I Got My System Late, But I'll Become Beastgod-Chapter 137: The Bathing Beasts

Without waiting, Spark and Tony leapt from Aamir’s shoulders and dived into the water with twin splashes.

"Agile as always," Aamir muttered with a small grin.

Vyuk watched with a curious expression, arms crossed. "They seem more like family than followers."

Aamir chuckled, stepping closer to the water. "You already met Hornhead, Spark, and Tony... but the rest of the crew is just as chaotic—uh, I mean, special."

One by one, the remaining beasts emerged from the forest edges and scattered hideouts, drawn to their Alpha’s presence.

"That’s Bolt."

An electric blur zipped past them, water rippling as the sleek panther skidded to a halt by the edge of the pond.

Bolt’s black fur sparked faintly with golden-blue electricity, his glowing yellow eyes watching Vyuk carefully.

"Fastest of them all. He can vanish between trees and return with a deer in under a minute."

Vyuk nodded slowly, impressed. "Efficient hunter. Has the aura of a predator."

Two fox-like shadows crept out next, low to the ground, silent as ghosts. Their bodies shimmered slightly as if light bent around them.

"And here come the twins—Shade and Flicker."

Aamir pointed at the older one. "That’s Shade. Master of stealth."

Then to the smaller one. "And that’s Flicker. Mischievous, a bit clumsy, but has heart."

Flicker suddenly darted toward Vyuk, circled his legs, and vanished again into the bushes. Vyuk blinked.

"They teleport?"

"Kinda. Shadow slip. Not full teleportation yet, but close."

"And that brick with wings?" Aamir grinned. "That’s Talonbeak."

A bulky, bird-beast waddled forward, chest puffed out, carrying a thick wooden log with ease.

"He handles construction. Walls, furniture, defenses. Strong as a boulder, smart as a rock."

Vyuk gave a low chuckle. "Every army needs its builder."

The ground rumbled slightly. A massive bear-like beast emerged from the trees, his paws leaving imprints in the soil.

"Meet Rubblepaw. Earth-based. Can manipulate stone. I use him as our mobile bulldozer."

Rubblepaw yawned and scratched his moss-covered back on a tree trunk, indifferent to introductions.

"Up there," Aamir pointed to the sky, "is Nimbus."

A floating cloud-furred creature hovered down gracefully like a drifting snowflake.

"He scouts from the sky, sends wind warnings before storms or enemies arrive."

Nimbus let out a low, melodic coo before spiraling back into the air.

"Quilltail, come say hi."

A hybrid of wolf and porcupine stepped into view, tail bristling with sharpened quills. His eyes glinted with fierce loyalty.

"Mid-range attacker. His tail quills? Pierced dungeon armor once."

Vyuk gave a low whistle. "A living ballista."

A small, moss-covered creature waddled up, leaves gently swaying on its back. Tiny glowing spores floated around it like fireflies.

"That’s Mossling. Healer. Also turns the terrain into a nightmare for anyone not used to plants growing under their feet."

Mossling gave Vyuk a tiny salute using a leafy tendril.

A little fire-dog bounded up, panting excitedly, a flickering tail of flames wagging rapidly.

"Cinderpup," Aamir said with affection. "Still learning. Breathes fire and chases his own tail. One time, he almost set the house on fire."

Cinderpup barked happily and immediately tripped over his own paws.

Ripples formed in the pond as a sleek fin broke the surface. Then, a blue-scaled amphibious creature rose half-out of the water, sonar ridges pulsing on its head.

"Echofin. Water surveillance. Can detect anything swimming from a kilometer away."

Vyuk gave a firm nod. "Sharp eyes, sharp senses. Smart."

Finally, a glimmer zipped by overhead — fast, golden, and almost invisible to the naked eye. Aamir pointed up.

"And that’s Glint. My fastest flyer. Messenger, scout, and distraction specialist. Hard to catch. Even harder to swat."

Glint flashed again in midair before disappearing into the trees.

Vyuk stood quietly, taking in the sight of all 14 beasts — some wrestling in the water, others bathing, a few already asleep in the sun.

He crossed his arms, his smile now thoughtful.

"You know, kid... these aren’t just beasts. They’re cubs of powerful bloodlines. You’re not building a team..."

He looked at Aamir.

"...you’re raising an army."

Aamir laughed and scratched his head.

"More like babysitting a daycare with claws."

Spark, still dripping from his swim, jumped into Aamir’s arms.

Aamir looked around at the peaceful chaos.

"But yeah... they’re mine. And I’d fight the world for each of them."

Aamir looked around at his beasts, all playing or lounging around the shimmering pond, then turned to Vyuk with a more serious tone.

"Well... looking at the kind of enemies I might face in the future—"

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"—I need strong allies."

Vyuk nodded, crossing his arms again.

"That’s true, kid. And by the looks of it, you’re on the right path."

Then his lips curled into a sly grin.

"But let me show you something neat."

Aamir blinked.

"Like what?"

Vyuk raised an eyebrow. "Can you cross this pond?"

Aamir tilted his head. "By swimming?"

Vyuk shook his head and chuckled.

"No, I mean... by walking on it."

Aamir stared at him.

"...You’re joking."

Vyuk smirked.

"Not at all."

Aamir scoffed.

"Now you’re just talking nonsense."

"Fool," Vyuk said, taking a step forward. "Watch and learn."

He lifted one leg, placed it on the surface of the pond—and it held. Aamir’s eyes widened as Vyuk placed the other foot and calmly stood on the water like it was solid ground.

Then he walked forward, each step slow and measured. The water barely rippled beneath him.

"Wha—what the hell...?" Aamir muttered, blinking twice.

Vyuk turned and grinned from the middle of the pond.

"Cool, right?"

Aamir pointed at him, mouth open.

"You’re literally walking on water. What kind of flex is this?!"

Vyuk chuckled. "It’s not just for show. It’s about control. Control over your Pran. Speed isn’t the only thing that matters. What’s your top burst speed?"

"Hmm... MAC 3, maybe," Aamir answered.

"Yeah, then you could run across water," Vyuk said. "But that’s not the same as walking. That takes finesse, not brute force. Once you fully master your Pran flow... I’ll teach you."

Aamir sighed, rubbing his face.

"Man... I hate waiting."

Vyuk gave a light shrug.

"Well, it is what it is."

"Forget it."

Aamir backed up, sprinted a few steps, and jumped right into the pond with a dramatic splash.

"Woooo!" he shouted mid-air.

Spark and Tony both squealed in delight as Aamir landed between them, water spraying everywhere.

Vyuk chuckled from his perch.

"Reckless brat—"

Suddenly the water beneath his feet shuddered, and the precise balance of Pran he was using wavered. The surface tension broke—

SPLASH!

Vyuk fell in like a stone.

Aamir surfaced and laughed so hard he snorted.

"HAHA! Look at you! The ancient monk who walked on water—sank like a rock!"

Spark spun in the water excitedly while Tony splashed Vyuk with both hands like a toddler causing chaos.

Vyuk emerged with a groan, slicking his wet hair back.

"Ugh... I miscalculated."

"Nope, that’s karma," Aamir said with a grin, floating on his back. "That’s what you get for flexing on me."

"Fair enough," Vyuk muttered.

They spent the next few minutes just... being. Floating, playing, relaxing. The jungle around them continued humming its eternal melody—birds chirped, leaves rustled, distant howls echoed. But here, in the pond, it was calm.

For once, Aamir wasn’t fighting. He wasn’t running or bleeding or screaming or planning.

He was just... breathing.

And for someone like him, that was rare.

Vyuk floated beside him now, staring up at the canopy.

"So, what’s your next plan?"

Aamir stayed silent for a moment, eyes half-closed.

"I want to train the beasts better. Not just power—but discipline, instincts, formations."

Vyuk nodded slowly.

"You’ll need it. If the kind of danger you’re expecting shows up... you won’t survive on strength alone."

Aamir looked over.

"You think I should make them into a formal battle unit?"

"I think you already did. You just haven’t called it that yet."

Aamir smirked.

"Alpha Corps, maybe."

Spark chirped, as if approving.

"Sounds fancy," Vyuk said. "You’d just better make sure it lives up to the name."

Suddenly, a splash behind them signaled the arrival of Rubblepaw, who belly-flopped into the pond with the elegance of a falling tree. A wave of water soaked both Vyuk and Aamir again.

Tony laughed like a maniac, Spark spun in circles, and Cinderpup barked and jumped in right after.

"Yup," Aamir said with a smile, wiping water from his eyes, "This is definitely a battle unit."

The sun dipped lower, casting golden hues over the water as more beasts joined in. Mossling floated peacefully with lily pads stuck to his back, while Quilltail lounged near the bank, flicking his tail just enough to keep the younger ones in check. Even Glint zipped by overhead, casting tiny flashes over the surface like fireflies dancing across twilight.

Aamir leaned back, arms behind his head, eyes closed.

"For the first time in a long time," he said softly, "this place feels... like home."

Vyuk, still half-submerged beside him, let out a small chuckle.

"You’ve built something rare here, kid. Don’t lose it."

Aamir smiled.

"I won’t."

Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experi𝒆nce