The Beast Unleashed

The night carried an uneasy stillness, broken only by the distant hoot of an owl. A chilling breeze swept through the clearing, carrying with it a scent that was sharp and metallic, foreboding in its subtlety. Lu Shueng emerged from the shadows like a phantom, his massive form moving with a predatory grace.

His crimson eyes burned in the dim light, locking onto the dojo where Hayato and Master Ho Dieng stood, unaware of the storm about to descend.

A sudden thud on the wooden floor of the dojo startled Hayato. He turned to find Lu Shueng standing at the entrance, his sheer size casting a long shadow that seemed to engulf the room.

"Who the hell are you?" Hayato demanded, his fists instinctively clenching as he stepped forward.

Lu Shueng didn't answer. Instead, his lips curled into a grotesque grin. A low growl escaped his throat—a primal, guttural sound that sent shivers down Hayato's spine.

Before either Hayato or Ho Dieng could react, Lu Shueng sprang forward, faster than they could have anticipated.

"Hayato! Together!" Ho Dieng shouted as he leapt into action.

But Hayato, brimming with overconfidence, ignored his master's call. He charged at Lu Shueng alone, his fists flying in a flurry of strikes aimed at the beast's midsection.

It was a mistake.

Lu Shueng caught Hayato's punch effortlessly, his massive hand engulfing Hayato's fist. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled Hayato across the dojo like a ragdoll. Hayato crashed into a wooden pillar, splintering it on impact.

"Hayato!" Ho Dieng shouted, his tone sharp with both worry and reprimand.

Groaning, Hayato struggled to get back up, but his vision swam. He had underestimated this monster, and it had cost him.

---

The Clash

Master Ho Dieng stepped in, his movements precise and fluid, the culmination of decades of training. He struck at Lu Shueng with a series of calculated blows, aiming for pressure points to disrupt the beast's balance.

But Lu Shueng was no ordinary opponent. His reflexes were unnaturally sharp, his body resilient beyond belief. He blocked and dodged with a primal efficiency, his counters brutal and unrelenting.

"You've become overconfident in your old age," Lu Shueng growled, his voice a guttural mix of man and beast.

"Overconfidence doesn't run in my veins," Ho Dieng replied calmly, delivering a powerful kick to Lu Shueng's side.

The beast staggered but quickly regained his footing. He let out a roar of fury, charging at Ho Dieng with claws bared.

"Hayato, stay back!" Ho Dieng commanded as he deflected a swipe aimed at his throat.

But Hayato, stubborn as ever, rose to his feet and rushed back into the fray.

"Hayato, no!" Ho Dieng shouted, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Hayato attacked with renewed determination, but Lu Shueng was waiting. The beast caught him mid-strike and slammed him into the floor with bone-crushing force. Hayato let out a pained cry as the dojo's floor cracked beneath him.

"You're wasting my time," Lu Shueng snarled, tossing Hayato aside like discarded prey.

---

Lu Shueng's aggression only seemed to grow as the fight continued. His strikes became wilder yet more forceful, tearing through the dojo and leaving Ho Dieng with little room to maneuver.

The master's usually calm demeanor began to crack as he struggled to keep up. Despite landing several clean hits, none seemed to faze Lu Shueng for long. The beast's body healed rapidly, his injuries closing almost as quickly as they appeared.

"You're not human," Ho Dieng muttered, his breathing labored.

Lu Shueng's lips twisted into a mocking grin. "I'm better than human. I am the pinnacle of evolution."

---

A Bloody Battle

The dojo was a battlefield now. Shattered beams and debris littered the ground. Ho Dieng bore the marks of the beast's ferocity—deep gashes lined his arms and chest, blood dripping onto the ruined floor.

But he fought on, each strike carrying the weight of his determination to protect. He launched a swift combination of kicks and punches, targeting Lu Shueng's head and ribs. For a moment, it seemed like the beast was faltering.

Then, with a guttural roar, Lu Shueng countered with a devastating blow that sent Ho Dieng sprawling. Blood splattered across the floor as the master hit the ground hard.

Hayato, battered and barely conscious, watched in horror. He tried to stand but collapsed, his injuries too severe. "Master..." he whispered, his voice weak.

Ho Dieng struggled to his feet, his vision blurring. He could feel his strength waning, his body screaming in protest with every movement. But he refused to give up.

"This ends now," Ho Dieng said through gritted teeth, his voice steady despite the pain.

Lu Shueng chuckled darkly. "No, old man. This is only the beginning."

---

Remond's Return

Meanwhile, Remond was making his way back to the dojo, his thoughts lingering on the earlier training session. But as he neared, he felt it—a strange vibration in the air, like an invisible pulse.

He stopped, his senses heightened. The air was heavy, almost suffocating, and the faint sound of destruction reached his ears.

"What's going on?" he muttered, quickening his pace.

As he approached the dojo, his heart sank. The once-peaceful training ground was in ruins. Broken wood and debris were scattered everywhere, and the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood.

In the center of the chaos stood Lu Shueng, his monstrous form towering over the battered figures of Ho Dieng and Hayato. The beast turned, his glowing eyes locking onto Remond with predatory intent.

"Well, well," Lu Shueng growled. "Another lamb for the slaughter."

Remond's fists clenched, and his body tensed. He didn't know what this creature was, but he knew one thing—he couldn't let it win.

To Be Continued...