The dust slowly cleared. From within, the hulking form of Tigrix Rex emerged once more—still dangerous, but its steps were heavier now. Harsh breaths tore from its chest, rising and falling violently. The wounds on its leg and face dripped streams of golden-black blood.
Lessy had collapsed to her knees, trembling, blood trickling from her temple. She planted her staff into the ground just to stay upright. The faint green glow of her Sylph still wrapped around the team, though it flickered unsteadily. "Ughh… I can… still hold on…" she whispered, face pale.
Chase didn't look back. His eyes stayed locked on the Lord Beast. Aura shimmered red along his blade as he barked sharp orders. "Bradd, left! Steve, press the right! Lessy, keep support!"
Bradd darted low, his twin daggers stabbing deep into Tigrix's ankle, making the monster stagger. Steve slammed its ribs with a crushing swing of his warhammer. Chase followed with a diagonal strike, his sword leaving a streak of red light as it ripped across Tigrix Rex's massive shoulder.
BOOOOM!
The combined assault hurled the giant to the side, forcing it down onto one knee. The ground split and nearby trees snapped from the tremor.
Tigrix roared, ears twitching, eyes blazing even fiercer. It stomped hard, trying to rise, but Bradd's Falcon Elite suddenly dove from above. Its wings whipped the air, slicing wind into a storm, and its sharp beak pierced into Tigrix's shoulder before pulling away. The monster faltered again, vision blurred by the Falcon's violent wind buffet.
Its movements grew sluggish. The golden-black aura that once roared around it now flickered wildly, unstable.
In the back, Luxe's eyes glowed gold—Weakpoint Trace had activated without him realizing. The beast's energy pathways lit up in his vision, chaotic and shattered, like veins of broken light. It's weakening… it'll fall any moment now.
But then, in that golden reflection, something else appeared. About a hundred meters away, hidden behind the treeline, a small figure stood motionless. Its form was faint, small, but its aura—shimmering multicolors, pulsing softly—was unlike any beast Luxe had ever seen.
His brows furrowed. What is that…? Another beast? Why is it just watching?
His breath caught, but he said nothing. He kept his eyes fixed on Tigrix Rex, pretending he hadn't noticed. Whatever that was, he knew Weakpoint Trace couldn't be wrong—something was out there, observing.
At last, the tiger giant dropped fully to its knees. Its claws dug into the dirt, breaths ragged and broken. Its once-menacing aura now trembled, half-extinguished.
Steve rushed forward, raising his pocket screen high. The holographic display pulsed bright red, the central dot now full, throbbing like a heartbeat. His face split into a wild grin, eyes widening.
"This is it! It's in taming state! One step more, Tigrix Rex will be mine!"
Bradd exhaled heavily, shoulders heaving. "Hhh… finally…" He glanced at Chase, their eyes meeting briefly.
Chase raised his hand. "Wait." His voice was calm, but heavy with pressure. "Steve, before you tame it… pay us first. If you fail, I don't want to hear excuses."
Steve spun around, shocked. "What? Now? You think I—"
"I'm serious," Chase cut him off, his eyes sharp. "I've burned my stamina, my beasts are bleeding. You promised payment. Do it now."
Bradd smirked, adding fuel. "If you botch the taming, we lose everything. So… prove you're fair, Steve."
Lessy said nothing, her pale face twisted in unease. She glanced at Luxe but couldn't bring herself to speak.
Steve growled, his face red with fury. "Tch… fine. If that's what you want." He pulled out his device, a transfer ping echoing seconds later. Bradd and Chase both received it.
"There. Happy?!" Steve spat, sweat dripping down his temple.
Bradd dipped his head, a grin spreading. "More than happy."
Suddenly, Chase leapt forward—faster than before. He drove his sword into the ground, drawing a blood rune in the air. Dark crimson aura flared, forming a circle.
Steve's eyes widened in horror. "Hey, what are you—"
"Blood Pact," Chase intoned coldly. A drop of his blood fell, the circle enveloping Tigrix Rex.
The beast roared, its body convulsing, but it couldn't resist. The taming energy meant for Steve was ripped away. In moments, the golden-black glow collapsed inward, pulled into a core vessel that Chase raised with his other hand.
Steve's jaw dropped. "You… you bastard! That was my taming! I paid you—!"
Chase turned calmly, lips curling into a frigid smile. "What kind of fool lets a Lord Beast fall into someone else's hands right before his eyes?"
Bradd stepped forward half a pace, spinning his daggers smugly. "Hah. Just be grateful we're letting you live."
They turned their backs, walking away.
Steve staggered back, face burning with rage. "You… you two planned this all along! My father will hunt you down for this!"
Bradd stopped, turned, and sneered. "You think your father's that mighty? Even if we're caught, we'll serve a few years in prison. But once we're free…" his gaze cut sharp at Steve and Luxe, "…we'll come for you. And your families. One by one."
Lessy covered her mouth, trembling. "Y-You're insane…"
Then Chase chuckled darkly, his grin warping into cruelty. "Your father? Retaliate?" He stepped beside Bradd, eyes narrowing. "I've thought of something better."
Without warning, his longsword pierced straight through Bradd's back. Blood sprayed, Bradd's eyes widening in shock. "Ch–Chase?! Why…?!"
Chase leaned close, whispering just loud enough for all to hear. "You talked too much. If I leave you alive, people might question. But if you are the culprit… the story is much cleaner."
He yanked the blade free, Bradd collapsing to his knees. "I'll simply say: after Tigrix Rex fell, I went deeper to deal with stray beasts to keep you safe. When I returned…" his gaze slid over Luxe, Lessy, and Steve, "…Bradd had slaughtered you all. I had no choice but to end him."
Bradd's voice rasped, broken. "We… we were brothers…"
Chase's eyes were ice. "That's your problem. Not mine."
With a single stroke, his longsword severed Bradd's head. The body toppled lifelessly.
In an instant, Bradd's beasts shrieked, their bonds shattered. The Falcon Elite screeched, the Savage Lizardman roared in panic. Chase sneered, cutting them down without effort. "Pathetic beasts like these? Unworthy of being pets."
He bent down, snatched one of Bradd's daggers, spinning it in his hand. A cruel smile spread as he looked straight at Steve.
"If I kill you with this…" he said, raising the bloodied blade, "…who would doubt it? All evidence points to Bradd."
Steve shook, his voice cracking with rage. "Traitor! My father won't rest! If I die, my family will hunt you to the ends of the earth!"
Chase only laughed, low and mocking. "You think your father can protect you from a truth I write myself? The world always believes the cleanest story."
His laughter rang through the dark forest. He lunged at Steve, dagger flashing.
"Urrraaaghh!" Steve roared, hammer clashing against steel. The impact boomed, his Crag Bull slamming into Chase's Shadow Lynx, while the Flame Wyrmling bathed the ground in fire.
Steve managed a gash across Chase's arm, but was hurled back into a tree, blood streaking his lips. His breaths came ragged, weak.
Lessy screamed, then turned and bolted for the city, Sylph and Hound trailing in panic.
"Hehehehahaha!" Chase's wild eyes followed her retreat. "Let her run! That whore will be last! She won't get far!"
His gaze snapped to Luxe, frozen like a statue in the back. A finger pointed straight at him.
"You. Rank F brat. Don't move. Once I'm done with rich-boy, you're next."
Luxe didn't flinch. His face wasn't fear—but conflict. Prism Ward… if I summon him here, everything will be exposed. But if I don't… Steve will die before my eyes.
Steve wavered, barely conscious. Chase raised Bradd's dagger, ready to plunge it into his chest.
BRRANG!!
A radiant shield erupted. Prism Barrier enveloped Steve, shattering the killing strike. Energy crackled back, forcing Chase to recoil.
"What—?!" he snarled.
Luxe's eyes blazed. Shadow Chains burst from his hands—not one, but two. They whipped forward, constricting Chase and one of his Elite pets, crushing them in searing black fire.
The Flame Wyrmling, the last free beast, hovered and inhaled, flames building in its throat.
"Now!!" Luxe shouted.
From his side, Prism Ward appeared, its spectral armor gleaming in black and white. It moved like lightning—one clean swing severed the Wyrmling's head. Its body dissolved into energy, snapping back into Chase's mark.
Chase screamed, his body trembling as the chains burned him alive. "Aaaaaaghhh! What is this?!"
Prism Ward struck again, aura surging like a blade of judgment. In a single ruthless slash, both Chase and the beast bound by chains were beheaded. Their bodies collapsed, turning to ash under the consuming shadowfire.
Silence fell. The forest, once chaotic, now felt dead.
Luxe stood there, trembling, his breath ragged. "This… is the first time I've killed a human… No… a monster wearing human skin."
On the ground, Steve lay unconscious, shielded by the fading Prism Barrier.
Luxe clenched his fist, his expression grim. I've revealed Prism Ward. If anyone saw… I'll be hunted next.