The howl of abyss

The air turned suffocating as the beast’s remains coalesced into something far more terrifying. The swirling darkness condensed, taking the shape of a massive wolf-like demon, its body exuding a malevolent aura. Its fur was the color of the void itself, rippling like liquid shadows. Its amber eyes gleamed with intelligence—this one was different.

Nero tightened his grip on the blood-stained sword. He wasn’t at full power, but he could feel the difference in this creature. Unlike the first beast, this one was aware.

The other students stood frozen, their fear choking them into silence. The demon wolf lifted its head, sniffing the air before letting out a bone-chilling howl that echoed across the training grounds.

The sound paralyzed the weak-willed, sending shivers down their spines. A few students collapsed to their knees, gripping their heads in agony. It wasn’t just a howl—it was a mental attack.

Nero’s mind flared with resistance. Centuries of battle experience had trained him to withstand all kinds of supernatural influence. He clenched his teeth and pushed through the suffocating pressure.

But the others weren’t as lucky.

A boy next to him clutched his temples, eyes rolling back before collapsing, unconscious. A girl screamed, dropping her weapon as she fell to the ground, trembling.

“This thing… it’s not like the last one,” one student stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

No. It wasn’t.

This was something far worse.

The demon wolf lunged.

It was fast—much faster than the first beast. Nero barely had time to react as the creature’s claws sliced through the air. He twisted his body at the last second, avoiding a fatal blow, but the force of the attack sent him skidding backward across the ground.

A sharp sting flared across his shoulder—its claws had grazed him. He looked down at the wound. Not deep, but dangerous.

Nero gritted his teeth. He wasn’t used to this body yet. In his past life, such an attack would’ve been child’s play to avoid. But now… he was slower, weaker.

I need to adapt. Fast.

The beast lunged again. This time, Nero didn’t retreat.

Instead, he charged forward.

A flash of movement—the wolf swiped its claws. Nero ducked, rolling to the side. Too slow. The demon adjusted mid-attack, twisting its massive body with inhuman agility.

Its hind legs kicked out, aiming to crush him.

Damn!

Nero crossed his arms in defense. Impact. The force sent him flying, slamming into the hard stone ground. Dust and debris scattered around him.

His body screamed in pain. He coughed, tasting iron in his mouth.

No good. This thing fights intelligently. It’s adjusting to my movements.

The students still standing were too scared to intervene. Their training had never prepared them for this level of combat.

Nero exhaled sharply, pushing himself to his feet. He had no time to dwell on weakness.

He needed to end this.

Now.

The wolf circled him, its eyes glowing with mocking amusement. It knew it was stronger. It was playing with him.

That pissed him off.

Nero planted his feet firmly, raising his sword. His mind cleared. His breathing steadied. The world around him slowed.

If I can’t match its speed, I’ll predict its next move.

The wolf growled, sensing the shift in Nero’s stance.

It lunged.

Left.

Nero sidestepped, his movements crisp and precise. The demon’s claws barely missed his throat.

Right.

It spun mid-air, aiming to bite. Nero ducked, his sword flashing as he slashed upward.

The blade cut deep into the wolf’s flank, drawing a howl of agony.

Black blood splattered onto the ground, sizzling like acid.

The demon wolf snapped its head toward him, furious. Its body trembled, energy pulsating around it.

Nero’s eyes widened.

It’s not done yet.

The beast howled again.

This time, the air rippled.

A dark shockwave burst from the wolf’s body, forcing Nero and the other students back. The ground cracked beneath its feet as the demon began to shift again.

Its muscles expanded, its body growing twice its original size.

Its fangs elongated, dripping with something that burned through the stone below.

Its amber eyes turned crimson.

This wasn’t just a mutation.

It was evolving.

Nero’s mind raced. How the hell is it evolving so fast?

The students panicked.

“This… this is impossible!”

“We should run!”

One student tried to flee.

The demon noticed.

Before Nero could react, the beast vanished.