Lightning Is the Only Way

Shira quickly reached Gravis' cave and entered it without hesitation. She had a nearly manic look on her face, which came from a mixture of frustration, anger, motivation, and several other emotions. As soon as she entered, Gravis opened his eyes and looked into hers.

After looking a Shira for a second, Gravis scratched his chin in interest. "Huh," he said casually, "seems like I was wrong."

Shira hadn't expected these words to leave Gravis' mouth. In actuality, she was quite surprised. Didn't Gravis realize that admitting a mistake made him appear weaker to the beasts in his Tribe? Admitting when he was wrong would create doubt in the lower members. If that happened more than once, some might even think that he was weak. Gravis couldn't possibly be serious.

"Are you joking?" she asked unamused.

Gravis only grinned as he stood up. Then, he slightly shook his head. "No, I'm not joking. I was genuinely wrong. I've expected you to be a beast that would hold onto her philosophy until her death would come. The fact that you appeared here means that I have made an error."

Shira still wasn't convinced. "Stop playing with me," she said with annoyance. "You know exactly that admitting a mistake would make you appear weaker in the eyes of others. They would think that you are not as intelligent as you appear and will lose respect in you."

Gravis only continued grinning. He was actually enjoying it when he was wrong. Whenever he was wrong, it meant that he had another opportunity to grow.

"So?" Gravis asked with a smirk.

And again, Shira was perplexed by his answer. "What do you mean with So? Appearing strong is what allows you to keep firm control over the Tribe. At some point, a member might think that you're weak and then attack you."

Gravis only continued smirking and shook his head again. "That's the difference between you and I. Your words have shown that you have this whole concept of power backwards. That is also the reason why you are currently in such a dangerous situation."

Shira only huffed in disdain. "Then please enlighten me," she said sarcastically.

Gravis didn't mind her tone. "Hypothetically, if I were a stupid beast, would you be able to overthrow me?" he asked.

Shira wanted to answer directly but stopped herself. She remembered how Gravis had even managed to subdue Liza, a powerful level two Lord. This meant that his strength was, at least, above-average for level two Lords.

Everyone, including Liza, Orthar, Morn, and the Land Camp, would follow your every command. Now, let's assume that all of them

didn't matter how many beasts of the Tribe attacked him. As she realized this, Shira's frustration grew. She couldn't find any way to kill Gravis with only

saw Shira's frustration and kept grinning. "Craftiness and intelligence help you in fighting against opponents that are slightly more powerful than you. Yet, as soon as the power gap widens, it

said as he looked at her. "As long as my power is so

static. Beasts die, and other beasts become more powerful. At one point, their power will be enough to kill

beasts become more

eight other level two Lords. That's a lot of resources. I require more food than others but only double the amount. Normally, I would need

to become a level two Lord. At that point, Liza would need to become a level four Lord, meaning she would need to hunt eight level three Lords, while I

the resources of Liza, she would never be able to become a threat to me. In extension, by always fighting more powerful Lords, my Battle-Strength won't decline. To be frank with you, I'm not even interested in fighting level two Lords. I only want to fight

do that? Didn't you say that level three

grew more interested in the conversation. "Where do you think my Battle-Strength came from? Do

Shira didn't answer.

a Low Rank Spirit Beast. With my power, I would have easily been

what then? As soon as I would reach that level, my Battle-Strength would only be average. I wouldn't be

of my opponents to standards you know. My first powerful opponent was someone that had the power of a High-Rank Energy Beast. Back then, I could only be counted as a Mid-Rank Energy Beast. My chances

"Yet, it wasn't him that attacked me. If I wanted to, I could have left without him chasing me. Instead, I

but not as powerful as a Lord. Back then, I was at the upper border of a Low-Rank Spirit Beast. This was a jump of two entire

dangerous battles in my life. Yet, by risking it and winning, I

really keep it a secret, but Shira didn't talk to him much. Morn, for example, knew most of what had happened to

Yet, if you hear my

meant. She estimated that Gravis' Battle-Strength would probably even be powerful when he became a King, the Rank above a

What about the level after that? If I become complacent now, I would have already given up on my goal to become an Emperor. By staying complacent, I would have put a border on

smirk. "And that's exactly what's happening

had a skeptical look on

in the invasion, you have decided to attack the strongest beast in the enemy's