Beast Hack: Customizing Beasts and Capturing Beauties

The ghost swords kept attacking and both Luna and Liora continued to deflect them.

But the battle had barely started, as the mansion had no intention of letting them pass so easily.

Suddenly, the attacks intensified as more weapons were materialized from the walls.

The variation of them also increased. Spears, daggers and heavy maces were materialized and began to attack them

The sheer variety and coordination of the attacks forced both Luna and Liora to adjust instantly.

Liora clicked her tongue. "Tch. It's adapting."

Luna, flipping over a spinning axe, landed beside her. "So, it's not just a haunted house—it's a damn armory."

Liora frowned as she deactivated her sword. "This is annoying."

Luna raised her eyebrow. "Giving up already?"

Liora didn't answer. Instead, she closed her eyes, her breath steadying.

She began to fuse with Leon. Within seconds, her entire body transformed and became a silver lion beastman.

Liora looked at the weapons and roared in anger. Her roar shook the room and summoned a silver flame.

The silver flame soon spread and covered the phantom weapons and among touching them, they trembled.

The energy that once kept them moving was disrupted, as if something deep inside them had been burned away.

Luna, having just barely dodged a dagger aimed at her throat, immediately retreated behind Liora.

She peered out from behind her. "Well, damn. That's effective."

Liora barely spared her a glance. "I could have done this from the start."

Luna smirked. "And yet, you didn't."

Liora's flames expanded, the heat intensifying. The weapons began to wither before vanishing entirely.

Loreia, still at the back, cautiously peeked around Lucius. "So… it's working?"

Luna gave her a smug look. "Looks like you're safe to come out, big sister."

Loreia huffed. "I don't see you fighting anymore, either."

Luna smiled innocently. "Oh, but why would I? When can I let my dear, strong, flame-wielding protector do it for me?"

Liora sighed as she warned them without looking at them. "If you're going to hide behind me, at least shut up."

Lucius only chuckled, watching the entire situation. "Interesting. This mansion is really full of surprises."

With the Phantom weapons losing their power, the battlefield shifted.

The mansion had tested them once. But the true danger was yet to come.

---

All of the phantom weapons had vanished thanks to Liora's silver flame and suddenly something happened.

Creeeeeak…

A massive door suddenly appeared at the far end of the hall and opened up.

It revealed a dimly lit passageway leading deeper into the mansion.

At the same time, the grand staircase moved as if the mansion itself were reshaping the path ahead.

It wasn't just letting them pass. Instead, it guided them to the main hall.

Luna smiled a bit, watching as the stairs moved around. "Well. That's not creepy at all."

Loreia frowned. "Why do I feel like we just passed some sort of test?"

Luna gave her a sideways glance. "Maybe because we did? Or maybe because this place wants to eat us alive. Either one works."

Lucius just walked forward, ignoring them. "Maybe it's an invitation for us."

Luna added. "Or a trap."

Lucius turned his head slightly. "Everything is a trap or maybe not? The question is, Do we walk into it?"

Luna watched Lucius already stepped into the stairs. "Do we even have a choice?"

Lucius smirked. "Not really."

Liora cracked her knuckles, standing beside him. "If this place is trying to test us again, I'll just burn it down."

Luna snickered. "Spoken like a true beast."

Liora shot her a look. "Spoken like someone who hid behind me five minutes ago."

Loreia crossed her arms. "So we're really going in? Just like that?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes. Because I want to see who—or what—is waiting for us."

The others exchanged glances. Then, one by one, they followed him up the stairs, deeper into the mansion's main hall.

---

Lucius and the others soon arrived at the main hall after being guided by the mansion itself.

In the center of the hall, they could see massive suit armor being showcased.

But in the next moment, the armor suddenly moved as a dark shadow filled its armor to become a Spectral Knight.

It then slowly rose from its kneeling position and with a clank, it reached behind its back and unsheathed his sword.

His sword was not an ordinary one, as it was a huge greatsword that was almost as tall as a man.

The Spectral Knight glanced at Lucius and the others, changing his stance into an offensive one. It was ready to fight.

Lucius smirked. "It seems what Luna said was true. There really is a spirit beast."

Luna folded her arms. "Of course. When have I ever been wrong?"

Lucius gave her a brief glance. "Shall I list how many times you are wrong, or should we focus on the opponent?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. But just so you know, I was still right about this."

Lucius turned his gaze back to the knight. "Then, who wants to fight it?"

Before anyone else could answer, Liora stepped forward. "Just let me handle it. I want to finish this as fast as possible."

Lucius tilted his head, watching her. "Are you that eager to fight?"

Liora rolled her shoulders. "No point wasting time. If it's standing in our way, I'll cut it down."

Luna smirked. "Well, at least let us enjoy the show."

Lucius nodded. "Very well. It's yours."

Liora stepped forward and locked her eyes onto the Spectral Knight.

She bared her claws, coating them in silver flames. "You're in my way."

Loreia, still standing slightly behind the group, frowned as she observed the spectral knight. "Are we really just letting her fight alone? This thing looks... unnatural."

Luna glanced at her and grinned. "Oh? Do you want to step in and help?"

Loreia's eye twitched. "That's not what I meant."

She crossed her arms. "I'm just saying that this thing isn't like the phantom weapons from before. It feels… off."

Luna hummed. "Yeah, I get what you mean. It's more than just a mindless spirit beast—it actually has a presence."

Lucius smirked. "That just makes it more interesting."

Loreia sighed, glancing at Liora. "Fine, but if she gets in trouble, we're stepping in."

Luna grinned. "You mean if she gets in trouble, I'll step in, and you'll stay in the back, right?"

Loreia glared at her. "One of these days, I'm going to punch you in the face."

Luna chuckled. "Sure, sure. Maybe after this."

Liora ignored them and focused on the Spectral Knight. She wanted to finish this as fast as possible.