The Psychopathic Beast Emperor-Chapter 69: Opening the Gift Box

Bahamut lay in silence on the bed for a few long minutes, thinking of nothing in particular. The system window hovered patiently in front of his face, bright and smug.

’System... please give me the gift box,’ he said in his mind, his breathing racing a bit out of expectation. He appeared to be calm, but he really wanted to know what was in a gold gift box.

With a swirl, the gift box materialized in front of him, rotating slowly in midair, gleaming like it had been polished by gods with too much free time.

Bahamut stared at it, a sharp gleam in his eyes, as the blind greys somehow and strangely reflected the glow of the box.

"Open it," he muttered.

Nothing happened.

With a frown, he repeated. "System. Open the gift box."

[Request Detected]

[Item: Gold Gift Box]

[Rarity: Rare]

Warning:

Opening this time may permanently alter your combat potential, survival parameters, physiological structure, metaphysical alignment, future growth trajectory, and overall life expectancy... Based on what you might find in it.

Do you still wish to proceed?

"Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?"

[Clarification!]

It is not a bad thing. It is merely irreversible.

’Then open it...’

[Confirmation Accepted]Opening Gold Gift Box...

The box trembled as golden light burst outward in a dense wave, like compressed authority being released.

Runes unfolded in layers, stacking and rotating, each one heavy with meaning that Bahamut couldn’t read but somehow understood and felt.

The pressure pushed against his chest, against his bones, and against something deeper. Then the light collapsed inward, forming two objects suspended before him.

[Reward Acquired]

The first item appeared as a jagged, obsidian-black token, floating silently. Its surface was etched with shifting sigils that refused to stay still, as if reality itself hadn’t agreed on their shape yet.

[Item: Contract Token (Unassigned)]

Description:

A high-grade contract medium not bound to race, species, origin, or a plane.

Effect:

Allows the user to form one contract without standard restrictions.

- Ignores Tier disparity

- Ignores origin laws

- Ignores compatibility requirements

Limitations:

- The contract formed through this token is absolute.

- Once bound, the system cannot annul it.

Additional Note:

- This item does not choose the contractor. It only ensures that the contract cannot be refused once accepted.

Bahamut’s fingers twitched.

"So this is basically a ’shake hands with fate’ card."

[That is an inefficient but accurate interpretation.]

"Not like I will be affected negatively... Next!"

The second reward manifested without ceremony.

Just a sudden, crushing sensation inside his chest.

Bahamut gasped as pain lanced through his body at once. It was unlike any pain he’d ever felt. It was even sharper than the one that came with advancing a level. His muscles locked while his veins bulged, threatening to burst.

If Henut were here, she would be struck with fear. His spine arched as something unseen etched itself into him.

It felt like his organs were being taught a lesson. A very violent lesson.

[Passive Skill Acquired]

Death-Tempered Flesh

The pain faded slowly, leaving behind a dense, heavy sensation beneath his skin, like his body had been reforged with the memory of dying.

Description:

Your flesh has experienced death and adapted.

Effects:

- Increased resistance to piercing, blunt force, and internal trauma

- Regeneration efficiency permanently enhanced

- Damage taken after a fatal injury is reduced

Special Trait:

- This passive evolves only through near-death experiences or death experiences

Warning:

-Excessive evolution may result in divergence from standard human physiology.

Bahamut flexed his hand with a smile, causing the air to ripple as his fingers clenched.

"Sounds like a peak skill!"

[It is! Your flesh has learned that death is not final for you, so it will resist it accordingly.]

He exhaled slowly, a crooked grin tugging at his lips.

"Good!"

"You look happy... After going berserk!" A sharp, chilly, but cute voice broke Bahamut out of his thoughts, but he didn’t flinch or turn around. The grin on his face merely widened, slow and lazy, like a predator stretching after a good hunt.

"Happy isn’t the word," Bahamut replied. "Satisfied, maybe."

A faint rustle came from his right, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone stretching far too enthusiastically for a person who should be sleeping.

"Wow," Ren said, voice bright and irritatingly alive. "So this is what it’s like to wake up without pain or fear of your soul breaking down."

Bahamut’s lips twitched in annoyance. "Congratulations! You’re officially on your own. How glad I am!"

"Motherfucker!" Ren cursed, though he was happy to be able to use his power freely without fear of backlashes on his soul.

"I know you are happy. Feel free to praise me... Don’t be shy," Bahamut said, tilting his head with a mocking smile.

"Heh! Over my ass!"

"Eww, dude! I’m straight!"

Ren ignored him completely and hopped off his cushion. Bahamut could feel the movement clearly, the light steps, the subtle shift in air pressure, the healthy aura that pulsed around him like an insult.

His senses had truly grown!

Ren stopped beside his bed, on his pillow. He lay down, crossing one of his hind legs over the other, and put his forelegs behind his head. The sight was beyond comical.

A bunny lying down like a human. Anyone would be shocked speechless. But that was Ren for you. He was a special kind of bunny.

"You know," Ren said slowly. "I thought you were exaggerating when you said you’d handle it."

Bahamut tilted his head, blind eyes flashing for a moment.

"Which part? The battle or the advancement of levels?"

"The advancement?"

"So you heard, huh?"

"I heard all the shit you said when I was in a coma that time!"

"Fuck!"

"Emotional bastard. HAHAHAHAH!"

"Ugh!"

"By the way..." Ren started, hesitating.

"Mm?" Bahamut raised his eyebrows in confusion, prompting him to speak.

"That state you entered after you revived... your eyes... It’s..." Ren stated, breaking as his small body shivered as he recalled how scared he’d been that time. That deep, dark aura. The cold sensation that threatened to freeze his soul. It was...

"Red with black sclera from what I could feel...," Bahamut said calmly. "Yes... It was intimidating. Very intimidating, even for me. I was lost in there... Hope you didn’t stare?"

"I didn’t. I ran!"

"Good instincts."

"You scared Exildra..." Ren said with a flat voice.

"It wasn’t intentional."

"That doesn’t make it any better."

"I don’t care either way. She came to the sect knowing dangers. We would normally should have been enemies on the battlefield."

"She’s also here, you know?"

"That’s why I am saying it. I saved her from dying more than once, but that doesn’t mean that we are friends or anything deep."

"I guess you are right... edgelord!"

"I can kill you, you know?"

"I am Tier 2, motherfucker."

"The scorpion was also Tier 2..."

"I am a bunny."

"You finally accepted it."

"You... fuck! Fuck you!"

"I’m straight..."

"..."

"Anyway, I said earlier, you are now free and okay. Your internal injuries are gone. Your aura has stabilized, and your soul integrity is almost full. 98%" Bahamut told Ren with a smile.

"How did you find out?"

"The system did. It is the source of all that we are going through, or you’ve forgotten?"

Silence lingered for a while...

"So what now?" Ren asked.

Bahamut’s smile sharpened, feral around the edges.

"You cultivate or learn a beast technique, but I suggest you do both and do it harder..."

"Harder than almost dying?" Ren’s ears twitched.

"Yes. We are going to be monsters. You and I."

"That doesn’t sound..."

"You’re Tier 2, bro," Bahamut cut him short. "But, you skipped steps, as harsh and brutal as it may sound. Your foundation is hollow. There’s nothing there. You need the foundation, and it is possible through cultivation. And cultivation can only be possible through a beast art, as you are now more or less a beast."

"How...?"

"The sect. We are going to make use of it before we leave here. We are going to plunder it, grow powerful, and get your revenge before we leave here."

Ren stared at him for a long second, then grinned, his red eyes glowing with a deep light that promised chaos.

"That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day!"

Before Bahamut could respond, another presence stirred, followed by a faint gasp and a shift in sheets.

Exildra’s breathing hitched, then steadied as consciousness returned.

Ren turned instantly. "Exildra!"

She blinked, her eyes looking unfocused at first, before they turned to Bahamut. Her face showed relief, but her eyes told a different story.

"You’re alive..." she whispered.

"You heard everything..." Bahamut said lightly.

"Maybe..." she responded weakly, but her tone told that she was hurt. It seems she had woken up to how Bahamut spoke of her, and it hurt her. She was pained.

’Am I a fool?’ she asked herself as tears threatened to fall.

Ren, sensing the change in the atmosphere, quickly spoke, intending to change the topic.

"S-So what happened? You woke up before us..." he asked Bahamut, climbing up his chest.

"I can’t leave the bed. I’m stuck here until further notice. And I would need help with everything if I want to do it..." Bahamut said coldly.

"That oppression. Did you offend her?" Ren asked in confusion.

"I got hurt. That’s the reason..."

"I-I can help," Exildra suddenly said, softly.

Bahamut just smiled, sharp and amused.

"I don’t need help..."

"Shut up!" Ren commanded coldly.

But the harm had already been done. Exildra turned to face the other side of her bed, weeping softly. Bahamut’s answer had hurt her, pierced deeper. She didn’t know why he seemed different from when they were inside the trial.

It was like he was a whole different person.

As for Bahamut, he just closed his eyes with a carefree expression, causing Ren to stare daggers at him.

’This motherfucker doesn’t realize it! He already caught the elf’s heart, and elves can’t choose another partner once their heart is with another... This bastard is in it for it."

Bahamut was oblivious to this, but he would find out soon, when an elf and a certain fox clash over him...