Beast core

Yuji sat cross-legged on top of the rock, his small form steady despite the awkwardness of his new body. With a deep breath, he recalled the steps from the Basic Beast Core Forming Manual, focusing his mind. According to the system, creating a beast core meant channeling spirit energy into his body, specifically gathering it within his core region—right around his stomach.

He closed his eyes and started, drawing in the faint, barely perceptible traces of spirit energy around him. At first, it felt elusive, slipping away from him like water through his fingers. But slowly, with concentration and patience, he managed to guide the energy inward, directing it toward his stomach. The energy settled there, and he could feel it begin to swirl, compacting under his will.

Yuji heard a soft rustling sound, but he paid it no heed, assuming it was just the wind or nearby leaves. He focused deeper, drawing more spirit energy to the core in his stomach, his brows furrowing with the effort.

As the energy condensed, an unexpected, sharp pain flared up in his gut. It was as though the spirit energy was turning on him, pressing against him from the inside out. He gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain control as the core began to take shape, each pulse of energy like a small, twisting knife. The pain was intense, but he forced himself to endure it. This was his path to strength, to power—and he would see it through.

Just as he was losing himself in the sensation, he heard a faint grunt beside him. He opened his eyes, blinking through the haze of pain, and saw his two siblings sitting nearby. They had crawled up onto the rock at some point, their curious eyes fixed on him. But what surprised him most was their posture—they were sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, tiny faces scrunched in concentration as if… as if they were copying him.

And to his shock, he sensed faint traces of spirit energy swirling around them, just like his own.

His jaw nearly dropped. They're… they're forming beast cores too? The idea had crossed his mind to teach them the technique someday, but he never imagined they'd pick it up just from watching him. He smirked, a flicker of pride mixed with amusement lighting up his eyes.

"I can't make it too easy for you two," he muttered softly, a note of playfulness in his voice. "I'll need to stay ahead."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Yuji closed his eyes again, blocking out the distractions. The pain intensified as he focused, but he let it sharpen his mind, strengthening his resolve. Every throb in his core was a reminder of what he was working toward, and each pulse brought him closer to completing it.

This is only the beginning, he reminded himself, steeling his thoughts. If I want to surpass every limit in this life, I need to master this pain and make this power my own.

As the core within him continued to condense, he could feel it becoming solid, unique—a core that, like him, held the potential to grow beyond what anyone would expect.

With one final surge, the core within Yuji's body solidified. The pain vanished, leaving a strange, calm sensation—a powerful warmth radiating from his stomach, flowing through his limbs like a river of energy. Spirit power pulsed within him, vibrant and electric, filling him with a sense of strength he'd never known in his previous life. Even his body felt stronger, as though every muscle and bone had been fortified by this newfound power.

Just as he marveled at this transformation, the familiar yellow screen appeared, the system's words glowing with a sense of accomplishment.

[System Notice]

Congratulations, Host!

You have successfully formed your own unique beast core: the Beast God Core. Your spirit power and physical attributes have been enhanced accordingly.

[Status Window]

 Name: Tian Yuji 

║ Race: Red Monkey 

║ Age: 2 days 

╠══════════════════════════════════════

║ Rank: Stage 1 – Infant 

╠══════════════════════════════════════

║ Attributes: 

║ STR (Strength): 7 

║ AGI (Agility): 10 

║ DEX (Dexterity): 8 

║ Spirit Power: 15 

╠═══════════════════════════════════════ 

║ Abilities: 

║ Basic Agility Boost – 

║ Slightly enhances 

║ natural agility 

╠═══════════════════════════════════════ 

║ Innate Ability: Submission 

║ - Subdue beasts and mark them 

║ - Beasts under your submission 

║ cannot disobey orders and will 

║ be fully loyal to you 

╠═══════════════════════════════════════ 

║ Race Description: 

║ Red Monkeys are a rare type of 

║ low-grade spirit beast. Known for 

║ heightened agility, they are faster 

║ than other beasts of similar rank 

║ but physically fragile. They are 

║ elusive and often overlooked within 

║ the beast hierarchy. 

╚══════════════════════════════

Yuji's eyes scanned the new stats, his mind reeling at the changes. Spirit Power: 15, Strength: 7, Agility: 10… Each attribute had increased, his power growing exponentially with the formation of his core. But what truly caught his attention was his new innate ability.

Submission. He read the description, and a slow, almost disbelieving smile spread across his face. This ability didn't just make him stronger—it gave him something invaluable: control. The power to subdue beasts and make them loyal to him was more than he could've hoped for.

His mind spun with the possibilities. He could build his own force and have allies—creatures who would be loyal to him alone. He could tame beasts that were stronger than him. With this ability, my potential isn't limited to my own strength. I can command others and grow a loyal following.

He let out a small laugh, excitement bubbling under his calm demeanor. "A beast god core and the ability to subdue others... Now we're talking."

The yellow screen flickered once more, signaling a new quest.

[Quest Alert]

Quest: Demonstrate Your Power

Objective: Subdue your siblings and place your mark upon them.

Reward: Mid-Infant Grade Skill