Re:Goblin -Rise Of The Evolving Monster- - Chapter 23: Can You Fight?

The Corrupted Draconic Spawn screeched, a thunderous howl that sent the flames swirling like a cyclone.

Akane’s body twitched. Wrath surged through her veins like molten lead. Her arms trembled with power, her legs quivered with strength. For the first time in her life, she could feel it. Real strength. Strength enough to break through any cage, strength enough to shatter any obstacle.

And yet,

’What… Is it?’

The strength betrayed her.

Her muscles, continually contracted, locked up as if bound by invisible chains. Her chest tightened, every breath scorching her throat. It was as though the air inside her had caught fire, each inhale burning her from within.

Akane lifted her foot.

It was like a boulder was tied to her ankle. Her body felt impossibly heavy, and every step demanded all her will.

’Why? What the hell?!’

She clenched her fists, nails digging crescents into her palms. Her body wanted to burst, to release the storm of wrath inside her raging inside of her, but the rage weighed her down, pressing against her like a mountain.

Her muscles were impossibly tight, like continual muscle cramps were obstructing her entire body.

Akane’s knees buckled. The earth cracked beneath her bare feet. She tried again. But the more she pushed, the heavier it grew.

It was maddening.

The strength promised freedom, but it chained her.

Power filled her, but she found herself unable to let it out. Unable to use it properly.

Her teeth ground together. “M-Move…” she whispered through clenched jaws, voice trembling with frustration. “Move, damn it!”

The Spawn loomed, dripping ooze, head tilting as if mocking her.

Every nerve in her body screamed, every muscle begged to explode into motion. But she remained locked in place, crushed beneath the suffocating weight of her own rage.

Her vision blurred, flames bending in her sight like ghosts dancing. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, loud, suffocating, painful. Her breath came ragged, each gasp shorter than the last.

Her heart was begging to fight.

But her body insisted on chaining her.

That’s when it resonated. Out of nowhere, the shout pulled her out of the daze.

“Akane!”

Her eyes widened.

That name. No one here should know it. For hundreds of miles, there shouldn’t be anyone who knows her name.

For a heartbeat, she wondered if she had imagined it.

But then he appeared.

A blur in the firelight, rushing forward with incredible speed.

The ground cracked below his feet.

“Can you…” His fist clenched, his whole body twisting with the strike.

The punch slammed into the Corrupted Draconic Spawn’s side!

“Fight?”

Akane blinked, completely stunned. Her nose twitched.

The scent was slightly different, but there was no mistaking it.

’It’s… Him!’

Her heart lurched.

She remembered his words.

I’ll find a way to get you out soon.

It hadn’t been an empty promise.

Her chest tightened as a warmth bloomed inside her, painful but undeniable. He really had come back. He really had planned on helping her. On getting her out. On saving her.

Time seemed to freeze as her thoughts raced.

She didn’t want anyone’s help. She didn’t want to be saved. She didn’t want hope. She knew that it would only hurt her. People were inevitably going to let her down. The world was inevitably going to let her down.

His voice echoed again in her mind.

Can you fight?

Akane’s nails dug into her palms, throat trembling.

’I’m such… an idiot.’ Akane thought, unable to ignore the warmth in her heart.

It was the same warmth that she had felt so many times before. The same warmth she felt every time a glimmer of hope appeared.

In the end, she simply couldn’t do it. Akane found herself unable to completely let go of hope. It was impossible, and she accepted that.

Akane accepted that no matter how many times her hopes are shattered, no matter how many more glimpses of hope get smothered, every time a glimpse appears,

Can you fight?

She would cherish that glimpse of hope.

“Yes!” She shouted, her voice breaking free.

“Good.” Amon muttered, his gaze stuck to the Corrupted Draconic Spawn.

The punch was powerful and heavy. The Corrupted Draconic Spawn’s feet left traces on the ground as it was pushed away.

’Then,’ Amon straightened, his body twitching with new energy and excitement. ’Let’s get…’

[Species: Elite Beastly Hobgoblin[D- Rank].]

’This new Form going!’