Promise to the Beast

The Honkai stag stood in all of its glory, its majestic presence commanding reverence from all who beheld it. Shroud, with all of his attention, marvelled at the sight before him.

Never in his years in this world had he laid eyes upon such a magnificent creature, an Honkai beast that defied classification.

It was a marvel that had eluded the records of countless books and documentaries, existing as a secret waiting to be unveiled—an Honkai beast that had never been discovered before.

Driven by his innate curiosity and guided by the mystical power of his passive skill [Mystic Insight], Shroud had followed the stag's trail, an invisible thread pulling him deeper into the heart of the unknown.

His mind had been consumed by the desire to unveil the secrets that enshrouded the Honkai beasts, their origins, their purpose, and the reason behind their existence.

And in the subtle whispers of his skill, he found the guiding light that led him to the unfolding events, a path that promised answers to his relentless questions.

Now, Shroud witnesses the unordinary scene before him—a transformation of the deer into a never-before-seen manifestation of an Honkai beast.

From the start, Shroud had maintained a safe distance, to observe the Honkai beast without garnering its attention. A mixture of awe and caution coursed through his veins, as he felt something odd from the beast.

The beasts' form emanated an ethereal power, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The very air seemed to tremble in its presence.

Sensing this dangerous aura radiating from the Honkai creature, Shroud instinctively took a step back, his intuition urging him to exercise caution.

It was a wise decision, however, as he retreated, a mere twig snapped beneath his feet, breaking the silence and alerting the Honkai beast to his presence.

In an instant, the beast's gaze locked onto Shroud's, its eyes suddenly were ablaze with a fierce, otherworldly light when it spotted Shroud.

The air crackled with tension as a momentary silence engulfed them. Then, as a coiled spring unleashed, the beast unleashed its aggressive intent, its very essence pulsating with a palpable desire to rend and destroy.

But to Shroud, who had faced far more formidable foes in the past on that hell, this display of aggression felt feeble and insignificant.

While Shroud remained unthreatened by the Honkai beast, a lingering unease filled the air. The creature's seamless integration with its surroundings caused Shroud to narrow his eyes, a subtle reminder of the untold powers that lurked within this beast.

'Does this beast possess a unique ability?' Shroud mused to himself, his voice barely a whisper in the vast Wilderness.

'A power unheard of in the archives of Honkai beast knowledge.' Though his mind yearned for answers, he knew that contemplation could wait no longer.

The beast charged, its antlers aimed to strike with deadly precision. With a grace born of experience, Shroud sidestepped the attack, his body moving with the fluidity of a dancer.

The stag, undeterred, launched another assault, but Shroud effortlessly evaded once more. It was as if the beast's movements were predictable, lacking the finesse of a true predator.

"Hmm, while I could engage in this battle for an extended period, it would be wiser to conclude swiftly to prevent the attention of other Honkai beasts," Shroud pondered, his analytical mind calculating the risks.

Lingering in battle would only invite unnecessary complications and potential dangers, as time passes more beasts might be attracted to their location by all this commotion.

The Honkai beast lunged again, but Shroud anticipated its every move. Dodging with an artful twist of his body, he unleashed a flurry of strikes upon the creature's hind leg, seeking to exploit a weakness.

To his surprise, his blows were met with resistance, the beast's hide proving tougher than he had anticipated. Realizing this, Shroud used [Enhanced Dexterity], to strengthen his dexterity.

After activating this skill, he unleashed another flurry of strikes upon the creature's hind leg, now his fists becoming a blur as he pinpointed a vulnerable spot on the creature's form.

*Roar*

A thunderous roar echoed through the air, reverberating with the anguish of the beast. It retaliated, aiming a savage headbutt at Shroud, who deftly evaded the attack by a hairsbreadth.

The stag struggled to maintain its balance, its movements hampered by Shroud's precise strikes. Yet, its relentless gaze remained locked upon him, burning with a singular purpose—to extinguish his life.

Suddenly, the beast's horns shimmered with an otherworldly light, and from its form, a vine shot forth with startling speed.

Reacting on instinct, Shroud evaded the attack, his senses attuned to the sound of the vine slicing through the air. The sight fascinated and surprised Shroud, for he had never encountered an Honkai beast with such a skill.

But as Shroud's focus fixated on the vine that had missed its mark, a multitude of vines erupted from the ground. His eyes widened in alarm, a primal instinct urging him to evade the onslaught of writhing tendrils charging toward him.

With a display of agile footwork and acrobatic prowess, Shroud narrowly avoided the initial wave of vines. However, a single tendril ensnared his leg, binding him tightly in its grip.

Shroud struggled to free himself from the constricting hold but found his efforts futile against the ever-tightening grip of the vine. With a sudden jerk, the vine flung Shroud into the air, suspending him upside down, and his world turned topsy-turvy.

At that moment, another vine lashed out, aiming for his vulnerable form, but Shroud swiftly raised his hand, blocking the attack with a resounding thwack. The impact left a crimson mark on his skin, a testament to the force behind the blow.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Shroud knew he couldn't succumb to it. The battle had already stirred a cacophony of noise, and the sprawling network of vines would undoubtedly attract other Honkai beasts, escalating the danger.

Drawing upon every ounce of his strength, Shroud contorted his body, pulling his upper half closer to his lower half. With a burst of raw power, he exerted force, snapping the vine in two and liberating himself from its suffocating grasp.

Yet, his newfound freedom came at a cost—Shroud found himself hurtling through the sky, hurtling toward the ground with increasing speed. Instinctively, he seized the descending vines, using them as makeshift footholds to slow his descent.

As he descended, Shroud maneuvered his body closer to the Honkai beast, his eyes locked upon his target. At the last moment, when he reached a safe height, he propelled his body forward, launching a powerful kick toward the creature's head.

The stag recoiled, dropping to its knees, its life force flickering like a dying ember. Sensing an opportunity amidst the chaos, Shroud knew it was time to retreat.

No, rather it would be more correct to say that it was time for him to leave the Cohutta Wilderness and seek solace within the confines of his apartment.

He had gleaned valuable insights into the nature of Honkai beasts, and the risks of prolonging his stay in this Wilderness outweighed any potential gain. Swiftly, he decided that it was best to exit this place without delay.

Before departing, Shroud cast a final gaze upon the fallen beast, his voice filled with a resolute promise, "We shall meet again, you impudent creature."

With measured steps and calculated movements, Shroud began to navigate through the treacherous terrain of the Chottua Wilderness.

On his way out, his senses alerted him of the dangers that lurked nearby. The wilderness seemed to acknowledge his mastery as he skillfully evaded the wildlife and encountered a few lingering Honkai beasts along the way.

Finally, after navigating through the Wilderness for an unknown period, he emerged from the untamed expanse.

He stepped into the vibrant tapestry of the human world, where the sounds of bustling streets and the presence of familiar faces offered a sense of familiarity and respite.

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.