Chapter 7 : The Weight of Power
Max sat back in the carriage, the rhythmic clopping of hooves on the cobblestone road fading into the background as his thoughts wandered. The Pure-Blood Dragon Horses pulling him were awe-inspiring creatures. Their sleek, dark scales shimmered under the sunlight, and every breath they exhaled sent small bursts of fire into the air. These were 7-star Legendary Beasts, creatures that could command armies and inspire fear across entire kingdoms. Yet, here they were, pulling his carriage like common workhorses.
Max (Internal): Seven stars... only the best of the best could dream of controlling something like this.
He let out a low whistle, marveling at the power now under his command. The star-ranking system—something he once only knew from a game—was his reality now. Beasts were no longer just pixels on a screen; they were living, breathing forces of nature. And as the Duke of Arenia, Max had inherited the power to wield them.
Max leaned back, the weight of it all pressing down on him. In the game, 7-star beasts were reserved for endgame players, those who had grinded hours upon hours, defeating impossibly tough bosses and completing raids that most players wouldn't dare attempt. And yet, here he was, not a seasoned player but someone who had stumbled into this life, now surrounded by forces beyond his wildest imagination.
Max (Internal): I wonder what Alex and Leo would think of this.
His mind flashed back to his old life, to late-night gaming sessions with his friends. Alex, Leo, Jess—all of them had dreamed of taming powerful beasts, but in reality, they had never come close. Max could still hear their voices in his head, their heated arguments over what kind of beast they'd choose if they ever managed to capture something stronger than a 3-star.
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Flashback
The living room was dim, the only light coming from the TV screen where Max and his friends sat huddled, controllers in hand. Pizza boxes and soda cans were strewn across the floor, evidence of their hours-long gaming marathon.
"Alright, listen up," Alex said, his voice serious, eyes glued to the screen. "Once we beat this boss, we should be able to unlock a 5-star mount, right?"
Max snorted, leaning back against the couch. "You're dreaming, man. Do you know how rare 5-star beasts are? Even the rich players barely get them."
Leo, chewing on a slice of pizza, added, "Alex couldn't handle a 5-star anyway. Remember the last time he tried to tame a 3-star Flame Toad? It almost burned his entire squad."
Alex shot him a glare. "That was lag, okay? And besides, this time is different. I've leveled up my character. I've got a shot."
Jess rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "Sure, Alex. And the next thing you know, you'll be riding a 6-star Thunder Tiger into battle, right?"
Alex grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. "You joke, but when I get my hands on that 6-star beast, don't come crying to me when you're stuck riding your 3-star garbage mounts."
Leo threw a pizza crust at him. "You couldn't even find a 4-star beast if it bit you in the—"
Max cut in, laughing. "Face it, Alex. You're going to end up with a 3-star Silverback Ape, and you'll love it."
Alex crossed his arms, pretending to pout. "At least it's better than Jess's Mud Lizard."
Jess shot back, "Hey! My Mud Lizard has character."
The room erupted into laughter, the easy banter between friends filling the air. Max remembered the warmth of those nights, the camaraderie of friends facing impossible odds together, even if it was just in a game.
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Max chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head at the memory. How they had dreamed of finding rare mounts, only to spend hours grinding for 3-star beasts while the rich players effortlessly rode into battle on 4-star creatures. And here he was, in a carriage pulled by not one but six 7-star Legendary Beasts.
Max (Internal): If only they could see me now. Alex would probably faint.
His gaze returned to the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses, their powerful forms gliding over the ground. These creatures weren't just legends in this world—they were living, breathing monsters that could turn the tide of wars.
Max (Internal): Seven stars. In the game, that would've been a boss-level monster. Something even the strongest players would struggle to defeat.
He let his mind drift as he began to reflect on the star-ranking system that governed this world. From 1-star to 10-star, every creature had its place, and the stronger the beast, the more devastating its power. The higher ranks were reserved for forces of nature, creatures that could reshape landscapes and bring empires to their knees.
Max (Internal): I wonder if 10-star beasts even exist here... creatures that can warp reality itself. In the game, those were just myths.
He thought of the Chaos Leviathan, the Void Phoenix, the World Serpent. Creatures so powerful that even gods would struggle to stand against them. Max had never seen one in the game—no one had—but the mere thought of their existence sent a shiver down his spine.
Max (Internal): I'll need more than these Dragon Horses to survive if something like that ever shows up.
His thoughts moved to the beasts just below those godlike creatures. The 9-star Divine Ancestors—the progenitors of entire species. The Primordial Dragon, the Celestial Behemoth, the Star-Touched Griffin. Max wondered if those ancient beings were real here, shaping the very world he now lived in.
Max (Internal): If these Dragon Horses are descended from the Primordial Dragon, no wonder they're so powerful.
The idea of controlling such creatures still felt surreal to him. In his past life, he had spent countless hours playing games, hunting for rare beasts, dreaming of capturing something that would make him stand out. But no matter how hard they tried, he and his friends had never found anything above a 4-star beast.
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Flashback
Max sat in front of his computer screen, the glowing light illuminating his frustrated face. "Are you kidding me?" he groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Another 3-star Iron Boar. I've been grinding this dungeon for days."
Alex's voice crackled through the headset. "Same here. I swear, this game is rigged. We're stuck with 3-star mounts, and meanwhile, the rich players are riding around on 4-star Shadow Panthers like it's no big deal."
Jess chimed in, "Hey, at least you didn't get stuck with a 2-star Goblin Wolf."
Max rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I guess we should be grateful. It's not like we're riding around on Mud Lizards or anything."
Jess shouted over the mic, "Hey! My Mud Lizard is loyal!"
Laughter echoed through their headsets as they continued their endless grind, hoping for a chance at something better, something rare. But deep down, they all knew the truth—unless they got incredibly lucky, they'd never be more than average players with average mounts.
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Max shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. Those memories felt like a lifetime ago, yet they were still so vivid. Back then, taming a 4-star beast had seemed like an impossible dream. And now, here he was, commanding 7-star creatures that could destroy entire armies.
Max (Internal): Life really is strange.
As the carriage rolled on, Max's thoughts returned to the present, to the responsibility that came with his newfound power. The Duke of Arenia had been a legend in this world, commanding not just beasts but fear itself. And now, Max was expected to live up to that legacy.
Max (Internal): I need to be prepared. Whatever I face, I need to be stronger. Much stronger.
He knew that the Pure-Blood Dragon Horses were only the beginning. The world was vast, filled with creatures far more dangerous than anything he had yet encountered. And if he was going to survive in this world, if he was going to stop the destruction that loomed on the horizon, he would need to harness every bit of power at his disposal.
Max (Internal): I can't let them down. I won't let them down.
With that thought, Max's resolve hardened. He would find a way to master this world, to control the forces that had been entrusted to him. And when the time came, he would be ready for whatever awaited him.
The Duke of Arenia had been feared. Max would make sure that fear lived on.
His mind raced back to the star-ranking system he had once obsessively studied. Back in the game, the system had been everything, a guide to survival.
He sighed, his thoughts drifting to the rankings. The star system wasn't just a game mechanic—it was real here, a measure of life and death, of survival.
Max's mind wandered as he reflected on the star rankings, remembering the classifications and the monsters tied to them.
10-Star Beasts – Supreme Beings
These creatures existed only in myth, their power so great that they could warp reality itself. No player had ever encountered a 10-star beast in the game, and for good reason.Supreme Beings: Beasts at this level were only myths in the game. No player had ever truly seen one. Rumors claimed that these creatures were gods in their own right, capable of warping reality and obliterating entire continents. If such a beast existed in this world, it would be unstoppable.
Chaos Leviathan: A creature of the deep, capable of causing tsunamis and shattering entire continents with its tail. Legends spoke of it as a god of the oceans, sleeping beneath the surface for millennia, waiting to rise and drown the world in chaos.
Void Phoenix: A bird of pure darkness, its wings capable of blotting out the sun. It didn't just burn cities; it erased them from existence, leaving no trace behind. Said to be able to reshape time and space at will.
World Serpent: A snake so large it could wrap around entire planets. It was said that wherever the World Serpent slithered, nothing survived—rivers turned to poison, forests withered, and mountains crumbled.
Max (Internal): Even if one of those things existed, it would be unstoppable... no army, no beast could stand against it.
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9-Star Beasts – Divine Ancestors
These were the progenitors of entire species, ancient beings from the dawn of time. Few had ever seen them, but their influence shaped the world.
Primordial Dragon: The ancestor of all dragon-kind, its breath could melt mountains, and its roar could summon storms. It was said that no blade could pierce its scales, and no spell could bind it.
Celestial Behemoth: Towering over mountains, this ancient beast was said to be the origin of all land-dwelling creatures. Its every step caused earthquakes, and its hide was tougher than any known material.
Star-Touched Griffin: A creature that lived among the stars, it was said that it could descend from the heavens to judge the mortal world. Its feathers shone with the brilliance of galaxies, and its scream could drive armies mad.
Max (Internal): If these Dragon Horses are descended from the Primordial Dragon... then no wonder they're 7 stars. Even their bloodline holds a fraction of that power.
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8-Star Beasts – Mythical Creatures
These creatures were terrifying forces of nature, capable of leveling cities with their power.
Titan Ape: A massive beast of pure muscle, standing as tall as the largest buildings. Its fists could turn fortresses to rubble, and its roar was said to be able to bring entire armies to their knees in fear.
Storm Wyvern: A cousin to the dragons, this creature commanded the skies, summoning hurricanes and tornadoes in its wake. Lightning followed it like a loyal hound, striking down anything in its path.
Frost Colossus: A giant made of ice and snow, capable of freezing entire cities in an instant. It was said that its heart was made of the coldest element in existence, and that no fire could melt it.
Max (Internal): An 8-star beast could bring a kingdom to its knees. Cities would fall if they didn't have a hero strong enough to face them.
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7-Star Beasts – Legendary Creatures
Max's gaze returned to the Dragon Horses pulling his carriage. These were 7-star beasts, creatures that could reshape battles and inspire awe.
Pure-Blood Dragon Horse: Descended from dragons, these beasts had fiery breath and could run faster than the wind. They were warhorses fit for kings, and their power was more than enough to destroy armies.
Phoenix: A bird of fire and rebirth, capable of setting entire battlefields ablaze. It was said that even if you killed a Phoenix, it would rise again from its own ashes, stronger than before.
Hydra: A multi-headed serpent that grew two heads for every one cut off. It could decimate entire armies by itself, with poison flowing from its fangs that could melt steel.
Max (Internal): These Dragon Horses are terrifyingly powerful, but compared to the legends… they're still just one step on the ladder.
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6-Star Beasts – Ultra-Rare Beasts
These creatures were still dangerous, but much more common than the higher-ranked monsters. Nobles and powerful mages often used them as mounts or familiars.
Thunder Tiger: A beast covered in electric fur, capable of summoning storms with a roar. Its speed was unmatched, and its claws could cut through stone.
Ice Serpent: A snake as cold as the arctic winds, able to freeze anything it touched. Its venom could turn rivers into solid ice, and it slithered silently through the snow, stalking its prey.
Crimson Minotaur: A towering humanoid beast with the head of a bull, wielding a giant axe made of pure flame. It was said to be impossible to defeat in single combat.
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5-Star Beasts – Rare Beasts
Hunters and adventurers sought these creatures for their rarity and the valuable materials they could harvest from them.
Armored Direwolf: A massive wolf with skin as tough as steel. It hunted in packs, and its howl could summon its kin from miles away.
Fire Hawk: A bird of prey whose feathers blazed with an eternal flame. Its talons could melt through metal, and it soared above forests, burning them to the ground.
Rock Golem: A creature of living stone, slow but nearly invincible. Its body could withstand blows that would pulverize lesser creatures.
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4-Star Beasts – Unique Beasts
While not quite legendary, these creatures had specific traits that made them formidable in combat.
Shadow Panther: A feline predator that moved silently through the night, blending with the darkness. Its claws could cut through shadows themselves, and it could vanish without a trace.
Wind Serpent: A snake that could fly through the air, controlling the winds around it. It was fast and agile, capable of launching wind blades at its enemies.
Flame Toad: A creature that spewed toxic flames from its mouth. While not incredibly strong, its poisonous fire could devastate unprepared groups of adventurers.
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3-Star Beasts – Uncommon Beasts
These creatures were stronger than typical animals but still fell short of legendary status.
Iron Boar: A massive boar with tusks made of iron. It could charge through trees and even knock down small buildings.
Sand Scorpion: A desert-dwelling beast with venom so potent it could kill a man in seconds. Its pincers could crush bones, and it burrowed beneath the sand to ambush its prey.
Silverback Ape: A gorilla-like creature with immense strength, able to lift boulders with ease. While not magical, its sheer physical power made it a force to be reckoned with.
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2-Star Beasts – Common Beasts
The everyday monsters of the world, dangerous in groups but manageable for trained warriors.
Goblins: Small, green humanoid creatures that relied on numbers and cunning to overwhelm their enemies.
Dire Wolf: Larger and more aggressive than a typical wolf, often hunting in packs.
Giant Rat: A rodent the size of a small horse, known to infest cities and attack travelers in the sewers.
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1-Star Beasts – Rubbish Beasts
The weakest creatures, often considered nuisances rather than real threats.
Slime: A blob-like creature that posed no real danger except to the most inexperienced adventurers.
Vermin: Rats, roaches, and other pests that were more annoying than threatening.
Mud Lizard: A small, slow reptile that lived in swamps, often mistaken for a rock.
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Max (Internal): From 1-star to 10-star... this world holds creatures beyond imagination. And I'm at the center of it now.
He looked at the Dragon Horses again, feeling the weight of his new life pressing down on him. The Duke of Arenia had commanded power and respect, but with it came responsibility—and the knowledge that far greater threats existed beyond the horizon.
Max (Internal): I'll need more than these beasts to survive what's coming.
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