The awakening of instinct

The air in the training grounds was thick with tension. The other students stood frozen as the massive beast loomed over them, its crimson eyes burning with raw malice. Its body, covered in jagged black fur, pulsed with unnatural energy. This was no ordinary demon—it was something far beyond what first-year hunters should face.

Nero stood at the front, his silver eyes locked onto the creature. His mind, sharp from centuries of experience, processed the situation instantly. This isn’t just a test. Something is wrong.

The instructors, who should have intervened, were nowhere to be seen. The beast let out a guttural snarl, its claws raking against the stone ground, leaving deep gashes in its wake. Fear spread through the students like wildfire.

“This… this isn’t part of the trial, is it?” a student stammered, gripping his weapon with trembling hands.

“N-No way. That thing is beyond what we can handle.”

Some turned to run, but Nero didn’t move. His instincts, honed through countless battles in his past life, urged him forward. If I don’t act now, they will all die.

He clenched his fists. But I’m not strong enough yet… not like before.

The beast roared and lunged. In a blink, it closed the distance, slamming one of the students into a nearby wall. Bones cracked. Blood splattered across the stone. Panic erupted.

Nero moved.

His body reacted before his mind could think, a remnant of his past strength guiding his movements. He dashed toward the beast, grabbing a fallen spear from the ground. His grip was steady, his mind clear. Even without my full power, I can still fight.

With precise footwork, he dodged the beast’s wild swipes, analyzing its attack patterns. It’s fast, but reckless. It relies on brute strength over technique.

A perfect weakness.

“Everyone, get back!” Nero commanded, his voice sharp and unwavering. The students hesitated, stunned by his authority, but the fear in his eyes made them obey.

The beast lunged again, but this time, Nero was ready. Twisting his body, he used the spear’s momentum to redirect the creature’s attack, narrowly avoiding its crushing blow. In a fluid motion, he aimed for its exposed neck and struck.

The spear pierced deep, black blood spraying from the wound. The beast howled in pain, thrashing violently.

But it didn’t die.

Instead, its body began to change. The wound healed almost instantly, and its muscles expanded. Its aura grew darker, suffocating.

Nero’s eyes narrowed. Regeneration… and an awakening form? Just what kind of monster is this?

The other students watched in horror as the creature became even stronger. Despair set in.

“We can’t beat this thing!” someone cried.

“Why aren’t the instructors helping us?!”

Something was wrong. The instructors weren’t just missing—this entire trial had turned into a death trap.

Nero gritted his teeth. I don’t have time to think about that now.

The beast charged again, but this time, Nero didn’t dodge. He stepped in instead, meeting its attack head-on. His body screamed in protest, his strength far from what it once was. But his instincts carried him through.

At the last moment, he twisted, using the creature’s momentum against it. He slammed the spear’s shaft into its jaw, forcing its head upward. Then, with precision, he struck its exposed throat, using all his strength.

The beast staggered, gasping for breath.

Now was his chance.

Nero leaped, grabbing a discarded sword from the ground. This ends now.

With a final strike, he plunged the blade deep into the beast’s skull.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, the beast collapsed, its body twitching before finally going still.

The students stood in shock. He did it.

Nero exhaled, his body trembling. He wasn’t as strong as before, but this fight had awakened something deep inside him.

Then, the silence shattered.

The beast’s body began to dissolve into dark mist, its remains twisting unnaturally. Nero stepped back, his instincts flaring.

From within the black mist, something stirred.

A low, menacing growl echoed through the air.

Then, the shadows took shape—forming into a new beast.