Mushoku Tensei: Reincarnated as a Beast Race

In the middle of a clearing shaded by dense trees, Rygar watched intently as his group faced a pack of Leaf Tigers. These rank B monsters were known for their ferocity and tendency to hunt in groups. However, his companions were making progress. Taes and Kidar, the most experienced warrior, led the charge. Eidar and Taes moved in sync, keeping the Tigers at bay with precise strikes and elemental magic.

Kidar stood tall and muscular, his bronze skin crossed by scars, with feline ears twitching at the slightest sound. His piercing red eyes matched his short, graying hair, emphasizing his beast-like heritage.

Most male members of the Adoldia and Dedoldia races didn't wear shirts, and Taes had embraced this trend. Rygar, however, decided to keep his on for now, planning to follow suit when he was older.

Perched on a tree branch, Rygar analyzed the battle. His golden, magically enhanced eyes gleamed like a predator's. A subtle movement in the underbrush caught his attention—a Leaf Tiger, braver than the rest, creeping toward him, thinking it could take him by surprise.

The moment the Tiger leapt, Rygar was ready. With a fluid motion, he dodged, letting the creature brush past him. A faint glow ran along his arm as he concentrated his touki with precision, channeling the energy into his right fist before striking the beast's side.

The impact was devastating. A sharp sound echoed through the clearing as the Tiger was hurled away like a cannonball. The sickening crunch of breaking bones and crushing flesh was immediate. Rygar stood still, critically observing the now-motionless creature.

"Still not good enough," he muttered, flexing his fingers.

Touki control was a skill he had been honing tirelessly. Inspired by Tsunade's chakra-enhanced strikes, he sought to replicate a similar effect. So far, he had managed to slightly amplify his strikes, making them marginally more powerful. The process, however, was risky. A mistake in channeling could cause the energy to recoil, inflicting serious internal damage. He allowed himself to experiment only because of his healing magic.

"Maybe that's why no one does this," he pondered. "The risk is too high. But if I can achieve perfect control, this could be viable."

The idea of transforming touki into more than just a defensive layer or raw amplifier was challenging, but he was determined. This was just one of the many concepts simmering in his mind now that he could consciously manipulate the energy.

He was also eager to explore new boundaries in magic. Lightning magic, with its speed and lethality, was a priority on his list. He was currently improving his water magic to complement this and felt success was within reach. Another concept intrigued him deeply: the relationship between the mana within his body and the ambient mana. He noticed no fundamental difference between the two, which raised an intriguing question: could touki be imbued with elemental or even healing properties?

The possibilities were tantalizing. Earth-element touki could bolster his defense, making him nearly impenetrable. Wind-element touki could push his speed to absurd levels. The idea was promising but far too complex for now. He needed more practice and control.

Recently, Rygar realized that every technique he wanted to master demanded a higher level of control, whether in magic or touki. The only way to improve was through relentless, grueling practice. After years of this routine, he had grown accustomed to the exhaustion, though it never became easier.

Determined to tackle the simpler challenges first, he decided to master lightning magic and refine his touki impact technique.

His thoughts were interrupted by a crimson flash. Taes, wielding a flame-cloaked blade, delivered the final blow, decapitating the last Leaf Tiger. The boy turned to Rygar, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Boss! We're done here."

Rygar nodded slightly, stepping down from the tree branch to join the group.

"Good work," he said, casting an evaluating gaze over them. Kidar maintained a serious expression, though Rygar noticed the fatigue in his eyes. Eidar seemed more at ease, even smiling, while Taes sheathed his blade with a hint of pride.

Rygar sharpened his senses, which had reached unimaginable levels. He could faintly hear the murmur of distant conversations and detect the scent of spices and salt carried by the wind. Though he couldn't pinpoint the exact distance, he knew it was still far away.

"We're almost out of the Great Forest. Another day, and we should reach Zant Port," Rygar announced, gauging the reactions of his companions. He could sense the tension among them.

"And what's the plan once we get there?" Eidar asked, tilting his head curiously.

Rygar crossed his arms, methodically outlining the next steps.

"Only Kidar, Taes, Eidar, and I will enter the city initially. We need to find a base of operations and gather intelligence. The rest will stay outside for now, at least until we've secured a solid plan."

The others nodded, understanding the need for caution. Zant Port was a hotbed of illicit activity. Smugglers, mercenaries, and slave traders operated freely there, making a careless approach potentially disastrous.

"Eidar, your brother is in Milishion. We have some business to attend to here first, and it might draw attention. You don't have to get involved if you don't want to."

Eidar thought for a moment before replying, "I'll help. I'm already on your side anyway. Besides, you're going to save my brother. Sitting on the fence wouldn't feel right."

Rygar nodded and continued, "Everyone else already knows this, but I'll tell you: on this journey, I plan to attack the slave traders' main base in Zant Port."

Eidar looked shocked, glancing at the warriors around him and realizing it wasn't a joke. After a moment, he seemed to reach a decision.

"Fine, but my identity can't be exposed. I don't want to implicate my brother or grandmother in this."

Rygar agreed, his gaze shifting to the horizon, where the sunlight hinted at the forest's edge. It was a significant milestone—the start of a new chapter. Clenching his fists, his mind raced with ideas and possibilities. But he knew he needed to focus. Every step from now on required careful planning and skill.

While the group reorganized to resume their march, Rygar felt a familiar weight on his shoulders. Leadership meant bearing everyone's expectations. He knew he couldn't afford to fail—these warriors' lives were in his hands.

The gates of Zant Port were simple, made of reinforced wood and dark iron, marked by years of wear and tear. Two guards armed with swords stood on either side of the entrance. Their sharp eyes immediately turned to the approaching group, lingering on the necks of Rygar, Taes, and Kidar.

Rygar felt the sting of their suspicious gazes. In port cities like this, it was common practice to check for slave markings on newcomers' necks, and anyone from the Great Forest naturally drew suspicion.

As they drew closer, one of the guards stepped forward. He was a burly man with an unkempt beard and eyes as sharp as a vulture's. Ignoring Rygar and the others, his attention zeroed in on Eidar, the only human among them.

"What brings you to Zant Port?" the guard asked, his tone full of distrust.

Before Eidar could answer, Rygar stepped in, his voice firm but polite.

"We're just passing through," he replied.

The guard raised an eyebrow, scanning Rygar from head to toe with thinly veiled disdain.

"Hmph." He muttered something inaudible, then gestured for them to pass.

Rygar clenched his fists, resisting the urge to teach the man a lesson in respect. Discrimination was nothing new; he'd been warned about it countless times. Still, knowing didn't make it any less infuriating. The thought that he could flatten this entire city if he wanted, yet these people dared to disrespect him, only stoked his irritation. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the task at hand.

Once inside, the city revealed its vibrant, bustling nature, especially in the early morning. Stone-paved streets bustled with hurried townsfolk, merchants setting up their stalls, and workers hauling crates of goods. The salty tang of the sea filled the air, mingling with scents of fresh fish, citrus fruits, and exotic spices.

"It's lively, at least," Eidar remarked, looking around.

"Too lively," Taes muttered, frowning as he noticed the sidelong glances directed at them.

Rygar noticed as well. Most people ignored them, but some stares were more intense, laden with disdain. It wasn't unusual for city dwellers to view beastfolk as inferior or savage.

As they walked, a scene unfolded that caught everyone's attention. In front of a stall, a burly man held a dwarven child by the collar. She couldn't have been older than five, her face smeared with dirt and her eyes brimming with fear.

"How dare you break that?!" the man bellowed, slapping her across the face. The girl fell to the ground, whimpering, as the merchant raised his foot to kick her.

"Bastard..." Taes growled, his eyes blazing with fury as he stepped forward.

"Taes, stop!" Rygar ordered, his voice low and commanding.

He felt his own anger burning, but he knew they couldn't act impulsively. Before he could say more, Kidar intervened.

"You need to stay calm. Drawing attention to ourselves now would jeopardize everything. Our priority is gathering information, not ruining our chances because of momentary rage."

Kidar's tone was cold, but Rygar knew he was right. Verdia had warned them—they'd only get one shot at catching their enemies off guard. After that, the slavers would scatter and hide, making it impossible to strike effectively.

Taes hesitated but reluctantly stepped back, his hands trembling with anger. Rygar turned his gaze away from the scene, swallowing his fury, and led the group onward.

The surroundings began to change as they walked. The makeshift stalls and simple homes gave way to more refined buildings with well-maintained facades and wider streets. The contrast was striking.

"The city center," Rygar observed.

Eventually, they arrived at a modest but well-located inn. Rygar led the way inside and approached the counter. A young, lanky attendant with messy hair greeted them with a bored expression.

"We need accommodations for thirty people," Rygar stated directly.

The attendant glanced up, his eyes filled with disdain as they swept over the group.

"What are the... animals from the Great Forest doing here?" he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rygar's hand instinctively moved towards the hilt of his sword, and he took a step forward; he felt that he would have to impose some fear to get even the slightest bit of cooperation from these guys. Before he could respond, a deep voice interrupted.

"Shut your insolent mouth, boy!"

An older, overweight man in expensive clothing and adorned with rings emerged from the back. He slapped the attendant aside and turned to the group with a forced smile.

"Apologies for this fool. He doesn't know what he's saying," the man said. His eyes flicked to the sword at Rygar's side, and his expression softened. "We have space for your group. You're most welcome here."

Rygar relaxed slightly but kept his tone measured.

"Thank you. Now, about information. We need to get up to speed on what's happening in the city. Do you know where we can find what we're looking for?"

The older man smiled warmly, though his cautious eyes betrayed his calculating nature.

"There's no need to look far. I can provide the information you need. With all the merchants and sailors passing through, I'm always well-informed."

Rygar narrowed his eyes, studying the man. He seemed genuine, but there was an unmistakable air of opportunism about him. In Zant Port, information was clearly a commodity.

"Of course, my services don't come cheap," the man added with a sly grin.

"Fine," Rygar replied curtly. "Let's get settled first, then we'll talk."

The tribe had entrusted him with some funds for this journey, but he knew resources were limited. He'd have to ensure any information was worth the cost.

Once they'd been assigned their room keys and the group began settling in, Rygar turned to Eidar.

"Eidar, rent two of those covered wagons we saw on the way in. Go with Kidar to retrieve the rest of our group from the forest. Use the western gate; it's for merchants, and the guards don't check it thoroughly."

"Understood," Eidar replied, leaving to inform Kidar. The two departed shortly after.

"Taes, stay here and wait for the others. I'll scout the city."

With that, Rygar moved to a window in his room, opened it, and leapt out, disappearing into the bustling streets below.