Stella raised her plasma gun, her eyes narrowing as she focused on the creatures darting through the underbrush. She could hear their eerie, high-pitched cackles echoing faintly through the trees—a sound that sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
"Keon," she called, her voice steady but laced with caution, "I'm going to fire a shot. It should reveal what we're dealing with."
Keon, already on edge, nodded. He had his hand poised, ready to bring up his barrier at a moment's notice.
Stella took a deep breath, her finger tightening on the trigger. "Get ready."
With a flash of blue light, the plasma shot burst from the barrel of the gun, slamming into one of the creatures. The shot illuminated the surrounding forest, briefly revealing the creatures in full. They were hyenas—large, unnaturally twisted versions, their eyes glowing an ominous red. They had an unsettling, almost intelligent air about them, and their mouths were filled with jagged, bloodstained teeth.
Keon didn't hesitate. His Rift Barrier appeared instantly, a shimmering force that stretched out before him.
The plasma shot, though it should have been lethal, was deflected by the barrier, sending the hyena creature reeling back as if struck by an invisible force.
Stella watched, impressed. "Damn, that's a tough barrier. It's like you're redirecting the kinetic force of whatever hits it. The wolf... that's how it went flying, right?"
Keon didn't answer, keeping his focus on the hyenas that were now circling them. The pack was large—too large for comfort—and their glowing eyes seemed to glimmer with a terrifying sense of intelligence, as though they were calculating their next move.
The hyenas' cackles grew louder, the eerie chorus rising as they closed in, testing the limits of Keon's barrier.
Keon remained silent, watching them carefully. He knew these creatures didn't hunt alone—this was a coordinated attack. And judging by their behavior, they were getting ready to pounce
Got it! Here's the revised system panel with the new rank:
---
[Creature Identified]
---
Name: Bloodfang Hyena
Race: Beast
Rank: 3 (Awakened Beast, Early Stage)
Size: 1.8 Meters (Height)
Pack Size: 5-8 Hyenas (Common)
Abilities:
Pack Coordination (Passive)
Blood Frenzy (Active)
Savage Strike
Cackling Terror
Stealth Ambush
Instincts: Highly territorial; hunts in packs to overwhelm prey. Aggressive and relentless, especially when wounded. Intelligent enough to use coordinated tactics and traps.
---
Keon narrowed his eyes at the glowing information in front of him. The details of the Bloodfang Hyena were now clear—this wasn't just a simple beast. It was a cunning, pack-driven predator. He would have to tread carefully.
The system panel vanished, leaving Keon to focus on the creatures closing in.
Keon stood still, his focus sharpened, but there was a certain calmness in his eyes. The hyenas were circling, their cackles filling the air, but Keon wasn't as tense as he had been before. His Rift Barrier was already in place—though invisible to the naked eye, Keon could feel its immense presence, an unseen force that pulsed around him like a protective bubble.
He extended his hand slightly, concentrating, and the barrier grew, expanding outward, stretching to encompass the entire area around him. Keon could feel the edges of the barrier as it reached out, expanding into the forest with perfect precision. The barrier was large, and it was powerful. He knew its limits and felt the boundary surrounding the pack of hyenas, sensing their movements clearly.
The Bloodfang Hyenas, now within his barrier, were still a threat, but Keon's calmness was undeniable. His Rift Barrier was practically invincible—he could withstand anything they threw at him. Their bites, claws, and even their special abilities would be absorbed harmlessly into the barrier, leaving Keon untouched.
But despite the assurance the barrier gave him, his gaze flickered briefly to Stella. She stood close by, her plasma gun ready, but Keon could sense her uncertainty. Her tense posture was a sharp contrast to his relaxed demeanor. She wasn't invincible. And though he trusted his power, he couldn't shake the feeling of responsibility toward her.
The hyenas were still closing in, their eyes glowing like predators in the night, but Keon allowed himself a moment of clarity. His power might have been vast, but there were things beyond brute force that worried him—like keeping Stella safe.
He glanced back at her again, his voice low. "Stay close. I've got this."
The hyenas continued to stalk, but Keon wasn't concerned about himself. With the barrier in place, he felt a wave of calm wash over him. The real challenge now was making sure Stella didn't get caught in the crossfire.
Stella kept her eyes locked on the advancing hyenas, her grip tightening around her plasma gun. She could feel the tension in the air, but her expression remained steady—she wasn't about to let fear show. Still, she couldn't ignore the reality of their situation.
Keon stood next to her, his aura calm, almost detached, as if he was already certain the outcome was in his favor. His Rift Barrier expanded outward, but Stella wasn't so sure. There were too many variables she couldn't account for.
She turned to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, her voice firm but carrying a hint of that older sibling tone. "Look, I know you're experienced in surviving situations like this, Keon," she said, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. "But we don't know their rank, how many there are, or what else they might throw at us."
Keon gave her a reassuring glance, his usual confident smirk making an appearance, but Stella didn't let that ease her worry. She'd seen him pull off some amazing feats, but even he couldn't predict everything.
"I'm not saying you can't handle it," she continued, her voice softening just a bit, "but we need to be careful. This isn't just about you. We're in this together, right?"
Keon nodded, understanding the weight of her words. He was strong—maybe stronger than anyone here—but Stella's concern was valid. They were still outnumbered by a pack of dangerous beasts. No matter how invincible he felt, there was always the unknown to contend with.
She didn't wait for him to reply, her stance tightening as she prepared for whatever was coming next. "Just… stay alert, alright? I'll keep my eyes open too."
Keon let out a quiet sigh, his gaze shifting to the forest as the hyenas continued to circle. The calmness in his demeanor didn't quite reach his eyes, which were scanning the area, calculating. He knew the Rift Barrier would hold, but he also knew the sheer number of creatures they were facing could become a problem.
"Stella," he said, his voice calm but tinged with a slight edge of weariness. "There are fifty of them. All Rank 3, Early Stage."
Stella's eyes widened, and she glanced back at him sharply. "Fifty? Are you sure?"
Keon gave a nonchalant shrug, his eyes never leaving the hyenas. "I've got a good read on them. My barrier picks up every one of them, and I can feel how many are closing in. They're all Rank 3, Early Stage."
He glanced at her, his expression softening just a little. "I've got this, but yeah... we should still be careful. The numbers are a bit much, but I've got you covered."
Stella's brow furrowed as she processed the information. Fifty Rank 3 hyenas? It wasn't a small number, and they were all part of an intelligent, coordinated pack. But at least Keon had them under control with his barrier. She just needed to keep her head in the game.
"Alright," she said, a serious edge in her voice now, "I'll follow your lead. But don't get cocky."
Keon chuckled lightly, though it was mostly to himself. "Wouldn't dream of it."