Awakening : Becoming The World's Strongest Beast Master

[ New Mission: Solve the Crisis. ]

Leo was contemplating the mission as they arrived in a secluded area. Finn looked around with a puzzled expression.

"Aren't we going home?" Finn asked softly, his eyes full of confusion.

He had never been to this place before. It didn't look like any normal area—just a dilapidated alley with muddy ground, and most of the houses on both sides were abandoned, some even collapsed.

Leo gently placed Mia on the ground and then turned to Finn with a serious expression.

"Stay here. When I come back, I'll let you know when to leave. Go to the last house down the alley—the one with the red door. There's food and a bed inside."

"Remember, don't leave until I return!"

Leo's tone was firm, making Finn and Mia both look at him with concern.

"What's going on?" Finn asked uneasily.

"Brother…" Mia tugged on Leo's arm, her voice trembling, fear evident in her eyes.

Seeing their expressions, Leo softened his tone. "Don't worry. I just have something to take care of. Just stay here and wait for me."

"Mia, listen to Finn and hide well. I picked this place because it's perfect for avoiding debt collectors. It's safe, I promise."

After reassuring them, Leo quickly left. Finn, sensing something was wrong, grabbed Mia's hand and led her toward the house Leo had mentioned.

As Leo made his way toward the city streets, he noticed someone was tailing him. Without hesitation, he turned and headed directly toward the city guards' post.

Behind him, a boy who appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen followed closely, while frantically communicating with others. When Leo changed direction, the boy quickly informed his accomplices.

Leo realized the number of people following him was increasing, making him feel uneasy. Turning into a narrow alley, he sprinted toward its depths.

The pursuers followed, thinking he was trying to escape. But as they reached the end of the alley, they found Leo standing there calmly, a faint smile on his face.

Leo counted the pursuers—twelve in total. They were mostly young, which reassured him. It was unlikely they had developed any significant abilities.

"Why are you following me?" Leo asked lightly. "I don't even know you."

A tall boy stepped forward, glaring at Leo. "How dare you mess with Sophie! You—"

Before he could finish, the White Jade Cat, Silver Light Fox, and Thunderbird materialized beside Leo. The three beasts stared menacingly at the group, causing them to hesitate and step back in fear.

Most of the pursuers were either newly awakened ability users or ordinary people who hadn't even reached the age of awakening. Naturally, they were no match for three beasts.

The tall boy tried to maintain his composure. "You hit someone first, and now you don't even apologize? Do you want to fight us too?"

Leo smirked and raised his middle finger.

"Shut up. I don't care what that woman told you. She came after me first. Or do you think I'm bored enough to pick a fight with her?"

His tone turned cold. "I'll give you three seconds to get out of here. Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens next."

"Three…"

As Leo started counting, many of the group began murmuring nervously. The presence of Leo's beasts was intimidating.

At that moment, six more people appeared, including Sophie. With her were five middle-aged men, all with rough, intimidating appearances.

Sophie glared at Leo, her face twisted with resentment. Pointing at him, she cried out, "It's him! He's the one who hit me!"

She threw herself into the arms of one of the middle-aged men, sobbing loudly. The man, looking furious, stroked her head before turning his cold gaze toward Leo.

Leo raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Wow, is that your dad? You two seem… close."

His sarcastic tone made their faces darken with anger.

"Get him!" the man shouted. Four of the other middle-aged men rushed toward Leo.

Leo remained unfazed. "Silver Light Fox, control them. Thunderbird, assist with suppression. White Jade Cat, attack."

At Leo's command, the three beasts charged forward.

The attackers were caught off guard by the coordinated assault.

The Silver Light Fox used its charm to confuse them, while the Thunderbird's lightning strikes further disoriented them. The White Jade Cat took advantage of the chaos, swiftly incapacitating the attackers one by one.

The remaining group of young pursuers panicked and fled from the alley, screaming.

The last middle-aged man, seeing his allies defeated, conjured a glowing shield around himself and Sophie. The shield seemed impenetrable, deflecting the beasts' attacks with ease.

The man sneered. "Your pathetic monsters can't break through my shield. Just give up!"

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Forget him—focus on the woman."

At his command, the three beasts redirected their attacks toward Sophie. Her face paled as fear finally set in.

Sophie was also a newly awakened supernatural being, otherwise, she wouldn't have been admitted to the Advanced Supernatural Academy. Seeing the three strange beasts charging at her, she let out a scream and attempted to flee. However, before she could escape, the Thunderbird struck her with a bolt of lightning, causing her to collapse to the ground, convulsing.

A young man nearby, who had hesitated to run, panicked upon seeing Sophie fall. Without a second thought, he turned and bolted. Only the middle-aged man remained.

The man gritted his teeth and glanced at Sophie before trying to save her. But before he could reach her, Thunderbird struck him as well. The man fell to the ground, paralyzed and twitching just like Sophie.

At this point, the last middle-aged man arrived in front of Leo. His cold gaze locked onto him as he lunged forward, attempting to grab Leo by the neck.

"You're just a beast tamer, and yet you dare to fight me in close quarters?" the man sneered. "Courting death!"

Leo responded with a swift kick aimed at the man, but it was futile. The shield of light surrounding the man easily absorbed the impact. Even the brute force of the White Jade Cat had failed to breach his defenses earlier, so Leo's attack barely fazed him.

But Leo had no intention of defeating the man head-on. Using the momentum from his kick, he leapt upward and grabbed onto the edge of a nearby courtyard wall. As he perched on top, he swiftly recalled his three beasts into their respective Mana Stones.

Turning back to face the middle-aged man, Leo raised his middle finger in defiance. Without waiting for a reaction he stepped onto the courtyard wall and dashed forward, disappearing into the distance.