Chapter 13: Unleashing Shiro and Kuro
The sun was just peeking over the horizon when Karma entered the **Adventurer's Guild**, feeling more confident than ever. After his successful battle with the wyverns and weeks of intense training, he was ready for whatever challenge the day had in store. His mind was clear, and his muscles were steady—though a bit sore from recent exertions.
Approaching the quest board, Karma's eyes scanned for something exciting, something that would truly test his skills. He didn't want just any quest. No, this time he wanted to see how far his companions, **Shiro** and **Kuro**, had come in their own growth.
His eyes landed on a mid-level quest with a familiar rank:
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**Quest: Eliminate the Marauding Beastlings**
- Rank: C+
- Objective: Defeat a pack of **Beastlings** terrorizing a nearby forest.
- Reward: 30 silver coins
- Time limit: 24 hours
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Beastlings were small but vicious creatures that often roamed in packs. Their clawed hands and muscular bodies made them dangerous in numbers, especially when they coordinated their attacks. They weren't as large or powerful as wyverns, but their speed and numbers could overwhelm even the most skilled adventurer.
"This'll be perfect," Karma muttered, pulling the quest slip from the board. Today wasn't about him—it was about seeing how well **Shiro** and **Kuro** could handle themselves in battle.
He approached Maria at the reception desk, who smiled as she saw him coming. "Another one? You're not slowing down, are you?"
Karma shook his head. "Not today. This time, I want to see what my companions are really capable of."
Maria glanced at Shiro and Kuro, who were both sitting quietly beside him. "Ah, I see. Well, good luck out there. Beastlings might not look tough on their own, but a pack of them can cause trouble. Stay sharp."
Karma gave her a confident nod and left the guild, his mind focused on the upcoming battle.
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**The Forest Battle**
The forest loomed ahead, a dense and wild place just beyond the outskirts of the town. It was eerily quiet as Karma ventured deeper into the woods, the thick trees casting long shadows that danced across the ground.
Shiro and Kuro, both in their normal forms, walked beside him. Shiro's ears twitched every few seconds, picking up even the faintest sounds, while Kuro moved more stealthily, his dark fur blending into the forest's shadows.
"They're close," Karma murmured, his voice low. He could sense the Beastlings nearby, their presence causing a slight shift in the atmosphere. The forest air grew tense, as if the creatures were watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Karma crouched down, resting a hand on Shiro's back. "You ready for this?"
Shiro let out a soft "ppik" in response, his eyes narrowing in determination. Kuro, on the other hand, remained silent, his sharp gaze fixed on the path ahead.
A low growl echoed through the trees, and Karma's senses went on high alert. **They're here.**
Suddenly, the forest erupted into chaos. From the thick foliage ahead, a pack of **six Beastlings** burst forth, their eyes glowing with aggression. Their muscular bodies moved with terrifying speed as they charged at Karma and his companions, their claws gleaming in the dim light.
Karma took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. But before he could draw his weapon, Shiro and Kuro leaped into action.
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**Shiro's Speed and Agility**
Shiro was the first to engage, his small form moving with incredible speed. Karma had trained with Shiro for weeks, and it showed. The monster rabbit darted between the legs of the first Beastling, confusing the creature with his erratic movements. The Beastling swiped at Shiro, but the rabbit was too fast, bouncing from side to side, never staying in one place for more than a second.
Then, in a blur of white fur, Shiro launched himself into the air, his powerful legs propelling him forward like a bullet. His small horn gleamed in the light as he dove toward the Beastling's exposed throat.
**SHINK!**
Shiro's horn pierced the creature's neck, a precise and lethal strike. The Beastling let out a gurgled roar before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching as life drained from it.
Karma grinned. "That's one down."
But there were still five more Beastlings, and they were closing in fast.
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**Kuro's Stealth and Power**
While Shiro used his agility to strike fast, **Kuro** took a different approach. The grey fox melted into the shadows, his dark fur blending perfectly with the dimly lit forest. One of the Beastlings, unaware of Kuro's presence, charged at Karma, claws extended.
But before the Beastling could reach him, Kuro emerged from the shadows behind the creature, his movements silent and deadly. With a swift motion, Kuro leaped onto the Beastling's back, his jaws clamping down on the creature's neck. The Beastling let out a pained roar, thrashing wildly in an attempt to shake Kuro off, but the fox's grip was unrelenting.
With a savage twist, Kuro snapped the Beastling's neck, the sound of bone cracking echoing through the trees.
"That's two," Karma muttered, impressed by the coordination between his two companions. He had always known Shiro and Kuro were strong, but seeing them in action like this made him realize just how far they had come.
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**The Final Stand**
The remaining four Beastlings regrouped, their growls filling the air as they circled around Karma, Shiro, and Kuro. They moved in unison, their glowing eyes fixed on their targets.
Karma stepped back, letting Shiro and Kuro take the lead. "Let's finish this."
Shiro, with his lightning speed, darted toward the first Beastling, weaving through its legs with ease. The Beastling, disoriented by Shiro's movements, couldn't land a single hit before the rabbit's horn pierced its chest. Another precise strike, and the creature fell lifeless to the ground.
Kuro, meanwhile, used his **Shadow Sneak** ability to disappear into the shadows once again. The Beastlings, now wary of Kuro's stealth tactics, kept their eyes on the ground, trying to track his movements.
But Kuro was faster. Emerging from the shadows, he attacked with brutal efficiency, his jaws closing around the leg of one Beastling before dragging it down into the darkness. The creature howled in pain before being silenced by Kuro's swift and deadly bite.
The final two Beastlings, seeing their pack decimated, turned to flee. But Karma wasn't going to let them escape.
With a swift command, Shiro leaped after one of the fleeing Beastlings, his powerful legs allowing him to catch up within seconds. In one final strike, Shiro brought the creature down, ending its life with a quick thrust of his horn.
Kuro, still moving through the shadows, intercepted the last Beastling, cutting off its escape route. With nowhere to run, the Beastling let out a desperate snarl before Kuro lunged at it, his sharp claws tearing into the creature's flesh.
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**Victory**
Within minutes, the battle was over. The forest, once filled with the sounds of snarling Beastlings, was now eerily quiet.
Karma stood at the center of the clearing, breathing heavily as he surveyed the scene. Six Beastlings lay dead around him, their bodies still and broken.
Shiro and Kuro returned to his side, their eyes gleaming with pride. Shiro, ever the energetic one, bounced around Karma's feet, while Kuro sat silently, his gaze sharp and focused.
"You two did great," Karma said, kneeling down to pat both of his companions on the head. "I knew you had it in you."
The fight had been intense, but it had proven one thing—Shiro and Kuro were more than ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, the three of them were becoming a formidable team.
Karma stood, his muscles still tense from the adrenaline of battle, and made his way back to the city. The quest had been completed, and soon enough, he would collect his reward. But more importantly, Karma had seen firsthand the strength of his companions. They were growing, just as he was.
And together, they would face whatever came next.
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**To be continued…**
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**Author's Notes:**
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed **Chapter 13: Unleashing Shiro and Kuro**! This chapter was all about showcasing Shiro and Kuro's growth and their abilities in battle. Karma's companions are becoming more and more important to the story, and I wanted to give them their moment to shine.
- **Shiro and Kuro's Battle Styles:** I had a lot of fun writing about how Shiro's speed and Kuro's stealth complement each other. Shiro is all about agility and quick strikes, while Kuro is more methodical and powerful. Together, they make a perfect team.
- **Karma's Role:** I also wanted to show how Karma is learning to rely more on his companions in battle. He's not just fighting on his own—he's becoming a leader, someone who can command and strategize alongside his tamed monsters.
I hope you liked this action-packed chapter! Let me know what you think in the comments, and thanks for reading! See you