Honkai Manifestation

Terms used in this chapter:

Adderall: Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

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The next day marked the third chapter in Shroud's enigmatic odyssey through the Cohutta Wilderness. The revelations from his previous encounters had only fueled his curiosity, intensifying his desire to uncover the hidden secrets of the enigmatic Honkai beasts.

Just like the morning before, Shroud roused himself from slumber at the break of dawn, the first rays of sunlight piercing through the dense canopy of the forest. The early hour, 3:30 AM, seemed both mysterious and sacred, adding an air of anticipation to his awakening.

After tending to his visage and preparing for the challenges ahead, he ascended to a higher elevation, seeking a vantage point that would provide a clearer view of the untamed wilderness. However, an unexpected obstacle loomed before him.

*Growl*

Shroud's stomach voiced its protest, a harsh reminder of his empty state. Despite having consumed half a boar and a handful of wild nuts as his meagre dinner the previous evening, the sustenance had proved woefully inadequate in quelling his unrelenting hunger.

[???????]

Once again, the insidious whispers invaded his mind, their eerie echoes reverberating within him. Shroud winced in discomfort, clutching his head as the whispers intensified their grip on his consciousness.

Refusing to succumb to the haunting voices, Shroud grappled with his inner turmoil, summoning all his willpower to resist their sinister influence. His hand fumbled inside the pocket of his jacket, he then brought out a small container labelled "Adderall."

Contained within were tablets of a drug known to suppress hunger, while simultaneously enhancing energy, focus, and attention for a brief period. Though uncertain of its efficacy in satiating his current hunger, Shroud hesitated for a moment before ingesting a few of the pills.

Ordinarily, the prescribed dosage would be 2.5 mg, but Shroud knew he needed a different measure. As the medication took effect, he felt a surge of clarity and focus coursing through his veins. Despite his reservations about resorting to Adderall, the drug seemed to serve its purpose, sharpening his senses and temporarily alleviating his gnawing hunger.

Deciding it would be wise to remain in his current location for the time being, Shroud decided to inspect the traps he had set in order to determine whether he had managed to capture any quarry later when the sun rises up.

As the sun gradually ascended on the horizon, casting a golden hue upon the vast expanse of the Wilderness, Shroud hastened to the spot where he had carefully placed his traps. To his dismay, he discovered them broken, their once cunning mechanisms rendered useless and devoid of any signs of struggle.

"Dammit," Shroud cursed under his breath, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Is this Karma's cruel jest? Yesterday, I anticipated ensnaring a fearsome Honkai beast, only to capture a mere ordinary animal. And now, today, when my intentions were aimed at capturing a mundane creature, I stumble upon an Honkai beast. Fate, you..." Shroud muttered a few choice words borrowed from the Abyss, his exasperation tinged with a begrudging respect for the whims of the universe.

Yet, as fate would have it, he had not returned empty-handed from his endeavour. One of his traps had successfully ensnared an unsuspecting prey. A sigh of relief escaped Shroud's lips as he acknowledged, "Looks like I won't go hungry today."

With the aid of the fat he had collected from the previous day's boar, Shroud deftly kindled a fire, the dancing flames casting flickering shadows upon the ancient trees. He skillfully prepared the deer meat, expertly using the preserved fat as a perfect cooking oil, enhancing the savoury aroma that filled the air.

After finally satiating his ravenous appetite, Shroud retraced his steps to the same location as the day before, where the deer frequently gathered. Although he contemplated exploring other areas, he had a compelling reason to return—a subconscious inkling that something intriguing might transpire amidst the familiar surroundings.

This was the influence of his enigmatic skill, the [Mystic Insight], operating on a remarkably heightened paranormal level. It provided Shroud with a subliminal awareness of obscure and mysterious factors that were beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals.

Arriving at the designated spot where the deer congregated, Shroud ascended a sturdy tree, his anticipation growing with each passing moment. Hours drifted by, the warmth of the afternoon sun bathing the landscape in its golden glow.

Yet, as time continued to slip away, an unyielding monotony settled upon the scene. Shroud found himself growing restless, unable to deny the lack of excitement in his current predicament.

Even during the most mundane academic lectures, devoid of captivating allure save for the occasional discussions about the enigmatic Honkai, he would prefer to pass the time differently—perhaps strolling within his Abyss territory or immersing himself in the ancient records of the Library of OO.

Such activities, though shrouded in their own mysteries, offered more engagement than being rooted in one place. Pondering about lectures Shroud couldn't help but wonder what sorts of drams were unfolding at the school.

While Shroud roamed the Wilderness, rumours proliferated within the echoing corridors of the school. "Have you heard? Shroud got into a fight," murmurs of his alleged altercation spread like wildfire among the curious students.

"Hmm, I did hear something, but I'm not entirely convinced," one student responded hesitantly, their voice laced with uncertainty. Three days had passed since Shroud's sudden absence, prompting their concerned homeroom teacher to report the matter to the director.

However, the director had offered feeble excuses, suggesting that Shroud may have fallen ill, despite being fully aware of the truth—a pre-approved five-day leave.

As a result, the students of Class 9-A wove their own theories, speculating that Shroud had engaged in a fight, an encounter that had landed him in the hospital once again.

It seemed plausible, considering that although Shroud wasn't one to initiate altercations, he frequently fell victim to bullying, making it conceivable that some individuals may have ganged up on him.

While Class 9-A delved into these swirling notions, an intriguing incident unfolded within the bustling halls of the school cafeteria. "What do you mean I can't sit here?" Jay, a student, confronted Luna, a senior from Grade 10.

"Simple," Luna replied nonchalantly, her gaze fixed on a distant point. "I don't appreciate the presence of unpleasant odours." Her response ignited a flicker of anger within Jay, yet he suppressed it, mindful of an incident from the previous day. Shooting a final glare at Luna, he turned on his heels and left the premises.

Meanwhile, back in the Wilderness, Shroud persevered in his patient vigil at the same spot as the hours melded into the evening. The deer began to converge, forming a sacred circle—a sight that now heightened Shroud's interest. Two stags emerged into the centre, their majestic antlers poised for a clash of supremacy.

"Hmm, how could I forget? It's November—the deer's mating season," Shroud reminisced, a scene which finally caught his interest as he watched the confrontation between the formidable stags.

As time ebbed away, one of the stags suffered a devastating blow, its antler shattering like fragile glass, symbolizing its defeat. With a staggering gait, the vanquished stag relinquished its place, retreating from the ceremonial circle.

In its wake, two other stags stepped forward, brimming with an electrifying tension, ready to embark on their own battle for dominance.

However, Shroud had already abandoned his lofty observation post, silently trailing the defeated stag from a safe distance. His instincts urged him on, an invisible force compelling him to unravel the secrets that lay concealed along the creature's path.

Shroud keenly sensed the storm of emotions coursing through the defeated stag—anger, hatred, frustration, pain, and self-loathing. He meticulously observed its behaviour, noting the subtle changes in its demeanour as the stag's ears pricked up, attuned to a sound beyond the realm of human perception.

Narrowing his eyes, Shroud detected an eerie anomaly—a twist in the fabric of reality. The stag's body convulsed, undergoing a mesmerizing transformation. Its once-black eyes shifted to a vibrant pink hue, while its fur shed away like autumn leaves. Weak, rubbery skin solidified, assuming a pristine white armour.

The broken antlers regrew, emerging with a delicate pinkish hue, while a peculiar circuit-like pattern materialized upon the stag's body, resonating with an enigmatic power.

*Roar*

A deafening roar shattered the serene stillness of the forest. The stag had completed its metamorphosis, transformed into a formidable Honkai beast—a type he had never seen before.

To be continued...

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A/N: Hope you enjoy the chapter and feel free to comment. Your thoughts and criticism are valuable in helping me improve and stay motivated to write more.

I was outside so I had to post this chapter late at night.