The entire valley trembled.
Dark clouds gathered above the sky as an ancient pressure spread across the forest.
Kael stood motionless.
The power inside his body was changing.
His heartbeat became slower.
His breathing became deeper.
Every instinct inside him screamed that something dangerous was awakening.
The Beast Sovereign inheritance that had always remained within him was no longer controlling the power.
It was releasing it.
[Warning.]
[Unknown energy detected.]
[Ancient bloodline awakening initiated.]
[Process cannot be stopped.]
Kael clenched his fists.
"What did you seal inside me?"
The voice of the Beast Sovereign became silent.
For the first time since Kael received the inheritance...
It hesitated.
Then a deep voice answered.
"The first beast."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"The first?"
"The creature that existed before kingdoms, before races, before the concept of beast and human."
A terrifying image appeared in Kael's mind.
A colossal creature covered in endless darkness.
Its roar shattered mountains.
Its presence caused ancient gods to retreat.
"The Primordial Beast."
The Fenrir watched silently.
Its golden eyes carried respect.
"Only those with the blood of the Sovereign can awaken that power."
Kael looked at it.
"Then why test me?"
The Fenrir lowered its head slightly.
"Because the previous Sovereign failed."
The atmosphere froze.
Kael's expression became serious.
"Failed?"
"The power of the Primordial Beast consumed his mind. He became a creature of destruction."
The Fenrir's voice became heavier.
"Strength without control creates a monster."
Kael looked at his own hands.
Black energy surrounded his fingers.
A normal person would have feared this power.
But Kael only smiled.
"Then I will control it."
The Fenrir stared at him.
"Many said the same thing."
The next moment—
The Primordial energy exploded.
A massive shadow appeared behind Kael.
The forest creatures immediately bowed.
Not because they chose to.
But because their instincts forced them.
The king of beasts had awakened.
Kael's companions fell to their knees.
Lyssa looked at him with fear and admiration.
"Master..."
Lyra whispered.
"That isn't Beast Shift anymore."
Kael opened his eyes.
Golden flames burned within them.
"I understand now."
"I was never meant to inherit the power of the Beast Sovereign."
The shadow behind him roared.
"I was meant to surpass it."
The Abyssal Fenrir finally smiled.
"Good."
"You have taken the first step."
The Fenrir's body began releasing a silver light.
Ancient symbols appeared around it.
"Now, I shall reveal the truth hidden from all successors."
Kael looked toward the ancient beast.
"What truth?"
The Fenrir's eyes became cold.
"The Beast Sovereign was not created to rule beasts."
"It was created to prepare for the arrival of something that even beasts fear."
The sky cracked.
A dark rift appeared above the valley.
From beyond it came an unknown presence.
Something watching.
Something waiting.
The Fenrir looked upward.
"They have found you."
Kael's expression hardened.
"Who?"
The ancient beast answered:
"The ones who killed the previous Sovereign."