Kazuki Ren trekked across the uneven plains, Nyx trotting at his side like a silent shadow. The wind stirred the grass around them, whispering secrets of the land, a land full of spirit beasts, ancient forces, and, if the System was right, endless danger.
But Ren was calm.
This world, for all its strangeness, made more sense than the one he left behind.
At least here, strength meant something.
[Distance to Trial Site: 1.3 km]
[Environmental hazard detected: Wild Beast Territory ahead.]
[Recommended: Caution. F-Rank threat minimum.]
Ren squinted ahead. Trees now towered in the distance, thick and twisted like ancient sentinels. Above them, floating blue motes shimmered between branches 'a sure sign of a Spirit Grove'.
Nyx suddenly tensed, fur rising along his spine. His ears twitched.
"Something's close," Ren muttered, tightening his stance.
A low growl answered him. Then another.
Three shapes emerged from the underbrush 'short, hunched, and baring jagged teeth'. Their fur was patchy, their claws sharp. Beady yellow eyes locked onto Ren like prey.
[Enemy Identified: Scavenger Grawlings (x3)]
Spirit Beast Rank: F
Temperament: Pack Hunters
Status: Agitated and Hungry
Risk Level: Moderate
[Combat Scenario: Active Engagement Recommended]
[Options Available:
→ Direct Battle
→ Tactical Retreat
→ Use Skill: Soul Link]
Ren gritted his teeth. "Retreat isn't happening. Not again."
He glanced at Nyx. "Ready?"
Nyx responded with a quiet growl, his injured paw still stiff but his eyes burned with fire.
[Skill Activated: Soul Link (Rank I)]
[Status Shared: +5% Speed, +5% Reflex Sync, Mental Bond: Stable]
A blue tether of energy surged between Ren and Nyx. Their breaths synchronized. Their instincts merged.
The first Grawling lunged 'only to be intercepted mid-air by Nyx's claw', enhanced by Soul Link. It yelped, crashing into the grass.
The other two came from the flanks.
[New Instinct Unlocked: Shared Vision (Passive)]
[Host can now process limited peripheral data from beast's field of awareness.]
With sudden clarity, Ren saw the second Grawling coming from the left 'Nyx's point of view lacing into his peripheral vision'. Without thinking, Ren pivoted, slammed his elbow into the beast's snout, then rolled out of reach.
The third beast pounced on Nyx but this time the wolf cub spun under it and snapped upward, biting into its exposed belly. Blood splashed the grass.
[Enemy Defeated: 1 Grawling]
[+35 EXP]
The remaining two backed off, snarling but wary now.
Ren stepped forward.
He wasn't the same helpless boy in the alley anymore. He had a beast. A bond. A second chance.
"I suggest you run."
The Grawlings hissed then fled into the underbrush.
[Victory Achieved.]
[Combat Evaluation: Grade B+]
[+15 Bonus EXP]
[Beast Bond Strengthened: Nyx → Loyalty +2]
[Beast Codex Updated]
[Loot Obtained: Lesser Beast Claw x2, Cracked Spirit Core (F-Rank)]
Ren knelt beside Nyx, inspecting the wolf's paw. "Still hurts?"
Nyx barked once in defiance. Stubborn as hell, even for a beast cub.
The System pinged again.
[Proximity Alert: Trial Grove 200m ahead.]
[Warning: Trial is timed. Preliminary scouting ends in 30 minutes.]
Ren rose to his feet. The path ahead had become denser, massive roots tangled the trail, while floating spores shimmered above glowing stones that marked the grove's edge.
A massive circular clearing waited in the center of the forest, dominated by a monolithic stone covered in ancient runes.
[You have arrived at the Trial Site: Beast Tamer's Grove]
[Commencing Trial of Awakening…]
[Objective: Survive the Beast Tide. Duration: 5 minutes.]
[Enemies Incoming: Spirit Beasts x???]
[Rewards Scale Based on Performance.]
[Begin.]
The clearing rumbled.
Trees shook.
The sky above cracked with golden energy.
And the ground split open, dozens of spirit beasts began pouring from shadowy portals at the grove's edge.
Ren's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hand. "Nyx, let's go wild."
The grove trembled.
From every direction, spirit beasts poured into the ancient arena. Not large ones 'not yet' but swift, wild things: razorhorn hares, fang-snouted weasels, winged rats the size of cats. The tide was chaotic, snapping, growling, screeching.
[Trial of Awakening – Time Remaining: 4:59]
[Enemies Detected: 27 and rising]
[System Tip: You cannot outrun this trial. You must endure.]
Kazuki Ren clenched his fists, eyes locked ahead.
"Nyx, suppress the ones on the left. I'll draw the flyers."
[Soul Link active.]
[Skill Unlocked: Instinct Sync (Passive) – +5% Reaction, +Shared Threat Priority]
The wolf cub howled, and his body shimmered with blue. Sparks of spiritual energy gathered around his paws, tiny shadow wisps trailing his movement.
Three razorhorn hares charged.
Nyx met them head-on, jaws clamping down on the first. He twisted, using its body to strike the second, then ducked under a slashing claw and delivered a brutal counterbite to the third.
[Enemy defeated: 3]
[+96 EXP]
[Nyx: Bond Sync increased – Trust +3]
From above, two winged rats dived toward Ren.
[Danger from above: ACTIVATE DODGE!]
He dove to the side and yanked a sharp branch from the underbrush. As one rat swooped in, he turned and slammed the jagged wood into its chest. The beast shrieked and exploded into particles.
But the second struck his back, claws tearing through his coat.
"Gah!"
[Host HP: 81%]
[Adrenal Boost triggered: Minor increase to speed and reflexes]
Ren rolled, caught the rat's leg mid-turn, and slammed it into the grove floor. His body throbbed with pain, but the fire in his blood burned hotter.
"I'm not going down, not now!"
[Trial Time Remaining: 3:04]
[Wave Count: 2 of 4]
[Difficulty Increasing…]
A low roar echoed from the stone monolith.
The trees split, and two larger beasts emerged, long-limbed monkey-bears with armored torsos and blunt bone clubs. F-Rank elites.
[New Threat Identified: Bruteclaw Duos – Semi-Coordinated Elite Type]
[Recommended Action: Beast coordination or burst tactic]
Nyx's fur rose. He growled once, deep and resonant.
[Trait Activated: Shadow Howl – Instills fear in weaker beasts | Boosts MC's attack by 5% for 30s]
Ren gritted his teeth. "I need more than sticks."
Suddenly, a panel blinked in the corner of his vision.
[Inventory Updated: Cracked Spirit Core (F-Rank)]
[Item Usage Option: EXPLODE or CONSUME]
New Option: INFUSE (Prototype)
He glanced at Nyx.
"Let's gamble."
[Infusing Cracked Spirit Core into Beast Bond…]
Blue light surged along the tether between Ren and Nyx. For a moment, Nyx froze and then howled, his body glowing faintly, his claws now edged with purple shadow flame.
[Temporary Mutation: Void Claw – Active for 60 seconds]
[Boost: Attack +20%, Crit Chance +15%]
"Let's go!"
Ren charged the first Bruteclaw, drawing its attention as Nyx circled. The beast swung its bone club, but Nyx struck first, leaping from the shadows and slashing across its face. Ren ducked, then delivered a knee to the beast's gut.
The second one came barreling from behind.
[Shared Vision Triggered]
[DANGER BEHIND!]
Ren rolled left just in time. Nyx pounced again, his claws finding a weak spot beneath the second Bruteclaw's chin. The beast dropped, gargling blood.
Ren turned and jammed a branch through the first's eye while it was stunned.
Both elites fell.
[Elite enemies defeated: +140 EXP]
[Item dropped: Beast Tamer's Ring (Damaged)]
[Ren: Level Up → Level 3]
[Nyx: Loyalty increased to "Loyal Companion"]
[Trial Final Wave Incoming – 1:00 Remaining]
[Boss Detected: Spiritborn Stag (F+ Rank)]
Traits: High speed, elemental burst, territorial rage
The air grew heavy.
From the grove's heart, a radiant white stag emerged, eyes glowing silver, antlers tipped with shimmering mana.
[Caution: Enemy possesses Spirit Charge]
[Estimated Power: Peak of F-Rank]
Ren's breath caught. "Now that's a boss…"
He steadied himself. "Nyx. We hold the line."
The system pulsed.
[Trial Ending in: 0:59…]
[Survive the final minute.]
The stag's hooves crackled with light as it began to charge.
Ren grinned through the pain.
"Let's tame fate itself."
End of Chapter 2