blows felt so weak it was because the base power of that skill came from your punching strength" 

"Now it makes sense"

Annoyance creased Imzar's face, his eyes narrowing.

Imzar Arathiel: (defensively)

"Don't get cocky, kid!"

"I'm just getting started!"

Imzar was upon him now, his blows furiously strong and true in their aim to overcome Akira. In this frenzy of assault, however, Akira held his ground, treading between the blows with an uncanny agility.

"My body...it feels incredible."

"Stronger than ever."

"It's like Soul Infusion is already active, but it's not."

"Is this how much I've grown since the last dungeon?"

Ducking under yet another swing, Akira's mind turned to a new thought.

"I wanna try and test my power. I wanna know i really wanna know how strong wll i be with my Soul Infusion Actived"

Akira grinned harder, his foot landing in Imzar's stomach to have him end a little ways back.

Akira:(yelling; his voice rumbles)

"Soul Infusion. ACTIVE!"

His eyes, once dark, turned pale, shining white; around the outlines of his body flared an aura of pure faint silver. The air was heavier, the newer energy in him charging it.

A surge of panic finally widened his eyes and his body stepped backward.

Cha-Jong:(thinking in fear)

"No...damn it is it happening again?"

"Did the other one came out again?"

"No...wait." This is different. His magic power has grown, but it's controlled and no near that monster level"

"He's still...Akira."

Sylara leaned forward, her violet eyes narrowing as she judged the change.

Evenly spoken, her tone carried a touch of incredulity:.

Sylara Veilheart: (whispering)

"Where did you find him.?"

She turned towards Cha-Jong, her eyes now very sharp,

Sylara Veilheart: Imperative-her low voice laced with shock.

"Where did you find...such a child?"

Cha-Jong

"He found me, actually."

He scratches the back of his neck, looking at Akira with pride and disbelief.

"Used the StarNet APP to form a party with my raid team."

"That's how I got to know him."

Sylara eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she studies Akira

"Interesting...

She leans back in her chair 

I thought he might be a Warrior type, but his agility—"

Pauses, her gaze intensifying

—far surpasses any Warrior of his level I've seen."

Her attention sharpens as Akira's aura begins to shift, the air around him crackling. The room dims slightly as an arc of white lightning courses around his body, illuminating him in a radiant glow.

Sylara sitting upright in surprise, her voice low

"An Elemental Controller?"

"A Mage?"

She shakes her head, bewildered

"No… that doesn't make sense. Is this the power he's been hiding?"

Cha-Jong watches Akira closely, furrowing his brows in disbelief as he thinks

"How is he managing this?"

"He struggled against a B-Rank monster in the dungeon not long ago… And now, he's holding his own against Captain Imzar?"

The mood changes as Akira closes the distance between himself and the Captain in a flash, his aura growing more and more oppressive by the second.

In one swift motion, Akira reaches out and grabs Imzar Arathiel by the neck, lifting him as if he weighed nothing. The fight becomes even more heated as Akira unleashes a flurry of swift, bone-crushing punches onto Imzar's armored body.

Imzar eyes wide with realization now, his voice strained

"No!"

"You damn brat—you won't win this easily!"

The Captain's aura suddenly flares wildly as he readies himself for his final, devastating attack. Sylara noticed his move and her voice cuts through the tension, sharp and commanding.

Sylara Veilheart:

"Imzar!"

"Stop this instant!"

"What do you think you're doing?"

Imzar hesitates for a moment, but Akira's grin turns wicked, his voice dripping with confidence.

Akira:

"Let him. I'll take his strongest attack and still defeat him."

Sylara standing up, her voice a roar of authority

"A NO IS A NO!"

"Stop now!"

Imzar freezes, his attack dissolving as he steps back, frustration evident in his clenched jaw. He exhales heavily, lowering his weapon and bowing his head.

Imzar Arathiel: (voice steady, tinged with reluctance)

"I lost."

"You've won, Akira."

The room falls silent, stunned by the Captain's admission. Akira steps forward, his expression calm but resolute, addressing his opponent with a steady voice.

Akira (voice firm, with a touch of satisfaction)

"How's that for an impression?"

The murmurs around the room grow louder; a mixture of awe and unbelief ripples through onlookers.

Sylara Veilheart slowly clapping, her violet eyes glinting

"Impressive, Akira."

"Simply...brilliant."

"You most definitely have earned a place among the Outside Agents."

Cha-Jong relieved, moving closer to Akira with an expansive grin spreading across his face

"You did it, Akira."

Akira nodding, his lips curling into a satisfied smile

"Thanks."

Sylara Veilheart turning to Akira after the room has had time to settle

"That's all for today."

"I'll prepare the formalities to make you an Outside Agent of our guild."

"For now, I'll be contacting you through Cha-Jong with a raid or something with some of my people in it."

"You may later team up with your preferred people, raid dungeons with those, or go alone so long as it's something that's in reach for us here in the guild."

She waves towards the door.

"You can go."

Akira nodding curtly

"Understood."

Sylara turns to Cha-Jong, her voice softer now.

"You stay a bit."

"I need a word with you."

Cha-Jong nodding, smiling at Akira

"See you at home, Akira."

Akira:

"Okay."

Akira, after having looked at the Captain, subdued, exits the room, leaving them in a moment filled with wonder and curiosity.

Captain Imzar Arathiel: standing in stunned silence, his fists clenching and unclenching as he mutters to himself

"How… how did this happen?"

"I should've gone all out. If I had… maybe I'd have had a chance."

Sylara Veilheart comes up to Imzar with an expressionless face, her violet eyes keen

"Even if you had unleashed your full strength, Captain, I doubt the outcome would have changed."

She crosses her arms, her tone firm

"His speed and power are beyond what you could've matched today."

Captain Imzar his voice shaking, frustration bleeding into his words

"I underestimated him."

Having said that, he heavily exhales and shakes his head

"His speed...it was incredible."

"I didn't think someone like him-"

Sylara Veilheart interrupting her calmly, but firmly she slanted her head slightly, pensive

"His speed with which he closed the gap so fast."

"He's really impressive."Imzar ducks his head, pride wounded.

Sylara Veilheart:

"You may leave now, Captain."

"Consider this a lesson."

Captain Imzar stiffly nodding, his voice low

"Understood."

He turns and exits the hall, leaving only Sylara and Cha-Jong behind.

Sylara takes a long, measured breath, her sharp gaze now fixed on Cha-Jong. The playful air she often carried is replaced by a seriousness that makes even the seasoned hunter shift slightly under her scrutiny.

"I have a question for you, Cha-Jong, and I want you to be honest about it."

Cha-Jong raising an eyebrow, cautious smile playing on his lips

"Of course.:

"What's on your mind?"

Sylara Veilheart taking another step closer, voice low but firm

"Is Akira, by any chance, related to the Pride of Korea the great inventor who revolutionized dungeon technology Shiro Shoto?"

Cha-Jong very still for a second, then his eyes widen in surprise

"What?"

He forces a laugh, but it sounds empty.