Redfield was already capable of using Geppo, soaring toward the Qilin Lion. He thrust his sword forward, but the beast's razor-sharp claws deflected the attack.
"You humans truly are invaders! We will drive you out of Rare Beast Island!"
Parrot Assistant squawked furiously. Lacking any real combat ability, it quickly retreated into the beast horde, giving the command to attack. In an instant, countless rare beasts charged at Brook and his crew.
"Captain Brook, there are so many of them! Hurry up and use that ability of yours—the one that scares even the Marines half to death!"
Seeing the overwhelming horde stampeding toward them, even the usually fearless Shakky tensed up.
Brook didn't waste words. He took a few steps forward, his aura surging as an overwhelming wave of ghostly energy burst forth from his body.
Hell's Aura.
The moment the aura spread, countless charging beasts froze in place as if they had encountered a natural predator. Their bodies went rigid, collapsing mid-sprint, tumbling over themselves. Some even lost control of their bowels, utterly terrified.
The creatures behind them trampled over the fallen, shattering their momentum and throwing the battlefield into chaos. Parrot Assistant's command lost its effect entirely.
With Redfield keeping the Qilin Lion occupied, the beast had no chance to rally its forces. The more timid creatures, overwhelmed with fear, turned tail and fled, abandoning the battlefield entirely.
"Captain Brook, that was incredible! Holding the line all by yourself—you're a force to be reckoned with!"
Even Shakky and the others were left in awe. The sheer dominance of Brook's power even caused Redfield and the Qilin Lion—locked in fierce combat—to momentarily hesitate. Seeing its subjects flee in terror, the Qilin Lion roared furiously, trying to rally them.
But it was too late. Most had already fled for their lives. Redfield, inspired by Brook's overwhelming display, redoubled his efforts, attacking the Qilin Lion with relentless precision.
Shakky led Fishman Tom into the fray against the remaining beasts, while Silva set up his sniper rifle, taking careful shots at the stronger ones.
Meanwhile, Antonio, standing behind Brook, looked up at him with admiration. A fire ignited in his heart—he couldn't just remain a mere logistics crew member known for running away. He had to become stronger.
Brook, however, kept his focus locked on the battle between Redfield and the Qilin Lion. The beast's ability to fly gave it a significant aerial advantage. As its golden horns glowed red, its power multiplied several times over. With a single swipe of its paw, it could carve out a crater over ten meters wide and two meters deep—an immense show of strength.
Once again, the Qilin Lion's horns flared crimson, and its claws burned with searing heat. With a single swipe, it unleashed three blazing air slashes, each one narrowly evaded by Redfield.
Growing even more enraged, the Qilin Lion roared in midair. Its voice transformed into a tangible shockwave, sweeping outward. Antonio immediately clamped his hands over his ears, wincing in pain.
To Brook's eyes, the Qilin Lion seemed to grow even larger. A beast that had once been only three to four meters tall now loomed over them at a towering ten meters. It was finally showing its true strength.
The massive creature hovered in the air, its burning claws slicing through the sky, sending an unrelenting barrage of flaming wind blades at Redfield and Brook.
Without hesitation, Brook drew the Shichiseiken, unleashing a spectral sword slash that shattered the incoming projectiles. Meanwhile, the Qilin Lion's hulking frame suddenly dove toward Redfield with terrifying speed.
But Redfield was faster. In an instant, he vanished from his spot, leaving the Qilin Lion to crash into the ground, creating a deep crater as dirt and debris exploded outward with a thunderous boom.
...
If that attack landed, even Brook might get flattened. But Redfield was destined to become a notorious pirate, a ruler of the seas. His talent and instincts were nothing to scoff at.
Using his superior speed, he continuously slashed at the massive Qilin Lion King, leaving wound after wound on its body. The beast grew increasingly agitated and ferocious. To make matters worse, Brook was lurking nearby, an even stronger threat, further disrupting its focus.
Meanwhile, the other Beast Elders had already been defeated by Shakky and Tom. The beasts of this island had long abandoned meat, adhering to their benevolent Beast King tradition. They survived solely on plants and fruit.
Aside from the Beast King, who possessed formidable strength to protect the island, the rest were weak in combat. Without natural predators, life had become too comfortable, stripping them of their wild instincts. These creatures were nothing more than gentle, vegetarian beasts.
Even Parrot Assistant, the talking parrot, had been shot down by Silva and was now in Shakky's grasp. She was intrigued—how had a parrot learned human speech on an island devoid of people?
Under her intimidation, Parrot finally spilled the truth. Long ago, humans had visited this island, coexisting peacefully with the beasts. They left behind books, and the parrots, naturally gifted in mimicry, had passed down the language ever since.
...
The Qilin Lion King unleashed a burst of power so fierce that even Redfield was forced to retreat momentarily. Taking advantage of the opening, Brook struck, slicing a deep wound across the beast's abdomen.
The eerie, violent aura of the Shichiseiken immediately infected the Qilin Lion King. Combined with the chilling underworld energy, its limbs began to stiffen!
Redfield sighed at his captain's intervention. Clearly, he still wasn't strong enough—Brook had seen fit to step in. His training would have to intensify. He had to catch up, no matter what!
"Don't hurt our king!!"
Despite its injuries, Parrot Assistant struggled free from Shakky's grasp and hopped toward Brook, trying to shield the wounded Qilin Lion King.
The massive beast, exhausted from battle, shrank down from its towering ten-meter form to a mere two or three meters. Its breath was labored, its energy nearly depleted. The deep wound on its abdomen—Brook's strike—was the most severe.
"You're quite strong. Want to join us at sea?"
Brook admired the rare and magnificent creature. But the only response he got was a low growl and a hostile glare.
"Captain, looks like it won't submit so easily. Maybe we should beat it down a little more? Just keep fighting until it gives in!"
Redfield was already sharpening his blade, eager for another round. The injured Qilin Lion King was no match for him now—he could bring it to its knees in no time.
"Please, let our king go! It has to protect this island!"
Parrot Assistant pleaded desperately, its wounded wing still dripping blood, looking utterly pitiful.
"A rare beast with exceptional talent, yet it wastes away eating plants? Its combat skills are pathetic. This world is about survival of the fittest, not turning every beast into a pacifist!
Without the Qilin Lion King, these creatures will have no choice but to regain their instincts. A new Beast King will rise through battle!"
Brook justified his actions with a flimsy excuse—truthfully, he had simply taken a liking to the Qilin Lion King. And when Brook set his sights on something, nothing would stop him.
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+100 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg