Beast Hack: Customizing Beasts and Capturing Beauties-Chapter 346: Storm in the Grove

Elaris didn't flinch.

"I do. That's why I'm here. The box won't last more than three more hours."

Sylvaine's frown deepened. "We will talk later about this. Extensively."

She turned without waiting.

"Summon the containment vines. Layer the Root Vault twice. No gaps."

Several attendants burst from the underbrush, responding instantly.

Their beasts followed them from behind.

Massive serpent-root types and vine-linked crawlers.

They soon sank their claws and roots into the ground.

"Form the anchor ring!" one of them barked.

"Stabilize the undergrowth, now!"

Elaris didn't wait.

She marched forward and tossed the silver box into the center of the forming pit.

"Back up. When it breaks, don't be near it."

The containment vines rose from the earth—twisting, overlapping, spiraling upward to form a living cage.

The box cracked.

A hiss of steam escaped as it shattered open, revealing a transparent prism chamber inside, lined with flickering runes.

Inside, a towering figure of chained wind and lightning growled low.

Its wings folded, its body restrained, but the energy emitting from its form made the leaves shudder.

Zephyron, Sovereign of Storms, locked eyes with Elaris.

"You brought that here?" one of the attendants whispered, backing up.

Sylvaine didn't look away. "Hold the formation. Do not falter."

Zephyron didn't move. Not a twitch. Its wings remained folded.

Its claws rested. Its eyes scanned the surroundings, then locked on Sylvaine.

Elaris smiled. "Mother, relax. This is the beast I bought."

Sylvaine's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell sells a beast like this?"

She stepped closer, gaze scanning Zephyron's aura.

"Its energy… this isn't just SS-Rank. It's nearly at the peak."

"Of course it is," Elaris said, casually brushing her hair back.

"Quite expensive too."

Sylvaine sighed. "Then why did you buy it?"

Elaris tilted her head, grinning. "Because it was an SS-Rank beast. Why wouldn't I buy it?"

"You know how hard it is to catch something like that?"

Sylvaine frowned. "Of course I know. They were too prideful to be caught and liked to kill themselves."

"I do too." Elaris didn't lose her grin.

"Which is why I skipped that part and just bought it. Simple."

Sylvaine's frown deepened, her eyes still on Zephyron.

"We're a noble house aligned with forest beasts. What possessed you to drag a lightning storm into my garden?"

"Exactly," Elaris said.

"It's not your type. But it's perfect for big sister."

Sylvaine turned, caught off guard. "Your sister?"

Elaris nodded. "She's a thunder-aligned tamer. Been stubborn about bonding with anything weaker than her standards."

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"This one fits. Wild, powerful, rebellious. She'll love it."

Sylvaine looked back at Zephyron. "That thing could destroy half this grove if it breaks loose."

Elaris only smiled hearing that. "It won't and besides, it has thunder aura."

"I'm already thinking of cultivating a field of thunder herbs. The energy output's ideal."

Sylvaine sighed again, slower this time, eyes lingering on the chained Sovereign.

"…I see. Still."

She stepped forward and circled the cage once, her hand brushing a containment vine.

"It's quite… magnificent."

Elaris grinned wider. "Told you. I have good eyes."

Sylvaine narrowed hers. "Fine. But how much did you pay to exercise those eyes?"

Elaris shrugged. "About 110 SS-Rank beast cores."

Sylvaine froze. Her breath caught for half a second. "What the hell did you just say?"

"I said—"

"I heard you," Sylvaine snapped, stepping forward.

"Do you realize what you're saying? 110 SS-Rank cores?"

Elaris held her ground, still smiling. "We've got plenty, don't we?"

"That's not the point," Sylvaine hissed.

"Yes, we have stockpiles, but that's an absurd amount for one beast—even a Sovereign."

"Come on," Elaris said, casually waving her hand.

"It's not just the beast."

Sylvaine tilted her head. "What else did they throw in, a damn crown?"

Elaris's grin sharpened. "The Beast King Cultivation Manual."

Sylvaine blinked. "…You got the manual too?"

"Of course," Elaris said, proud.

"You know how important that is. And it wasn't a generic one. It was customized. Tailored for this exact beast."

Sylvaine went silent for a beat, then muttered under her breath.

"A tailored cultivation guide… for a Sovereign-class thunder beast…"

She sighed, slower this time.

"If that's true… then maybe the price wasn't as outrageous as it sounded."

She turned toward the guards standing nearby.

"Fetch Velmara. Tell her Elaris has something she wants her to see."

The guards nodded and disappeared into the living corridor of vines.

Elaris crossed her arms. "Think she'll be mad I picked her a Thunderbird?"

Sylvaine raised her eyebrow.

"If it obeys her without exploding the grove, she might call it a decent gift."

Elaris chuckled. "Good. I wanted to see if she still remembers how to smile."

Sylvaine's mouth twitched—but didn't quite form a smile.

"You're testing your sister's patience and my threshold in a single day."

"I call that efficiency," Elaris said, casually adjusting her sleeves.

"Let's see if Velmara agrees."

---

Velmara moved like a storm.

Her dual daggers flickered with crackling arcs as she carved through the air.

Each strike was controlled and each step was calculated.

Sparks traced the ground as her thunder weapons responded to her will.

A faint rustle broke the rhythm.

She spun and halted mid-strike as two guards approached from the vine-carved entrance, panting lightly.

"Miss Velmara," one said quickly, "Lady Elaris has returned. She… requested your presence."

Velmara straightened, sweat rolling down her temple. "What is it this time?"

The guards exchanged glances.

"She said… it's a surprise. Asked us not to say more."

Velmara frowned, wiping her blade across her arm bracer before sliding both daggers into their back holsters.

"A surprise?"

"She insisted," the second guard added.

"Said it was important. And that it was—well, for you."

Velmara exhaled slowly, her tone dry.

"Let me guess. Something explosive, mildly insane, and forest-unfriendly?"

"Possibly," the guard admitted with a nervous shrug.

Velmara turned toward the exit, rolling her shoulders.

"Of course. Let's go see what my little sister thinks will shock me this time."

She paused briefly, a flicker of amusement passing over her usually unreadable face.

"She better not have bought another carnivorous flower beast."

The guards gave awkward chuckles but said nothing as they led her toward the grove.