The battle wasn't over yet.
The unicorn, once a majestic Tier-3 beast, had now evolved into a **Tier-4 flying nightmare**, glowing with light energy and massive wings spread wide. Blood dripped from its wounded body, but its fury burned brighter.
**Rudra** observed, eyes narrowing.
*"It's still injured… but it's charging again with light energy…"*
As the air crackled with energy—.
**Senior Mo**: *"If we delay here, we'll get trapped. No more holding back!"*
**Junior Parshu**: *"Then let's go all out!"*
He raised his hand. A healing glow spread.
> **Radiant Heal** – Parshu's light-element technique rapidly restored energy and stamina.
Now fully recharged, **Senior Mo** dashed forward, his dagger glowing with fierce spiritual energy.
> **Howling Rend** – Mo channels his beast spirit to strike both body and soul, destabilizing the enemy's spirit and shattering its spiritual focus.
The unicorn's aura wavered—its soul cracked, spiritual energy dissolving like fog.
**Senior Kin** followed instantly.
> **Storm Spike Rush** – A spiraling charge attack with her lance wrapped in piercing wind spikes, capable of shredding through multiple enemies in a line.
Her strike hit true, and with a final roar, the flying unicorn collapsed midair—**dead**.
**Gan Mu** stepped up calmly and collected the beast's **element stone**.
**Senior Mo** (panting): *"Let's move. We've lingered long enough."*
Just as they turned back—
A **massive shadow** lunged down from a cliff.
A **Tier-7 Earth-Fire Scorpion Beast**—wounded, dying—but still terrifying.
And caught in its claw\... **Gouri**!
Frozen in fear, legs trembling.
But a blur flashed past her—**Rudra**.
> **Flame Fist!** – A punch bursting with raw fire energy.
It slammed into the beast's claw, forcing it open.
Everyone went **silent**, shocked.
**Sesh Pam** (wide-eyed): *"D-Did he just kill that beast with one punch…?"*
**Rudra**: *"Are you stupid? That beast was already dying. Even if I didn't strike, it would've perished."*
From its broken body, **a massive aura burst out**—a brilliant **chest-positioned Beast Core** hovered in the air.
**Senior Mo**: *"Rudra, take that core. We're leaving—whatever injured this beast is beyond us."*
---
### **Elsewhere... atop a misty mountain...**
A cloaked girl stood, watching them through the thick fog.
A horned monster behind her spoke:
*"Shall I kill them and bring back the Beast Core, young master?"*
She shook her head.
*"It's just a chest core. I don't need those anymore...
Then, in her mind: *"That boy… there's something about him. Familiar… but I can't place it."*
She turned.
*"Retreat."*
---
### **Scene: Room 113, Medicine Hall Academy Dorms**
The team returned.
**Senior Mo** handed out **recovery pills** to Rudra and gifted **the 4-tier unicorn's light-element stone** to Parshu.
**Senior Mo**: *"You have a light element. Observe this element stone —it might help in your next breakthrough."*
Everyone began observe their element stones quietly. In his room, Rudra collapsed into a deep sleep.
Late Night: Academy Grounds**
**Rudra** and **Senior Mo** walked under the starlight.
**Senior Mo**: *"We were sent to hunt a Tier-3 beast. We killed a Tier-4 and brought back its horn. Our reward's increased—25,000 Medi-Coins. Take your share."*
Mo tapped his badge to Rudra's—**12,500 coins transferred**.
**Rudra** hesitated, pulling out the glowing beast core from earlier.
**Rudra**: *"This core… here. You should take it."*
**Senior Mo**: *"No. That's an **Earth-Fire Scorpion Core**. It matches your elements. Keep it."*
**Rudra**: *"But it's a treasure!"*
**Mo** smiled faintly:
*"In time, it'll be your greatest asset. You know how Beast Cores work, don't you?"*
**Rudra** nodded:
*"Yes. A knight can absorb only three in their lifetime, into parts like chest, back, legs, arms, or head. But we can only refine cores after reaching the **3rd rank – Beast Vein**."*
**Senior Mo**: *"Correct. But here's the key—this is no ordinary core."*
He paused.
*"It's an **Inner Beast Core**."*
**Rudra**: *"…What's that?"*
**Senior Mo**:
*"Normal cores fuse with your outer body—flesh, muscles, limbs. Inner cores bond with your inner spiritual essence. And they **grow stronger as you grow**. They're extremely rare… and only found in powerful Tier-7+ beasts."*
He gave Rudra a
serious look.
*"Use it wisely. Refining this won't be easy… and it will change your path forever."*
To be continued...