Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

As he gazed at the breathtaking sight before him, such fantastical ideas didn't seem entirely implausible.

"It is quite gaudy considering what we saw so far… and it seems that a lot of them are waiting for us outside already," Jori said, and then he gulped. "What now?"

"We will ignore and head in a straight line to where the king lives, whatever that is," Rain replied.

Standing resolute in front of the city gates was a formidable force, a compact army of three hundred beastly warriors, each a distinct embodiment of raw power and ferocity.

Among them were those who resembled tigers, their bodies adorned with the distinctive stripes of these majestic big felines. Their eyes gleamed with a fierce determination as they scanned the horizon, ever watchful for any approaching threat.

In the ranks, werewolf-like beast people stood tall, their lupine features marked by sharp fangs and pointed ears. Their fur-covered bodies exuded a primal aura, and their keen senses made them formidable sentinels.

Beside them were the lion-like beast people, their muscular frames and flowing manes reminiscent of the King of the jungle. Their regal poise and unwavering resolve hinted at their commanding presence within the army.

Together, this diverse assembly of beast people formed a united front, a force to be reckoned with, ready to defend their city against any challenge that dared to approach.

"It would be pretty disappointing if their king was someone from the lion's tribe, too cliched," Rain thought.

The group flew over the city, and they saw all of its inhabitants looking at them. It seemed that the flying ones had left the city to warn the other places, so the group didn't have to worry about flying attackers for now.

In any case, it seemed that the whole city was ready for a fight, and the atmosphere was that intense as well. To solve the problems, Rain wondered if he should challenge them in the arena. Since they were stubborn and prideful, they probably wouldn't attack him all at Once… he could always do that if he didn't find their leader.

Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, the group found a large mansion in front of the arena. It was also mainly made of silver, and it seemed like the right place for the winner of the arena to live. In front of it, the group found a certain individual… He was a red orangutan.

The colossal beastman orangutan stood at a towering four meters in height, his body draped in fiery-red fur. His massive, calloused hands exuded sheer strength, capable of crushing anything in its path. His pronounced brow ridge added to its fearsome appearance, while its intense eyes hinted at primal instincts.

As the group looked at these imposing beastmen, a palpable sense of danger hung in the air. The sheer presence of the beast king awakened their deepest instincts, igniting a readiness for both combat and survival.

The beastman dominance was evident, and the group couldn't help but feel a complex mix of respect, fear, and an unwavering acknowledgment of the natural order. While they couldn't predict the full extent of its power, the beastman's bloodlust suggested a formidable and untamed potential.

"It seems that we found the person we were looking for, wait here," Rain said, and then he jumped from the platform and transformed into a thin earth armor that covered the bodies of Jori and Reca.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Jori asked when he felt his body being covered by the armor.

"... He wants to be sure that we won't be surrounded in case something happens," Reca said while trying to push away the armor, but realized that it was as hard as steel. "He also wants to force that guy to face him directly if there is no one other option."

"Damn it, Rain!" Jori said while they were floating in the air. "Why are you so quick to make this kind of decision?"

Rain descended gracefully before the imposing figure of the King of the beasts. His boots met the ground with a silent determination, and he stood there, meeting the King's intense gaze with unwavering confidence.

A formidable presence in his own right, the King of the beasts radiated an aura of regal authority. His sharp, focused eyes bore into Rain, scrutinizing him with a keen, assessing stare. Every aspect of Rain's being, from his demeanor to his abilities, seemed to be under examination.

In this charged moment, the air was thick with unspoken understanding. The gravity of the encounter weighed heavily on the scene as Rain and the King of the beasts locked eyes, conveying profound meaning without the need for words.

"My name is Rain, temporary leader of the camp of humans beyond the mountains," Rain declared. "Are you the king of the beast people?"

"What if I am?" The red beastman said.

"I am here to ask you not to involve yourself or your people in the conflict that is taking place beyond the mountains," Rain replied. "Your people that are guarding the mountains didn't receive well those who tried to cross it, and I take it that you share the same thoughts as them."

"You humans captured my people and treated them like tools to build an army of aberrations, and you want me to stay put?" The King of the beasts asked.

"Only a single human did that, and others were paid to follow his orders. That guy will soon die anyway, and we don't need any more interference," Rain declared. "Your guards attacked my father with the intent to kill, and I ignored their actions to avoid more conflict, but I won't keep showing lenience if you and your people keep causing trouble for us."

"What if I say that you don't care about what you say and do?" The beast king asked. "Our honor was tarnished by you humans, and we are going to retaliate to regain our honor."

"I should have known that you would be the prideful type… I will give you two options then," Rain said. "We can solve this in the arena, or you can risk making your capital sink on the ground fighting me here and now."