I Got My System Late, But I'll Become Beastgod-Chapter 73: The Return

The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Amid the blood-soaked fields of Vedangiri, Aamir stood panting, his sword dripping with the dark blood of the last beast. Around him, the air still shimmered with the aftereffects of battle — the scent of burnt earth, the tang of iron, and the low, fading growls of defeated creatures.

With one final swing, Aamir struck down the last remaining beast.

As its massive body crashed to the ground, a sharp buzz pierced his mind. He staggered slightly, blinking rapidly as a translucent crimson screen materialized before his eyes.

Ding!

Level Up!

Host: Aamir Singh

Level: 24

Aamir glanced at the stat screen, his heart swelling with pride. Level 24... it wasn’t much, but it was a step closer.

"One day," he thought, "this system will make me strong enough to protect everyone. I just need to keep pushing forward."

He clenched his fist, the glow of his stats reminding him of the responsibility that came with his new strength.

A warm sensation flooded through his body, wiping away the exhaustion that clung to his muscles. His mind cleared, his heartbeat steadied — his Sanity stat, once a bit low, now shimmered proudly at 100%.

Aamir grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. But before he could lower his hand, another soft chime echoed.

Your title "Beast Slayer" has leveled up!

Title: Beast Slayer (Lv.2)

Aamir’s grin widened.

"Looks like all that hard work paid off," he muttered.

Around him, his comrades — Seenu, Riya, Nitesh, Ravi, and Alina — gathered, their weapons lowered but eyes still sharp. Afreen approached, her long coat fluttering with her swift, decisive movements.

"We’re moving," she said firmly. "Back to the gathering point. Now."

No one argued. Without a word, the group fell into formation, their boots crunching over the broken ground as they made their way toward the ancient temple that served as their checkpoint.

The cool morning breeze carried the scent of crushed leaves and fresh blood. The battlefield behind them seemed almost to sigh in relief as they left it behind.

When they arrived at the meeting spot, the other students — weary, battered, but alive — were already gathering. Afreen stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone.

"Attention!" she barked. Instantly, the students straightened, conversations dying out.

Her voice dropped into a grave tone. "Listen carefully. No one is to speak of the assassin attack until I have reported it directly to the Guild Leader. Not a word. Understood?"

A murmur of agreement rippled through the students.

"Good," she nodded. "Now, prepare to return. The assessment is officially over."

From a small pouch at her waist, Afreen pulled out a glimmering crystal — a gem shimmering with seven distinct colors, crisscrossed by three fine golden lines. She held it up for a moment before, with a sharp crack, shattering it in her gloved hand.

A soft vibration pulsed through the air, so subtle it barely stirred their hair. Then — silence.

Aamir felt a strange ripple in the air. It was subtle, like a shift in the atmosphere, but it made his skin prickle.

"What’s happening?" Riya whispered, glancing around, her eyes wide.

Meera, ever the perceptive one, shook her head. "That... that wasn’t a normal crystal. Something big is coming."

They all fell silent, the weight of Afreen’s actions sinking in. Whatever was about to happen, it would change everything.

Far away, back at Nalanda University’s Transportation Department, a similar crystal tied to the department head’s wrist suddenly blazed with light.

He stared at it in shock.

"Who the hell...?" he muttered, standing up so fast his chair clattered to the floor.

He grabbed a passing worker. "Check! Has anyone left campus recently?"

The worker tapped furiously at a magical panel on the wall.

"First-year students, sir. They left for their first assessment two days ago."

The department head’s brow furrowed deeply.

"But this crystal... it’s only used for emergencies!"

The worker glanced nervously at the glowing gem.

"Sir, emergency crystals were only issued to... Miss Afreen."

The head’s face turned pale.

"Vedangiri... Damn it. Prepare a portal to Vedangiri immediately!"

Without hesitation, four elite portal mages gathered at the Grand Portal Hall. They placed their palms on the ancient portal’s mana core, pouring streams of energy into it. The crystal embedded in the structure began to hum, the runes carved around it lighting up one after another.

With a low rumble, the portal activated. Purple particles floated upward like tiny fireflies as a swirling gateway opened.

Back at Vedangiri, as the portal stabilized, Afreen turned to her students.

"Move! Into the portal! Maintain order!" she commanded.

The students hurried but did not panic, moving one by one into the swirling vortex. Some clutched their bags tighter; others glanced back one last time at the battlefield.

Soon, only Aamir, Seenu, Riya, Nitesh, Ravi, Alina, and Afreen remained.

Afreen met their eyes. Her expression, usually stern, softened slightly.

"Go on," she said quietly.

They nodded and stepped forward.

As Aamir entered the portal, a strange pressure wrapped around him, like walking through a thick, invisible curtain. His skin tingled, his senses sharpened — but this time, it didn’t overwhelm him.

Aamir hesitated just a moment before stepping into the swirling vortex. The sensation was the same, but somehow, it felt different this time. Was it the battles they’d just fought, or was it something deeper?

"Every time we step through one of these portals," Aamir thought, "it feels like we’re leaving something behind. A piece of us... or maybe a piece of who we are becoming."

The strange pressure wrapped around him again, sharper this time, but he fought to keep his mind clear.

"Maybe... our bodies are getting used to it," Aamir thought.

When they stepped out, they found themselves back on the cool stone paths of Nalanda University’s grand campus. The sun was already high, casting golden light over the towering ancient buildings.

Behind them, Afreen emerged from the portal, which closed with a sound like a sigh of relief.

Afreen wasted no time.

"All of you," she called, "return to your dormitories. You will be informed when your rewards are ready."

The students murmured acknowledgments and began heading toward their dorms — some limping, some laughing quietly among themselves.

Just as Aamir and his companions turned to leave, Afreen’s voice rang out again.

"You six — stay. Come with me."

Without hesitation, Aamir and the others followed her across the sprawling grounds of Nalanda.

Afreen led the six of them to Guild Leader Haider Ali’s office.

Haider Ali’s office was dimly lit, the scent of aged wood and ink filling the air. Aamir couldn’t help but wonder how many others had stood in the same spot, waiting for the Guild Leader’s judgment.

"It’s strange," Aamir thought, "how one room can carry so much weight."

Seenu muttered under his breath, "Feels like we’re about to be tested."

Nitesh, always the quiet one, nodded. "Something’s off. I can feel it."

Haider Ali sat behind his desk, reading a paper. Without looking up, he said, "What happened, Afreen? Why are you in such a rush?"

Aamir and the others were a bit shocked but said nothing.

Aamir thought, He didn’t even look up, yet he knew it was us. Well, he’s the Guild Leader for a reason.

Finally, Haider Ali looked up and smiled faintly.

"Aamir, Seenu — how was your assessment?"

Aamir stepped forward.

"It went well, Master."

"Good. Now, what’s the matter?" His expression turned serious.

Afreen spoke up.

"It was exactly as you warned, sir. The attack happened. But your students are strong — they handled it well."

Haider Ali’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"As I expected."

Aamir interrupted gently.

"Sir, if I may — Kunal was the real hero this time."

Kunal blinked in surprise, looking at Aamir.

Aamir smiled back and said, "We can’t take credit for what we didn’t do."

Kunal sighed, smiling gratefully.

Haider Ali chuckled.

"Oh? So this young man is the hero, huh?

Well, what less could I expect from the strongest second generation of the Singhaniyas?"

Kunal’s eyes widened.

Haider noticed and smirked.

"What, surprised? You’re a student of my Guild, always with Aamir — you think I don’t do my research? I knew you had potential."

Kunal bowed slightly.

"Thank you, sir. You flatter me."

Haider Ali’s gaze sharpened.

"Now — any guesses who sent those assassins?"

Afreen shook her head.

"Not yet, but I’ll find out."

Aamir spoke up again.

"Sir, if I may — I found something that might help."

Haider raised an eyebrow.

"Show me."

He stood up from his chair.

Aamir pulled out two small bottles from his dimensional bag and handed them over.

"Sir, I found these on one of the assassins. He poisoned Meera, and after defeating him, I searched for an antidote... and found these."

Haider Ali studied the bottles carefully.

"Hmm... this poison... it’s the Red Flower of the West — one of the deadliest poisons. Only one group is known to use it..."

He looked up grimly.

"The Green Serpent Guild."

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