Chapter-36 Star Beast

Kester held up a hand, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadowy depths of the forest. "Quiet! There's something up ahead." His voice was low but urgent.

While most would overlook the faint shift in the air, Kester, a dragon with heightened senses and keen awareness, picked up on every detail.

At his warning, the others tensed up, gripping their weapons tightly, their muscles coiling like springs, ready to spring into action at any moment.

"Click! Click!"

The sound echoed through the underbrush, sharp and rhythmic, like the ticking of a clock counting down to an inevitable confrontation. It was a sound that sent a shiver down their spines.

Instead of retreating, they advanced toward the source of the noise, their hearts pounding in unison. A few alphas stayed back, guarding the healer and Imanuel.

As they moved deeper into the forest, the air grew heavier, thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.

"Roar!"

This sudden Roar caught them off guard. Before they could react, the source of the sound emerged. It was a bizarre creature, tens times their size. Its body was covered in thick, greasy scales, resembling a lizard with a gaping, bloodied maw, oozing a strange green mucus. But the most chilling aspect was its eyes—human-like and filled with hunger.

With a fierce glint in its gaze, it lunged at them, muscles coiling like springs ready to unleash their deadly force. Kester sprang into action, his instincts kicking in as he drew his long lightsaber, the blade igniting with a brilliant golden light that cut through the darkness. He shouted "Move! It's an S-level star beast!"

Everyone was shocked when they heard this. Star beasts are second only to Zergs as destructive species, not to mention an S level star beast. The most terrifying thing is that certain star beasts are immune to mental attacks, and this one just happens to be one of them.

Fortunately, they have energy weapons with high destructive value.

Kester's command ignited a flurry of movement. Liam, who was responsible for defence, swiftly directed others, "Form a perimeter! Don't let it go to the south!"

Kester advanced, his lightsaber humming with energy as he prepared to engage the monstrous threat. With a swift motion, he swung the lightsaber, aiming for the beast's exposed flank. The blade sliced through the air, but the creature was quick, twisting its massive body to evade the strike, its scales deflecting the blow with a sickening sound.

As the creature lunged forward, its massive jaws snapping dangerously close to Kester, he sidestepped with agility that belied his size. The lightsaber sliced through the air, leaving a trail of golden light in its wake.

The blade connected with a sickening thud, sending a spray of thick, viscous fluid into the air. The creature howled in pain, a sound that reverberated through the trees, shaking leaves from their branches.

Liam seized the moment, rallying the others. "Now! Push forward!" he commanded, and the group moved as one, forming a tight circle around Kester.

Mira, the sharpshooter of the group, took her position on a nearby rock, her energy gun aimed with precision. She released a bolt that flew through the air, striking the creature in the shoulder. The beast roared again, thrashing wildly, but the distraction allowed Kester to press the attack.

He danced around the creature, his lightsaber a blur of golden light, striking at its legs and sides, trying to wear it down.

"Keep it distracted!" Kester shouted as he dodged another swipe of the creature's massive claw.

Liam aimed for the creature's eyes, hoping to blind it and gain a critical edge. The beast recoiled, its confusion growing as it tried to track the movements of its attackers.

Mira continued to rain bolts down upon the creature, each shot finding its mark. "I've got your back, Kester!" she called out, her voice steady and unwavering. With each successful hit, the creature's movements became more erratic, its roars more desperate.

"Focus on its legs!" Kester yelled, rallying his team. "We need to bring it down!"

Mira nodded, her expression fierce as she took aim once more. "Cover me!"

She unleashed a barrage of energy bolts, each one striking true, targeting the creature's hind legs.

Kester struck low, aiming for the creature's knee joint, while Liam targeted the other leg, their combined efforts forcing the creature to stumble further. The ground shook beneath them as the beast struggled to regain its footing, its massive form swaying dangerously.

"Now!" Kester shouted, sensing the moment of vulnerability.

With a final, powerful strike, Mira fired her energy gun, the energy bolt striking the creature squarely in the chest. The creature let out one last, anguished roar before collapsing completely, its massive body hitting the ground with a thud that reverberated through the forest.

"Ha…ha…did we finish it?" Someone couldn't help but ask while gasping.

"Yes! It's dead…" Liam said while sweating profusely.

"Fuck!! We did it!! We killed a S-level star beast!!!"

"Damn!! It was so cool!! It's my first time killing a star beast!!"

"Captain!! You are Awesome!!"

For a moment, everyone was in a mood of carnival. They have only fought with zergs and star beasts in stimulated cabins and it's their first time killing an actual thing. So, they couldn't control their joy at this moment.

"Okay,okay, you can celebrate, but now is not the time for it. Everyone should move forward. Star beasts are very sensitive to blood. If we stay here any longer, we might have to face another one."

The voice was not loud, but it fell into everyone's ears. Listening to the calm yet extremely pleasant voice, everyone quickly calmed down.

"Thank you! Senior Imanuel, for the reminder."

"No need to thank me." Imanuel felt that the title Mister felt a little too alienated when talking, so he finally asked them to call him senior. Anyways, he is not qualified to be called a professor by a bunch of combat students.

At this moment, the group that was sent to look for resources also came back, "Captain! We have discovered a relatively safe place to set up a camp."

Kester nodded, "It is indeed better to take some rest first to replenish some energy. Everyone! let's go!"

Everyone vigilantly followed Kester. It didn't take long before they reached the place found by their companions.

It was a well hidden cave with a small opening, just enough for them to enter. They were finally relieved, and their tense nerves relaxed a lot.

"Okay! let's set up a camp here. All the people who joined the battle can take mental counselling from the healer and then rest. Those who did not take any action today will stay vigilant tonight." Kester said while distributing nutrient solutions to everyone.

No one had any objection, and they quickly set up a few tents. With this era's technology, they just need to tap on a black box and a small tent, which can accommodate three people, will be set up automatically.

The people from the Alliance followed the healer for mental counselling. Liam was the first one to receive it. The healer was a beta angel. He looked at Liam with a gaze of admiration.

"Liam, you are really amazing! I really didn't expect you to be so powerful…"

Usually, Liam is very low key, he doesn't seem to get along with people easily. Not to mention that an eye-catching person like Kester is beside him who would attract all the attention of passerbys. This is why most people did not pay much attention to Liam before.

There were also a few other people from the Alliance sitting next to him. They were also very happy about it.

"You were really great! Honestly, I was a little scared when I saw that ugly beast, but when I saw you fighting bravely, I also felt energetic."

"Liam, we are really lucky that you are here. Otherwise, those people from the empire would take all the credit…"

Tsk! Don't mention it! If it was not for that Kester's high mental power, would he be really qualified to lead us. Liam is obviously more powerful at commanding."

"You're right! I also think this is the case. Look at their proud faces when they talk as if they are the most powerful."

Even though they are a team now, it is inevitable to have some dissatisfaction because of their origins.

Liam was a little embarrassed at first due to their praise, but when he heard them talking nonsense, he couldn't help but retort, "Everyone! Please don't say such things. I am thankful for your appreciation, but please don't forget that it was Kester who really led the whole battle."

"No matter what kind of grievances our nations had, you cannot deny Kester's talent just because our origins are different!"

"I know that in just one day, it is hard to get rid of our prejudices against the Empire, but at least we should try to get along with them. At this moment, they are not our enemies. They are our comrades who will fight by our side."

Others felt a little guilty after hearing this.

Imanuel, who was passing by, happened to hear this. He took a deep look at Liam before moving away.

He finally stopped in front of Kester and his group. They were also a little stunned to see Imanuel, but soon, all of them smiled like naive kids.

"Senior Imanuel, you are here! What's the matter!?"

"Senior Imanuel! Is there any problem with the accommodation!? Please tell us we will try to help you!"

"Senior! Do you need a nutrient solution!? We have a lot of them! I will ask the Captain to give you more."

Seeing their enthusiasm, Imanuel smiled gently which successfully silenced these chirping birds, "I am not here to take anything, I am here to give you a reward for your hard work.