The sun had just begun its descent, casting a golden hue over the village as the cool evening breeze rolled in. It had been an exhausting week of relentless training, but progress was undeniable.
I could feel it—mana no longer felt like an unstable force within me. It flowed smoother, more naturally. Kaito, despite his struggle with lightning magic, had also improved. He could now summon small controlled bolts without shocking himself.
“Alright, let’s take a break,” Maito announced, stretching his arms behind his head.
I wiped the sweat off my forehead and sat on the grass, catching my breath. Kaito collapsed next to me, completely drained. “I swear, if I have to meditate for another second, I’m going to pass out.”
I laughed. “Hey, at least you don’t get dizzy from wind magic like I do.”
Just then, I felt a shift in the atmosphere.
A strange sensation crawled up my spine—like the temperature had dropped, yet the air around us felt heavier.
Maito’s playful expression vanished. He stood up suddenly, his gaze sharp as he scanned the surroundings.
Ryoji, who had been observing us from a distance, narrowed his eyes. “…You feel that too, don’t you?” he muttered to Maito.
Maito nodded. “Yeah. Something’s off.”
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
I exchanged a look with Kaito. What was going on?
Kaito frowned. “What are you guys talking about?”
Ryoji didn’t answer right away. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword. “An eerie presence… just beyond the village.”
Maito’s brows furrowed. “It’s faint, but it’s definitely there. Something is lurking in the shadows.”
The air became unsettling. Even Kaito and I, who weren’t as experienced, could now sense it. A chilling aura creeping in from the distance.
Then—
DING!
A familiar sound echoed in my head. The system had activated. A message appeared in front of me in glowing letters.
> [WARNING: GRADE 2 BEAST DETECTED]
[LOCATION: SHADOW REALM PRESENCE CONFIRMED]
My heart pounded. A Grade 2 beast?
I turned to Maito and Ryoji, whose expressions had darkened.
This wasn’t normal.
And whatever it was… it was coming.
Chapter 18.5: The System’s Bestiary
As the system notification faded from my view, another screen appeared in front of me. Unlike the usual blue-hued messages, this one had a darker shade, almost as if it carried a heavier weight.
> [BEAST CLASSIFICATION UNLOCKED]
[Displaying Known Beast Grades]
A list appeared, showcasing various creatures along with their stats. My eyes widened as I read through them.
Grade 5: Crawling Lizard
Strength: 60
Agility: 34
Mana: 68
A large reptilian beast that hides in underground caves. Known for its high mana affinity and ability to regenerate severed limbs.
Grade 4: White Fox
Strength: 50
Agility: 64
Mana: 47
A mystical creature often associated with deception and illusion magic. Its speed makes it almost untouchable in battle.
Grade 3: Direwolf
Strength: 47
Agility: 54
Mana: 68
The beast I had barely managed to defeat. Seeing its stats now, I felt a chill. If that was only Grade 3… then what about the higher ones?
Grade 2: Black Panther
Strength: 63
Agility: 47
Mana: 70
The system had just warned about this one. A predatory beast known for its deadly precision and shadow-stealth abilities.
Grade 1: Black Unicorn
Strength: 80
Agility: 80
Mana: 85
The final name sent a shiver down my spine. A Black Unicorn? I had never heard of such a thing before. With those stats, it was practically an unstoppable force.
As I stared at the list, a new message appeared at the bottom.
> [You are currently facing a Grade 2 Threat. Survival Rate: 34%]
I swallowed hard.
This was bad.
