What Tatehan wondered at this point was this: if Mub was so powerful, why had Kael been considered the strongest?

The pieces weren't adding up. You had someone who could literally turn into a beast, yet they claimed Kael was the strongest.

Kael's ability was Phantom Leap, and he wasn't sure how an ability like that could defeat someone who could literally transform into a monster.

But how was that possible? Tatehan thought.

How was it possible for someone to have that kind of ability, one that literally granted multiple powers?

Of course, Tatehan had many abilities, but his situation was understandable. While others awakened mop sticks and similar objects, he'd awakened the Spaceship of the Red Space Dragon, and that came with its own perks.

But Mub didn't have a system granting him multiple abilities. He was someone who'd grown up with the Red Crest clan and probably awakened an axe or shovel as his weapon, so why did he possess an ability like this?

Beast Wild ability?

Tatehan scratched his chin, a habit he'd developed recently whenever he needed to think or make a decision.

As if his system had been reading his thoughts, it flashed words across his retina:

[It is still the same—all humans on Mars awaken one ability through a weapon. However, since there are many humans on Mars, the abilities differ greatly, so some are more unique than others]

Tatehan absorbed the words but still felt something was off. Perhaps Mub wasn't as strong as he'd initially thought.

Kael could never be more powerful than someone with these abilities.

"How long can he maintain the transformation?" Tatehan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"That's the truly terrifying part," the guard replied darkly. "Most ability users tire out after a few minutes of sustained use. Mub can maintain his Wild Beast form for over an hour without any visible strain. Some say he once stayed transformed for three hours straight during a siege."

Mub was starting to sound like some fairy tale legend at this point. It seemed the guards were hyping him up considerably, perhaps to wear Tatehan down.

He couldn't say for certain, but since they thought so highly of him now as the one who'd killed the Mauler, perhaps making Mub sound like an enormous threat would make Tatehan think more highly of the Red Crest clan?

His mind raced, calculating possibilities and strategies.

"Has anyone ever beaten him while he's transformed?" Tatehan asked.

"Only once," the guard said quietly. "A warrior named Drexon managed it five years ago. He was level eight, a master tactician, and he had an ability that could manipulate sound waves to disorient opponents. Even then, it was barely a victory. Drexon lost an arm in the fight and nearly died from blood loss."

"And what happened to Drexon?" Tatehan asked, though he already suspected the answer.

"Mub challenged him to a rematch two years later," the guard said grimly. "Drexon accepted, thinking he'd figured out how to counter the Wild Beast transformation. He was wrong. Mub tore him apart in less than thirty seconds. There wasn't even enough left of Drexon to bury properly."

The corridor suddenly felt much colder.

Tatehan remembered Mub's words, the ones where he'd boasted that he'd torn apart the man who defeated him.

Just how powerful was Mub?

Tatehan knew with absolute certainty that he couldn't beat this creature in a straight fight. The power difference was simply too vast. Mub's ability gave him every possible advantage— strength, speed, durability, enhanced senses. It was basically a perfect combat form.

But as Tatehan's enhanced brain processed all the information at rapid speed, a realization began to form.

He knew of a workaround, a potential solution that would enable him to possibly win this fight. But he wouldn't exactly call it a cheat, would he? Using the environment, exploiting weaknesses, and thinking three steps ahead wouldn't work in this case.

There was no way he'd defeat Mub through strategic thinking. The guard's story about Drexon had convinced him not to even bother going in that direction.

Why did I insult him in the first place? Argh!

But after walking in silence down the corridor for a full minute, the guards falling quiet as well, Tatehan shrugged.

The unconventional approach would have to do. He wouldn't beat Mub normally, he'd try the alternative.

And though it sounded like cheating, it wasn't.

It was survival.

And Tatehan was very good at surviving.

____

It took them less than three minutes to reach the medical room where Lyra was being kept.

Near the end of the walk, Tatehan asked one of the guards:

"So does Mub have any weaknesses?"

The guard exchanged glances with another guard, who then looked at yet another guard. Soon, meaningful stares were spreading like wildfire, and Tatehan had been the cause.

"We won't tell you his weaknesses," the guard finally said.

"That would be cheating, and that's, well... wrong. Not only wrong, but most of us like Mub. I personally want him to win."

Tatehan couldn't believe his ears. Then why had the guard told him about Mub's abilities in the first place?

"I know you're wondering why I told you about his abilities and all that," the guard said, his voice dropping. "I did it to instill fear in your heart, and judging by your expression throughout this walk, it worked. The bravery and bravado you showed in the commander's office is all gone."

Tatehan was speechless, deeply embarrassed.

Just what is this place?

The guard looked at him with a shrug.

"I have nothing against you personally. I'd welcome you to the Red Crest clan, you're doing us a great favor. Killing the beast that killed Kael is something huge we can never repay."

He paused, looking into Tatehan's eyes. Tatehan tried to maintain a neutral expression.

"And now in your possession, is the bio-neutral core," his voice dropped. "With the aim of using it to save Kael's daughter."

Tatehan met the man's gaze, his expression unfazed.

"But what you don't know is that Mub is currently our number one strongest fighter, the one who's now stronger than Kael was before he died."

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