Chapter 8: The Crimson Fang Encounter
Rhaizen left the small town just as the first rays of sunlight pierced the forest canopy. His body still ached from weeks of training, but he felt stronger, faster, and more in control of his Qi than ever. The black-red aura pulsed lightly around him, enhancing his reflexes and strength. Today, he had a clear goal — reach the next city and test himself further.
The path was quiet, lined with dense trees and thick undergrowth. The silence felt heavy, almost unnatural. Rhaizen's senses were on high alert. His past encounters had taught him that danger could appear at any moment.
He hadn't walked far when he noticed a faint disturbance in the leaves ahead. The hairs on his neck stood on end. Something — or someone — was waiting for him.
From the shadows, five figures stepped out, all wearing red-trimmed armor and a jagged fang symbol on their chest plates. Their eyes gleamed with malicious intent.
"Hey there, boy," one of them called, voice rough and mocking. "This road belongs to the Crimson Fang Sect. Anyone who passes without paying tribute gets taught a lesson."
Rhaizen's heart beat steadily. He could sense their power — weak, but not worthless. None of these men were likely stronger than a second-rate warrior, but the leader would probably be more. He didn't lower his guard.
"I'm not paying," Rhaizen said, voice calm but firm. "Step aside."
The men laughed, revealing crude, yellow teeth. "Not so fast, kid. We'll take more than your money. Let's see if you survive first."
Before he could respond, one of the smaller bandits rushed him with a dagger. Rhaizen dodged easily, moving faster than the man expected. His black-red aura flared around his body, enhancing every muscle and reflex. With a single punch, he struck the bandit squarely in the chest. The force sent the man flying into a tree, collapsing in a heap.
The other bandits hesitated for a moment, shock flashing across their faces. Then, they attacked together.
Rhaizen didn't wait. He focused his Qi in his arms and legs, glowing faintly as he moved. Every strike, every kick, carried the strength of his enhanced body. One bandit swung a heavy club — he dodged, countered, and struck the man's shoulder with Crimson Flame Fist, igniting a burst of fire that knocked the weapon from his hand.
Two more bandits lunged, but Rhaizen sidestepped, leaving them tangled with each other. He could feel his energy draining faster than usual. His body hummed with power, but he had to be careful. The Crimson Flame Fist burned twice as much Qi as normal, and he could not waste it.
Then, from behind the trees, a massive figure emerged. His presence alone made Rhaizen pause. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and radiated an aura of pure strength. The jagged crimson symbol on his chest plate matched the others, but his Qi was different — heavier, sharper, like a blade pressing against Rhaizen's soul.
"So, you're the kid everyone's been talking about," the man said, voice low and dangerous. "Interesting. You've got some power in you."
Rhaizen's heart tightened. He could feel it immediately — this was no ordinary bandit. This was a First-Rate Warrior, rare and deadly. His Qi was heavy, controlled, and precise.
"I'm not joining the Crimson Fang Sect," Rhaizen said firmly. "I fight for myself, not for thieves."
The warrior's lips curled into a sneer. "Brave words for a child. Let's see if you're as strong as you think."
The ground trembled as the warrior advanced. Rhaizen's black-red aura flared higher, surrounding his body like a shield and enhancing his speed. The first strike came fast — a horizontal slash aimed directly at Rhaizen's chest. He barely dodged, rolling to the side as sparks flew where his Qi-enhanced body met the energy of the blade.
Rhaizen's pulse raced. This was his first time facing someone this strong. He knew a single mistake could kill him. The Flame Fist technique burned at the back of his mind, reminding him he had an edge, but he could not waste it recklessly.
The warrior attacked again, this time with a series of fast, controlled strikes. Each move was precise, testing Rhaizen's speed and reflexes. He blocked and dodged, feeling the impact reverberate through his body. Even his enhanced strength was tested. He could see the warrior was holding back slightly, analyzing him, but it was enough to keep Rhaizen on his toes.
Rhaizen took a deep breath. The Flame Fist could give him the opening he needed. He focused his Qi, letting the black-red aura glow around his fist. The fist flared with fire, the heat burning his skin. He aimed a straight punch at the warrior's midsection.
The warrior stepped back, barely avoiding the blow. The fire burned through the air, leaving a faint trail, and he realized Rhaizen's power was unusual. "Not normal fire Qi…" he muttered.
Rhaizen pushed further, combining his enhanced body with Crimson Flame Fist, striking twice in quick succession. The warrior blocked the first strike with his arm but staggered back from the second, forced to dodge. He smiled — a dangerous, confident smile.
"You're stronger than I thought," the warrior said. "But you're reckless. You'll burn out if you keep that up."
Rhaizen wiped sweat from his brow. "Then I'll make it count."
The warrior lunged, aiming a spinning strike that combined Qi and weapon energy. Rhaizen narrowly dodged, feeling the wind cut across his face. His heart pounded, but his mind was clear. Every strike, every dodge, every movement was deliberate. He couldn't waste Qi, especially against someone like this.
He feinted a punch, then used a low kick to destabilize the warrior. At the same time, he focused his Qi in his legs and torso, pushing his strength beyond normal limits. Flames flared along his fist as he delivered a precise strike — Crimson Flame Fist again. The fire hit the warrior's shoulder, searing him, forcing him to stumble backward.
The leader's eyes widened in surprise. "What… what kind of fire is this?"
Rhaizen's chest heaved. Sweat burned his eyes, but he forced himself to focus. He could feel his Qi draining faster than ever. The fire was powerful but costly. He couldn't overuse it. He had to strike with precision.
The warrior wiped the burning arm, laughing despite the pain. "Not bad, kid. But can you handle this?"
Before Rhaizen could respond, the warrior charged again. His movements were fast, precise, and merciless. Each strike tested Rhaizen's limits, forcing him to dodge and counter with all his speed. The forest around them shook from the force of their fight. Trees splintered. Stones cracked. Dust rose into the air like smoke.
Rhaizen gritted his teeth, feeling a mix of fear, anger, and determination. "I won't… lose!" he shouted, letting his Qi flare across his entire body. The black-red aura glowed brighter than ever, and for a moment, Rhaizen felt almost invincible.
He jumped back, landing lightly, then focused again. Flames erupted from his fists, and he executed a sequence he had been practicing for weeks — Flame Slash followed immediately by Crimson Flame Fist. The combination struck the warrior with a force that staggered him.
The First-Rate Warrior's eyes narrowed. "Interesting… kid, you've grown strong." He lunged again with a Qi blade strike, and this time Rhaizen barely blocked it, feeling the impact shake his arms. He staggered but forced his balance, glaring at the man.
"This ends now!" Rhaizen shouted. Channeling all the Qi left in his body, he extended a powerful Crimson Flame Fist straight at the warrior's chest. The fire burned bright, almost blinding. The force of the punch hit with a thunderous impact, sending the warrior flying back several meters.
The leader landed heavily on the ground, coughing and shaking his head. His weapon was broken. The remaining bandits, who had been watching in fear, scrambled to escape.
Rhaizen fell to his knees, exhausted, the heat from his fists fading. His body trembled from overusing Qi, but he had won. The First-Rate Warrior groaned, lifting his head slowly.
"You… have power," he said, blood dripping from his mouth. "Remember this… kid. The Crimson Fang Sect… will know."
Rhaizen stood, panting. "I don't care if they know," he said coldly. "I'm not weak. I'll survive. And I'll get stronger."
The remaining bandits ran, leaving the battlefield silent except for the wind rustling through the trees. Rhaizen looked at his hands — still faintly glowing from the residual Qi.
He muttered to himself, "Crimson Fang Sect… so that's what I'm up against. Stronger enemies, dangerous people… good. I'll be ready."
Rhaizen brushed the dirt and leaves off his clothes and continued down the forest path. The fight had tested his skills, pushed him to his limits, and shown him the strength he had gained through training. But he also knew he had a long way to go before he could face someone like the warrior again without relying too heavily on the Crimson Flame Fist.
The road ahead was dangerous, filled with challenges and enemies far stronger than the ones he had faced today. But Rhaizen didn't hesitate. He would grow stronger. He would master his Qi. And one day, he would be powerful enough to face the world without fear.
As he walked, the wind carried the faint smell of fire and scorched earth, a reminder of the battle that had just ended. Somewhere, deep in the forest, the bandit leader was limping back to warn the Crimson Fang Sect. And somewhere else, Rhaizen's journey toward strength continued.