Chapter 31 - Sovereign State
Crimson-gold flames swirled around Kai and the Crimson Flame Fox.
For the first time, their heartbeats became one.
Not through the Book.
Not through a skill.
But through absolute trust.
The Book of Infinite Beasts floated into the air, shining brighter than the sun.
Ancient pages turned on their own.
---
New State Unlocked
Sovereign State – First Stage
"The heart of the Beast Tamer and the Beast become one."
Effects:
- Greatly increases all abilities.
- Allows shared senses and thoughts.
- Strengthens nearby allied beasts.
- Weakens beasts bound by fear and corruption.
---
The entire cavern trembled.
The Seven Holy Hunters instinctively took several steps backwards.
Even the Heavenly Chimera lowered its head.
Azrael clenched his fists.
"Impossible..."
"A first-year Beast Tamer cannot awaken the Sovereign State!"
---
Kai opened his eyes.
His pupils now shimmered with molten gold.
He looked at the Crimson Flame Fox.
No words were needed.
They both smiled.
Then they moved.
---
BOOM!
Kai vanished.
Not because he had become invisible—
He had simply become too fast to follow.
Spirit Step and Beast Resonance had merged into something greater.
He appeared beside the Titan Bear.
One strike of his spear.
The bear was pushed back several metres.
Not injured.
Freed from the fear clouding its mind.
The Titan Bear blinked in confusion.
It looked at Magnus.
Then lowered its massive head.
"I... refuse."
Magnus stared in horror.
"My contract?"
---
Nearby, the Moon Phoenix hesitated.
The Abyss Serpent stopped attacking.
The Thunder Roc folded its wings.
One after another, the Holy Hunters felt their beasts resisting their commands.
The Sovereign State did not dominate beasts.
It reminded them of their freedom.
---
Azrael roared.
"Control them!"
The Heavenly Chimera charged forward.
Unlike the others, its incomplete Divine bloodline resisted Kai's influence.
It slammed into Kai with terrifying force.
BOOM!
The cavern split apart.
Kai slid backwards across the stone floor.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
The Chimera was still stronger.
Much stronger.
The fox landed beside him.
"Ready?"
Kai smiled.
"As always."
---
Together they rushed the crystal once more.
The remaining six chains glowed crimson.
Kai placed both hands upon them.
The Crimson Flame Fox touched the crystal with its paw.
Golden light spread across the prison.
CRACK!
Fifth chain.
CRACK!
Sixth.
Seventh.
Eighth.
Ninth.
The final chain remained.
The entire cavern shook violently.
Azrael screamed,
"STOP HIM!"
The Heavenly Chimera unleashed all of its power.
A beam of black and gold rushed toward Kai.
There was no time to dodge.
No time to defend.
Suddenly—
A wall of emerald scales appeared before them.
BOOM!
The attack exploded harmlessly.
Kai looked up.
The Emerald Dragon, Verdantis, had arrived.
Behind it came Aurelius, Raikou, and Aegis.
The Four Divine Guardians stood at the entrance to the cavern.
Aurelius spoke calmly.
"We cannot break the seal."
"But we can ensure no one interrupts."
The Guardians turned toward the Seven Holy Hunters.
An ancient battle began.
Divine beasts against the Temple's greatest warriors.
The cavern shook with unimaginable power.
---
Kai focused on the final chain.
The Eclipse Dragon lowered its head until its forehead touched the crystal.
"Do not free me because I am strong."
"Free me because every living being deserves the right to choose its own path."
Kai nodded.
"I understand."
He closed his eyes.
The Book glowed.
The Crimson Flame Fox's flames wrapped around the final chain.
Kai whispered,
"Be free."
He struck the crystal with his spear.
SHATTER!
The final chain exploded into countless fragments of crimson light.
The crystal prison dissolved.
For a heartbeat...
Everything became silent.
Then a colossal roar echoed across the Dragonbone Frontier.
The Eclipse Dragon spread its enormous black-and-gold wings.
Ancient power erupted from its body, washing away every trace of corruption in the cavern.
The Seven Holy Hunters shielded their eyes.
Azrael fell to one knee.
"No..."
"It cannot be..."
The Eclipse Dragon slowly stepped forward.
Each footstep shook the mountain.
Its golden eyes rested on Kai.
Then, before every witness—
The mighty dragon lowered its head.
"Ignis, the Eclipse Dragon..."
"...offers its life, loyalty, and strength..."
"...to Kai Dragonbane, the Ninth Beast Sovereign."
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened to a blank page.
A golden contract circle formed beneath Kai and Ignis.
The words burned themselves onto the page.
Second Beast Contract Complete
Contracted Beast: Ignis
Species: Eclipse Dragon
Rank: Divine (Sealed)
Current Growth: Hatchling State (Power Sealed)
Potential: Unlimited
As the contract was completed, a pulse of golden light spread across the world.
Far beyond the Dragonbone Frontier, hidden temples, forgotten ruins, and sleeping ancient beasts all stirred at once.
The era of the Beast Sovereign had truly begun.