Jayden woke up the next day feeling fresh, recharged, and buzzing with purpose. After yesterday's midday nap, he'd filled the rest of his time productively... pushing through a workout, scrolling through newsfeeds, and catching up on the current pulse of the world.
He spent the day learning and reading, before going back to bed when the night came. Now it was a new morning and he had business to attend to.
Clad in a sleek black tracksuit, Jayden stepped out of his room and headed into the living room. There, Tasha and Jessica were gathering their things for school; books, bags, and coffee-fueled focus.
"Morning, Jayden," Tasha said with her usual soft smile.
"Morning, Tasha." He returned the smile, then glanced over at Jessica.
She was on her tablet, eyes locked, scrolling like it held the secrets of the universe. She didn't even look up.
Jayden raised an eyebrow but didn't push it. He just shrugged and walked out the door, letting it shut behind him with a soft click.
As soon as he left, Jessica let out a sigh and lowered her tablet. She had been wary of Jayden ever since the day she saw his face change. She was still shook from the sight.
Tasha side-eyed her with a knowing smirk. "You don't have to like him to say 'Good morning,' Jessie,"
Jessica gave a small, sheepish grin. "I know. I just... never mind. Let's go." She grabbed her bag and marched to the door.
Tasha chuckled and followed, both girls hopping into the car and heading off to school.
....
Jayden was already sprinting as fast as he could to the forest, he needed to get there before all the beasts disappear into hiding. He had already planned to acquire his first beast energy today, no matter what.
He reached the forest within minutes. And as usual, a soft system chime greeted him.
*Daily Quest (1/3):
[Run a total of 7km] (Complete)
Jayden slowed to a walk, weaving between trees, his pace purposeful as he made his way back to yesterday's battlefield. The clearing where he'd fought the pack of wolves.
After a while, he arrived at the spot. But he didn't find what he had hoped to find. The beast's corpses were all gone, all of it.
"Damn it," Jayden sighed. "Someone.. or something must have taken them after I left yesterday,"
Yesterday, before Jayden went to bed. He suddenly remembered that he never claimed the bodies of the beasts he killed. Not that he had any use of the corpse anyway, he just wanted their crystals. They were very valuable in the market.
[Were you actually expecting to find the bodies still here?] Luna's voice echoed, dry with sarcasm. [Of course they'd have been taken, maybe by another hunter... or by the other wolves]
Jayden scoffed. "What would the wolves want to use the corpses of their comrades for? A burial?"
[Maybe] Luna replied. [Or maybe... Lunch]
Jayden sighed and turned, heading deeper into the forest, determined to find at least one lingering beast.
He walked for what felt like forever... over half an hour, navigating through dense underbrush and quiet trails. But nothing.
Not a growl. Not a pawprint. Just silence.
"I was too late," he sighed, perched on a high tree branch. He'd climbed up minutes ago to scout the area better, but not even a feathered tail or a glowing eye caught his gaze.
"Perhaps it would be wiser to be coming at night," Jayden thought, staring at the system screen notifying him of the completed climbing task.
[Yes, that would actually be better] Luna stated. [You'd be sure to find lots of beasts lurking about by that time]
Jayden exhaled and leaned against the tree trunk, his eyes trailing the dappled sunlight breaking through the leaves. The forest was still. Serene. Peaceful, in a familiar way.
He closed his eyes and let the wind move through his hair, letting nature lull him into stillness. For now, he let the world breathe with him.
The forest remained still, crickets humming in the background like nature's lullaby. Jayden sat on the branch, half-lulled into a trance by the breeze, when...
Snap!
Jayden's eyes shot open, his instincts flaring from the sound of a stepped twig.
Then another snap. This time, closer. Jayden froze, his expression serious.
Then, from behind the brush ahead, something massive lumbered into view... furred, fanged, and furious-looking.
Jayden's eyes widened slightly. "Well, hello there..."
The creature stepped fully into the clearing.. a bear, but not just any bear.
This thing was massive, easily over eight feet tall even on all fours, with thick, matted fur that shimmered faintly in the sunlight like oil on water. Its claws were long and jagged like bone-carved blades, and its fangs protruded even when its mouth was closed. One of its eyes was glazed pitch black, but the other gleamed with a predator's hunger.
It moved with a terrifying grace, like a veteran beast that had stalked and slaughtered its way to dominance.
Jayden didn't move. He simply tapped the sleek, black watch on his wrist. Instantly, a holographic screen blinked into view, glowing blue in front of his face.
The screen scanned the creature with a soft ping before loading the data.
_____
› Beast Profile:
Name: Lesser Wolverine Stalker
Rank: E
Type: Mammalian Predator
Abilities: None
Notable Traits: Enhanced strength, heightened endurance, acute senses, relentless tracking instincts.
Threat Level: Moderate
______
Jayden nodded. "E-Rank. No abilities. But still, this won't be easy," he muttered to himself. Unlike the Howlers, Wolverines were much more dangerous and stronger in terms of physique.
Jayden had decided to bring a beast analyser so he could accurately know a Beast's rank before engaging. It was safer that way.
His fingers twitched slightly as he stood up on the branch, crouched like a panther in the trees, eyes locked onto the beast.
"It's perfect," he whispered. "For my first acquisition,"
The bear lifted its snout, sniffing the air, pausing for a moment. It tilted its head... and turned toward Jayden's direction.
A low growl rumbled from its throat like distant thunder. It obviously wasn't happy about Jayden's presence.
[Uh-oh. I think it smells your cologne.] Luna warned
"I don't wear cologne." Jayden retorted
[Exactly] Luna said. [You just smell like a challenge]
The beast let out a bone-rattling roar, shaking birds from the treetops.
Jayden grinned. He leapt from the branch, landing with a quiet thud a few feet ahead of the bear.
"Alright, big guy," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's dance."
The Wolverine Stalker roared, hurling itself forward with terrifying speed for something its size. Trees bent from the sheer pressure of its charge, earth trembling beneath its paws.
Jayden barely had time to brace before the beast lunged.
SWOOSH!
Its massive claw sliced through the air... Jayden ducked just in time, the wind from the blow grazing the top of his head.
He rolled sideways, narrowly avoiding another slash that splintered a tree behind him like it was made of wet paper.
"It's fast," Jayden muttered, skidding to a halt.
The beast turned with unnerving fluidity and lunged again, swiping with its right paw.
Jayden crossed his arms in defense, but he was still flung backward like a ragdoll, crashing into a thick tree trunk that split with a thunderous CRUNCH.
Pain exploded in his back, and the air left his lungs.
[You okay?!] Luna shouted in his mind.
"Never better…" Jayden groaned, dragging himself up just in time to dodge another wild claw swipe.
The Wolverine didn't let up.. it came at him like a demon, claws flashing, its blind eye glowing faintly now, as if sensing Jayden in ways beyond sight.
Jayden ducked left, then right, but a claw finally connected
SLASH!
A sharp line tore across his left shoulder, blood spraying onto the forest floor.
[-5 Hp]
He stumbled back, gasping.
[You're bleeding, Jayden!] Luna exclaimed
"I noticed," he snapped, clutching his shoulder. His fingers came away soaked in red. "This beast is also really strong..."
But his eyes lit up, not with fear, but something hungrier.
He activated the Beastlord Aura.
[-10 Ep]
A low hum echoed from his body. His aura flared... wild, primal, shimmering like silver smoke.
The beast paused for a moment, recognizing the challenge. It felt the pressure of the aura and became wary of Jayden, feeling a bit of fear.
Jayden smirked, spitting blood to the side. "Round two, ugly." he muttered and quickly took advantage of the beast's stunned moment.
He surged forward, faster now, boosted by the aura's energy.
He ducked low, swept around the beast's right flank and landed a heavy punch into its ribcage. The impact thudded like thunder, but the Wolverine barely flinched.
Instead, it spun and backhanded Jayden across the face.
THWACK!
Jayden's body spiraled through the air, crashing into the dirt with a groan. He spat out a tooth, maybe two.
[-25 Hp]
[Jayden! That thing's going to kill you at this rate!] Luna warned, her tone laced with worry.
Jayden laughed. Actually laughed.
"Good," he wheezed, rising to one knee. "Means I'm finally fighting something worth killing."
The Wolverine snarled and charged again.
Jayden didn't run this time. He stood and waited, his shoulder already healing and closing up.
Then, just as the beast raised its claw.. Jayden ducked in, rolled beneath the swing, and slammed his elbow into the beast's jaw. It howled in pain, and staggered, but then immediately rammed him with its shoulder.
Jayden flew backward again, this time smashing through a rock.
[-50 Hp]
The system notified him again, and he was losing Exp faster than he was healing. His breath was ragged. His vision blurred.
Blood ran down his face, soaking into his tracksuit. His eyes flickered, sputtering from the damage.
[Damn it, Jayden!] Luna yelled. [What are you doing?]
Jayden groaned, half-laughing again as he staggered to his feet, eyes burning. He didn't care about the pain or the wounds, he was lost in the thrill of the battle... like an animal.
"No worries…" he said through clenched teeth, his voice low and dangerous.
"I'm just getting warmed up."
The Wolverine Stalker roared again, foaming at the mouth, blood dripping from its cracked jaw where Jayden had elbowed it. Its massive form stalked forward with relentless menace, steam rising from its breath in thick white clouds. It's claws gleamed with feral hunger.
Jayden wiped the blood from his eye, chuckling darkly.
"Oh, I've missed this. It's like I'm with her," He chuckled, feeling nostalgic. "It's like I'm with mother,"
[Jayden, you're running out of energy, if you're gonna finish this, do it now!] Luna snapped him out of memory lane
Jayden's eyes locked onto the beast's claws... huge, curved, wickedly sharp, but also... predictable. The beast kept leading with its right arm. It was strong, but not smart. Pure instinct.
"Okay," Jayden whispered, smirking. "Let's end this then,"
The beast lunged, faster than before, maybe sensing Jayden's weakening aura.
But Jayden didn't run. He charged.
They met in the middle like two titans colliding, and claws slashed downward like guillotines. Jayden twisted, barely ducking beneath the first swipe. He slid under the beast's body like a shadow, feeling the wind from its second claw cut slice across his cheek. He twisted, drove his foot up into its underbelly
BAM!
But the monster barely flinched. It snarled, twisted, and backhanded Jayden mid-roll.
CRACK.
Jayden went flying, smashing into a tree trunk hard enough to splinter bark. He grunted, coughing, pain flaring through his ribs.
[-10 Hp]
"Okay," he muttered, spitting blood. "That one hurt."
The Wolverine Stalker charged again, eyes glowing with rage, its claws tearing furrows into the earth as it ran.
[Jayden, I can't help but think you intentionally want to get hurt] Luna accused. [You're stronger than the beast physically, and even faster. Your Hp is reducing faster than you're healing, end this or you could die]
"Fine," Jayden grumbled. His eyes flicked to the ground, then to the massive tree just behind him.. its roots thick and knotted, its base solid and wide.
An idea clicked.
"Alright," he growled, dragging himself upright. "Playtime's over."
Jayden took off running, not away, but toward the Wolverine Stalker. The beast roared and lunged straight at him, claws out.
At the last second, Jayden slid beneath its legs, twisted around, and grabbed a thick tree root jutting from the ground. With a roar of his own, he ripped the root up, a massive chunk of wood tearing free like a battering ram.
The beast skidded to a halt and turned.
Jayden didn't wait. He swung the root like a club and smashed it across the beast's face
THWACK!
It reeled and stammered, stunned from the hit.
Jayden saw the opening. He ran at full speed, used the fallen root like a ramp, and launched himself into the air. He twisted mid-jump, dropped an elbow like a missile, and slammed it down on the back of the beast's neck. Bringing his entire body momentum with the elbow.
CRACK!
The Wolverine Stalker's neck snapped, it let out a final, gurgling growl, and collapsed.
Silent. Motionless. Dead.
Jayden rolled off its back, panting hard, blood dripping down his arm and face. But his super healing kicked in quickly, and his wounds began to close up.
Then came the ding.
[E-Rank beast Defeated]
[+30 Exp received]