Owen's POV
I sighed, my breath fogging slightly in the cool air as I walked down the dusky alley. The city lights flickered above me, neon signs reflecting in puddles from a recent drizzle. My thoughts drifted again—always backward before they surged forward.
"I was the Martial King in my second life…" I murmured to myself. "Now I'm the Beast Lord in this one."
A half-smirk tugged at the edge of my lips, tinged with exhaustion and pride.
"At least give me more difficult challenges, ain't I worthy of that, System?"
DING!
[System Notification]
> Personal Comment Received.
'You seek challenge? Then prove you're still worthy of your title, Beast King.'
----
New Hidden Quest Unlocked:
"Trial of the Seven Beasts"
Objective: Defeat 7 legendary beasts scattered across the realms.
Reward: Title Upgrade - Primal Lord of the Wild
Unlock Skill: Nature's Crown (Passive Supreme Ability)
Time Limit: None (But your pride won't wait forever.)
----
My eyes widened for a second. The System… actually responded.
I chuckled darkly under my breath. "Heh. So you are listening."
Looking up at the sky, cloudy and full of the kind of night that promised storms, I clenched my fists and let my mana flare faintly.
"Fine then. Let the damn trials come. I'll show this world what the Beast King really is."
The wind howled around me as I stood atop one of Shanghai's towering skyscrapers.
The city below buzzed with life—millions of souls unaware that one of the most ancient forces of nature had just awakened above their heads.
I closed my eyes and let the chaos fade into silence. My heartbeat slowed. I focused.
"Beast Instincts—Activate."
A rush of energy surged through my veins, primal and raw. My senses sharpened in an instant.
Every sound, vibration, and ripple in the mana threads of this world painted a map in my mind.
My instincts flared like sonar—waves bouncing back, reading every inch of the city.
"Damn," I muttered under my breath, smirking. "It works like sonar… way sharper than before."
Suddenly—there it was.
A massive, heavy presence. Breathing. Moving. Ancient.
It wasn't hiding. It was waiting.
Eyes still closed, I turned my head in the direction of the harbor. My pulse quickened.
"One of the Legendary Beasts… is nearby."
I opened my eyes, a fiery gleam reflecting the city lights in my pupils. The challenge had begun.
"Let's see if you're worthy of being my first prey, beast."
________________________________________
The night air turned colder as I leapt from the skyscraper, my coat fluttering behind like a shadow trailing death. The beast was close—close enough that every cell in my body vibrated with warning.
I landed atop a warehouse rooftop near the harbor with a dull thud, my eyes scanning the horizon. Then, I saw it.
A massive serpentine figure coiled itself around rusted cranes and cargo containers. Scales shimmered in deep azure and black, glowing faintly with mana. Four glowing eyes blinked from its triangular head as it let out a low rumble that shook the very air.
"The Sea Leviathan…" I muttered, flexing my fingers. "Guess I wasn't hallucinating."
Its massive head turned toward me, sharp teeth glinting under the moonlight. A deep, guttural voice echoed in my mind.
"You reek of power. You are not human."
I smirked. "You're not wrong. I'm something better. Beast King—Owen Yates."
It lunged without warning. The sheer force of its movement cracked the ground beneath me. I jumped just in time, flipping mid-air and landing on a cargo crate.
"Feral Blitz!" I roared, activating my claw technique.
My arms became wrapped in wild, electric energy as I dashed forward. I slashed across its hide with rapid strikes—ten, twenty, thirty in under five seconds. Sparks flew, and thick blue blood sprayed across the dock.
The beast howled, the air trembling.
"You dare scar me, mortal whelp!?"
I grinned. "Mortal? Cute. Let me show you how mortals fight."
It slammed its tail toward me, but I activated Ironhide Burst. My skin darkened, hardening like obsidian as I blocked it with my forearms. The shockwave shattered nearby crates and ripped apart the dock, but I stood firm.
Then I roared, not just with sound—but with spirit.
"SPIRIT HOWL!"
A massive pulse of beastly mana exploded from my chest, washing over the beast like a tidal wave. Its movements slowed, body trembling under fear and confusion.
"You're not so confident now, are you?" I growled, sprinting forward.
With a leap, I summoned my weapon—King's Maul—a massive ethereal hammer forged from condensed beast essence.
BOOM!
I brought it down on the Leviathan's skull, forcing its head to the ground. The concrete cratered beneath its weight.
It screamed, writhing, swinging its tail wildly. I was thrown back into a container, smashing through steel.
Coughing, blood dripping from my lips, I stood up. "Damn… you're tougher than I thought."
The Leviathan rose slowly, its body crackling with elemental energy. Lightning surged around it.
"Let me show you true terror."
It opened its maw. A storm of raw energy began to build—a plasma beam.
"Shit."
I raised my palm. "Mana Fortress!"
A shimmering shield burst to life just as the beam fired. My barrier held—barely—shattering as the beam ended, but it saved my life.
My heart pounded. I couldn't waste more time.
"Time to end this!"
I slammed my fists together. "Wild Soul Pact—Thunderclaw Tiger Spirit, Lend Me Your Power!!"
Lightning exploded around me as my body fused with the spirit of the Thunderclaw. My muscles grew, claws extending, electricity dancing across my limbs.
With a primal roar, I dashed—so fast the Leviathan couldn't react.
"HEAVENBREAKER FANG!!"
With all my strength and the beast soul's fury, I struck the Leviathan's chest.
BOOOOOM!!
The impact was thunderous. Lightning surged through its body as my fist drove deep into its heart. Its four eyes widened in shock—then dimmed.
It let out a final growl. "You… are worthy…" and its body collapsed, defeated.
I staggered back, panting, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"…Damn," I muttered, dropping to one knee. "That was one hell of a warm-up."
The moon lit the battlefield, and the Sea Leviathan's body slowly began dissolving into energy—leaving behind a glowing core.
I stood up, wiped blood from my mouth, and grabbed it.
"One down…" I whispered, looking toward the horizon.
"…How many more beasts are out there?"