"Traitor? Huh…" Grizzler murmured.
His expression didn't change, holding only hollow exhaustion.
"Then come."
He didn't even flinch. Why? Namir thought.
His ears flattened, confusion flickering behind his confidence.
Behind Grizzler, Ivy's breath caught. "Griz, don't—"
He didn't turn. "Stay back, Ivy."
"B… But! You're hurt—" she started.
"I know." Grizzler's tone didn't change. "Stay. Back."
"His voice was soft, but it left no room for argument."
Blood still matted his fur from the leopard's earlier attack.
"You leopards really attack in groups… The real Grizzler was right" Grizzler said.
"What are you talking about?" Namir approached slowly.
Behind him, the pack shifted uneasily, exchanging uncertain glances.
His eyes never left Grizzler's face, searching for the lie.
"Let me guess…" He paused, disbelief sharp in his voice. "That you're not Grizzler? That you 've been redeemed?"
"A harsh laugh tore from Namir's throat. You expect me to believe that?"
"You killed Claw!"
"DON'T MOCK ME!" Namir shouted.
Grizzler's gaze swept over the pack, counting, calculating.
Even with this power… I can't beat them, he thought.
Even if I let him kill me… I don't want to turn into a leopard again, Grizzler thought.
"Ivy would see me as a leopard. She'd flee." After she finally trusted me.
His shoulders dropped.
But at the same time, they'd keep hunting me…
If Namir killed me? I will become what I was running from.
He closed his eyes, just for a moment.
I'm sorry, Ivy.
Once Grizzler turned, the space behind him was empty.
"Where did you take Ivy?!" Grizzler spun, a roar tearing from his chest.
"Who knows…" Namir murmured, his words dripping with mockery.
He walked slowly toward Grizzler.
"Ask them."
Namir's eyes glimmered with cruel amusement as his claws brushed the dirt.
"You'll find your answer soon enough," he whispered.
Namir snapped his claws ,calm, yet commanding. "Attack."
A dozen leopards lunged at Grizzler, but he shoved them back with brute force.
One leopard flew into the air after another;
a few slashes found their mark, streaking red across his thick hide.
The ground trembled beneath his steps as another leopard crashed into him.
They're too many. I can't waste time on them, Grizzler thought, his gaze never leaving Namir.
They swarm like flies… but only one matters, he thought, his eyes burning into Namir.
Namir only smiled. Then, after a moment, a realization struck him.
Did Grizzler… only push them? Namir thought as he watched a leopard slam into a tree and crumple.
"Namir's grin faltered. He's holding back…?"
He isn't killing them… why? He isn't even using his claws… Namir thought again.
His smirk faded, replaced by the faintest trace of confusion, as the number of leopards began to shrink , yet Grizzler's body was covered in wounds.
For the first time, doubt flickered behind Namir's cold eyes.
Mercy ?? from a beast like him? It was absurd… and yet undeniable.
Namir's claws flexed, uncertainty creeping into his grin.
"Dear followers! Don't hold back !!!!
... ATTACK!" Namir shouted.
Yet nothing changed.
Another leopard cried out, "He's not only strong, sir , he fights like one of us! He knows where to strike!"
"I was one of them once… I know their rhythm," Grizzler thought.
His body moved on instinct, each dodge a memory.
Every motion held experience , the memory of a predator's grace: the way a leopard twisted, leapt, or feinted. Namir's eyes widened; he recognized it now.
He's not fighting he's reading them, Namir realized.
At this rate, we'll lose!
I'll attack no matter what! Namir lunged forward.
The other leopards roared in support as he charged.
"Namir's moving! Follow him!" one shouted.
Grizzler braced himself, claws digging into the soil.
"No way… Grizzler's changed," Namir swallowed hard; his steps began to falter.
"I can't accept this !!! he'll pay for it!"
His gaze landed on Cougar's corpse , and suddenly, a wicked idea bloomed.
Huh? His grin widened, the fear in his eyes twisting into something colder.
Grizzler didn't notice; his focus was locked on Namir's movements.
"Let's see how you handle this…" Namir whispered.