Chapter 49 - Dealing with Kai's Berserk (Revised)

*Ku-hum*

With a feigned cough, Luke collected his thoughts, his demeanor serious.

"I've searched your residence, and unfortunately, he has not yet returned. Rest assured, I'll personally accompany you to the forest in his place."

Although he opted for a small fabrication, his intentions were firmly rooted in Kai's well-being.

Turning to Mira and Lunaria, he informed them briefly of his impending absence.

In these moments, Luke found solace in the scarcity of customers. It spared him from needless hassles and granted him the freedom to act as he pleased.

Initially, he allowed Kai to wear the Mirage Shifter Ring, which concealed his distinctive ears and tail. He then guided the disguised Kai outdoors, a responsibility he willingly undertook.

Ophelia, however, chose to accompany them. Her curiosity drove her desire to witness everything unfold. But her motivations extended deeper.

She was prepared to intervene if the knights and mages contemplated ending Kai's life. She recognized that his demise would equate to the kingdom's downfall, confident in Luke's proactive nature shaped by the future she had foreseen.

Her choice to join them went beyond mere curiosity; a profound sense of responsibility underscored her decision. The fate of the entire Kingdom seemed to rest upon her shoulders, a realization that pressed upon her with unwavering intensity, a burden she bore with utmost seriousness.

Meanwhile, Luke found a certain relief in the current circumstances. Unfamiliar with the forest's intricate paths, he willingly deferred to Ophelia's guidance.

•••

With a somber air, the trio advanced into the forest, their footsteps carrying a weight of significance. For both Luke and Kai, this marked their first foray beyond the gate, a journey that kindled a profound fascination for the world that lay ahead.

In a moment that shattered the tranquility, Kai's countenance twisted in agony.

"Brother," he uttered, his voice laced with discomfort, "my chest suddenly hurts." The distress in his expression underscored the gravity of the situation.

Upon hearing Kai's words, both Luke and Ophelia instinctively sensed the impending approach of his berserk state.

Luke sought to reassure Kai, promising his unwavering presence and support, ensuring him that no harm would befall.

As Kai's face contorted with pain, Luke's own concern deepened, becoming an inescapable undercurrent.

"System," Luke's voice trembled slightly with worry, "is it typical to experience pain during the berserk state?" His inquiry, tinged with apprehension, sought validation from the system.

[ Affirmative. The onset of chest pain signifies the commencement of the transformation. For a first-time berserk episode, experiencing initial discomfort is entirely normal. Given that the child's body is unaccustomed to the sudden surge in vitality, the discomfort initiates from the heart, gradually spreading throughout the body until the berserk state takes hold. ]

The complexity of the beastfolk berserk state left Luke stunned, his mind grappling with strategies to alleviate Kai's suffering.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Kai sank to his knees, the gravity of the situation becoming even more apparent.

"Brother, the pain is unbearable! It courses through my entire body! Please, help me," Kai's anguished plea echoed, his gaze locked onto Luke.

Witnessing Kai's torment, Luke's expression mirrored the pain he felt within. The suffering of someone he held dear was a weight he couldn't bear.

Swiftly, he took action, utilizing his skill "Power Off" to momentarily mute his own sense of pain, driven by the urgency to alleviate Kai's agony.

Being outside the internet cafe, the buffs Luke had received faded away, leaving him without those enhancements. However, he found some solace in the fact that his skill remained functional, albeit slightly diminished in its potency.

Gradually, Kai's distress began to abate, yet he was left feeling profoundly weakened and exhausted. His legs betrayed him, unable to support his weight as his control over his body waned.

Despite the cessation of pain, his appearance still conveyed a sense of unease, a visible testament to the toll the experience had taken on him.

With unwavering vigilance, Luke and Ophelia attentively tracked every shift in Kai's condition, their senses attuned to detect any unexpected developments, poised to intervene if needed.

And then, finally, the awaited change unfurled. Kai's physique embarked on a profound transformation, a series of shifts that signaled a remarkable metamorphosis was underway.

His muscles swelled beneath his skin, lending his form a newfound bulk and strength. Ears and tails bristled, assuming a menacing stance. His eyes glowed with an intense crimson hue, reflecting an unleashed ferocity.

Every fiber of his being radiated a palpable warrior's aura. Razor-sharp claws emerged from his hands, and his feet underwent a beastly transformation.

Abruptly, Kai surged to his feet, his towering presence commanding attention. With a resounding roar, the very air quivered, and the forest's inhabitants recoiled in fear, instinctively sensing the raw power he now embodied.

"Ophelia, find a concealed spot. I'll manage from here," Luke instructed urgently, his voice carrying a sense of determination.

Ophelia found comfort in Luke's words, her confidence in his abilities affirmed. 'With him present, there's no doubt he can quell the child's berserk state,' she acknowledged silently, trusting in Luke's prowess.

Kai's movements commenced, a whirlwind of uncontrolled flailing that struck indiscriminately at everything within his field of vision. Trees shattered upon impact, succumbing to his force with astonishing ease. A roar punctuated each destruction, a vocalization of his turmoil.

Stunned by the unfolding spectacle, Luke's expression mirrored his disbelief. A single glance was enough to ascertain that Kai was utterly incapable of reigning in his actions.

Moreover, the sheer physical might he displayed left Luke astonished, his mind grappling with the enormity of the situation.

"System, can I truly withstand his assault?" Luke's query sought further validation, a plea for reassurance amidst the escalating chaos.

Regrettably, the system remained silent, fueling a growing unease within Luke. His heightened vigilance was a direct response to the system's conspicuous silence, his trust in its prior assurances shaken. Suspicion gnawed at him, casting doubt on the veracity of the system's earlier claims.

In an unexpected twist, Luke's gaze locked onto Kai's chilling, red eyes. The small figure before him emanated an aura of formidable strength, raising his lingering doubts.

In a critical juncture, Kai's momentum surged as he sprinted with remarkable speed, closing the distance between him and Luke in a matter of seconds.

"Crap!" A profanity slipped from Luke's lips as the unexpected turn of events unfolded before him, catching him off balance and rattling his composure.

Time seemed to slow as Luke's reflexes struggled to catch up. Unfortunately, his response was belated, allowing Kai's sharp claw to hurtle menacingly towards his head at a rapid rate, leaving Luke with little time to counteract.

Instinctively, Luke lifted his hand to intercept the oncoming trajectory of Kai's sharp claws. With his eyes tightly shut, he braced himself for the impending surge of pain, preparing for the impact.

Yet, in a surprising turn of events, pain failed to grip Luke. Astonishingly, he intercepted Kai's sharp claws with seemingly minimal effort.

What should have been a harrowing collision turned into an anticlimactic encounter. No visible signs of wounds or blood were evident as Luke successfully thwarted the attack.

"Eh?" Luke's voice carried a note of bewilderment, mirroring the confusion that briefly clouded Kai's expression. However, Kai's confusion was short-lived, quickly replaced by a roar as he resumed his actions, poised to strike once more.

In a swift motion, Kai employed his other hand, aiming another slash at Luke with his sharp claws.

Meanwhile, Luke's earlier confusion began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound certainty. The system's information had been accurate, and this revelation emboldened him. Fear no longer held sway over him; instead, he felt a surge of confidence.

With the impending sharp claw mere inches away, Luke's instincts kicked in. Swiftly, he slapped at the incoming strike, expertly redirecting the trajectory of Kai's sharp claws, causing them to slice through empty air. The unexpected redirection caught Kai off balance, and he stumbled to the ground.

In a rapid sequence of movements, Kai quickly regained his footing and sprang back, putting some distance between himself and Luke.

Kai's fierce red eyes remained fixed on Luke, a testament to his unrelenting pursuit.

Following a momentary pause, Kai's predatory instincts surged to the forefront, propelling him forward once more. His actions mirrored those of a predator relentlessly pursuing its prey, a display of primal focus. The intensity of his pursuit was palpable, his behavior reflecting an unwavering drive to conquer his target.

This time, Kai's assault exhibited a heightened level of coordination. Employing both hands with calculated precision, he executed a series of slashes, alternating between them in a seamless rhythm. Guided solely by instinct, he launched a chaotic yet calculated onslaught against Luke.

With deft skill, Luke adeptly countered every move Kai made. In reality, Luke found himself oddly exhilarated by the situation. The engagement felt almost playful to him, reminiscent of interacting with a lively kitten or perhaps an unruly, mischievous dog. The confrontation bore an air of lightheartedness, despite its intensity.

However, as time elapsed, Luke began to face increasing difficulty in effectively countering Kai's attacks. The nature of Kai's assault shifted unpredictably, making it challenging for Luke to anticipate his movements.

In the midst of their engagement, Luke couldn't help but marvel at Kai's innate instincts. Despite his best efforts to restrain him, Kai displayed an uncanny ability to elude Luke's attempts to apprehend him. Luke was impressed by Kai's agility and evasiveness, acknowledging his skillful avoidance maneuvers.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ophelia's perception of Luke underwent a profound shift.

Witnessing the sheer strength of Kai's attacks, which had the power to demolish large trees, was a testament to his potency. In her prophetic visions, Kai's claws even laid waste to buildings, causing knights and mages to struggle against his might.

However, the sight of Luke in action left Ophelia astounded. Compared to the destructive force of Kai's assaults, Luke appeared to be treating the encounter as if it were mere play.

Ophelia observed a spark of amusement in Luke's demeanor, leaving her utterly confounded. She grappled to understand how someone who exuded such light-heartedness could navigate a situation that, by all accounts, should have been gravely serious.

In a moment of realization, Ophelia's mind drew a connection to the vision she had previously witnessed. The recollection surfaced—the vision where Luke, driven by despair over Kai's lifeless form, laid waste to the entire kingdom. The gravity of that future contrasted starkly with the present scenario, which seemed almost childishly inconsequential in Luke's capable hands.

As this awareness settled within her, Ophelia couldn't help but recognize the immense disparity between the dire outcome she had glimpsed and the seemingly light-hearted approach Luke took in the current situation. The stark contrast between vision and reality left her grappling with the complexity of the choices and the futures that lay ahead.

As the relentless assault continued, Luke's efforts to assert control gradually bore fruit.

However, in a jarring twist, Kai's approach underwent a sudden change. Opting for a different tactic, Kai utilized his feet to deliver a swift, calculated strike that found its mark on Luke's chin.

...

The world seemed to momentarily freeze in suspended animation, a heavy silence settling over the confrontation.

In the aftermath of the unexpected blow, a veil of anger descended over Luke's countenance, the intensity of his expression conveying his growing frustration and determination to navigate the tumultuous situation.

"Enough is enough," Luke's voice resonated with a stern resolve. "It's time for you to face the punishment, Kai. You promised to behave better, to be a good kid moving forward, and yet you've breached that promise. It's time for a minor retribution. But don't fret, my punishment is merely a show of my affection, hihihi."

A chilling transformation overtook Luke's features as he donned an intimidating expression.

If his younger siblings from the orphanage were present, witnessing this visage, they would undoubtedly shiver at the sheer sight of it. The same formidable demeanor that Luke would adopt when disciplining an unruly child was now on full display, a testament to the complexities of his character.