Lord Of Beasts

The moment Ethan laid eyes on the creature, everything else faded into the background.

With Liora’s carefully constructed platforms carrying them across the vast emptiness, they had finally reached the lone floating island. The journey itself had been surreal, stepping across solidified light over an endless abyss, but whatever unease that had stirred was nothing compared to what awaited them here.

Kaela.

And beneath her, a frightening A Rank Beast.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the scene.

’So she really was behind that explosion...’

The scale of destruction they had witnessed earlier suddenly made sense. An entire section of the gate had been obliterated, islands reduced to drifting rubble, and now the source of it all lay right before them.

Kaela, the Riot Valkyrie, was sprawled across the massive body of the dragonfly-like beast.

Even in its current state, it radiated power.

There was no mistaking it.

This thing had been an apex predator within the gate.

Faint arcs of electricity still crackled across its broken body, snapping weakly against the air like dying embers of a storm. The energy lingered around Kaela as well, causing strands of her hair to stand on end, as though she was still caught within its field.

Meanwhile, her condition was... bad.

Her right side was charred and peeling, the flesh beneath exposed in places that should never have seen the light. Her arm hung uselessly, twisted and burnt beyond recognition. Even her usual near-instant regeneration seemed to be struggling.

And yet she smiled.

”What’s up?” she said casually, lifting her uninjured hand in greeting, though the slight tremor in her movement betrayed the pain she was suppressing.

”Anyone got anything I can drink?” she added with a laugh.

No one answered.

They couldn’t, their attention still locked onto the beast beneath her.

It was still alive, albeit barely.

”This thing?” Kaela continued, patting the creature lightly as if it were nothing more than a defeated sparring partner. ”Don’t worry, I got it pretty good with that last attack. It won’t be going anywhere anytime soon...”

She paused.

”...At least I hope not.”

That earned a nervous shift from the others.

Even Liora and Darius, who had seen their fair share of insanity today, looked hesitant to approach. But Ethan, he was smiling, an almost twisted expression on his face as he reviewed its status.

{Odonata Boss Beast}

{Race: Lightning Dragonfly

Growth Stage: Prime

Beast Rank: A

Strength: 57

Speed: 84

Stamina: 63

MP: 86/86}

Those stats were even more insane than the Void Hornet they had just faced.

’It’s like it’s asking me to acquire it.’

The thought came naturally, because everything about this situation screamed opportunity.

It was what he had been thinking about not too long ago.

An A Rank beast.

Which meant its potential was already at least A Rank, so he wouldn’t need Race Crystals. But beyond that, it had pushed Kaela to this state, which alone proved its value.

He could already picture its abilities: its speed, its electricity, its flight...

It was perfect.

’What more could I ask for?’

His mind wandered briefly.

’A healing type, something that can cause illusions or hypnotise, and some kind of defensive beast.’

Those would fill the voids he currently had in his skill set. This creature didn’t seem to fit into any of those categories, and yet it was still so tempting.

’I’ve still got three more slots in the future.’

He exhaled slowly.

’I can still build the perfect lineup.’

He even considered the harsh reality of his system, that if needed, it allowed him to discard a beast by killing it while summoned. Then he could replace it with any other beast he wanted to acquire.

Of course, he couldn’t bear to do that to his first beast, which he had grown close to. And he would be very hesitant to do so to Talon or Spark either, especially since they had both proven their worth and had very useful abilities.

It was like the longer he had the beast, not only did he grow more attached to it, but his body also became more attuned to its abilities.

But this was too good to pass up.

He had already missed the butterfly beast because of Dave, but maybe he had indirectly helped him acquire an even greater beast by saving him the slot.

’I can’t miss this opportunity.’

That was his conclusion, and there was no need to hesitate any longer.

Ethan raised his hand.

”Wolfy.”

The Fenrir reacted instantly.

The massive, dark-furred beast surged forward, its crimson eyes locking onto the weakened dragonfly. There was no confusion or delay, understanding Ethan’s intention like always. The others watched in stunned silence as Wolfy closed the distance.

It wasn’t acting to help or protect Kaela, but to kill.

The Fenrir’s instincts kicked in immediately.

It circled once, its sharp gaze analysing the creature’s body before zeroing in on a fractured section of its exoskeleton, a point where Kaela’s final attack had shattered its otherwise durable defences.

And then it struck.

Its jaws clamped down with brutal precision, tearing through the weakened area with ease. The sound was sickening, a wet crunch followed by a tearing rip as Wolfy dug deeper, ripping into the creature’s internal structure.

The dragonfly twitched violently.

Its body spasmed, electricity flaring weakly in response, but it lacked the strength to fight back.

Meanwhile, its blood, if it could even be called that, flowed freely.

It was clear and viscous, since, unlike humans, it had no red blood cells or haemoglobin. Instead, its hemolymph circulated openly, carrying nutrients and sustaining its body in a way entirely alien.

’So why do some insect beasts have other colours of blood? Green, blue, yellow, hell, I’ve seen it all.’

Even didn’t dwell on it, watching as it spilt out uselessly.

Its life faded rapidly.

If its tough exterior had been intact or the beast was conscious, Wolfy definitely would have struggled to break through it. Thankfully, Kaela had done all the hard work and also didn’t stop the Fenrir.

Though she probably couldn’t even if she wanted to in her current condition.

Liora and Darius, the only others who might have been able to do so, just watched, also unbothered.

To them, it just looked like a beast feeding on another beast, which was partly true.

But what they couldn’t see was...

{Beast Eliminated!}