[Owen's POV]
Standing atop the rusted tower crane overlooking the sleeping city, I closed my eyes and whispered—
"Activate Beast Instincts."
A pulse radiated from my chest—raw, primal energy rippling through the night air like a sonar wave. Buildings, streets, and even the movents of rats and pigeons lit up in my mind's eye. But I wasn't looking for ordinary creatures. I was hunting for Divine Beasts.
----
[Scanning...]
Divine Signatures Detected: 2
1. Azure Seraph-Lynx – Hidden deep in the Wuyi Mountains Temple Ruins – Threat Level: S
Status: Dormant, sealed by ancient formation.
2. Verdant Hollowstag – Camouflaged in the Qinghai Forest – Threat Level: A
Status: Injured, cautious of human presence.
----
I opened my eyes slowly as the pulse faded.
"Two Divine Beasts... huh." I narrowed my gaze.
The Seraph-Lynx was a guardian-type, rarely seen unless disturbed. The Hollowstag—that one could be reasoned with, maybe even recruited if I helped it heal.
I clenched my fists.
"If I want to stand against the Alpha Tyrant in a week... I'll need all the power—and allies—I can get."
I looked at the city lights one last ti.
"Ti to pay a visit to Qinghai first... and et the Hollowstag."
_______________________________________
The wind howled past my ears as I sprinted across rooftops, each leap covering dozens of ters. Within an hour, I reached the city limits and summoned one of my fastest beast companions—
"Fenrir, ride form."
A flash of blue light burst before , and the spectral wolf, large as a truck with glowing fangs and frost trailing from his paws, erged from the shadows.
"Take to Qinghai," I said, climbing onto his back.
With a low growl, Fenrir surged forward, turning into a streak across the landscape. Mountains, fields, and towns blurred past. The air grew colder and denser as we neared the ancient Qinghai Forest—a place feared even by hunters and adventurers.
After half a day's ride, we arrived.
The forest was eerily silent. The trees were tall and wide like ancient sentinels, their bark lined with glowing moss. Magic humd in the air.
I hopped off Fenrir.
"Stay alert. The Hollowstag might be cautious—or worse, territorial."
I activated Beast Instincts again, eyes glowing amber.
---
[Tracking Divine Signature...]
Target Located: 1.4 km Northwest – Resting near the Lifespring Glade.
Status: Wounded, watching.
----
I approached slowly, pushing aside thick vines until I reached the glade.
There it was.
The Verdant Hollowstag.
It stood tall and majestic—erald antlers shaped like twisting branches, a silver coat that shimred like moonlight, and deep golden eyes that watched from beneath a glowing willow. One of its hind legs was twisted, still bleeding from a deep gash. Magical corruption pulsed from the wound.
I lowered myself to a knee.
"I'm not your enemy," I said quietly, making sure my aura was calm. "But if you stay wounded like this, others will co to finish the job."
The Hollowstag didn't flinch—but it didn't attack either.
"I can heal you," I continued, raising my hand. "But you'll need to trust ."
A long mont passed. The forest whispered. Then, the beast took one cautious step forward, lowering its head.
"Moonlit Regeneration."
A soft white glow enveloped my hands as I placed them near the wound. Slowly, the corruption burned away. The Hollowstag shuddered but didn't move. Within minutes, the bleeding stopped and new muscle began forming.
----
[System ssage]
You have gained the trust of the Verdant Hollowstag.
Would you like to form a Wild Soul Pact?
----
I raised an eyebrow.
"A Divine Beast pact already?"
I smirked.
"Accept."
The air shimred. Vines wrapped around my arm like sacred tattoos, and I felt a surge of wild energy enter —graceful but fierce, deeply rooted in nature itself.
----
[Wild Soul Pact: Verdant Hollowstag Ford!]
New Ability Unlocked: Hollow Bloom Barrier – Summons a shield of nature that absorbs damage and heals allies in a radius.
----
The Hollowstag let out a gentle huff and nudged my chest, its way of acknowledging .
"Thank you," I whispered. "When the Alpha Tyrant cos, I'll need your strength."
It bowed its head once, before vanishing into the foliage, its form becoming one with the forest.
I turned away, eyes burning with purpose.
"One down... One to go."
Next stop: the Wuyi Mountains. The sealed Seraph-Lynx awaited.
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