Morning, Next day,
Jacob stood at the entrance of the grand Beastmaster Mall the Tamer's Exchange, arms folded across his chest.
His lynx crouched beside him, tail flicking with anticipation.
The towering building shimmered in the morning light, casting long shadows across the polished stone steps.
Jacob's eyes scanned the street anxiously.
Then, finally, a familiar figure emerged through the crowd—Leon.
"Took you long enough," Jacob muttered.
He tried to sound annoyed, but the tightness in his voice gave away his nerves.
Today was the day his lynx would evolve.
Leon spotted Jacob waiting by the mall entrance and called out, "Alright, let's head to the counter and rent an evolution room."
Jacob gave a quick nod, falling in step beside him.
Walking through the bustling mall, Leon felt no doubt—this evolution was going to happen. The Beast Codex never lied, and he trusted it completely.
They stepped into the evolution room, the air buzzing with a strange energy. Jacob looked around, still a bit unsure. "You really think this'll work?"
Leon grinned confidently. "Of course. Ember and Cinder evolved right in front of me. It's real."
Jacob gave a small nod, a bit more hopeful now. "If it worked for them, then maybe it'll work for my lynx too."
Leon glanced over at Jacob and nodded. "Alright, it's time. Take out the evolution materials."
Jacob looked a little nervous but reached into his pouch and pulled out the required materials — a Shadow Essence Crystal that radiated cold darkness, a set of Panther Claws still gleaming with residual beast aura, and a small bundle of Night Bloom Herbs, their petals faintly glowing under the room's light.
Jacob handed them over, still unconvinced. "You're sure this is going to work?"
Leon chuckled and gave him a pat on the back. "They evolved right in front of me — Ember and Cinder both. Trust me. I wouldn't risk your lynx if I wasn't sure.
Jacob nodded, finally giving in to Leon's absolute certainty.
Leon's eyes lit up. "Perfect. Feed those to your lynx. Slowly, one at a time."
Taking a deep breath, Jacob knelt beside his lynx. "Here, buddy. Eat this."
The lynx sniffed the Night Bloom Herbs first. A low purr escaped its throat before it gently nibbled at the petals. As soon as it swallowed them, its fur rippled like wind brushing across tall grass.
Next came the Panther Claws. The lynx hesitated at first — the sharp bones looked anything but edible — but with a nod from Jacob, it bit down. A sudden gust of dark aura swirled around its body.
Finally, Jacob offered the Shadow Essence Crystal. The lynx's eyes locked onto it, its pupils narrowing. With a decisive chomp, it consumed the crystal.
Immediately, the temperature dropped.
Dark mist erupted from the lynx's body, circling like a violent storm. Its legs stiffened, and its breathing became deep and rhythmic. Then, with a sudden pulse of power, a cocoon of pitch-black energy enveloped it — swirling, breathing, alive.
Leon stepped back slightly, watching intently. "This is it."
The cocoon thickened with every passing second. From within, flashes of violet and streaks of black lightning cracked across its surface. The shadows in the room deepened, as if drawn to the evolving beast.
Then, after some time,with a loud snap, the cocoon burst apart in a shockwave of shadow.
Standing in place of the lynx was a majestic creature — lean, powerful, and elegant. Its body was larger, its fur a shade darker than the void, and its violet eyes glowed with fierce intelligence. Wisps of shadow curled around its paws with every step.
Jacob blinked, stunned. "It really worked…"
Leon smirked. "Told you. That's your Nightshade Panther."
The panther let out a low growl — not aggressive, but proud — and lowered its head to Jacob, acknowledging its evolution and connection.
Jacob reached out and rested a hand on the beast's shoulder, feeling its newfound strength. "Unbelievable…"
Leon opened the Beast Codex, his fingers gliding over the glowing interface as new details about Jacob's evolved beast appeared before his eyes.
Beast Name: Nightshade Panther
Gender: Male
Rank: Early Bronze
Type: Dark
Contractor: Jacob
Skills:
1. Shadow Lunge (Active)
Teleports a short distance through shadows and delivers a high-speed pounce attack.
Damage increases with surprise attacks.
2. Night Slash (Active)
Unleashes a slash of dark energy in a crescent arc that damages and temporarily blinds enemies.
3. Umbral Veil (Active)
Shrouds itself and allies within 5 meters in a mist of darkness, increasing evasion and hiding presence for 10 seconds.
4. Predator's Gaze (Passive)
Increases critical hit chance by 20% against enemies with lower darkness resistance.
Grants natural night vision and increased awareness in low-light areas.
As the dark mist from the evolution faded and the Nightshade Panther settled into its new form, Jacob couldn't stop grinning. "This… this is insane, Leon. Thank you."
Leon chuckled. "Don't thank me yet. We've still got a Core Zone to clear. Let's go pick up Layla first."
Outside the resting area, Layla was already waiting, leaning against a bench with Tiki perched on her shoulder.
She raised an eyebrow when she saw the new beast. "That's… not the lynx."
Jacob beamed. "Nightshade Panther. Just evolved."
Layla gave a low whistle. "Looks deadly."
"It is," Leon nodded. "And we'll need that edge. Ready for the Core Zone?"
Layla nodded. "I've been waiting."
Together, the three of them made their way to the outer gates of the Novice Secret Realm. As they approached the boundary of the Core Zone, the energy in the air shifted—more violent, more oppressive.
Leon paused. "This is where it gets real. Stay sharp."
Jacob placed a hand on his beast. "Let's test what you can do."
Layla's gaze hardened. "I'll keep your backs covered."
The trio stepped through the shimmering boundary and into the Core Zone—unaware that danger was not only ahead… but watching from the shadows behind.
The wind howled above the trees as Leon, Jacob, and Layla stood in the middle of the Core Zone, eyes locked on their target — a massive bronze-ranked hawk circling high above. Its piercing cries echoed across the battlefield.
"Flying beasts are always a pain," Leon muttered, narrowing his eyes. "We need to ground it."
Tiki launched a Fiery Gust toward the hawk, forcing it to swerve. Ember followed with a Fireball, but the distance was too far — it exploded harmlessly in the air.
Jacob's Nightshade Panther dashed through the shadows, vanishing and reappearing near the base of a tall rock, waiting for the right moment to strike. "If it comes down for a dive, we ambush," Jacob said, voice tense.
The hawk shrieked and suddenly plunged toward Layla.
"Now!" Leon shouted.
Tiki flapped forward, wings glowing with fire. The hawk collided with the Fiery Gust, wings staggered. Nightshade Panther leapt from the shadows with a Shadow Lunge, claws tearing into its flank.
It screamed and flailed, slamming into the dirt.
"Finish it!" Leon commanded, stepping forward.
But just as Ember and Tiki moved to attack—
Whoosh!
A dagger whistled through the air and slashed past his shoulder, blood splattering the ground.
"Leon!" Layla gasped.
A tall figure in a dark hood stood at the edge of the trees, robes marked with strange, circular patterns. His voice was calm, almost bored. "I've been watching your team… Bronze-level beast kills, just days after awakening. Quite the talent."
Leon narrowed his eyes, clutching his wound. "Who are you?"
The man didn't answer. His eyes were cold. "The world needs balance. Your kind threatens it."
Before anyone could react, the attacker reappeared behind Layla.
Slash!
A thin line of blood appeared on her back as she stumbled forward with a cry. Ember leapt in front of her, growling, flames licking off its fur.
"Layla!" Leon shouted, rushing toward her.
But the man was already gone again—blending with the shadows like a ghost.
Jacob barely had time to turn before a vicious kick slammed into his side, sending him crashing into a tree.
"Ugh!" Jacob groaned, clutching his ribs. His Nightshade Panther hissed and launched a Shadow Claw, but the attacker vanished once more.
"Stop playing hero, kids," the man's voice echoed around them. "If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead. But I like pruning the garden… removing weeds before they grow into threats."
Leon's jaw clenched. Blood still dripped from his shoulder, Layla was trying to stay upright, and Jacob's breathing was ragged.
"You children don't understand," he said. "Struggling like ants beneath a broken sky, chasing after godhood that no longer exists… It's pathetic."
The man's voice turned cold and righteous, echoing eerily across the clearing.
He stepped out from the shadows, his face half-covered by a porcelain mask etched with a serene smile.
Leon narrowed his eyes, shielding Layla and Jacob behind him. "Who are you?"
The attacker took a slow step forward. His face was hidden beneath a half-mask carved with a peaceful smile, a chilling contrast to the killing intent rolling off him.
"You wouldn't understand," he said softly. "We follow the only true path left. The path that doesn't resist change… but embraces the Supreme One's will."
Jacob coughed, pressing a hand to his side. "Supreme One? What are you even talking about?"
"The false gods abandoned this world long ago. The heavens are sealed. The old paths shattered. And yet, people like you chase after dreams of becoming divine."
His tone turned contemptuous.
"Fools. The true future lies in surrender. In submitting to the one power that still watches us. That still cares."
Leon frowned, his mind racing. This guy was completely serious—fanatical, even—but none of it made sense.
"We don't know what you're rambling about," Leon said.
The masked man chuckled lowly as he watched their bloodied forms struggle to stay upright.
"You don't need to know," he said, voice eerily calm as his shadowy aura surged once more.
He raised his hand, dark energy spiraling like a coiling serpent around his fingers.
"Just… rest in peace."