The Beast Horde At The Settlement

Chapter 155 — The Beast Horde at the Settlement

The howl echoed through the forest, followed by the heavy sound of approaching footsteps.

Aether stood at the settlement's entrance, watching the shadows between the trees. Aria, Lyra, Seris, and Vaelira gathered behind him, while Sylvara, Elara, and Evelyn quickly joined them after sensing the disturbance.

Blackfang stood beside Aether, its crimson eyes fixed on the forest. Ironhide and Grimhorn emerged next, followed by the three Shadow Soldiers he had acquired the previous day.

Through his connection with the Razorclaw scout, Aether received a series of impressions.

Numerous beasts were approaching together. Some were powerful, while others were injured and struggling to keep pace. At the center of the group was a creature whose aura was far stronger than anything else nearby.

"How many?" Aether asked quietly.

The scout transmitted another impression.

"More than twenty."

Lyra frowned. "A beast horde?"

"Possibly. But they're moving too deliberately for an ordinary migration."

Aether extended his Origin Sense toward the forest. He could detect the weaker creatures clearly, but the strongest presence distorted his perception.

His System immediately analyzed the approaching auras.

[Multiple Origin Beasts detected.]

[Individual cultivation levels identified.]

[Strongest detected presence: Origin Tempering Realm — Stage 9.]

[Species identification: Pending visual confirmation.]

Aether's eyes narrowed. The strongest beast was already at the peak of the realm, but he still didn't know what abilities it possessed.

"Everyone, stay near the settlement. Don't attack unless they become hostile."

Aria tightened her grip on her spear. "And if they do?"

"Then we stop them."

The first beasts emerged from the trees.

Several enormous boars led the way, their dark hides reinforced with jagged bone plates. Behind them came lean predators with long limbs and pale eyes. More creatures followed, including a group of smaller beasts that remained close to the center of the formation.

Aether immediately noticed their arrangement.

The stronger creatures protected the outer edges, while the weaker ones stayed in the middle. Several of the beasts were injured, and some could barely walk.

This wasn't an ordinary hunting party.

Then their leader appeared.

A massive four-legged beast stepped out from between the trees. Its body resembled a lion covered in overlapping black scales, and two curved horns extended from its forehead. Golden patterns ran along its shoulders, pulsing whenever it released Origin Energy.

Aether's System responded.

[Target identified: Golden-Horned Blackscale Lion.]

[Species: Unknown Origin Beast Variant.]

[Current Cultivation: Origin Tempering Realm — Stage 9.]

[Potential: A.]

[Abnormality detected: Origin Energy instability.]

[Additional abilities: Not yet analyzed.]

Aether's eyes narrowed at the abnormality notification.

Origin Energy instability?

Before he could investigate further, the beast stopped several dozen meters from the settlement. Its golden eyes moved across the group before settling on Aether.

Neither side moved.

Then the beast lowered its head slightly.

The surrounding creatures became restless, but none advanced.

Aether studied the leader's posture. It wasn't preparing to charge. Instead, it repeatedly glanced toward the forest behind it, its muscles tense and its breathing unusually heavy.

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"You aren't here to attack us," Aether said.

The beast released a low growl.

"You're running from something."

Its golden markings brightened.

Vaelira stepped forward slightly, examining the patterns.

"Those markings aren't merely decorative. Origin Energy is circulating through them, but the flow is unstable. Something has disrupted its normal circulation."

"Can you determine what?" Aether asked.

"Not from this distance."

Seris concentrated on the beast's aura. "Its vitality is enormous, but there's something wrong. The energy around its body feels strained, almost as though it's constantly resisting an external pressure."

Aether looked at the injured creatures behind it.

The pieces were beginning to fit together.

"Whatever you're fleeing from has already hurt your group."

The beast lowered its head again, then turned toward the forest.

Aether followed its gaze.

A distant howl answered from beyond the ridge.

The response was immediate. Every beast in the horde became agitated. Several of the weaker creatures crouched low, while the stronger ones moved closer to their leader.

Even the massive lion-like beast showed signs of fear.

Aether's expression hardened.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves."

The second howl was followed by a violent tremor.

Trees shook along the distant ridge. Birds scattered into the sky, and a wave of distorted Origin Energy swept through the forest.

Aether's Origin Sense caught the disturbance.

Something was approaching at tremendous speed.

"Blackfang, scout the left side. Razorclaw, keep tracking its movement. Ironhide, protect the entrance. Grimhorn, stay ready to intercept anything that breaks through."

His shadows moved immediately.

Blackfang vanished between the trees, while the Razorclaw scout climbed onto a rocky outcrop to observe the approaching threat. Ironhide positioned itself near the settlement entrance, and Grimhorn lowered its body, preparing to charge.

Aether summoned the Crimsonback shadow and the remaining Razorclaw Soldier.

"Crimsonback, support Ironhide. Razorclaw, stay behind the frontline and watch for openings."

The shadows took their positions without hesitation.

Aria glanced at the formation and understood his intention. "You're using the armored shadows to hold the entrance while the faster ones monitor the enemy."

"Exactly. We don't know what we're dealing with yet, so there's no reason to commit everyone at once."

Lyra raised her hand as faint sparks of lightning gathered around her fingers. "And where do we come in?"

"You're with me on the frontline. Aria, cover our flanks. Sylvara, reinforce our defensive position. Evelyn and Elara, watch for anything trying to circle around us. Seris, stay protected and be ready to heal anyone who gets injured. Vaelira, observe the enemy's energy patterns."

Nobody questioned his decisions.

They had fought together too many times to waste time arguing when a threat was approaching.

The forest suddenly exploded.

A dark silhouette burst through the trees, sending broken branches and fragments of stone flying in every direction. It landed in the clearing with enough force to crack the ground.

The creature resembled a gigantic insect with six limbs, a narrow armored body, and a crown of curved spikes around its head. Black Origin Energy poured from the gaps between its plates, leaving the surrounding air distorted.

Aether's System immediately analyzed it.

[Target identified: Abyssal Ravager.]

[Species: Origin Beast — Abyssal Variant.]

[Current Cultivation: Origin Vein Realm — Stage 2.]

[Potential: A.]

[Ability detected: Origin Energy Consumption.]

[Energy Signature: Abnormally dense.]

[Combat Analysis: In Progress.]

Aether's expression changed.

Origin Vein Realm!

The creature had already crossed into the next major realm, placing it far above the Golden-Horned Blackscale Lion in cultivation.

The System's analysis continued.

[Origin Energy Consumption: The target absorbs surrounding Origin Energy through its body.]

[Observed Effect: Nearby Origin Energy density decreases during ability activation.]

[Secondary Effect: Living targets with unstable Origin Energy circulation may experience energy depletion.]

[Weakness Assessment: Insufficient combat data.]

Aether finally understood why the horde had been fleeing.

The Ravager wasn't simply releasing powerful energy. It was consuming the Origin Energy around it, including the energy circulating through nearby living creatures.

That explained the leader's unstable aura.

The creature turned its head toward the settlement. Its multiple eyes fixed on the dense concentration of living beings gathered behind Aether.

Then it opened its jaws.

A wave of black energy surged across the clearing.

"Move!"

Aether activated Shadow Step and reappeared beside Aria, pulling her clear of the attack's path. Lyra leaped backward as Sylvara raised a barrier of green Origin Energy around the others.

The black wave struck the ground and spread across the clearing. Grass withered beneath its passage, and the surrounding Origin Energy rapidly thinned.

Ironhide planted its feet and absorbed the edge of the impact. The Crimsonback shadow reinforced its position, its armored body shielding the entrance.

Both shadows were pushed backward, but the formation held.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

"That energy is dangerous. Don't let it surround you."

The Abyssal Ravager charged.

Blackfang emerged from the trees and attacked its rear leg, forcing it to adjust its trajectory. Grimhorn followed with a powerful strike against its flank, but the creature's armor absorbed most of the impact.

The Ravager twisted and struck Grimhorn with one of its limbs.

The shadow shattered into dark Origin Energy.

Aether felt the connection recoil, but the imprint remained intact.

He immediately recalled the scattered energy before the creature could interfere further.

Its defense is stronger than expected, and that energy can disrupt my shadows.

He couldn't rely on brute force alone.

"Blackfang, keep moving! Don't engage it head-on!"

The wolf obeyed, drawing the Ravager's attention while the Razorclaw scouts monitored its movements. Aether watched the creature carefully, searching for a weakness.

Then he noticed something.

Every time the Ravager released its black energy, the golden patterns on the horde leader's body flickered in response.

The patterns weren't merely circulation channels.

They were resisting the same energy that the Ravager was releasing.

Aether's gaze sharpened.

"Vaelira! Can you interfere with the energy around its armor?"

"I can try, but I need a clear opening!"

"Then watch for my signal."

Aether turned toward the horde leader.

"You want to survive? Keep its attention away from the settlement."

The massive beast roared and charged the Ravager from the opposite side.

The impact shook the clearing.

For the first time, the Abyssal Ravager was forced to divide its attention between two powerful opponents.

Aether smiled faintly.

Now he had an opening.

He tightened his grip on his weapon and advanced, his Origin Energy gathering around his body.

"Let's see how well you defend yourself when you can't control the battlefield."