Astral Hoarder: Embrace of Malevolence

Zimo's vision blurred from the pain, but he could make out the glowing lights of the building in the distance as he was being dragged there. He couldn't even scream at that moment, as nobody would care anymore since he was being subjected to this much pain anyway.

But he did want answers. "Why…" he croaked, his voice barely audible through all the pain he was feeling. "Why are you doing this? Do you think this is right?" 

He was sure that they would never go out into the wild to get a Beast, which means the Best had come to them. So they were just so lucky to have a Beast come over to them, have someone who was level 1 at least, and also have that same person with the right Affinity?

How was that possible? How lucky were they? Or rather, how unlucky was he for that person to be Maya? If Zimo knew that this Beast was a Beast that had grown up in Maya's presence, he might just go insane. That level of coincidence was just impossible. And yet it was reality.

Why was he even thinking of all this? Did it even matter?

Maya glanced down at him and his feet that were dragging on the floor, her expression unreadable. "Heh! Zimo, you have no idea. You're a relic. Speaking of right or wrong in this new world is useless. I would say you would understand one day… but that day might never come."

Jacques chimed in at that moment, saying, "No. Don't kill him yet. He might be useful. After all, remember. Our true intent is the supermarket. And after our recent scouting, we found out that all of the Deadspawns went to the supermarket for some reason."

Zimo chuckled weakly, the sound bitter and hollow. "So instead of killing me now, you will kill me later? How magnanimous. Thank you so much, Jacques. Thank you, Maya. You both are amazing." Zimo didn't even know why he was talking so much. Maybe it was his will to live, trying to get them to inspire some fleeting emotions inside of them... 

But seeing both of them go silent, allowing him to get dragged over like some bag of potatoes, Zimo chuckled weakly, feeling his heart sink even deeper down into his stomach. Damn... he might die today.

Zimo knew he was not right in barring them from the food just based on his emotions. But he also knew he was not wrong either, especially in this situation where every ounce of food was important. In the same way, it was wrong for them to do this, but it was also not wrong. Things just developed the way the dud out of mere incidence. Action and reaction. Nothing else.

In life, things just happened, and everything else was useless. Everything else was useless to be seen and it was pretty important to see it. 

As he was getting dragged away, Jason could hear everything. They were right on the money. It was eerily quiet here. Something must be going on. Maybe it was true that all the Zombies had gone to the other part of the region, hanging out by the store.

As they approached the Webstorm building, a sudden shout broke the quiet. 

"Deadspawn!"

Jacques spun around, looking into the distance only to see the Deadspawn incoming from the distance. Although they were pretty powerful they were also pretty thinly spread. A horde was approaching, their rotting bodies moving with an unnerving speed.

"Move!" Maya ordered. But even as she said that she ran away as well. It was a shame but she could not let Phoebe go to the zombies and then fight them. She could not injure her Beast based on some dead weight that she was trying to protect, the dead weight being Zimo. 

They were already close, and she was sure that they would all make it in.

Phoebe slowed and went low, letting Maya get on top of her, and then afterwards, she tightened her grip on Zimo and leapt forward, carrying him like a ragdoll and forcing another groan from him, something that made Maya look at him with a smirk.

"You're alerting the Deadspawn to our position!!" she said, shaking her head. Zimo could only look up at her, the energy draining from his body after every moment. The rest of the group followed, their footsteps pounding against the pavement as they raced toward the building.

They reached the entrance just as the first wave of zombies closed in. Felix slammed the door shut behind them, and the group collapsed against the walls, panting heavily.

After Phoebe's entrance into their fold, they enlisted Maya and the Beast to help set up barricades, using roofing materials to close up the broken walls. They had managed to create a simple usable door mechanism that was working well so far. I was becoming clear to all of them. Beasts might be the most important things in the world. They weren't just tools, they were life.

Zimo, who was feeling worlds of pain at that moment, was thrown to the floor, his body a broken heap. He barely registered the pain anymore, it was a constant, unrelenting presence.

And that cold. That same cold from his dream. The one that haunted every waking moment of his days... It was there with him, a cold silent companion. He was used to it now. And in a way he treasured it. It was the only constant that stayed with him no matter who was in there or out of there.

After this group entered, a few more people came from upstairs, trying to see what was going on, only to be given some pastries and other things. They got a bit excited but in the next moment, their eyes went wide when they saw the man who had one stump bleeding out on the first floor's floor.

Wait, they knew that man did they not?

"Is that Zimo?" someone said. But in truth, everyone knew. The handsome face, the black pupil eyes, the lean body. It was him. And yet with all that blood there... They really couldn't tell anymore. 

Wait, if he looked like that... was he bitten? He might turn into one of those things.! Why was he inside?

"Hey Maya, can you tell us why Zimo is back here? Why is he back inside?"

"If he was bitten he might turn into one of those Zombie Deadspawn thingies..."

"Wait, he's fine. Look at the wound. It's iced over."

"Yeah, how did that happen?"

"Maya must have saved him."

Although they said this, they partly didn't believe it. After all, they could see the arm there. And it was clear that it was looking like it was bitten off by something... big. Something huge had bitten that thing off, and the only huge thing they could think of was down there, staring at ZImo like a pile of bones, just waiting to disintegrate in death.

"Calm down. He's fine. For now at least." Maya stood over him, her gaze cold. "This is where it began, but it is also where it ends, Zimo. But before then… I'll let you see Phoebe's power. Even I don't know how strong she is." After saying that, she turned to the Beast and smirked.

Phoebe growled, its massive form looming over him. Before finally walking off and then speeding off to the ZOmbies who were outside. Zimo watched as the Beast swiped its paws among the Deadspawn and then as it did that, ZOmbies came crashing down, some of them having been sliced in two. Others have been messed up beyond recognition. 

ZImo's eyes widened in interest, his pain escaping to the recesses of his mind for only a few seconds. So this was the power of taming… How lucky she was to find a Beast she could tame… Zimo did not fully understand what happened, but he could imagine it. 

But then in the next moment, he finally saw the power he had seen before. She froze a zombie's head and then chomped it off, turning it to dust that went everywhere into the skies. 

So this was it. It was not fake at all. His arm had been frozen to stillness like that, and it was clear that she had that ability and knew how to do it. In the next moment, Zimo turned to the heavens. Maybe this was not bad either. He had no arm, and he was being stared at by a woman who seemed to hate him for some reason.

When Zimo saw Maya start glowing bright in blue, he frowned though, and then he understood. She was levelling up. Back then he had glowed too, if only slightly.

"I levelled up!" Maya said with some excitement. She opened up her System Panel and then began chuckling, before finally looking down at Zimo and then kicking him, making him slide on the floor after groaning.

"Urgh!!" Zimo graned as he felt some broken ribs. Damn. How had she done that from a simple-seeming kick? Zimo landed far away, and he looked at Maya, who was currently hugging Phoebe in happiness, celebrating having levelled up to Level 3.

Even at that moment, Zimo couldn't help but analyse the situation. He now understood that those blue things inside the Deadspawns' heads were something that helped the Beasts level up. As soon as her Beast ate a few of them, she levelled up, and that Energy transferred to the Beast Tamer too.

Phoebe was beside herself with joy, not entirely knowing what exactly was going on. But it was more just interesting. But it seemed Jacques and Felix and the others were congratulating her for her level up. Anyway, everyone was happy. But from the strained smiles, Zimo understood that they did not feel comfortable at all.

Zimo took note of all this, and then in the next moment, he realised something. Maybe he could use his Skills! Turning to the Beast Phoebe, he finally decided to do it. If things went badly, he might just die here this time, so why not just waste it all on this moment?

"Okay! Come and take care of this trash!" said Maya to Phoebe, feeling more empowered than ever. But Zimo was looking at the panel that had just appeared in front of him. 

|————————————

|| Beast Eye: Phoebe || Skills |

—————

Name: Phoebe (Feline)

Level: 3

Resonance: 77%

States:

—————>

Health, Well-Being, Satiety: 87% ++

Energy, Stamina, Vitality: 83% ++

Mentality, Decision-Making, Focus: 72% --

Mana, Casting, Magical Power: 49%

<—————

Physical Stats:

—————>

Dexterity (Agility, Flexibility) → 34

Strength (Speed, Power) → 24

Constitution (Endurance, Health) → 23

Intelligence (Memory, Reasoning) → 7

Charisma (Charm, Persuasion) → 10

Wisdom (Intuition, Adaptability) → 7

Spirit (Mental State, Character) → 8

<—————

Magical Stats:

—————>

Mana (Magical Energy Pool) → 9 (3 * 3)

Arcane Knowledge (Magical Talent) → Rank 2F

Mystic Control (Magical Energy Control) → Rank 1A

Elemental Affinity (Connection to Elements) → Water(E Rank)

<—————

————————————|

|————————————

| Beast Eye: Phoebe || Skills ||

—————

Magical Skills: {1 Skill}

—————>

>> [Tidal Wave (F Rank)]

<—————

Combat Skills: {1 Skill}

—————>

>> [Aqua Slash (F Rank)]

<—————

Support Skills: {1 Skill}

—————>

>> [Phase Control (F Rank)]

<—————

————————————|

Wow... This was incredible! ZImo could already surmise something just from this. So it was a Water affinity. Zimo took a few moments to read through the Skill descriptions.

|————————————

| Skill: Tidal Wave (F Rank) |

—————

Description: A massive tidal wave crashes down, causing high water damage, and a chance to stun or displace enemies according to some conditions. Can be Upgraded based on some conditions.

Skill Activation Conditions:

—> Must be Near a Significant Water source unless willing to spend even more mana.

—> Skill Cooldown: Five Minutes.

Upgrade Conditions: 

—> ??

Mana Cost: 3 Mana (Minimum depending on water creation)

————————————|

|————————————

| Skill: Aqua Slash (F Rank) |

—————

Description: Using claws, deliver a powerful slash infused with water energy causing Moderate physical damage with additional water damage, and a chance to cause bleeding according to some conditions. Can be Upgraded based on some conditions.

Skill Activation Conditions:

—> Skill Cooldown: Five Minutes.

Upgrade Conditions: 

—> ??

Mana Cost: 3 Mana (minimum depending on amount of time spent)

————————————|

|————————————

| Skill: Phase Control (F Rank) |

—————

Description: Control the phase of the water created or in the surroundings into gas or solid based on some conditions. Can be Upgraded based on some conditions.

Skill Activation Conditions:

—> Skill Cooldown: One Minute.

Upgrade Conditions: 

—> ??

Mana Cost: 3 Mana (minimum depending on the amount of water inspired to change)

————————————|

So he could see everything… How interesting. Zimo smirked at that moment. And seeing all this had cost him 1 Mana. How cheap. Maybe he should have tried it with all those Beasts he had seen before.

Seeing floating panels appear in front of him, everyone frowned. What was he doing right now? Checking his Stats? Seriously? Or maybe he was trying to buy something from the Store? But Maya was extremely annoyed at that moment, and she was looking at him with a sneer. How dare he smile even after being humiliated like this?!

"Phoebe, take off his arms and freeze his stumps again," Maya said, her voice coming out like some demonic thing from the depths of hell. Maybe it was because she was level three now, but it seemed she was terrifying to all those people. Like she had some aura that made her feel different from everyone else. 

In the next moment, Phoebe did exactly that, coming over and pinning him down, and then going on to rip off his limbs slowly, painfully, and Zimo could only scream as everyone watched not able to stop anything from happening.

As this was happening, Zimo's eyes caught the eyes of the cat that was ripping into him, and he couldn't help but shiver when he saw that same sadistic look in its eyes that Maya had before. It seemed she and Maya were super connected.

How deep was the connection between them exactly? And what direction was it? Was it from human to Beast? Or from Beast to Human?

"Ahhh!!!" He screamed as the cat took off his other arm, thereafter freezing his arm and the stump that was pouring out some blood. ZImo sighed. If she could control the phase, then that was different from the temperature. It was a shame but she could not control the temperature. It was a real shame.

After doing this much, it moved down to his legs, relishing in riping them and crunching down on them before ripping them out, making Zimo scream again. Everyone watching from nearby couldn't help but shiver in their boots. And Zimo was so close to passing out. But the pain and maybe something else important was keeping him awake.

He was watching as all those people looked at him while suffering like that. He was engraving this moment into his skull. All those former coworkers of his. All of them were doing nothing, and some of them were pretty impressed with this moment.

And then looking at Maya's face, he saw just how beside herself she was with joy, watching as her Beast tore Zimo apart in a way that she wished she could do herself. This was another moment where something broke inside him. Yet again, he felt something leave him, something important.

After the Beast was done with him, Zimo lay there, quietly sobbing. He had lost everything, everything. And now he had even lost his limbs. Tears came from his eyes. What was he supposed to do with this life that he had left?

Haha… he hated this.

He hated everything everything.

Everything deserved to go to hell!

At that moment Zimo's panel appeared right in front of him.

|————————————

|| Universal Tamer System || Stats | Skills | Beasts | Missions | Store | 

—————

Congratulations, due to some conditions, you have Unlocked a new Elemental Affinity.

—> Evil (F Rank)

————————————|

Great... Just fucking great. What was he supposed to do with this?