Power comes with a great cost…

As the white smoke made the place blurry, Yeshua reached the blackened figure collapsed on the ground. Even though the lump of flesh was charred black, Yeshua could still recognize the mad bull-man that he fought.

Jason's bull body was quietly lying on the ground. Although he was not moving, Yeshua could still sense the faint life coming from him.

Since he completely turned into a feral, Jason did not return to his human form even after losing consciousness. This was the unchangeable result of becoming a feral.

Jason remained as a Blazing Bull, but his bull body was not intact anymore.

The mad bull was in the center of the burning explosion, and it was only expected that his body was not only burned but was also mangled, especially since he ignited his blood spurting from his body.

Jason's savageness made him fight ferociously and mindlessly. Wanting to kill the werewolf that tortured him with painful injuries, the Feral Jason did not think of the consequence of his brutal suicidal attack. He just followed the bestial instinct that pushed him to unleash an attack that would also bring harm to his opponent.

And it did really brought severe harm to Yeshua, but the cost of it was the scorched and battered body of Jason as blood continued to spurt and flow from the cracks of his charred skin.

One of Jason's horns was broken in half and his right hand that was at first wounded by Yeshua's claws was only left with a burned stump starting from the elbow. His two hairy hoofed legs were only left with blackened skin and most of the muscles on his legs were turned into charcoal.

However, the most severe injury that was awfully apparent from the devastated body of Jason was the one on his chest that Yeshua inflicted with his Final Fury Claws.

It was not only slashed opened deeply, but it was also burst apart by the explosion of Jason's blood. It was showing bloody flesh while hot red blood continued to flow from it.

While his mangled torso bled like a surging river, the feral Jason's chest was weakly moving up and down. Jason released faint breaths showing that the savage beast was still alive.

However, although the once ferocious bull had remaining life in him, it would just be a matter of time before death would claim him. With the injuries that he had, even the powerful healing of a feral would not be enough to mend his body.

Yeshua stared quietly at the marred face of the bull. Claw marks were obvious on the right side of his face despite the scorched cracks on it. There were also red lines on the side of his eyes like tears of blood.

With complicated feelings, Yeshua whispered, "This life is really hard to live, right? If you are weak, you'll become someone's prey. If you are strong, you are still a prey, but not by someone else but yourself."

The heavy rain drenched the body of Yeshua and the charred body of Jason. White smoke blanketed their surroundings while red streaks were mixing with the flowing water on the scorched ground.

Yeshua raised his head to look at the dark sky. Though the rain clouds filled the sky, they could not conceal the radiance of the seven glowing moons. Something glistened in Yeshua's dark green eyes while the falling droplets of rain hit his face.

This tragic fate of Jason would be a reminder to Yeshua that the power he sought to become a predator in this dangerous world also came with a great cost. He should not lose himself with his power and continue to forge his will.

Then, after a while, Yeshua looked at his side. A few feet away from him, Yeshua could see a brown goat-man carrying a woman in his arms. Drenched by the heavy rain, Cesar carried Sheila while walking towards Yeshua and Jason.

At first, Cesar's heart was filled with guilt seeing Yeshua lost control, but then he was shocked that the young Alterer was able to pull himself and turn back into a human.

Then, Cesar saw Yeshua walking towards something, and afterward, he realized that it was the body of Jason. He hurriedly brought Sheila with him to see the outcome of his friend.

Cesar looked at the condition of Yeshua, and after ascertaining that he was alright, Cesar released a sigh of relief. His guilt-ridden heart was somewhat lightened.

Cesar then looked at Jason who was still lying on the ground. He could also feel the faint life emanating from Jason. However, he knew that this remaining life was gradually extinguishing like the forest fire around them.

Then, the quiet bull-man suddenly groaned in pain. The unconsciousness that numbed Jason was gone, and a deluge of torturous pain filled his body making him growled madly. Even in his gruesome state, the ferocity of Jason was not lessened showing the hopelessness of his condition.

"J-Jason!" Cesar's heart clenched after seeing his friend being tormented by pain.

"Old goat, though he will eventually die, we should end his suffering right now," Yeshua said to Cesar while looking at the mad bull thrashing wildly.

Cesar's eyes trembled at the reality that he already knew, but his heart could not accept.

Seeing Cesar not moving, Yeshua moved towards Jason. With the severity of the wound in Jason's chest, Yeshua could still end Jason's life even with his bare hands.

However, before he could reach Jason, Yeshua heard the trembling voice of Cesar.

"I-I will do it, boy…," Cesar said with a weak voice filled with anguish in what he chose to do.

Yeshua stared at the eyes of the goat man. Though he could see the agony in them, Yeshua could also discern the resolve of Cesar to free his friend from his suffering.

Yeshua walked back and watched as the goat Cesar gathered the strength of his Alter Beast to unleash an ability. Cesar was still in his Alter form since he was healing his injuries. The slow effect of his Mending Tendrils stopped him from returning to his human form.

With the power that he promised to use to help his friends, Cesar would end the life of his friend, the man loved by Sheila, and the brother of his best friend.

Cesar's tears fell heavily from his eyes without stopping while green lights gathered in his body. The green light shone on the body of the quiet Sheila in his arms. The rain fell on the meek beauty's face as a glistening bloody tear dropped from her shut eyes.

With a stomp of his right hoof, Cesar unleashed his ability Wood Spike. The ground beneath the lying Jason burst as a wooden spike pierced through his chest. Jason's heart was torn apart ending the suffering of the savage feral.

After a few seconds of weakly moving, the faint growling of a wild beast completely stopped. The rain continued to fall and mix with the blood spreading around the charred mangled body of Jason.

Blood, tears, and rain blended in this place hidden by the gloomy smoky wind.

…

"Sheila and I were orphans because of the beast tide that engulfed our cities while James and Jason were born in the eastern outskirt of Red Wood City, but James told me that their parents died because they offended an Alterer.

"The four of us met each other while we were still young. James was the one who pushed all of us to become Alterers. He said that only those with strength could choose their own fate. I don't believe him, but I'm his friend so I just followed him.

"We worked hard since we were children to earn enough money to become Alterers. James was the first one to become an Alterer, and with the money he earned from hunting, the three of us were able to become Alterers.

"I really don't care about being an Alterer. The reason I became one was because of my friends. They already became my family, and now, all of them were gone. This life… I don't know what to do…"

Cesar's lifeless voice spread in the quiet forest. He already turned back to his human form, but some injuries were still left in his body.

Yeshua and Cesar were currently standing in the front of three mounds. This place was quite a distance from the place of the battle.

Yeshua helped Cesar in finding a place to bury his friends. They even went to the place where they were ambushed by the wind wolves. Though the gruesome scene horrified Cesar, the two of them still tried to retrieve what was left of James.

"I can't tell you what to do, Cesar. However, this world is truly unfair. What can we do is to show this unfair world how we'll live our lives!

"Live, not just for yourself but also for your friends that tried their best to let you survive. Didn't James stay behind to save the three of you? Jason's injuries were because he fought to protect his friends, and Sheila tried her best to stop Jason, so the three of you could return safely.

"If you give up just because you're alone, would you just waste what they did?"

After hearing what Yeshua said, Cesar could not stop his tears from bursting from his eyes. He knelt and balled his fist on the ground while crying loudly in the front of the mounds where his friends were buried. His agonized wails resounded in the quiet forest.

Yeshua looked at the dark sky. The seven moons were still there bearing witness to this heartbreaking scene.

Then, Yeshua turned around and left Cesar. He already meddled enough with someone's affair. Let Cesar decide what choice he would make.

…

Yeshua was solemnly sitting cross-legged on the ground. He was in a quiet cave he found in the forest. The cave was small and Yeshua could see the dark sky filled with stars and moons in its entrance. Moonlight shone on his solemn face while a lot of thoughts swirled in his mind.

Then suddenly, Yeshua opened his eyes. A shock could be seen in his dark green eyes as he felt the change in his surroundings.

"T-this is…!"

Inside the small cave, Yeshua could feel the spirit particles in the surroundings gathering in his body.

Yeshua was again advancing to the next stage.