12th Origin Year of the 12th Decamillennium. Rainy Season, Day 2.
(Western Inner Area. Great Desolate Forest).
125th day of 4th Dragon Year of the 700th Eastern Megaannum.
Vaen looked at the Dragon & Phoenix Jade suspended in front of him.
Its pale green glow cut through the darkness of the forest—a reminder the Union technology worked and wasn't magic.
He'd been staring at that display for twenty days every time he used it, since Mortis brought it.
Every message still seemed a miracle.
He muttered, half to himself, "Fourth Dragon Year 125th day, huh!"
He'd asked Mortis once.
The "Dragon Year" were ten-thousand-day cycles. Megaannums on the other hand describe that it had been more than 700 million years since the Primus Tenebris was born and started dominating the Eastern Mathiverse. Dragons ruled eastern cycles, symbol of transformation and power.
Every Dragon Year heralded a new age of change. So this was the 4th Dragon Year of the 700th Eastern Megaannum—a time when fate was in motion, and vast forces churned just below the surface of all worlds like always.
When Vaen was thinking all these things he suddenly heard the system sound of the jade also detecting a presence that could be life threatening if not taken care properly.
> New Mission: Slay a single Ferocious Beast
Cultivation: Half-step Golden Core Realm
Deadline: 7 days
Reward: 25 Merit Points
He blinked. A single beast?
That would be simple—until he saw the cultivation of the beast even if it was a ferocious beast. Ferocious beasts were legendary for brute strength. This would be no cakewalk. This Half-step beast can even kill a Stage 2 Golden Core Realm expert.
He scrolled down to Merits: 170 points. Decent, but every point counted when ranking up to captain rank.
Vaen closed the menu and shoved the jade into his cloak. His sword was at his hip—augmented by Mortis's stone, but he had never used anything except Phantom Fang Slash, the first of his "Slash of Nightfall."
Certainly, because there are none.
He rose to his feet, boots squelching in damp earth. Rain continued to drop from the canopy above.
The Endless Desert lay just beyond a few days walk, where anarchy held sway: mercenaries, bandits, desert tribes—all struggling over crumbs beneath a scorching sun.
The Ferocious Desert Beast he tracked was said to stalk the perimeter, preying on unwary travelers.
Vaen departed, Shadow Veil winking for him.
His Dimensional Perception hummed, following energy waves through the underbrush. All of the creatures had left a Qi signature; he just had to follow the strongest one.
An hour it took to scramble over a dune of rock and moss.
And there, hidden amidst twisting roots, was the beast: a great lion-like monstrosity with scales of darkest obsidian and burning amber eyes. Its roar trembled the trees.
Vaen drew his sword, feeling the hum of Tenebris Energy. He calmed his breathing. No berserker strikes—one swift cut.
The monster attacked. Vaen dodged, muscles coiled. As the monster passed, he stepped in behind it, mind FIRM: "Phantom Fang Slash!"
A shadowy fang-blade burst from his sword. It sank into the creature's side with a whisper of energy.
The monster staggered but wheeled around, claws flashing. Vaen dodged the blow and retreated, pounding heart hammering in his chest. Close.
The beast retaliated. Vaen held his position. He allowed the beast's strength to drive it, then—Phantom Fang Slash!—another cut along its shoulder. Black blood sprayed from the wound.
The beast cried out in pain, spinning around to confront him with furious eyes.
Adrenaline coursed through Vaen. Another chance. He thrust himself forward on the fluid strength of his altered form.
The beast reared up, jaws agape. Vaen struck his sword into its chest, right above the Qi core's most powerful pulse.
One, precise Phantom Fang Slash.
The beast let out a final, echoing howl as it fell. Vaen kneeled, sword trembling in his hand.
His Umbral Repository hummed softly as he absorbed the last remnants of the beast's Qi—smooth, clean, no wild spikes. Regression pointers weren't wasted.
Though lower ranked energy at least it can replenish his energy even by a little. He almost used up all of his energy.
While the victory was dominating he knew that once he encountered a single Golden Core Realm intelligence species expert of demonic beast he would be as good as dead.
He stood, releasing the sword. The forest was still again. He tapped his jade:
> Beast Corpse (Rank: High Rank 1)
Sale Complete: 25 Merit Points
Total Merits: 195
Vaen allowed himself a small smile. Mission successful—and a grand total of one monster. He put his sword away and wiped it on his cloak, each smudge of black blood a reminder of his quest.
He looked westward along the desert border, where desert blended into forest. There, tomorrow, he would go, into a land where only the hardy could survive.
But today, he had his virtues, his settled agriculture, and the Dragon & Phoenix Jade vibrating in his pocket.
With one last look at the vanquished monster, Vaen turned and strode into the forest once more.
In this 4th Dragon Year, under the quiet scrutiny of the Union's army, he walked a different path: not vengeance, but mastery. One Phantom Fang Slash at a time.