My Tribrid System: More than a Monster

Chapter 125

”Help me how?”

A subtle, knowing smile caressed Ray’s face as a singular thought settled firmly in his mind.

”Be mine.”

”....”

”I beg your pardon?” Chloe uttered, standing up abruptly with a look of sheer bewilderment plastered across her features.

Tak. Tak. Crunch.

Ray took a few deliberate steps forward, the dry leaves snapping under his boots, and then he let out a sharp, self-deprecating exhale.

”Perhaps I worded that incorrectly,” he muttered, reaching up to scratch his hair awkwardly.

”What I intended to say was; be my... ally? No, an acquaintance, or something of that nature. My apologies, I simply cannot seem to find the precise term for what I’m proposing.”

”Forget about the semantics,” Chloe said, her black eyes boring into his.

”How exactly can you help me overcome this perceived weakness so that I actually matter in the coming war?”

”It isn’t me, specifically. But Kai Larson can assist you. You remember him, don’t you?”

Chloe nodded slowly.

”Good. He is my close friend and roommate. Furthermore, he is a high-grade meta-human with a lineage that commands respect. I could put in a good word for you and see if he might help you cultivate your strength,” Ray replied with a decisive nod.

Chloe cocked a brow, skepticism returning to her voice.

”How will that be of any benefit? In case you’ve forgotten, the man who instructs our specialization class is a ranked Captain. What can a sixteen-year-old boy teach me that a veteran officer cannot?”

Ray rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ”True, true. Tell me though, your current instructor is a Captain of which specific division?”

Chloe blinked a few times, searching her memory banks before recalling the details of the orientation.

”Uh... right. He is a Captain within the Aspirant Corps.”

”Then he is effectively useless to you,” Ray spat, his voice laced with a cold pragmatism.

”Wh—?”

”What?” Ray raised a brow, challenging her reaction. ”Did I utter a lie?”

Chloe paused, then let out a heavy sigh.

”Actually... you didn’t.”

”Moreover, Kai is from a Legacy family. I don’t possess much information regarding the specifics of his kin, but if anyone I am currently associated with understands the nuances of lethal combat, it is certainly him,”

Ray added, reinforcing his point.

Chloe rubbed her hands together nervously, shifting her weight.

”Why does it feel like you are trying to hook me up with your roommate?”

Ray offered a noncommittal shrug.

”Perhaps I am? I truly don’t know. But if your goal is to grow more proficient and formidable in battle so you can defend yourself against the Aberrants, Kai is your best prospect. Additionally, you should consider officially joining the weapon mastery class.”

He paused to gauge her interest.

”Captain Jake is scheduled to teach us how to better utilize various armaments and, more importantly, how to synchronize them with our innate abilities. You would be in luck if you enrolled now.”

Chloe stared at him for several long seconds before asking in a small, hesitant voice,

”Wh—Why? Why do you even care about my progress?”

”I don’t,” Ray replied with a bluntness that cut through the air.

”I simply feel that you might be quite beneficial to have around in the future. That is, of course, provided you shed your current fragility.”

Chloe was visibly taken aback by his cold honesty for a moment, the words stinging her pride.

But she quickly shook the feeling off. As long as he could provide a path to becoming stronger than she was at this moment, she didn’t care what tone he adopted or how he viewed her.

In this dying world, power was the only currency that mattered.

”And, naturally, I cannot set this in motion without your explicit permission. So, do you accept? Should I speak to Kai on your behalf?” Ray inquired.

Chloe nodded her head firmly. ”Yes. Than—”

”Excellent,” Ray said, cutting her off as he spun sharply on his heels.

He was already beginning to depart the clearing, but before he could take more than a few steps, Chloe stopped him with a final, burning question.

”Wait! Please... how did you actually become a werewolf? And why is it that you cannot turn me into one?” she asked, her voice echoing through the trees as she stared at his retreating back.

The Tribrid paused for a solitary moment.

Without turning around to face her, he began walking away once more, his figure blending into the shadows of the forest.

”I will speak to Kai for you. Just focus on doing your absolute best to impress him and grow.”

With those final words, he vanished from her view, leaving no opportunity for further questions.

Chloe was left standing in the center of the clearing, stumped and silent as she stared into the empty, sun-dappled space where he had just been.

Then she squeezed her hands tightly as a grim expression settled over her features.

”It doesn’t matter. I have always been fascinated with werewolves, especially... it doesn’t matter. Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but soon, you will make me one.

And when that is finally done, they will feel my absolute wrath. All those who took everything from me will perish,” she mumbled with a dark, chilling resolve.

Her gaze then drifted toward the bright, sunny sky above.

A single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek while her teeth gnashed together loudly.

”I promise, I will avenge you. Even if it means turning into a monster, I will. I promise.”

****

Meanwhile, after departing the forest, Ray kept his hands deep in his pockets as he began the trek back to the Corps’ main building to prepare for the upcoming VMS training.

A subtle smile graced his face, lingering there until a question was suddenly posed by Elyon.

”Why?”

’Hm? Why what?’

”Why did you offer to put in a word for her with your friend?”

’Why? Can’t I simply be a Good Samaritan? Just because I have Bruce’s volatile powers within me doesn’t mean I have to be stone-hearted like he is.’

”No. My instincts tell me that this is about more than just being a helpful peer. You went out of your way to even suggest she join the combat weaponry class. That is a significant investment. I feel as though you are cooking something behind the scenes.”

’Then let me cook.’

”...”

There was a brief, heavy silence as Elyon carefully considered his next words.

”Look. I’m not going to stop you from plotting your moves, but at least tell me what you truly intend to do with her.”

’I intend for her to grow stronger.’

”Why?”

’Because I want her to.’ Ray thought for a few seconds before adding, ’You didn’t see what I saw.’

”What exactly did you see?”

Ray didn’t reply for a moment.

His mind instantly flashed back to the raw emotions, the unwavering determination, and the fierce resolve to keep pushing forward—all burning in the depths of Chloe’s eyes, hidden behind her seemingly timid exterior.

He also thought back to Trisha.

Although she was cold, he could sense a certain underlying emotion in her words and behavior.

’She... although she appears timid, she reminds me of myself.’

”How so?”

’You ask far too many questions, damn it. I’m tired,’ Ray replied in frustration as he stepped into the Corps’ building and headed for his quarters.

’All you need to know is that she will be useful in my ambition of taking down those blasted Aberrants. Now, let me breathe.’

Deep within Ray’s subconscious, a grim look clouded Elyon’s face.

’What exactly are you planning on doing, Ray?’