The jungle fell silent.
Even the wind had stopped.
The beast was massive—twice the size of anything they had fought. Its obsidian-black body pulsed with raw energy, shifting like a living shadow. Gem-like shards jutted from its spine, glowing with an eerie red light.
Its aura alone felt like pressure crushing down on their bodies.
Jace staggered back, gripping his head. "What... the hell... is that?"
Vivian's voice trembled. "This isn't supposed to be here."
Darius clenched his fists, forcing himself to stand firm. "This thing is Dominion-Tier. Our instructor said nothing about this."
Lena's grip on her daggers tightened. "We have to run."
But Kyle?
Kyle didn't move.
His eyes were locked onto the creature.
His instincts screamed at him.
Not in fear—
But in rage.
Because deep inside him…
Something else was waking up.
Something hungry.
---
Vivian's Sacrifice – The Moment Kyle Breaks
The Dominion-Tier beast moved.
Not slowly.
Not deliberately.
But instantly.
One moment it was standing still—
The next, it was right in front of them.
Its claws lashed out—aimed straight for Kyle.
Vivian saw it first.
And she didn't hesitate.
She moved before she could think.
A flash of silver.
Her body slammed into Kyle, knocking him aside.
But in doing so—
She left herself open.
The beast's massive claws ripped into her.
Blood sprayed through the air.
Vivian's body was thrown like a ragdoll, crashing hard against the rocks.
She didn't get up.
She wasn't moving.
Kyle's heartbeat stopped.
His breath hitched.
His fingers trembled.
Vivian had saved him.
But why?
She knew he didn't trust her anymore.
So why...
---
[System Overload Detected]
Something inside Kyle snapped.
His vision blurred—not from tears, but from something darker.
Something stronger.
The system's voice rang out, but it sounded... different.
Distorted. Glitching.
[System Overload. System Overload.]
[Entity Awakening: Boneclaw.]
The others took a step back.
Jace stammered, "Wh-what's happening?"
Lena's eyes widened in horror.
Because the shadows around Kyle's feet were moving.
Writhing. Expanding.
A deep, guttural growl echoed—not from Kyle—
But from something inside him.
Then—Boneclaw emerged.
---
The Boneclaw Awakens – Fear in Its Purest Form
The jungle twisted.
The moment the Boneclaw appeared, the entire atmosphere shifted.
The Dominion-Tier beast, which had stood untouchable moments ago—
Hesitated.
A monstrous shadowed figure rose behind Kyle, towering over everything. Its form was humanoid but distorted, its elongated limbs ending in jagged, razor-sharp claws.
Its face was featureless.
Except for its eyes.
Burning, glowing red—
Not with rage.
But with something far worse.
Pure, unrelenting hunger.
The beast that had struck Vivian snarled.
Then—it attacked.
---
The Battle Begins – A Nightmare Unleashed
The Dominion-Tier beast charged, moving faster than a human eye could track.
But Boneclaw was faster.
It didn't dodge.
It didn't flinch.
It simply moved.
SHRRRKKK!
A single claw tore straight through the beast's shoulder.
Black blood gushed out.
The Dominion-Tier monster howled in pain—its first cry of fear.
Kyle stood beneath the Boneclaw, his body limp—eyes dark, empty.
Because right now…
He wasn't in control.
Boneclaw was.
And Boneclaw was enjoying this.
---
The Brutality – Boneclaw's Ruthlessness
The Dominion-Tier beast tried to fight back.
It lashed out, claws surging with mana—aiming to rip Boneclaw apart.
But Boneclaw?
Boneclaw let it hit.
The attack phased through the creature's shadowy form like mist.
Then—
It retaliated.
BAM!
A devastating claw strike shattered the beast's leg, bending it at an unnatural angle.
The Dominion-Tier creature collapsed—a beast that should have been unstoppable.
But against Boneclaw?
It was prey.
Boneclaw descended upon it.
Claws slashed.
Teeth tore.
It wasn't just killing the beast.
It was devouring it.
Consuming everything.
Every strike, every brutal attack—it wasn't just physical.
It was ripping apart its very existence.
And the worst part?
The others could feel it.
They weren't just watching a battle.
They were watching something unnatural.
Something far worse than a Dominion-Tier threat.
Jace's voice barely whispered, "This isn't normal."
Lena gritted her teeth. "This isn't human."
Darius swallowed. "This... is Kyle?"
Then—the beast stopped struggling.
Boneclaw raised its hand one last time—
And ended it.
---
The Aftermath – Boneclaw Returns to Kyle
The jungle was silent.
The others were too stunned to move.
The Boneclaw slowly turned—its glowing red eyes locking onto them.
A chill ran through their spines.
For the first time—
They realized something terrifying.
Kyle wasn't just strong.
He was something else entirely.
The Boneclaw's form twisted, unraveling into shadows.
Then—
It slithered back into Kyle.
He collapsed to his knees.
Breathing heavily.
Sweat dripping.
His hands were shaking.
And for the first time in a long time—
Kyle was afraid of himself.
---
[System Alert]
✔ Dominion-Tier Beast Eliminated.
✔ Warning: Boneclaw Corruption Increasing.
✔ System Overload Stabilizing...
✔ ???
Kyle's vision blurred.
His classmates still stared at him.
Not with admiration.
Not with respect.
But with fear.
And Kyle knew.
After this…
Nothing would be the same.