While Max was having it slightly easy against the dark forces leader, Jim was having a tough time as he was cornered from all points, leaving him in the middle of twenty-three demon vessels, all snarling at him. He stood strong, eyes blazing, fists clenched while twisting and turning, staring at them all, waiting for an attack that could come at any moment.

Out of the initial twenty-five demon vessels, he had managed to kill just two, leaving him surrounded by the remaining twenty-three. They circled him, searching for an opening they could exploit while he stood in the center, tense and ready, knowing that any second could bring a lethal strike.

And he did not have to wait long. Two vessels swiftly dashed toward him, aiming to create an opening for the others. They darted from his flanks, claws flaring as they swung at him with blinding speed.

Jim ducked, avoiding one claw, then instantly leaped back, evading the second. That break in formation allowed the other vessels to quickly surge forward. A punch shot toward him, which he clamped in his palm, halting its momentum.

Before he could counter, a kick slammed into the back of his thighs, forcing him to crash onto his knees with teeth clenched. Before he could regain footing, an uppercut struck his jaw, spraying blood as his head was flung violently to the side.

Almost immediately, his head was grabbed and smashed into the ground with immense force, deep fissures snaking across the terrain as the vessels encircled him from all corners, snarling, teeth bared, and claws twitching, ready to strike again.

'Damn it, Jim! How can you be a dragon and still be this weak? Come on, fool, Max made sure to give you power. You…you were weak, he gave you strength, and now, when it's time to use it, you are being boxed around?' Jim cursed himself inwardly as he lay unmoving, hands clenched tightly while waves of pain ravaged through his body.

'Did Max make a mistake? Did he waste the slot he was supposed to give to someone important to me? Am I really so weak that I can't even help him in any way? I guess he really did make a mistake, huh? If I die, can my slot be gi…'

"Hey! What are you doing on the ground?" Max suddenly yelled, leaping off the dark forces' leader and glaring directly at Jim.

"I didn't fucking turn you into a dragon for you to lie there and do nothing. I didn't make a mistake by turning you. I saw potential in you, and that's why I turned you. So freaking get the hell up and show me what I actually saw in you that made me turn you!

I turned you so you don't have to rely on me or anyone else to solve your problems. So show me that I made no mistake in turning you. Stand the fuck up, Jim!" Max yelled at the top of his lungs, his eyes blazing as he stared down at the E-rank hunter lying on the ground.

"What are you doing?" the dark forces leader shouted as he staggered to his feet, giving a small amount of space between himself and Max. He looked over to the dozens of vessels circling the battlefield. "Finish him off now while he is still weak. Should I have to tell you all what to do all the time?!"

Hearing the shout, one demon vessel surged forward to execute the command. Its foot shot downward straight at the newly turned dragon's head at full speed, only for Jim's eyes to snap wide open.

He rolled onto his back just in time, causing the foot to slam into the ground a few inches from his head, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.

His claws gleamed brightly as he swung them with all his strength toward the vessel's leg. Blood instantly spurted out as the vessel collapsed onto its knees, only for Jim to spring forward. His claws shot out, stabbing directly through the vessel's head, and it crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

"Thanks, sire, guess I needed that shout," Jim muttered as he stared at the blood dripping from his hand. "Three down, twenty-something more to go." He grunted, bolting into the midst of the others with deadly precision.

"If you let him go alive, I will kill you al…" one of the vessels began.

"How about you face here instead?" Max asked, appearing directly in front of the leader in the blink of an eye, a sinister grin spreading across his face while Jim was already in front of a demon vessel.

The vessel swung its claws toward Jim's neck, but with incredible speed, the newly turned dragon twisted on one foot, avoiding the strike. Without hesitation, he whipped his leg at full force, striking the vessel square in the head. The demon's body lifted off the ground and was hurled into the distance like a ragdoll.

Before his foot could touch the ground, a punch streaked toward him. Using his remaining leg for balance, Jim kicked off with immense power and slammed an axe kick into the vessel's outstretched arm. A loud bang and crack echoed as the demon collapsed instantly to the ground, its limbs twitching in a momentary spasm before stillness took over.

Landing back down with a slight huff, Jim grinned at the remaining vessels. He took a battle-ready stance, his hands raised, gesturing for the others to make a move. They wasted no time, charging toward him with terrifying speed.

Two vessels appeared on either side of his flanks, fists rocketing toward him. Two came from the front, two from the back, and three more were closing in from above, preparing to strike from the air. Several others stood aside, watching and ready to jump in if an opportunity arose. Jim was in a very tight spot with nowhere to go, every move crucial as the circle of death tightened around him.

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