The Ultimate Skill System: Absorb, Upgrade, Create, Transfer-Chapter 30 - : Enslavers

The forest was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls, a symphony of nature that seemed almost too serene for the tension that hung in the air.

The midday sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays filtering through the dense canopy above, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor.

Keiran stood up from the makeshift camp, stretching his arms as he basked in the warmth of the sun.

The heat felt good against his skin, a comforting contrast to the cool shade of the trees. He took a deep breath, inhaling the earthy scent of moss and pine, letting the tranquility of the moment settle over him.

But he knew it wouldn't last. The peace of the forest was a fragile thing, easily shattered by the chaos that lay ahead.

Beside him, Leina finished her meal, her golden fur glinting under the sunlight.

She was a Lionkin, her tanned skin and brown eyes giving her a fierce yet graceful appearance. Her clothing, made of wolf pelts, clung to her athletic frame.

The pelts were stitched together with care, the seams reinforced with sinew, showing the skill of her people. Her hands, calloused from years of wielding weapons and working the land, rested on her knees as she sat cross-legged on the ground. Her tail flicked idly behind her, a sign of her unease.

[Common: Lionkin — Level 7.]

Keiran glanced at her, noticing the doubt in her eyes. She wasn't convinced he could save her village.

He couldn't blame her.

After all, he was a stranger, someone who had appeared out of nowhere offering help.

But Keiran wasn't one to waste time explaining himself. He had already located her village by sensing the flow of mana in the area.

The village wasn't far, but the journey would be quicker if they didn't walk. He could feel the faint traces of mana emanating from the village, a chaotic swirl of energy that spoke of conflict and despair. It was a beacon, drawing him closer.

"Let's go," Keiran said simply, his voice calm and steady.

There was no urgency in his tone, no hint of fear or hesitation. He spoke as if they were going for a leisurely stroll, not heading into a battle.

Leina hesitated, her brow furrowing. She looked up at him, her brown eyes searching his face for some sign of reassurance.

"Are you really going to fight alone?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.

She couldn't help but wonder if this man was overestimating himself. The Hyenakin who had attacked her village were numerous and strong.

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How could one person, no matter how confident, stand against them? Her mind raced with doubts, but she kept them to herself, not wanting to seem ungrateful.

Keiran turned to her, his expression unreadable. His face was calm, almost serene, as if the weight of the world didn't touch him.

"Don't worry," he said. "I am the strongest."

Before Leina could respond, Keiran's body began to change. His form shimmered, and in an instant, he transformed into a massive hawk wreathed in flames.

The heat radiating from his body was intense, but it didn't burn. Instead, it felt like the warmth of a hearth on a cold night.

His feathers were a brilliant mix of red and gold, each one glowing as if lit from within. The flames danced around him, flickering and twisting in the air, but they didn't consume him.

Leina gasped, her eyes widening in shock. She had never seen anything like it. The transformation was seamless, almost beautiful in its fluidity.

Without warning, Keiran's talons gently but firmly grasped her shoulders. Before she could protest, they were airborne, soaring through the sky at an incredible speed.

The world below blurred into a mosaic of greens and browns as the wind whipped past her face.

Leina let out a scream, more out of surprise than fear. She clung tightly to Keiran's talons, her heart pounding in her chest.

The speed was overwhelming, and she could barely process what was happening. The ground rushed by in a blur, trees and rivers passing beneath them in the blink of an eye. She felt weightless, as if she were floating, yet the grip of Keiran's talons kept her grounded.

In mere seconds, they reached the boundary of her village. Keiran descended gracefully, his flaming feathers dissipating as he returned to his human form.

He landed softly on the ground, his bare feet touching the earth. Leina stumbled slightly as she was released, her legs wobbling from the sudden stop.

Her golden hair was a tangled mess, and she quickly tried to smooth it down, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

She glanced around, taking in the familiar sights of her home, now marred by the presence of the Hyenakin.

Keiran, now naked, didn't seem bothered by his lack of clothing.

He casually reached for a nearby bush, plucking some leaves and vines to fashion a makeshift covering for himself.

The leaves were broad and green, providing just enough coverage to preserve his modesty. He worked quickly, his movements efficient and practiced, as if he had done this many times before.

Leina averted her eyes, her face turning even redder.

She had never seen a human up close before, let alone one so...unconcerned with modesty. She focused on the ground, trying to push the image from her mind.

As they approached the village, three Hyenakin emerged from the shadows, their laughter echoing through the air. Their hunched forms and sharp teeth made them look menacing, but Keiran didn't flinch.

The Hyenakin were a grotesque sight, their fur matted and patchy, their eyes gleaming with malice. They moved with a predatory grace, their claws clicking against the ground as they circled Keiran and Leina.

[Common: Hyenakin — Level 13.]

One of the Hyenakin sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Well, well, look what we have here. A prey walking right into our claws. But why are you naked, huh? Lost your clothes running away?" His laughter was harsh and grating, a sound that set Leina's teeth on edge.

Another Hyenakin chuckled, his eyes narrowing as he studied Keiran. "You've got two choices, human. Fight us and get hurt real bad, or come quietly and maybe we'll go easy on you." His tone was taunting, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He couldn't quite figure out why this human seemed so calm.

Keiran's expression remained blank, his eyes cold and unfeeling. Without a word, he raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Sure," he said simply.

The Hyenakin exchanged confused glances. Leina, too, stared at Keiran in disbelief.

Was he serious? Was he really just going to let them capture him without a fight?

The Hyenakin shrugged, deciding to play along. They bound Keiran's hands loosely and gestured for him and Leina to follow.

As they entered the village, the scene that greeted them was grim. Small wooden houses stood in disarray, some of them damaged from the recent battle.

The thatched roofs were torn, and the walls bore deep gouges from claws and weapons. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and blood.

At the center of the village, a group of Lionkin knelt on the ground, their heads bowed in defeat. Some of them bore fresh wounds, their fur matted with blood.

One of the Hyenakin approached a larger, more imposing figure—the boss of the group. "Boss," he said, grinning widely, "we found these two wandering around like idiots outside. Thought you might want to have some fun with them."

The boss Hyenakin turned, his eyes gleaming with malice.

[Common: Hyenakin — Level 15.]

He was taller and bulkier than the others, his fur a darker shade of red. His presence was intimidating, but Keiran didn't seem fazed.

The boss's claws were longer and sharper, his teeth yellowed and jagged. He exuded an aura of cruelty, his every movement calculated to inspire fear.

One of the captured Lionkin, a male with a strong build and a deep scar across his chest, tried to stand up when he saw Leina. "Leina!" he shouted, his voice filled with anguish. "I told you to run! Why are you here?!"

Before he could say more, the boss Hyenakin kicked him hard, sending him sprawling to the ground. The Lionkin groaned in pain, clutching his side.

[Common: Lionkin — Level 17.]

Keiran's eyes flicked to the fallen Lionkin, then back to Leina. "Is that the brother you mentioned?" he asked, his tone calm.

Leina nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "Yes," she whispered. "That's Greon."

The boss Hyenakin let out a cruel laugh. "Greon, huh? He's going to make a fine gladiator. Fighting his own kind to survive, day after day. His life will be nothing but pain until he dies a miserable death."

Keiran's gaze shifted to the boss Hyenakin, his eyes locking onto the larger creature.

There was no anger in his expression, no fear—just a cold, unyielding stare.

The boss Hyenakin faltered for a moment, his laughter dying in his throat. Something about Keiran's gaze made him uneasy, though he couldn't quite place why.

"I hate many things," Keiran said, his voice low and steady. "But there's nothing I hate more than bullies. Those who enjoy causing suffering to others."

The boss Hyenakin tried to laugh it off, but the sound was hollow. Keiran's presence was like a storm brewing on the horizon, silent but full of power.

The village fell into an uneasy silence, every eye fixed on the strange human who had walked into their midst.