chsdbacks Chapter 286 Beast Arts
Chapter 286 Beast Arts
It has long been said that the Beast Arts were granted to the beastmen by the gods at the time of creation. The elves were gifted long lives filled with beauty. The humans were granted adaptability and bountiful lands.
However, the beastmen were left to fight in barren lands and relied upon strength to survive the harsh world and one another. The gods took pity on their struggle and granted them Arts meant only for their kind.
At least, this was the story that was passed down from generation to generation. None could say if this were truth or fanciful fiction, but there remained one truth regardless of which it was. Beast Arts were something that only those who shared in a bounty of their blood could access.
Many strong abilities were hidden within this branch of the Arts. They included abilities that would enlarge the user, strengthen their claws or limbs, and even enhance their senses. Each and every one of these was available to all beastmen.
However, among these skills, there remained one that was considered a myth. It was known as the peak of the Beast Arts, only ever being used by great kings and legendary warriors. This was the hidden skill, [Therianthropy].
Normally, all beastmen are capable of Shifting. This allows them to temporarily increase the strength of their bodies and senses outside of the use of Arts. They retained their human forms but often grew extra fur or scales for as long as they remained in that form. [Therianthropy] was different. This hidden skill allowed its user to transform their entire body into that of a beast.
Kalliope had just activated this ability. Her bones cracked and groaned as she grew to almost eight feet in height. The muscles in her arms bulged and the skin ripped itself apart from the rapid expansion. Blood splattered over the ground, wall, and Gett, who still had a firm grip on Kalliope's tail.
Metal clattered to the ground as the armor the Gray Wolf was wearing ripped itself free of her body. Where her skin had sloughed off was replaced with lustrous golden fur to match her blonde hair. Her face had elongated into a wolf snout, and her teeth were replaced with two rows of razor-sharp ones.
Kalliope released a howl into the air upon the completion of her transformation. Gett, who used to be larger than her, now had to look up at her standing almost a head and a half taller than her, though she was still slightly hunched over.
Stay tuned for updates on empire
The formerly beautiful warrior now resembled ancient werebeasts from ages long past. She leaned in closer to Gett's face, which was frozen in terror, and snarled while snapping her teeth. Gett let out a small whimper and attempted to retreat to reassess the situation.
Kalliope pounced on her fleeing target, sinking her teeth directly into the back of his neck, tearing out a chunk of his spine. The moment the blood touched her lips, all reason finally left her body. Kalliope's mind had gone into hibernation, and the body left behind operated for the sole purpose of feeding and destroying.
Screams and shouts filled the arena as the guards continued to attack the feral monster in front of them. Several members of the crowd began to flee, but many continued to watch the new blood sport that erupted before their eyes. Soon, their eyes were drawn to a group of five individuals that entered the arena.
These five people immediately locked onto the werebeast and charged toward it. Kalliope sensed the approach of the new opponents, who each far outclassed her in power. Instead of being wary of them, she saw their presence as a challenge and left the pile of gore she had created.
"Don't kill it! We have to keep it alive! Itorin's orders!" the leader shouted, "[Lux: Blinding Light]"
""Right!"" the other four agreed.
Kalliope found herself temporarily blinded but continued to charge at her enemies using her other senses. She made a wild swing and made contact with what felt like a shield.
"[Shield Arts: Shatter]!"
An explosion rocked the right side of Kalliope's body, and she felt her arm go limp and useless. A slight whistle to her left indicated a hammer was heading toward her face, and she ducked below it before countering with a slash that harmlessly bounced off the attacker's armor.
"Goodnight, wolf." A calm voice appeared out of thin air from behind her. "[Tempestas: Thunderclap]"
The clap of hands was swiftly followed by an explosion of force right next to her ear and rocked her to her core. Kalliope stumbled about for several moments, completely disoriented, before she fell into a slump on the ground. Just as her vision was returning from the spell, it was darkening once more from the loss of consciousness.
Itorin's voice called out, "Well, looks like we are going to have to rank up her fights. That was very, very impressive. Thank you, guys, for keeping her alive. Gods, I had no idea you would be this good of a money maker."