Lunar Legacy: Rise Of The Beastlord-Chapter 295: C-Rank Chthonix
When Jayden arrived home, it was well past dinner time. The lights were on, warm and inviting through the windows. He could hear voices inside—the family was still at the table.
He pushed open the door and was immediately met with concerned faces.
"Jayden!" Harleen stood up from her chair, her expression a mix of worry and relief. "Where have you been all day? We’ve been trying to reach you!"
Jacob crossed his arms, his dad-voice activating. "Your phone’s been off for hours. We were starting to get worried, kid."
Jayden opened his mouth to respond, but Jessica beat him to it.
"He told me he was going hiking," she said smoothly, not missing a beat. "Needed to clear his head. I forgot to mention it, sorry."
Tasha jumped in immediately. "Yeah, and his phone probably died. You know how bad the battery on his holo-tab is."
Jayden shot both of them a grateful look.
Harleen’s expression softened slightly, though concern still lingered. "Hiking for sixteen hours?"
"Lost track of time," Jayden said with a sheepish shrug. "Sorry for worrying you. I’m fine, though. Just... needed some space."
Jacob studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Alright. But next time, at least send a message so we know you’re okay."
Jayden gave a small smile. "I will."
"There’s food in the kitchen if you’re hungry," Harleen added. "We saved you a plate."
"Thanks, but I’m pretty beat," Jayden said, letting out a very convincing yawn. "I think I’m just gonna freshen up and go to bed."
"Oh, alright," Harleen muttered, though she was a bit surprised that Jayden of all people would skip a meal. But she was also one of the few people who knew what Jayden really did in his free time.
"Good night, kiddo," Jacob said. "Get some rest."
Jayden gave a small nod then headed upstairs, keenly aware of Jessica’s eyes following him. When he glanced back, she gave him a small, knowing smile.
He nodded in acknowledgment and continued to his room.
Once inside, he closed the door and let out a long breath. His holo-tab was sitting on his bed where he’d left it that morning. He picked it up and saw several missed messages—mostly from Jacob and Harleen.
But there was one contact he cared about.
Jayden opened his chat with Cassandra and stared at the last message he’d sent two days ago:
[Jayden: I’m sorry. Please talk to me]
The message was read. But no response.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard. What could he even say that he hadn’t already said? What words would make a difference?
Eventually, he typed the first thing that came to his mind.
[Jayden: I know you probably don’t want to hear from me. But I’m not giving up on us. On our friendship. I’ll wait as long as it takes]
He hit send before he could second-guess himself.
The message was marked as delivered. Then read.
Jayden waited, staring at the screen, hoping for those three little dots that would indicate she was typing.
But there was nothing.
He sighed and set the holo-tab down.
"One problem at a time," he muttered to himself.
He grabbed a change of clothes and headed to the bathroom. A shower. Some rest. Then he’d figure out his next move.
Minutes later,
Jayden sat cross-legged on his bed, freshly showered and dressed in comfortable sweats. His damp silver hair was still dripping slightly, leaving small wet spots on his shoulders, but he barely noticed. His entire focus was locked on the holographic display hovering in front of him.
The Beast Gene interface glowed with soft blue light, casting shadows across his face as he studied his options.
[You’ve been staring at that screen for ten minutes] Luna observed. [Just pick one already]
"This isn’t a decision to rush," Jayden muttered, his eyes scanning the information for what felt like the hundredth time.
*Acquired Beast Gene (4):
1. Wolverine Stalker (E-Rank)
2. Serpenthis (D-Rank)
3. Earth Smasher (D-Rank)
4. Chthonix (E-Rank)
*Integrated Beast Gene (3):
1. Wolverine Stalker
- Current Rank: D
- Crystals Required for Next Rank: [12/15]
- Ability: Invisibility
2. Earth Smasher
- Current Rank: D
- Crystals Required for Next Rank: [8/15]
- Ability: Enhanced Strength 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
3. Chthonix
- Current Rank: D
- Crystals Required for Next Rank: [0/15]
- Ability: Matter Absorption, Size Manipulation
*Beast Gene Integration slots left: 1
Jayden’s finger hovered over the screen, his mind running through the calculations.
The Wolverine Stalker was tantalizingly close to C-Rank—just three more crystals. Those wouldn’t be hard to find. A few more hunts and it would rank up naturally.
The Earth Smasher was also making steady progress. Eight crystals out of fifteen wasn’t bad. Another week or two of hunting and it would be ready.
But the Chthonix... that was a different story.
Chthonix crystals were rare. Stupidly rare. The beast itself was categorized as a "Deep Earth Dweller," meaning it only spawned in specific underground environments. Finding even one crystal was like winning a lottery. Finding fifteen to naturally rank it up to C?
That could take months. Maybe longer.
"The choice is obvious," Jayden said aloud, though he was still hesitating. "Chthonix is the only one that makes sense to use the rank-up token on."
[True. But why does it feel like you’re hesitating?] Luna asked, her tone knowing.
Jayden sighed. He wasn’t skeptical about using the rank-up token, this was something else.
His gaze drifted to the bottom of the screen, where a separate notification blinked insistently:
*Seasonal Quest Reminder:
[Integrate 3 Beasts Genes within three months] (2/3)
*Rewards: New Ability Unlock
Jayden jaw clenched. He’d been ignoring this quest for weeks now. The plan had been simple: integrate the Ancient Sabertooth Flare’s gene, take the ability and complete the quest in one move. Two birds, one stone.
But that option was locked behind a level requirement he couldn’t meet.
Which left him with one obvious alternative.
His eyes shifted to the Serpenthis gene sitting in his acquired inventory. A D-Rank venomous serpent beast he’d killed a long time ago. The gene was ready. Compatible. Waiting.
All he had to do was integrate it.
But something stopped him every time he considered it.
[You’re overthinking this] Luna said gently. [The Serpenthis gene is solid. Venom manipulation, enhanced flexibility, possible heat-sensing capabilities. It’s not flashy, but it’s practical]
"I know," Jayden replied quietly. "But I only have one integration slot left."
Miley snickered. [So?]
"So what if I need that slot for something better? Something more powerful?" Jayden leaned back against his headboard, frustration creeping into his voice. "What if I find an C-Rank beast gene? Or something with a unique ability I can’t pass up? If I waste my last slot on Serpenthis now—"
[Then you’ll have four integrated genes instead of three] Luna interrupted. [Four sets of transformations. Four sources of power. And you’ll complete the quest and get whatever mystery reward is waiting. That’s not wasting a slot, Jayden. That’s being smart]
Jayden scoffed. "Or it’s being impatient,"
[Or] Luna countered, [it’s recognizing that power now is worth more than hypothetical power later. You can’t use genes you don’t have yet]
Jayden closed his eyes, letting out a long breath. She had a point. She usually did. Integrating the Serpenthis gene will enable him complete the quest and receive a new ability. It was a win-win.
But his instincts were screaming at him to wait. To hold that last slot in reserve for something... bigger. Something he couldn’t quite articulate yet. If he integrated the gene now, he would have no slots left. And lord knows when he’ll get another integration slot... could take months.
"Not yet," he said finally, opening his eyes. "I’ll integrate Serpenthis eventually. Just... not yet."
Luna was quiet for a moment, then sighed. [Your funeral. Literally, if you keep making decisions based on feelings instead of logic]
"My feelings have kept me alive this long," Jayden retorted.
[Fair enough. So what are you actually going to do?]
Jayden’s mind moved decisively, selecting the Chthonix gene entry. "I’m using the rank-up token on Chthonix. No point sitting on it."
[Now that...] Luna said with approval, [...is logical]
The interface shifted, highlighting the Chthonix gene. A confirmation prompt appeared:
[Would you like to use the Rank-up Token on the Chthonix Gene?]
[Yes/ No]
Jayden didn’t hesitate. "Yes," he replied mentally.
[Rank-up Token Consumed]
[Initiating Rank up process...]
The moment he confirmed, Jayden felt it. A pulse of something deep in his chest—like his heart had skipped a beat and restarted with a different rhythm. Heat spread through his veins, not painful but intense, like liquid fire replacing his blood.
The holographic interface flickered and reformed, displaying new information:
[Ranking up process has begun]
[Chthonix Gene: D-Rank >>> C-Rank]
[Alert! Host would now be placed under a mandatory stasis]
Almost immediately, Jayden felt exhausted. His limbs went heavy, his eyelids drooping despite his best efforts to keep them open. The holographic interface blurred, the blue light smearing across his vision.
He slumped backward against his pillows, his head hitting the soft fabric.
The last thing he registered before unconsciousness claimed him completely was a strange sensation—like his bones were humming, vibrating at a frequency just below perception.
Then everything went black.
