catalyst beast

The Next Day

The appearance of Sarah Morningstar from the Great Clan Morningstar had caused quite a stir in the bastion, but thankfully, things had returned to normal by the next day. The world couldn't stop for one person—though she remained the hottest topic on everyone's lips. 

At the moment, Courage was at Mister Jafar's shop, his usual supplier, who was currently showing him a list of items. One example appeared in his interface with this description: 

Trait Catalyst: [Rock Shell] 

Type: [earth/Corpus] 

Description: Using this catalyst would give a beast's shell or carapace rock-like toughness and properties. 

That's right—Courage was now exploring the first option: refining Kabuto's carapace to better handle [All Out]. After some research and borrowing insights from his father's old notebooks, he'd arrived at the idea of using body modification catalysts. These specialized catalysts could permanently alter a beast's physiology, granting all sorts of traits. Courage hoped to modify Kabuto's body to increase its baseline toughness, thereby raising its natural strength ceiling. 

However, as with most things, it wasn't that simple. Courage couldn't just grab any modification catalyst and call it a day—he had specific requirements. Take the [Rock Shell] catalyst, for example. While it could indeed increase the hardness of Kabuto's carapace, it wouldn't solve their core problem. What Courage needed wasn't just toughness, but resistance to internal strain—the ability to withstand both the pressure of Kabuto's own power and the heat generated by overexertion. 

The [Rock Shell] catalyst, as its description stated, would give Kabuto rock-like properties. But rocks, while hard, are terrible at handling sustained pressure (they crack under stress) and heat (they shatter or melt). That made this option unsuitable for their needs. 

Courage kept browsing through his options, examining each catalyst carefully:

[Iron Shell] - Similar to [Rock Shell] but fell under the steel-type category. While steel was better at resisting strain than rock, it had the disadvantage of trapping heat, making it unsuitable. 

[Bronze Skin] - Could handle strain well and was great at resisting heat, but it only worked on skin, rendering it useless for Kabuto. 

[Wood Bone] - Granted excellent flexibility to a beast's bones and shell, but the toughness enhancement was too weak. 

[Armored Bone], [Metal Tendons], [Golden Fur], [Amber Carapace] - And many more. Courage pored over every option, but to no avail. Each catalyst was either unsuitable or came with significant drawbacks. 

Mister Jafar asked, "Nothing helpful for you, sony?" 

Courage sighed and shook his head. 

"Oh sorry kid, that's all the body modification catalysts I have in stock related to what you asked for." 

"It's okay, Mister Jafar. It's not your fault—I can't expect you to have exactly what I need whenever I need it." 

Courage pondered his options: should he try his luck elsewhere, compromise with a less-than-ideal catalyst, or abandon this approach entirely and focus on finding abilities to complement [All Out] instead? 

Mister Jafar noticed Courage's troubled expression. He tapped his fingers thoughtfully before getting Courage's attention. "Listen, kid..." 

Courage focused immediately. 

Jafar signaled for him to come closer and said in a low tone, "Say, have you heard of a catalyst called [Jade Bone]?" 

"Jade Bone?" 

Jafar continued, "it is a rare and potent catalyst , which is said to grant great toughness and constitution to a beast." 

"Oh?" Courage's interest peaked. 

"But that's not the best part. It's also said to provide resistance to all negative effects—whether external or self-inflicted—including strain and overheating." 

"Really? That sounds ideal! Do you... have it?" 

"Sadly, no." 

"Oh. Then do you know where I can buy it?" 

"No point asking that question. This catalyst isn't something you can buy." 

"Is it too expensive?" 

"No, no—you misunderstood me. What I meant is, this catalyst isn't something you can find in a shop. You see, this is an environmental catalyst." 

"I see." Courage now understood. Environmental catalysts were part of a landscape's environment, so obviously thier not something that can be sold in markets. 

"Then if I can't acquire it, why bring it up?" 

"Don't worry, I'm not telling you this just to mess with you. It'll all make sense once I finish." 

"Oh, okay." Courage waited for him to continue. 

"You see, about a month back, me and a few fellow traders came across a beast carcass being sold in the open market. After inspecting it, we identified one of its traits as [Jade Bone]. Excited by this discovery, we dug deeper and spoke with the hunting team that took down the beast. Luckily, they were cooperative and shared details about their hunt." 

"And?" 

"Sigh... Sadly, they said they didn't find any environmental catalyst during their hunt." 

"However—" Jafar's tone turned anticipatory. 

"Those hunters did share the location where they found that beast. So, you know what that means, right?" 

"Uhh... which is?" 

"Right, you're a rookie, so you wouldn't know. Kid, beasts that develop using environmental catalysts are usually found near those catalysts." 

"Which means..." Courage began to understand. 

"That's right! The environmental catalyst shouldn't be too far from where the beast was hunted. So even though I don't know exactly where the catalyst is, I do know where those hunters found the beast. Meaning if you search that area, you might just find the [Jade Bone] catalyst for yourself." 

"I see. So that's how it is." 

"Exactly. Sadly, I'm no fighter, so I can't guarantee my safety in the wilds. But you, lad—you seem strong enough. Maybe you can go find it yourself."

Courage pondered over it then said, "Well I can certainly try, but are you really ok with me doing that?"

"Well you see," Jafar replied, "I did promise my partners to keep this matter a secret until we confirmed it, so I am kinda going back on my word by telling you this."

"R-really?"

"But don't worry," Jafar continued, "if you can manage to find the catalyst and share its location with me, I should be able to explain it to my partners and avoid any trouble."

Hearing this, Courage was relieved. After a quick thought, he agreed to help Mister Jafar search for the catalyst on his behalf. The old merchant was going above and beyond for his sake, so it would be too cruel to turn his back on him after sharing such a secret.

After bidding farewell to Mister Jafar, Courage headed back to his home to prepare. The location Jafar told him about was a bit far from the bastion, so Courage had to make bigger preparations than usual.

Back at his home, Courage prepared all the things he deemed necessary for this expedition. After packing everything, he summoned Kabuto from his soul domain before giving it a catalyst to consume.

Although Courage hadn't bought any body modification catalysts, he did grab this one:

[Enhanced Exoskeleton]

This catalyst was a silver-colored powder used specifically for insect beasts or similar creatures. It had the effect of causing these types of creatures to molt their exoskeletons, shedding the old one and developing a better, stronger new one.

Despite seeming like a solution to Kabuto's problem, it wasn't . The enhancement granted by this catalyst was mediocre, and it could only be used a couple of times on a single beast before losing effectiveness. Even though using this catalyst couldn't replace Courage's need to find a better solution, he still decided to buy and use it because even though the effect was mediocre and limited it could however still benefit Kabuto without impuing any negative side effects. So it was of some use.

Not knowing what they might face in this upcoming expedition, Courage preferred to give his beast a power boost, no matter how small.

Kabuto digested the catalyst, and after half an hour it molted, leaving its discarded shell on the ground. Its new shell now looked stronger than before and even had a brighter shine to it.

"Looking good," Courage praised.

After finishing all preparations, Courage decided to go for a walk to pass the time until tomorrow morning—the time he decided he would embark on his hunt.

Courage wandered around for a while until he got tired. Stopping at a small garden with a fountain in the middle, he bought a frosty snack from a nearby vending machine and sat on a stool near the fountain. He sat there alone with his thoughts for a while until he got bored, so he decided to hop online and see if there was anything going on in the forums.

Lo and behold, there was. A video that was going viral popped into view. Not wanting to be ignorant of the latest trends, Courage clicked on the video to see what it was about—though judging from the thumbnail, he already had an idea.

The video started, and its topic—you guessed it—was Sarah Morningstar. It showed her walking into a public space, her presence attracting a small crowd as expected. She seemed to be conversing with several people, who in turn relayed her words to the rest of the crowd.

"She seems to have already begun networking to establish her cohort," Courage speculated.

As the video continued, suddenly a group of people made their way through the crowd, coming before Sarah. Observing closely, Courage focused more—it wasn't hard to identify these people. They were members of the Black Hyde Gang, easily recognizable by the insignias on their clothes. At the center of the group stood a man whose height and presence dwarfed everyone else. This man was Kuro Kai, the head hancho of the Black Hyde Gang.

Kuro Kai was a tall, burly man standing at a height that would dwarf most people. He had a large mane of dark black hair that reached down to his back. He wore dark steel armor covering most of his body except for his arms, along with a cape made of crocodile skin—dyed dark to match the rest of his attire.

But all this thick attire couldn't hide his extraordinary physique. Kai's exposed arms were muscular and well-developed, and even with the armor covering his torso, his body movements and the shift of his clothes hinted at the powerful frame beneath. His face was somewhat square-shaped but with a well-defined jawline and cheekbones, topped with thick eyebrows above his silver eyes. Kuro Kai's whole presence screamed, "You don't want to piss me off."

Even Courage felt a bit nervous just watching a video of him. Now imagine how the people who were actually there must have felt.

Returning to the video, Kai and his gang approached Sarah, their infamy causing the crowd to part before them. Standing before her, Kai did something unexpected—he flashed a smile and offered a polite greeting. 

"Greetings there, Miss Sarah Morningstar."

"Greetings to you too, Kuro Kai, leader of the Black Hyde Gang." 

"Oh! You know me?"

"Of course. How could I not know the head of the largest Catalyst organization in the bastion? I've heard many things about you."

"You flatter me. To be recognized by one of the Great Clans is an honor."

"Don't be. No recognition given was unearned."

"Well then," Kai continued, "since introductions are unnecessary, let me cut straight to the chase."

"Please, go on," Sarah replied, her tone indifferent. 

"I'd like to invite you to join my gang."

The announcement sent a ripple through the crowd. 

"I know someone of your lineage naturally seeks to dominate. I can see that's exactly what you're planning. But establishing a force capable of supporting such ambition isn't easy—I speak from experience. It took me years to build what I have now, not to mention the resources and effort required. I'd hate to see a talent like yours toil without guarantee of success. So instead, join me. I'll provide all the resources and support you could ever need. More than that—I'll grant you a position at my side. Together, we won't just conquer this region of the Blend… we'll rule it unchallenged."

By the end of his speech, the crowd had fallen into stunned silence. 

"Damn," Courage muttered. "Resources and power just for joining? That's a hard deal to pass up."

At first, Kai's behavior surprised him—but the reasoning soon became clear. To someone like Kai, a Great Clan member couldn't be ignored. With their influence, Sarah could easily build a faction that threatened his dominance. She was a threat to be neutralized, one way or another. Right now, he'd chosen the friendly approach—after all, the best way to eliminate an enemy was to make them an ally. By recruiting Sarah, he wouldn't just remove a potential rival; he'd gain a high-grade Catalyst whose very presence would attract others to his cause. Adding her to his ranks wouldn't simply mean one new member—it would shift the entire balance of power in the bastion to his favor. 

A debonair strategy," Courage remarked, leaning forward. "Let's see how she responds." 

Sarah allowed a beat of silence before answering: "I see... Well, I refuse." 

The crowd froze. 

Kai's eyes narrowed, though his smile remained. "Now, now, Miss Morningstar—don't be hasty. Consider the benefits I'm offering."

"That's precisely the problem," she countered. "It's too little for me." 

One of Kai's subordinates interjected: "Let me assure you, the Black Hyde can provide—"

"No," Sarah cut in, her voice sharp. "What I mean is—you're too little for me." 

Kai: "..."

The crowd: "..."

"I am of the Great Clan Morningstar. If we're speaking of wealth and benefits, I already surpass you in that regard. And if there's anything I lack? I'll simply obtain it myself." I ain't so modest as to need the support of someone else. No, instead I plan to be the pillar that supports others," she said the last part with a raised tone, clearly to get everyone's attention.

"I came to this bastion not to elevate myself, but to elevate everyone else. I plan to forge an army of Beast Catalysts that would rival the stuff of legends. And with it?" Her amber eyes burned. "I won't settle for conquering just this region of the Blend—I will take it all."

The crowd erupted in gasps. Such audacity! Even the legendary Catalysts of old wouldn't dare voice such ambitions. Yet here she stood, declaring what would be madness from anyone else's lips. 

"So you see, Mister Kai," Sarah continued, "if your ultimate goal is to content yourself with this small corner of the Blend? Then I'm afraid your ambitions fall... disappointingly short of mine." 

Courage's jaw hung open. She just referred to Kuro Kai, this hulk of a man with "little" and "short" while casually announcing her plans to conquer the entire Blend?!

One thought crystallized in his mind: 

"This girl is nuts."

The air hung heavy after Sarah's declaration, her small frame somehow looking down on the towering Kai despite their height difference.

Kuro Kai muttered in a deep rumble, "I see."

His subordinates flinched as if standing near an open furnace, sweat beading on their brows. Kai took a step forward, closing the distance until he stood face-to-face with Sarah. Contrary to expectations, a wide smile split his features.

"Haha! As expected of the Great Clans," he boomed with cheerful inflection. "Aspirations that pierce the heavens! I'd expect nothing less. You have my admiration." He gave a small, respectful bow before turning to leave.

Sarah watched him go, her expression inscrutable. Kai paused after a few steps, not bothering to turn his head as he spoke again. Though his tone remained calm, his words seemed to vibrate through the plaza

"One final piece of advice."

"Yes?"

"Be careful out there, okay?" A dark chuckle laced his words. "You never know when something might try to rip your heart out."

Thid words landed with physical weight. Though the video didn't show Kai's face in that moment, Courage could perfectly imagine the smoldering fury in those silver eyes. Even through the screen, the air around Kai seemed to darken perceptibly.

"I'll keep that in mind," Sarah replied evenly.

As Kai and his gang departed, they left behind a suffocating pressure that lingered like acrid smoke.

Everyone present was left speechless, their faces solemn after witnessing the exchange. The air stood still—no one dared even to whisper. 

Yet amid the silence, Sarah Morningstar remained calm, her amber eyes burning with unwavering intensity. She stepped onto a raised surface, turning to the crowd, and spoke in a voice both high and steady: 

"Beast Catalysts of Grand Cliff Bastion—heed me!"

All eyes fixed upon her.

"You have heard my intentions, my plans. And I swear upon my honor I mean them true."

Breaths held. 

"You may each have your own aspirations, your own struggles. But why strive alone, divided, when there's much greater strength in us combined?"

The crowd's eyes gleamed at her words.

"I call upon the brave and the bold—join me! Together, we will carve our names into history, becoming legends that future generations will revere!" 

Hearts pounded with anticipation.

"I, Sarah Morningstar, daughter of the great Clan Morningstar, hereby declare the founding of the Band of Dawn! Now—who stands with me?"

Not a second later, the place erupted. Hundreds roared in agreement, their spirits alight. 

"Band of Dawn! Band of Dawn! Band of Dawn!"

The chant thundered through the bastion, marking the rise of a new power in Grand Cliff.

Courage watched it all, musing to himself, "I don't know if it's the girl herself or her mighty lineage, but she certainly knows how to rally a crowd."

And just like that, nearly half the bastion lined up to join her.

Courage's mind raced with thoughts as he took in this new development. After pondering over it for a while, he stood up and stared into the distance - at the sloping streets of the Stacks District , golden dusk light shone against the shadows of the settlement's buildings. He exhaled deeply, then muttered in a low yet dramatic tone

"It begins."