Astral Devourer: Rise of the Forbidden King

Chapter 5: The Road Before the Duel

Theo walked away from the scene in silence, his thoughts heavy.

Did I make the right decision… or was I too rash?

His jaw tightened.

Zero’s calm voice echoed in his mind.

“No, Master. Even if it appeared reckless, you made the correct choice.”

Theo exhaled slowly and cleared his thoughts. Doubt would only slow him down.

“I’ll focus on growing stronger,” he muttered. “Daily quests. Physical training. No distractions.”

Then something struck him.

“The final exams… they’re in two weeks.”

For a moment, the weight of reality returned. Strength alone was not enough. If he wanted to survive in this world, he needed discipline in every aspect of his life.

“I’ll prepare for the exams,” he said firmly. “But I won’t neglect my training.”

And so his routine began.

During the day, Theo buried himself in books. He reviewed formulas, revisited concepts, and pushed his mind as hard as he pushed his body.

In the evenings, he trained relentlessly at the gym. He refined his movements, strengthened his muscles, and improved his stamina.

Each night, the same notification appeared.

Daily Quest Completed

+10 EXP Gained

Two weeks passed like falling leaves carried by the wind.

Soon, the day of the final exams arrived.

Thanks to Miss Jessica, Theo was assigned to a different examination hall far from Billy and his gang. The quiet atmosphere allowed him to focus completely.

When the final paper ended, students began leaving the hall.

As Theo stepped outside, a staff member approached him.

“Miss Jessica wants to see you.”

Theo nodded and made his way toward her office.

When he entered, he immediately noticed the troubled look on her face.

“What was the meaning of what you did?” she asked, her voice tense.

Theo already knew what she meant.

“The duel with Billy.”

She sighed and rubbed her temples.

“You made a bet with him. A duel in six months. The day before the Military Academy entrance begins.”

Theo remained calm.

“Don’t worry, Miss Jessica,” he said quietly. “I’m not the same person I used to be.”

Concern flickered in her eyes.

“Please do not get yourself killed,” she said softly. “Billy has been training for years, and his family has influence. I will try to stop the duel before it turns brutal.”

Theo gave her a small respectful nod.

“Thank you.”

He stepped outside and closed the door gently behind him.

Six months.

That was the time he had.

If he wanted to survive that duel, he needed real growth.

Theo returned home and entered his room.

After taking a deep breath, he spoke.

“Status Window.”

A translucent blue screen appeared before him.

STATUS WINDOW

Name: Theo Taylor

Level: 2

EXP: 15 / 150

Race: Werewolf

Rank: Young Wolf

Class: None

Ability: None

HP: 35 / 35

Stats

Stamina: 11

Strength: 11

Agility: 11

Defense: 11

Attack: 11

Theo stared at the screen and sighed.

“Two weeks… and only one level.”

His fists tightened slowly.

“This is not enough.”

“Zero,” he called.

“Yes, Master.”

“Are there other ways to grow stronger?”

“Yes. You may gain experience through system quests, defeating opponents, or hunting and devouring demonic beasts.”

Theo blinked.

“Why did you not tell me that earlier?”

“You were previously incapable of completing such tasks. However, I believe you can now find opponents within your range.”

Theo narrowed his eyes.

“Opponents…”

Then the idea struck him.

“The VR pods in the gym.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

“But I do not know any proper fighting techniques.”

“Incorrect,” Zero replied calmly.

“You unlocked Basic Werewolf Martial Arts after advancing to the rank of Young Wolf.”

Theo’s eyes sharpened.

“Show me my full status and skills.”

The blue window shifted.

STATUS WINDOW

Name: Theo Taylor

Level: 2

Race: Werewolf

Rank: Young Wolf

Skills

Claw Strike

A swift diagonal slash capable of striking targets up to five meters away. Designed for precise attacks on vulnerable points.

Iron Hide Guard

A defensive stance that tightens muscle fibers and hardens the skin, reducing incoming blunt damage.

Martial Art: Lupine Combat Art

First Form: Predator’s Entry

Fang Drive

A sudden burst forward followed by a crushing shoulder tackle that breaks the opponent’s guard.

Claw Rend

Two rapid diagonal slashes executed in one fluid motion. Effective at 5–10 meters, designed to hit multiple weak points simultaneously.

Second Form: Moon Hunter Style

Moonstep

A short-distance acceleration technique that allows instant repositioning within ten meters. Leaves a faint afterimage to confuse enemies.

Wolf Fang Counter

Absorb an incoming attack by shifting your weight through your hips, then retaliate immediately with a precise combination of elbow and claw strikes.

Throat Sever Strike

A precise upward claw attack aimed at the throat. Requires 2 meters of space for full effect. High risk, high reward.

Final Form: Sovereign of the Crimson Hunt

The ultimate expression of the Lupine Combat Art. A state of predatory fluidity. Combines all previous forms into a continuous, ruthless attack flow.

Requirements

Master all previous forms

Control partial transformation

Awaken Beast Instinct

Maintain emotional control

Drawback

Extremely high stamina consumption, severe muscular strain and a risk of feral loss of control if fueled by rage

Theo’s heart pounded.

“I have… this many skills?”

Excitement flickered in his eyes.

“All I need to do is master them.”

“Each skill contains a tutorial module,” Zero said.

Theo tapped one of the skills.

Instantly, the world around him dissolved.

When his vision returned, he stood inside a vast virtual training chamber.

A figure materialized before him.

The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties and wore dragon-patterned armor. A white cloak trimmed with crimson fur flowed behind him, and two massive greatswords rested across his back.

His red hair burned like flames.

When he spoke, his voice carried the authority of a seasoned battlefield commander.

“Observe carefully.”

The instructor lowered his stance, knees slightly bent, center of gravity steady like a predator. He focused on the holographic target ahead.

Claw Strike

He extended his arm in a smooth diagonal motion. The air split, and a razor arc of crimson energy slashed through the target five meters away.

“Do not swing wildly,” he instructed. “Precision precedes power. Target tendons and joints. Strike where it hurts.”

He repeated the motion slowly, emphasizing control. Every muscle moved efficiently, no wasted energy.

Iron Hide Guard

He planted his feet shoulder-width apart. Muscles tensed, skin hardened slightly to absorb a massive hammer of energy descending from above.

“Defense is not retreat. It is preparation. Absorb. Redirect. Endure. Only maintain it as long as necessary, or exhaustion will follow.”

First Form : Predator’s Entry

Fang Drive

He locked eyes with a holographic opponent. With a sudden burst of speed, he dashed forward, smashing his shoulder into the enemy. The guard shattered completely. “Momentum is your weapon. Hesitation kills impact. Commit fully.”

Claw Rend

Two diagonal slashes followed in a single fluid motion, cutting through two targets simultaneously. “Flow like water. Break like steel.”

Second Form : Moon Hunter Style

Shadows lengthened, and the lighting dimmed. The instructor’s eyes glowed brighter.

Moonstep

An enemy lunged toward him. At the last moment, he vanished, leaving only a faint afterimage. He reappeared behind the opponent and tapped its spine lightly, shattering it.

“Speed without awareness is reckless. Reposition, control angles, attack blind spots.”

Wolf Fang Counter

A larger enemy charged. Instead of dodging, he absorbed the impact, shifted weight through his hips, and returned a precise combination of elbow and claw strikes to the opponent’s ribs and throat.

“Patience. Let them commit first.”

Third Form : Crimson Execution

The arena grew still, and one imposing opponent appeared. The instructor coiled slightly, like a serpent ready to strike.

Throat Sever Strike

He exploded upward, delivering a vertical claw strike aimed at the opponent’s throat. The blow tore cleanly through the target. “Speed and accuracy matter more than brute strength.”

Final Form : Sovereign of the Crimson Hunt

The chamber darkened completely. A blood-red moon appeared overhead. The instructor closed his eyes, then opened them again, calm, deadly, and emotionless.

Multiple enemies appeared around him. He did not rush. Each movement flowed seamlessly: claws, elbows, knees targeting joints and vital points. No motion wasted, no hesitation.

An enemy tried to grab him. He twisted, shattered its elbow, lifted it, and slammed it to the ground. The final strike detonated in a shockwave of crimson light. Every opponent disintegrated instantly.

“Power without control leads to madness,” he said calmly. “This is not rage. This is dominance.”

The instructor’s body slowly dissolved into particles of light.

“The tutorials have been saved,” he said.

“Repeat them until your body remembers.”

Those were his final words.

Then everything vanished.

Theo returned to his room, his heart still pounding.

That training simulation had felt incredibly real.

“Zero…” he whispered.

“Yes, Master.”

Theo slowly clenched his fists.

“I still have a long way to go.”

Outside, the evening sun dipped below the horizon.

Theo looked toward the darkening sky.

Tonight, the Young Wolf would enter the VR training pods.

And begin his ascent.