Beast weapons are crafted from the remains of powerful beasts, their strength determined by the class of the beast killed. Mr. Ken began the lesson, his tone stern and commanding.
"Beast classes are divided into several tiers: Basic Class—the weakest; Intermediate Class; Advanced Class; King Class; Emperor Class; and Demon Class—the strongest beasts ever known to humanity. Currently, there are only three Demon Class beast weapons in existence, wielded by the three strongest humans alive: Emperor Kane, Mr. Void, and Mrs. April. Together, they are known as the Three Pillars of the World," he declared, his voice laced with reverence.
Pausing, he scanned the room, his gaze sharp. "The weapons you first-years possess are either Basic or Intermediate tier. This is because barely one percent of you can even handle an Intermediate-class beast, let alone kill one. What a shame," he added, his disappointment evident.
The students sat in silence, feeling the weight of his words.
"There are different types of beasts, but we will discuss those in our next class," Mr. Ken concluded just as the bell rang.
Perfect timing, Chen thought, relieved to leave the heavy atmosphere.
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After class, Chen and Damian wandered around the campus, chatting idly.
"Hey, where can I find a Four-Handed Ape to kill?" Chen asked abruptly.
Damian raised an eyebrow. "You're serious? Alright, follow me."
The two headed to the school's gates, presenting their temporary hunting badges to the guards. "We're here to hunt," Damian explained, holding up a recording device to validate their intentions.
After a brief inspection, the guards nodded and granted them passage.
They soon arrived at a large cave guarded by two sentries. Damian stepped forward confidently, showing their hunting permits. Once inside, the damp, shadowy atmosphere of the cave enveloped them.
It didn't take long for them to spot their first target: a Four-Handed Ape resting against the cave wall. Its massive frame and coarse fur made it an intimidating sight.
"Just sneak up and take it down," Damian suggested in a hushed tone.
"No way," Chen whispered back. "I need to record myself killing it."
Damian rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll go first," he offered.
Chen nodded, stepping aside. Damian picked up a nearby rock and hurled it at the ape. The rock struck its target, jolting the beast awake.
The ape's fiery red eyes snapped open, radiating pure rage.
"Uh… what level is this thing, exactly?" Damian asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.
Chen quickly checked his energy-reading watch, a device provided to all students. "Level 7, Basic Class," he replied.
"Okay, not too bad," Damian muttered, trying to sound confident.
The enraged ape wasted no time, charging straight at Damian. It swung one of its massive fists downward with immense force.
BOOM! The ground shook as the fist collided with the cave floor, sending dust and debris flying.
The ape raised its arm again, expecting to crush its prey, but Damian was no longer there.
"Looking for me?" Damian taunted, standing several feet away.
The ape roared and swung again, this time aiming directly at Damian. Reacting swiftly, Damian raised a wall of shadows, which absorbed the impact silently.
A smirk spread across his face. "You sure pack a punch," he teased. "But fighting me in the dark is the worst mistake you'll ever make."
Before the ape could react, it let out a howl of pain. A fist made entirely of shadow struck its side, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.
The ape spun around, its fiery gaze scanning for its unseen attacker. Sensing danger, it grew wary of its opponent.
Damian seized the opportunity. Chains of shadow materialized in his hands, their rattling echoing through the cavern. A mask formed over his face, shrouding his features and amplifying his aura. The air around him grew heavy with an intimidating presence.
The ape hesitated, stepping back cautiously. But as if in response, its own aura surged dramatically, signaling its resolve to fight.
The stage was set for a fierce battle.