For hours, Nate had carved through ogres, each swing of his blade methodical, precise. Now, only one remained—the Ogre Lord.
Despite standing in his human form, Nate didn’t feel at a disadvantage. With his newly unlocked skill, Part Change, he could selectively morph parts of his body into beast forms—gaining raw power without sacrificing agility.
Beside him, his Goblin Knight, now Level 11, stood tall with glowing eyes and sword at the ready.
The goblin charged first. Its blade clashed with the ogre’s massive hammer in a thunderous crash that echoed across the clearing. The force sent the goblin skidding back, but it had done its job.
Nate was already moving.
A burst of speed—he flashed behind the ogre, Crocodile Blade raised for the kill.
But the Ogre Lord was no fool. Twisting with surprising agility, it swung its hammer up, blocking Nate’s strike with a deafening clang. Nate was thrown back mid-air but landed with fluid grace.
“Not bad,” Nate muttered, eyes gleaming. “I really want that hammer now.”
The Goblin Knight didn’t wait. It surged forward, this time reading the ogre’s motion. As the hammer dropped defensively, the goblin shifted mid-swing, sliding its blade along the haft—and revealed a hidden dagger. A swift slash opened a deep wound along the ogre’s leg, forcing the beast to one knee.
Nate grinned. “Nice one!”
He leaped, blade aimed for the skull. The ogre raised its hammer in a final desperate block—but left its chest exposed.
The Goblin Knight struck true.
Its sword plunged deep into the Ogre Lord’s chest. The monster roared, staggered—and fell with a shuddering thud.
Silence.
Nate exhaled, brushing blood from his brow, and gave the goblin a light pat on the helmet. “Not bad for a sidekick.”
A familiar chime rang in his mind.
[System Notification]
Ogre Lord Defeated
Level Up: 17
New Beast Unlocked: Ogre Chef
New Skin Unlocked: Ogre Lord
He scanned the battlefield. His beasts were resting after the brutal fight, their forms even more impressive than before:
Ignis Lion (Level 16): Its flaming mane now roared with furnace-like intensity.
Thunderstrike Cheetah (Level 17): Arcs of lightning danced through its sleek, electrified form.
Evil Charm (Level 20): Once a cursed crow, now wreathed in dark flames and shadowy menace.
Shadow Panther (Level 17): Silent, unchanged—but deadly as ever.
Leaning against a scorched tree, Nate called up his status.
[Stats]
Level: 17
HP: 5000
MP: 4600
Attack: 2600
Defense: 2200
Abilities: Shadow Strikes, Flame Thrower, Lightning Dash, Dream Ville
He smirked. Even in human form, his arsenal grew stronger with every fight.
“Let’s see what this world throws at me next.”
Athena
The throne room was tense, the silence nearly suffocating. Athena stood at the base of the dais, facing her parents—King Aldred and Queen Elira.
The king rose, his deep voice laced with anger. “What is this foolishness, Athena?”
She met his gaze without flinching. “I’m not being foolish. I’m doing what I want.”
“Do you want to die in some gutter with a sword in your hand? Is that what you want?!”
“Yes,” she snapped, her voice raw. “If it means freedom, then yes.”
The king faltered, momentarily stunned by her conviction.
“The throne will go to my brother,” Athena continued. “So stop pretending I have a duty to it. I’m not a puppet.”
Queen Elira finally spoke, her tone gentler. “We only want what’s best for you.”
“I know what’s best for me,” Athena replied coldly, turning on her heel.
As the doors closed behind her, she muttered, “Royalty won’t rule me.”
Outside, as she approached the capital gates, two guards stepped in her path.
“Lady Athena,” one said, “we can’t allow you to leave the city without an escort. It’s too dangerous.”
A voice cut through the tension. “She won’t be alone.”
The guards turned and stiffened.
A knight in radiant white armor approached, his sword at his side and conviction in his eyes.
“Owen?” Athena blinked in surprise.
The guards stepped aside without protest. Owen fell into step beside her. Neither spoke as they left the capital, the forest rising before them like a challenge.
Owen
The forest was dense, shadowed, and alive with the sounds of hidden creatures. For hours, Owen and Athena traveled in silence. Finally, they came to a clearing where a fallen tree offered brief rest.
“So,” Athena broke the quiet, “how was Holy Knight Academy?”
“Grueling,” Owen admitted. He gave her a side glance. “Looks like you’ve had a rough time, too.”
Athena exhaled sharply. “They still won’t let me become an adventurer.”
“You worry too much,” he said simply. “They’ll understand—eventually.”
She scoffed, but didn’t argue.
Owen suddenly stood and pulled her up with him. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, startled.
He smirked. “To chase the horizon. Or something cooler than sulking.”
For the first time in days, she smiled.
Together, they walked deeper into the woods.
Emily
The guild hall buzzed with noise and motion. Adventurers came and went—until Emily’s party stepped forward at the counter.
The receptionist greeted them warmly. “Back already? Let’s see… one, two, three—”
She froze, fingers stopping at a severed ear. Her eyes widened.
“A Goblin General?!”
Gasps echoed from nearby tables. Adventurers turned, eyebrows raised.
The knight beside Emily shifted uncomfortably. “It wasn’t us,” he muttered.
The party stood silent, burdened by unspoken truths. Beasts had saved them. And that shame clung to their pride.
The receptionist looked up. “Then… who?”
The knight took a breath. “I’d like to accept F-rank missions again.”
She blinked. “You understand that’s a demotion?”
“I do,” he said. “And I accept it.”
One by one, the others stepped forward.
“Count me in,” said the archer.
“Me too,” the mage added.
Then all eyes turned to Emily.
She met their gazes. Once, she would’ve hesitated. Not now.
“I’m with them,” she said. “We’ll grow stronger—together.”
The knight smiled. “So, what’s it going to be?”
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