The Spiritborn Stag lowered its glowing antlers, mana crackling through the air like lightning. Its silver eyes locked onto Kazuki Ren—and in that instant, time seemed to slow.
> [Final Trial Boss: Spiritborn Stag – F+ Rank]
Ability: Spirit Charge – Condensed elemental burst capable of shattering low-tier defense barriers.
Secondary Trait: Spirit Step – Enhanced teleport dash
Estimated Threat Level: Moderate-High (Final Trial Boss)
> [Survival Time Remaining: 0:59]
Ren's instincts screamed. "Nyx—evasive formation, now!"
> [Shared Instinct Sync: Online]
[Soul Link Boost: Reflex bonus +10% | Threat Detection Active]
The stag vanished—reappearing a blink later directly in front of them.
BOOM!
The impact shattered the forest floor. Dirt and roots erupted like a geyser. Ren was flung backward, crashing into a tree. Pain exploded through his spine.
> [Host HP: 54%]
[Status: Bruised, Winded]
Across the clearing, Nyx growled—wounded but on his feet. He limped toward the stag, shadow flames licking off his claws.
The beast turned to him, snorting streams of light.
Ren staggered up. "No… you're not doing this alone."
His pendant flared—and the System pulsed.
> [EMERGENCY SYSTEM OPTION UNLOCKED]
Name: Prototype Fusion State
Condition: Requires Soul Resonance ≥ 60%
Duration: 30 Seconds
Effect: Temporarily synchronize body and energy signature with contracted beast.
> [Initiate Prototype Fusion with Nyx?]
Y/N
Ren's hand trembled, but his voice was firm.
"Yes."
> [Fusion Initiated…]
A brilliant aura enveloped him and Nyx. Their forms blurred—Ren's body cloaked in a translucent outline of Nyx's beast form. His limbs felt lighter, his eyes sharper, his heartbeat synced with another's.
His hands shimmered with ghostly claws. His vision gained faint blue trails. His skin glowed faintly with rune marks matching Nyx's own.
> [Fusion Status: 100%]
[Fusion Skill Unlocked: Voidstep Slash]
[Passive Boosts: Speed +40%, Strength +30%, Reflexes +50%]
The Spiritborn Stag reacted too late.
Ren dashed forward, a streak of blue lightning.
With one smooth motion, he slashed across the stag's flank—shadow flames leaving deep gouges. The beast cried out, twisting in pain. It tried to teleport—but Ren was already there.
Voidstep Slash!
A flash of speed, a twist mid-air, and Ren spun past the stag's side—striking its front leg and shoulder in a crisscross motion that destabilized its balance. The beast fell to one knee.
> [Critical Hit x2!]
[Boss Health: 37% Remaining]
But the stag wasn't finished. It reared, horn charged with radiant light. The ground shook as it prepared its final skill.
> [Spirit Pulse Incoming. Estimated Output: Fatal.]
Ren focused. His vision narrowed.
"…Time to finish this."
He took a breath—and charged forward again, not dodging, but weaving through the energy. Just before impact, he leapt, twisting midair.
Last Strike: Voidstep Fang.
He plunged his clawed hand into the beast's glowing eye, releasing all remaining energy in a burst of light and shadow.
BOOOOOOM!!
The explosion shook the entire grove.
Light faded.
Silence fell.
The stag collapsed—its glowing form dissolving into dust and scattered particles of silver.
> [Trial Boss Defeated!]
[Trial Complete: Survival Time – FULL]
[Performance Rating: A]
[Rewards Granted:]
Beast Tamer's Ring (Repaired)
Spirit Codex Upgrade
Evolution Crystal x2
Fusion Skill Unlocked (Prototype)
Title Gained: "Beastbond Survivor"
> [Kazuki Ren – Level Up → Level 4]
[Nyx – Loyalty: 100 | Evolution Available!]
Ren gasped, collapsing beside Nyx. Their fusion faded. He was just himself again—but something was different. Deeper.
Nyx whined softly and crawled to his side. Ren reached over and scratched behind his ear.
"You good, partner?"
The wolf-dragon cub nudged his face in response.
Then a golden panel shimmered before him.
> [Congratulations, Candidate. You have passed the Trial of Awakening.]
[The path of a true Beast Sovereign opens to you.]
[Your name is now etched in the Beast Codex.]
Ren stared at the empty sky above, a half-smile on his bruised lips.
"I'm just getting started."
End of Chapter 5