A low, guttural growl rumbled through the trees, sending a shiver down my spine. My breath hitched as I caught sight of the beast emerging from the shadows.

  [System Alert!]

  Warning: Grade 2 Beast—Black Panther detected. Prepare for battle.

  Right at that moment, the panther lunged.

  Fast—too fast.

  Before I could even react, a sharp force slammed into me, sending me flying backward. My body crashed against the hard ground, knocking the air out of my lungs. A searing pain spread across my chest where its claws had raked me. I groaned, struggling to get up.

  The system warned me, yet I still got hit…

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  But something was wrong.

  As I tried to regain focus, an immense pressure filled the air. A sudden rush of mana erupted from the Black Panther’s body. Its dark fur shimmered unnaturally under the moonlight, and then—

  The moon turned crimson.

  I froze. It was as if real blood had been spilled across the sky, painting the full moon in a deep red hue. The eerie sight sent a wave of unease through my body. Even the wind seemed to howl in warning.

  “What the hell…?” Maito whispered, his face turning serious. He had been watching from a distance, but now, his expression shifted. He saw it too.

  Then, without hesitation, Maito leaped into action.

  “Vampire Shark!”

  Water swirled around his arm, forming into the shape of a massive shark. It twisted and coiled like a living entity before launching toward the Black Panther at an insane speed.

  The beast sensed the attack and tried to dodge, but it was too late.

  SLASH!

  The Vampire Shark attack sliced cleanly through its back left leg. The panther let out a bloodcurdling roar, staggering as dark liquid gushed from its wound.

  I forced myself to stand, gripping my sword. The air around me shifted. Wind.

  Not just any wind.

  This time, it was different.

  A powerful gust surged from my weapon, wrapping around me like a raging storm. My eyes widened in realization—this was real wind magic. My mana, my strength… something had awakened.

  I clenched my jaw, lifting my blade. The wind howled in response.

  “Your move, beast.”