Chapter 4 - The Forbidden Beast Forest
The academy clock struck midnight.
Dong...
Dong...
Rain drizzled over the towering walls of the Imperial Beast Awakening Academy.
Most students slept peacefully.
Kai Dragonbane tightened the hood of his black cloak as he stood before the academy's northern wall.
The tiny silver fox sat silently on his shoulder, its golden eyes fixed on the dark forest beyond.
The Forbidden Beast Forest.
A place where students were forbidden to enter.
Not because it was impossible to survive...
But because many never returned.
Kai took a deep breath.
"If we don't find the Fire Spirit Herb, you'll never reach your first evolution."
The fox rubbed its head against his cheek.
"Kyuu."
"I know."
"We'll face it together."
With a running start, Kai climbed the rough stone wall, gripping every crack until he reached the top.
Beyond it stretched an endless sea of ancient trees.
A cold wind carried the scent of wet earth and wild beasts.
Kai jumped.
He landed softly outside the academy.
For the first time in his life...
He had broken the academy's rules.
---
The deeper they travelled into the forest, the darker it became.
Towering trees blocked the moonlight.
Strange glowing mushrooms illuminated twisted roots.
Unfamiliar cries echoed through the night.
The fox suddenly stood upright.
Its ears twitched.
"Kyu!"
Kai immediately crouched behind a fallen log.
A moment later...
Three wolf-like creatures emerged from the bushes.
Their black fur blended into the darkness, while crimson eyes searched for prey.
---
Shadow Wolves
Grade: Common
Danger Level: Low
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts materialised before Kai.
Golden text floated across its pages.
Training Objective
Defeat 10 Common Beasts
Reward: Bond Experience + Minor Beast Growth
Kai whispered,
"No reckless fighting."
The fox nodded.
One wolf charged.
Kai sidestepped and struck its jaw with a wooden practice spear.
The wolf staggered.
"Now!"
The fox leapt forward.
Instead of attacking wildly, it bit the wolf's front leg.
The beast howled in pain and lost its balance.
Kai swept its legs away.
The wolf collapsed unconscious.
The remaining two attacked together.
Kai and the fox moved as one.
Every dodge.
Every strike.
Every feint.
Weeks of secret training had forged an unspoken understanding between them.
Minutes later...
All three Shadow Wolves lay defeated.
Golden particles drifted into the Book.
A message appeared.
Bond Synchronisation Increased
Current Bond: 12%
Kai smiled.
"We're getting stronger."
The fox wagged its tail proudly.
---
Hours passed.
They crossed rivers.
Climbed cliffs.
Avoided poisonous swamps.
Several times, Kai noticed stronger beasts watching from the shadows.
They weren't hunting.
They were...
Observing.
As if waiting.
Suddenly—
The fox froze.
Its fur stood on end.
A low growl echoed through the forest.
Heavy footsteps shook the ground.
Boom...
Boom...
Boom...
A gigantic creature stepped out from the darkness.
Nearly three metres tall.
Covered in crimson scales.
Two curved horns protruded from its skull.
Its golden eyes burned like molten metal.
The Book appeared instantly.
---
Crimson Horn Bear
Grade: Elite
Danger Level: Extreme
Recommendation: Escape Immediately
---
Kai's face paled.
"Run!"
The bear roared.
The shockwave shattered nearby trees.
Kai sprinted through the forest, the fox clinging tightly to his shoulder.
Behind them...
The Crimson Horn Bear crashed through trees like they were paper.
The ground trembled beneath its weight.
Kai's lungs burned.
He couldn't outrun it forever.
Just as the bear prepared to strike—
The fox suddenly jumped from Kai's shoulder.
"Kyu!"
"No!"
The tiny fox stood between Kai and the enormous beast.
Compared to the bear...
It looked impossibly small.
The bear raised a massive claw.
Kai's heart nearly stopped.
Then...
Something unexpected happened.
The fox stared directly into the bear's eyes.
Its golden pupils shimmered with a mysterious ancient light.
The Crimson Horn Bear froze.
Its raised claw trembled.
For several long seconds...
Neither beast moved.
Then, without warning...
The enormous bear slowly lowered its head.
It stepped aside.
And disappeared into the darkness.
Kai stood frozen.
"What... just happened?"
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened by itself.
New words slowly appeared.
Hidden Passive Ability Unlocked
Beast King's Aura (Dormant)
Current Effect: Certain beasts instinctively sense an ancient sovereign bloodline and hesitate to attack.
Kai looked at the tiny fox, now panting with exhaustion.
The little creature stumbled.
Kai caught it before it fell.
"So..."
"You really aren't an ordinary fox."
Far away, atop a cliff overlooking the forest...
An old man wearing weathered grey robes silently watched everything.
A massive black raven perched on his shoulder.
The old man's eyes narrowed.
"A Beast King's Aura..."
"I haven't seen that in a thousand years."
He smiled faintly.
"It seems the prophecy has finally begun."
The rain continued to fall as Kai unknowingly took his first step toward a destiny that would shake the Endless Realms.