Awakened Talents and a Test of Strength

After returning from the Shadowmire Thicket expedition, Sirius's team was eager to continue improving and pushing their newfound abilities. Their recent battles had only sharpened their resolve, and both Luna and Ron decided to officially register as Hunters at the Hunter Association. Sirius accompanied them, sharing in their excitement.

At the Association, Ron discovered that his Rock Skin Armor (D) was only the surface of his abilities. Upon examination, two hidden talents were revealed within him: Colossal Might (C), which gifted him with extraordinary strength, and Geokinesis (C), enabling him to manipulate the earth around him. These powers made him a powerful force in both offense and defense, enhancing his Rock Skin Armor's effectiveness to include earthen fortification in battle. Ron was subsequently ranked as a C-rank Hunter, a milestone he accepted with pride.

Luna, too, was astonished to uncover the dormant potential within her. Alongside her Ice Empress Spirit (A), she carried a divine, S-rank talent: Reincarnation of Artemis (S). This incredible gift allowed her an otherworldly mastery with ranged weapons, along with the celestial power of beast mastery. This new talent also bestowed her with two loyal beasts: Nyra, a fierce and intelligent wolf, and Mira, a vigilant owl with exceptional perception and reconnaissance abilities. Her powerful set of talents led her to be ranked as a C-rank Hunter, her potential now truly shining.

In the following weeks, the three friends dedicated themselves to teamwork and field exercises, pushing the boundaries of what they could accomplish together. During these hunts and dungeon trials, Sirius came to understand that S-rank and higher talents weren't just single abilities but rather an interconnected web of skills.

Unfolding the Depth of Special-Grade Talents

Sirius realized that Orion's Eye (S) gave him a range of advanced vision abilities: 360-degree vision, vision sharing with his summoned creatures, X-ray vision, Eagle Eye, and the ability to see the stats and basic attributes of his targets. This all-seeing ability was invaluable in detecting hidden dangers and reading enemy weaknesses.

Likewise, Predator (SSS) granted Sirius a unique ability called Ability Genesis, which allowed him to create talent cards and skill books from any abilities he acquired. Such items were rare and sold for high prices in the Hunter world, creating a lucrative avenue for Sirius to gain resources and influence.

Beast Summoning (S) was also revealed to be more powerful than initially thought. Sirius had already summoned Aurora, the Bright Goddess Spirit Butterfly, but he now awakened a second of the Nine Divine Mystic Spirit Beasts: the Abyssal Devil Tiger. This legendary beast was accompanied by three powerful subordinates—Fenrir, Raven, and Kraken—each one deadly in its own right.

These four legendary creatures quickly became Sirius's strongest assets:

Abyssal Devil Tiger - A sleek, massive predator with jet-black fur streaked with blood-red stripes. Its glowing red eyes radiated a terrifying aura, and its claws could shred armor with ease. The tiger's roar alone could drive enemies into terror, and it carried an aura of dark energy capable of instilling frenzy in weaker creatures.

Fenrir - A fearsome wolf with fur as dark as the night, its sharp yellow eyes a stark contrast against its shadowy figure. Fenrir's agility and ferocity made it an ideal close-combat fighter, tearing enemies apart with fangs and claws.

Raven - A giant raven with iridescent feathers, whose wings created a cascade of darkness when spread wide. Raven could split into countless crows, each one capable of independently attacking enemies with razor-sharp beaks and talons. This technique allowed Raven to engulf enemies, creating a cloud of chaos and fear.

Kraken - A massive aquatic beast with countless barbed tentacles. In any body of water, Kraken was nearly invincible, capable of ensnaring multiple enemies at once. It could also release piranhas from its body, adding to its ability to overwhelm foes with sheer numbers.

As he grew accustomed to these powers, Sirius discovered that his new Abyssal Emperor talent allowed him to amplify his own stats and command darkness and demonic energy. This powerful ability even allowed him to manipulate beasts with demonic traces in their aura.

To test their new abilities, Sirius, Luna, and Ron accepted a mission to clear a D-rank dungeon known as Lizardmen Haven. The dungeon was notorious for its inhabitants—humanoid Lizardmen known for stealth and their mastery of sabers and spears. The trio entered cautiously, each of them eager to put their recent training and skills to the test.

Inside, the air was thick and humid, filled with the sounds of dripping water and faint hisses that echoed through the corridors. The stone walls were covered in moss, dimly glowing in the low light, and casting a faint, greenish hue over everything.

"Stay close," Sirius murmured, activating Orion's Eye to scout for any lurking threats.

A subtle movement caught his attention. "We've got company," he whispered, gesturing to the shadows where several Lizardmen lay in wait, hidden within alcoves along the walls.

With a quick nod, Sirius summoned the Abyssal Devil Tiger and Fenrir. The massive black tiger appeared with a low, menacing growl, and Fenrir's yellow eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Let them handle the first wave," Sirius whispered, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The Abyssal Devil Tiger crouched low, its eyes locked on its targets before it launched forward, a blur of dark fur and red energy. One of the Lizardmen turned, only to have the tiger's massive paw cleave through its scaled armor. The Lizardman let out a strangled hiss before the tiger's fangs sank into its neck, silencing it forever.

Fenrir was no less ferocious, darting between two other Lizardmen with a growl that echoed through the cavern. He lunged, tearing into their throats with lethal precision, his fur darkened by the spray of blood as he ripped through his opponents.

"Impressive," Ron muttered, clearly in awe of the beasts' power.

"We're just getting started," Sirius replied, motioning for the group to advance.

As they continued deeper, more Lizardmen emerged, their movements nearly silent as they attempted to encircle the group. But Sirius's Orion's Eye gave him an early warning, and he was able to direct Fenrir and the Abyssal Devil Tiger to intercept them.

They reached a larger, open chamber with murky pools of water scattered throughout—a perfect territory for Kraken.

With a quick command, Sirius summoned the massive tentacled beast, which rose from the water with a roar that reverberated through the dungeon. Lizardmen on patrol froze, their eyes wide as Kraken's tentacles lashed out, wrapping around three of them in an instant. The Lizardmen thrashed, their spears clattering to the ground as Kraken crushed them with ease, pulling them into the water.

The trapped Lizardmen's cries echoed, growing faint as the dark water swallowed them. Then, Kraken released a swarm of piranhas, which tore into any Lizardmen nearby. Within seconds, bones and armor floated to the surface, evidence of the piranhas' grisly efficiency.

"I don't know if terrifying is a strong enough word for Kraken," Luna murmured, her eyes wide.

"Effective, though," Sirius replied with a grin.

Luna then summoned Nyra, her loyal wolf, and Mira, her owl companion. Nyra joined Fenrir, darting through the Lizardmen with deadly speed, while Mira flew above, scouting for hidden threats and giving Luna a tactical advantage.

Ron, covered in his Rock Skin Armor, led the charge against a group of Lizardmen attempting to ambush them from behind. With his Colossal Might, he struck one of the Lizardmen with a fist that sent it flying, crashing into the stone wall and shattering on impact.

Suddenly, another group of Lizardmen approached, emerging from the shadows with spears raised. Sirius called forth Raven, who split into a murder of crows, each bird independently swooping down on the Lizardmen, pecking and clawing with razor-sharp beaks and talons.

The Lizardmen flailed, trying to defend themselves, but Raven's countless forms overwhelmed them, creating a storm of feathers, claws, and cries. As the crows dissipated, the Lizardmen lay on the ground, defeated.

"That was… chilling," Ron admitted, watching as the crows vanished and Raven reformed, letting out a screech of triumph.

After clearing several chambers, they reached the heart of the dungeon, a vast, open area where a towering Lizardman Commander awaited them. Clad in spiked armor and wielding a massive saber, the commander let out a roar, summoning a wave of elite Lizardmen to his side.

"This one won't go down easily," Luna said, gripping her bow as she channeled her Ice Empress Spirit.

Sirius nodded, calling forth all of his beasts. The Abyssal Devil Tiger and Fenrir took positions on either side, growling at the approaching Lizardmen. Kraken settled into a nearby pool, tentacles writhing in anticipation, while Raven perched on Sirius's shoulder, waiting for the command.

The commander charged first, swinging his massive saber. Sirius met his advance, summoning his Oblivion Lance and activating Thunder Piercer, striking with blinding speed. The Lizardman parried, but the force of the blow forced it back.

Nyra and Fenrir lunged from either side, claws raking across the commander's armor, while the Abyssal Devil Tiger struck from the front, its claws tearing into exposed flesh.

As the commander reeled, Luna released a barrage of icy arrows, each one freezing upon contact. Ron, using Geokinesis, raised a wall of stone behind the commander, trapping him in place as the team closed in for the final assault.

With a final command, Sirius unleashed Kraken's piranhas, the ravenous fish swarming over the trapped commander, devouring him as his screams echoed through the dungeon.

The dungeon fell silent as the last of the enemies were vanquished. The team stood amidst the wreckage, each of them marked by the fierce battle but triumphant.

Sirius's beasts faded back into the beast space of Beast Summoning, their strength proven, their bond with him stronger than ever.