Beast Evolution Forge

Chapter 94 Guardians 1

The group had just finished their meal, but the tension from their earlier conversation lingered like a storm cloud. The quiet was heavy, pressing down on them as they prepared to move.

"Alright," Vell said, breaking the silence. His voice was steady, but his eyes scanned the forest with caution. "We'll head out soon. Stay sharp—I don't want to get blindsided by whatever's lurking out there."

The others nodded, but the mood shifted abruptly as a low, guttural growl echoed through the trees. It wasn't the ordinary cry of a beast—it was something deeper, primal, and unrelenting. The sound wrapped around their spines like ice, freezing them in place.

Vell's hand instinctively went to his weapon. "Get ready," he said in a low, urgent tone. His posture shifted, sharp and focused. "Something's coming."

The growl grew louder, and the ground trembled beneath them. Trees groaned as their branches swayed unnaturally, and the thick, heavy air hummed with mana. It was as if the forest itself had awakened, hostile and aware.

"Stay close," he ordered firmly. "Don't let anything split us—"

Before he could finish, the earth beneath them erupted. Massive roots tore through the ground like serpents, twisting and snapping in every direction. The violent force scattered the group, breaking their formation.

"Vell!" Yenna's voice rang out, panicked, as she was thrown into the dense underbrush.

"Stay calm!" He shouted, but chaos had already taken over. Roots surged up around them, cutting off paths and driving them apart like pieces on a board.

Kana hit the ground hard, her sword slipping from her grasp. Wincing, she snatched it up and hacked at the roots that lunged toward her. "Damn it!" she hissed, her blade cutting through the thick vines. They were tough, but she managed to carve out enough space to move.

Nearby, Jia ducked and weaved through a snarl of roots, her daggers flashing as she slashed them apart. But for every one she severed, more surged forward, relentless and unyielding. "This is bad," she muttered, her voice taut with frustration. "I can't keep this up forever."

Wren, nimble as ever, leapt from branch to branch, staying above the chaos. Her sharp eyes scanned the forest, but even her agility couldn't keep pace with the endless wave of roots. 'This isn't natural,' she thought, her tail flicking nervously as she looked for the others.

Pinned against a tree, Jolly struggled fiercely. Thick roots coiled around her legs and arms, holding her fast. "Help!" she cried, her voice desperate, but the forest seemed determined to drown out her plea.

Vell, at the center of the maelstrom, carved through the roots with precision and speed. His eyes burned with determination. "I have to find the others," he muttered, pushing forward. The roots seemed endless, an unrelenting tide of obstacles. "tch, I need to find the enemy fast."

---

The forest worked with cruel intent, driving the group further apart. Each member found themselves in a new, isolated battle.

Kana stumbled into a clearing, her breath ragged as the roots finally retreated. The forest around her was unnervingly silent, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. She gripped her sword tightly. "Just what I needed," she muttered.

A low growl cut through the quiet. Turning sharply, she faced a hulking, wolf-like creature emerging from the shadows. Its red eyes gleamed, and its black fur rippled like liquid night. Her stomach tightened—this wasn't just a beast. It was a predator.

---

Elsewhere, Jia edged through a dense thicket, her daggers ready. The rustling behind her made her whirl, but the space was empty. "This place is playing games with me," she muttered, her frustration bubbling over.

When she turned again, she froze. A massive serpent-like creature loomed before her, its shimmering scales reflecting the forest light. Its eyes locked on hers, and she felt her pulse spike.

---

High above, Wren perched in a tree, her keen gaze darting below. The writhing roots were still, but there was no sign of the others. "Where did everyone go?" she whispered, her ears straining for a sound.

Then a voice startled her. "Impressive agility for a lesser beast."

She turned, spotting a bird-like creature perched on a nearby branch. Its feather majestic, like a phoenix.

---

Vell pushed through the chaos, stepping into a vast clearing. Before him stood a creature unlike any he'd seen: a stag-like beast with glowing antlers that radiated an ancient light. Its presence thrummed with raw power.

"You're the one behind this," he said, his voice calm but cold. His hand rested on his sword, ready to draw.

The creature's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "You've trespassed long enough. Your journey ends here."

He smirked, his eyes narrowing. "We'll see about that."

The air between them felt alive, charged with mana so dense it was hard to breathe.

"You're bold for one so small," the beast rumbled, its voice a deep vibration that seemed to come from the earth itself. "You think yourself strong? Let me show you the weight of the forest's wrath."

The creature lunged, its massive hooves shattering the ground as it charged. Vell leaped back, narrowly dodging the strike. The shockwave sent debris flying, and he skidded to a halt, sword drawn but still lowered.

The beast's antlers glowed brighter, and from the ground, roots shot up like spears, aiming to skewer him. He darted between them, his movements fluid and deliberate. His expression remained calm, almost detached, as though he were studying the creature rather than fighting it.

'Similar to the queen's attacks, how boring.' He thought, yawning. "Is this all you've got?" he muttered, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

The stag growled, its pride stung. It reared up, then slammed down with earth-shaking force. This time, mana-infused shockwaves rippled outwards, and Vell barely managed to evade the brunt of it. A root caught his ankle, yanking him off balance, and he tumbled to the ground.

The creature's red eyes gleamed with triumph. "Pathetic. You're no warrior—you're prey."

Vell groaned as he pushed himself up, his movements slow and deliberate. His breathing was heavier now, his face twisted in what looked like pain. "Damn," he said, shaking his head. "You're stronger than I expected."

The beast stepped closer, its antlers glowing brighter. "Struggle all you like," it sneered. "Your end is inevitable."

It charged again, this time faster, more precise. He dodged, but just barely. His shoulder clipped a root, and he stumbled, gritting his teeth as he rolled to avoid the follow-up strike. To the beast, it looked like desperation. It laughed, a deep, mocking sound that echoed through the clearing.

"Is this how you defend your kin? Weak. Helpless."

He coughed, staggering to his feet. "You talk too much," he said, his tone weary. He held his sword loosely at his side, his stance uneven.

The stag saw its moment. It surged forward, its antlers aimed directly at his chest, certain of its victory. But just as it closed the distance, Vell's smirk returned—sharp, dangerous, and utterly calm.

With a speed that defied the creature's perception, Vell moved. In one fluid motion, he met the beast head on, punching through its attack and sending it flying.

It roared in pain and shock. 'One punch... just one attack and I am this hurt? We messed up, he is far stronger than we thought.' It tried to retreat, but Vell was already in front of it, his movements no longer sluggish or strained. He tilted his head, a cold amusement in his eyes.

"what's wrong? scared?," he said, his voice low but cutting.

The stag lashed out with its remaining antler, but he caught it mid-swing with his bare hand, stopping it dead. The creature's eyes widened in terror as the realization hit—it had been toyed with.

"You think you're the forest's wrath?" His voice was ice. "Let me show you what that really looks like."

His sword pulsed with blinding light as he swung, the strike splitting the air with a sharp crack. The stag didn't even have time to react. The blade cleaved through its body effortlessly, cutting it down in an instant.

For a moment, the forest was silent. Then the beast crumbled, its body dissolving into motes of mana that drifted upward, leaving behind only the core.

He sheathed his sword, exhaling softly. "Arrogant thing," he muttered, brushing dirt off his shoulder. His eyes turned to the forest, scanning for signs of his team.

"Alright," he said to himself, his smirk softening. "Time to clean up the rest of this mess."

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With that, he disappeared into the trees, his pace calm but unrelenting, ready to regroup with his scattered companions.