Nate
For hours, Nate had battled ogres, cutting through the monstrous horde with relentless precision. But now, he stood before their true challenge—the Ogre Lord.
Despite remaining in his human form, Nate knew he wasn't at a disadvantage. With his newly acquired skill, Part Change, he could selectively morph parts of his body into beast-like forms, amplifying his combat abilities while maintaining agility.
Beside him, his Goblin Knight, now level 11, gripped its sword, its glowing eyes locked onto the towering creature before them.
The goblin charged first, its blade colliding with the ogre's massive hammer in a deafening crash. The impact sent the goblin skidding backward, but Nate seized the opening. With a burst of speed, he appeared behind the ogre, his Crocodile Blade raised high, aiming for its thick neck.
The Ogre Lord, however, was surprisingly fast for its size. It twisted its hammer upward, blocking Nate's attack with a reverberating clang. The force sent Nate flipping back, landing gracefully on his feet.
"Damn," he muttered with a smirk. "For a brute wielding a hammer, it fights like it's got two. Now I really want that weapon."
The Goblin Knight didn't hesitate. It lunged again, anticipating the ogre's movements this time. As the hammer came down in defense, the goblin adjusted mid-strike, sliding its blade along the weapon's shaft before revealing a hidden dagger. With a swift slash, it carved into the ogre's leg, forcing the beast to one knee.
"Well done!" Nate called, rushing forward once more.
He leaped, aiming for the ogre's skull, but the stubborn beast swung its hammer upward again, blocking him. The clash gave the Goblin Knight the perfect opening. Without hesitation, the goblin drove its sword deep into the ogre's chest, delivering a decisive finishing blow.
As the Ogre Lord collapsed, the battlefield grew eerily silent. Nate exhaled, patting his goblin's armored head. Fighting in human form was a challenge, but it was the kind of challenge he thrived on.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[System Notification]
Ogre Lord Defeated
Level Up: 17
New Beast Unlocked: Ogre Chef
New Skin Unlocked: Ogre Lord
Satisfied, Nate turned his attention to his beasts, now resting after the grueling fight. Their transformations continued to impress him.
Ignis Lion (Level 16) – Its mane now a roaring blaze, radiating intense heat.
Thunderstrike Cheetah (Level 17) – Its sleek fur marked with streaks of crackling lightning.
Evil Charm (Level 20) – Once a mere cursed crow, now engulfed in dark flames, exuding an ominous aura.
Shadow Panther (Level 17) – Still unchanged, yet as lethal as ever.
Leaning against a tree, Nate commanded the system to display his stats.
[Human Stats]
Level: 17
HP: 5000
MP: 4600
Attack: 2600
Defense: 2200
Abilities: Shadow Strikes, Flame Thrower, Lightning Dash, Dream Ville
A smirk tugged at his lips. Even in human form, he retained access to some of his beasts' abilities. A job well done.
---
Athena
The throne room was heavy with silence, the tension between Athena and her parents thicker than the stone walls surrounding them. Her father, King Aldred, rose from his throne, his piercing gaze locked onto her.
"What is this nonsense you're trying to pull, Athena?" His voice was a deep growl, laced with frustration.
She stood tall, unfazed. "I'm only doing what I want, Father."
"What you want?" His voice rose in anger. "Do you enjoy risking your life for meaningless thrills? Do you want to die as an adventurer?"
"Yes!" she snapped, her resolve unwavering. "At least as an adventurer, I'll be free!"
For the first time, the king hesitated. His anger softened, if only slightly, as he slowly sank back into his seat.
Athena met his gaze without flinching. "Why do you insist on stopping me? Ruling this capital isn't my dream. And we both know the throne will go to my brother."
Her mother, Queen Elira, spoke then, her voice softer but no less firm. "Because we want what's best for you."
Athena turned away, her expression unreadable. "I know what's best for me."
As the heavy doors closed behind her, she muttered under her breath, Royalty won't rule me.
Outside the palace, she strode toward the capital gates, only to be stopped by two guards barring her path.
"Lady Athena, we cannot allow you to leave unsupervised. It's too dangerous," one of them said.
Before she could argue, a familiar voice interrupted.
"She won't be alone."
The guards stiffened, recognizing the speaker immediately. A knight in gleaming white armor stepped forward.
"Owen?" Athena's eyes widened slightly.
The guards saluted, parting without further question.
Without a word, Owen fell into step beside her. Together, they left the capital, heading into the depths of the forest.
---
Owen
The dense foliage rustled as Owen and Athena moved through the forest, their journey stretching for hours in silence. The weight of unspoken words hung between them.
Eventually, they reached a fallen tree and decided to rest.
"So," Athena finally broke the quiet, "how was your training at the Holy Knight Academy?"
"Hard," Owen admitted. He studied her face, noticing the frustration she barely concealed. "By the looks of it, you've had a rough time yourself."
She exhaled, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her sword. "Yeah… They still won't let me become an adventurer."
"You worry too much," he said simply. "In time, they'll understand you better."
She scoffed but said nothing.
Without warning, Owen stood and pulled her to her feet.
"Where are we going?" she asked, startled.
He grinned. "Just follow me."
Without another word, he led her deeper into the forest.
---
Emily
The guild bustled with life as adventurers moved about, yet none spared Emily's party more than a passing glance. They were just another group returning from a mission—until they reached the counter.
The receptionist greeted them with a warm smile. "Back already?" She began counting the goblin ears they handed over. "One… two… three…"
Her expression changed the moment she spotted a Goblin General's ear.
"A Goblin General?" Her voice carried across the room, drawing attention from nearby adventurers. "That's quite the achievement!"
The knight beside Emily shifted uncomfortably. "It wasn't us," he muttered.
Their group stood in uneasy silence. Their pride had taken a hit—being saved by beasts had shaken their confidence.
The receptionist hesitated. "Who saved you?"
Instead of answering, the knight spoke with quiet determination. "I'd like to take on F-rank missions again."
The receptionist blinked. "You… do realize that's a demotion?"
"I know." His tone remained firm. "And I accept it."
One by one, his teammates followed suit.
"Count me in," the archer said.
"Me too," the mage added, raising his hand.
The receptionist turned to Emily. "And you?"
Emily glanced at her team. Though they had faltered, their resolve remained. She took a deep breath, her decision clear.
"For better or worse, I'm with them. I'll become strong enough."
The knight smiled, a newfound fire in his eyes. "So, what's it going to be?"
---