Pure power.
That was what the man standing in front of them radiated.
Now stood the Interstellar Beast Master, a massive Rhino-Bat Interstellar Beast floating powerfully behind him at the edge of the rooftop.
His body shimred with pulsing waves of energy—the feedback he received from his Interstellar Beast was sothing utterly unfathomable and far than any of those here had combined.
At that mont, Damian looked at this man and realized he would have to beco many tis more powerful than he currently was to stand even a chance at tearing him apart.
But that was good.
He reined in his hatred and rage, making sure none of it showed on the outside, and continued to observe this... murderer.
This Beast Master, who looked like a genuine force of nature, was smiling like a saint as his eyes very obviously lingered on Serena, Lyra, Ariana, and Becca.
Damian watched this behavior and realized the Beast Master didn’t even care that he was blatantly showing his lust and greed while gazing at these young won. And why would he?
He was a prized Guardian—his power so terrifying, he could soar through the skies without even needing his Beast.
"We’re okay. This was... an operation?"
Ariana was the one to reply amidst the silence, as the Drunken Butcher looked at her and nodded.
"The Vagrant Beast Masters are a scourge that continues to plague our grand tropolis. We will hunt them down, one by one, until they can no longer express their power."
Terrifying words spilled from his mouth as Ariana looked around at the devastation—the ruins, the dead bodies, and the heavily injured Glassbloods lying everywhere.
She looked as though she wanted to ask whether it had been worth it—carrying out an operation that risked so many lives.
But she didn’t say anything.
She couldn’t.
The Drunken Butcher saw this scene, smiling brightly as he spoke again.
"Any of you girls a little shaken? I know you’re likely diving into Entropic Rifts soon, and you need to be at your best. I... have so nutrients for Beast Masters and Beasts alike at my place if you need help calming down and getting a power boost before your dives."
...!
A blatant pickup line. An invitation.
Damian was stunned as the Drunken Butcher so openly addressed the young Trial Guardians with such brazenness.
There was a brief period of silence. Alex and the other male Trial Guardians said nothing.
Then, finally...
"I could use a drink..."
Becca, weary and with a bleeding shoulder that had received so treatnt, stepped forward with her Rosewood Hound and nodded with a smile. The Drunken Butcher looked her up and down, sowhat disappointed that the more gorgeous ones—Lyra, Serena, Ariana—hadn’t accepted, but this one would do.
"Alright, let’s get you patched up. The rest of you, get so rest and report to HQ first thing in the morning. They’ll likely want a report... there are always those damn reports..."
The Drunken Butcher shook his head, wrapped an arm around Becca’s waist, and leapt onto the massive Rhino-Bat Interstellar Beast. Behind them, the Rosewood Hound bounded after them, refusing to be left behind.
And in a matter of seconds, the massive Rhino-Bat Interstellar Beast that was closer to a flying bus than a beast—moved across the sky toward another direction.
"..."
The beeping of dic Drones. The groans and screams of the injured. That was all Damian could hear as he sat, watching the receding figure of the Rhino-Bat Interstellar Beast.
That was the monster he wanted to kill.
That was the Drunken Butcher he was building his power to face.
It seed like an impossible dream right now. But he wouldn’t let the dream die. No matter what it took, he would continue... and reach it.
Beside him, Lyra Veyrin frowned and spoke.
"I’ve... heard that Guardian Vex has so tendencies. I just didn’t think they’d be so blatant."
...!
She spoke of what had just occurred. The other Trial Guardians glanced at each other and remained silent.
The Drunken Butcher’s power was simply too high. Speaking against him wasn’t even worth the risk.
"Co on, let’s clean up here. Looks like the celebration’s going to be cut short."
Ariana’s sharp voice sliced through the silence as the Trial Guardians of ZENTHRA began wrapping up and preparing to leave.
The incident had left a profound impression on all of them—none more so than Damian, whose mind felt dazed and crowded with thoughts.
A few minutes later...
"Hey... hey!"
Lyra Veyrin’s voice shook him from his reverie.
"Others are clearing out. Where’s your little fox?"
She asked with a note of concern. Damian blinked and turned around.
There—leaping up the side of the 250-story building—was his silver fox, hopping between platforms of energy until she landed lightly on his shoulder. She was already communicating, showing him what she’d seen.
The Vagrant Beast Masters hadn’t rushed into the Hollow Stacks blindly. They’d delved deeper—running from the Drunken Butcher until they finally went into...
The Rustblood Circuit Arena.
The sa place Damian had fought in. The arena that earned him enough Credits to afford the gear they’d needed to infiltrate ZENTHRA.
Vagrant Beast Masters... went into hiding there?
He processed the information, then turned to find Lyra watching him, concern and hesitation on her face.
"Hey, you seem a little out of it. Do you maybe...want to co back to my place? Just for a drink. To actually celebrate. Nothing crazy..."
The Glassblood Trial Guardian stumbled through her words as she made the invitation.
Her shyness, this ti, didn’t seem fake. Damian looked at her, and an image of Anastasia flashed in his mind.
"Let check sothing."
He gave a soft reply, pulling out his phone and quickly sending a ssage to Anastasia.
[Celebration cut short. Vagrant Beast Masters attacked. Drunken Butcher appeared. I asured his power up close. Lyra Veyrin extended an invite. Shall I go? Learn more about how Beast Masters live?]
He waited only a few seconds before...
[Are you okay?]
Three simple words ca first.
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