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[Beast Profile: Dire Emberjack.

It's Rank- C to Maximum reach Rank A Beast – Predator Class | Fire Affinity

Species: Greater Emberjack Lupine

Classification: Apex Predator | Territorial Pack Leader

Habitat: Emberwood Forest, volcanic lowlands, fire aspected regions, etc.

Physical Traits:Height: 2.3 to 4.5 meters at the shoulder

Length: Over 4 to 8 meters from snout to tail

Weight: 850–1500 kg Based on the rank.

Fur: Smoke black with ember orange veins pulsing beneath the skin, giving the illusion of lava under cracked stone

Eyes: Glowing molten red, can see heat signatures in total darkness

Teeth: Serrated obsidian hard fangs capable of tearing through light armor

Claws: Hooked, heat insulated; infused with elemental flame

Core Traits:Core Type: C to A Rank Fire Core (80 to 98% Purity)

Affinity: High Fire Affinity

Core Utility:

Fuel for forging flame-based weapons and talismans

Can be refined into rare Beast Flame Potions

Used to unlock Flame-type passive abilities in fire-aligned beasts

Behavior & Intelligence:Highly territorial and cunning

Can command smaller Emberjack Wolves or fire-aligned beast packs

Uses tactical hunting formations, often baiting prey into choke points before igniting the terrain

May hold grudges or return to past hunting grounds

Skills & Abilities:Flame Burst (Active): Concentrates fire mana in the throat and releases it in a directed cone of explosive fire (Range: 10 meters). Can ignite foliage and cause terrain hazards.

Lava Howl (Passive): A fear inducing roar that weakens the morale and focus of lower-ranked beasts and tamers. Mild stun effect for E-rank and below.

Ember Hide (Passive): Natural resistance to low level flame and heat damage; hide can reflect basic fire type spells. Reduces incoming Fire Damage by 50%.

Molten Charge (Active): A sudden explosive dash using stored body heat and mana, causing knockback and burning contact.

Pack Bond (Passive): Gains increased strength, speed, and coordination when within 100 meters of its Emberjack Wolf pack. At full pack strength, gains +20% damage and defense.

Combat Rank:

Base Threat Level: High-C to Rank - A

Best Counter Strategy: Vision disruption + flanking attacks; targeting ribs or flame-glands

Weak Points:

Gland under front left shoulder (core vent)

Lower jaw during Flame Burst charge-up

Limited endurance in prolonged fights; prone to overheating

Known Drops:C -Rank to A -Rank Fire Beast Core (rare)

Emberfangs (used in forging)

Charhide Pelt (fire-resistant armor material)

Blazing Heart Organ (alchemy grade for stamina/fire potions)

Dire Claws (weapon enhancement material)

Tamer's Note (Zephyr's Journal): "If the raptor was a hunter, this was a general. Fire in its blood, hate in its teeth. We didn't kill it—we survived it. Star grew up today. So did we." ]

(Continuation of the story…)

The Dire Emberjack's mouth glowed like a furnace, flickers of flame spiraling up its throat as it exhaled steaming breaths onto the blackened ash ground. Its paws crushed ember root saplings beneath its weight. The air warped around its body. It was too hot, too wrong.

As the towering shadow stepped into the clearing, Zephyr's pupils narrowed.

His system pulsed.

[System Notification- Beast Identified: Dire Emberjack (C-Rank Variant)

Class: Elemental Predator Beast

Traits: Alpha Bloodline, Flame-Touched Muscles, Heat-Resistant Hide

Abilities:

Lava Howl – Demoralizes surrounding enemies.

Molten Charge – Unleashes a searing dash, capable of breaking shields and bone.

Flame Burst – Cone of fire breath, burns through mid-tier barriers.

Pack Bond – Nearby Emberjacks gain increased aggression and coordination.

Status: Alert. Aggressive. Slightly wounded.

Weakness: Exposed scars on neck and flanks; vulnerable after Flame Burst.

Warning: This beast is not recommended for solo tamers under Rank C. ]

Zephyr's breath caught. His hand gripped the leather of his satchel tight.

"A C-Rank?" he whispered to himself.

Fenna glanced at him, catching the tremble in his voice.

He turned to her, jaw tight. "It's not just another wolf. This one's... a boss tier beast."

Fenna's brows knit together, but her arrow didn't lower. "Can we win?"

Zephyr didn't answer immediately.

His mind ran the numbers. Star was powerful but new to D-Rank. Aurora's fire could blind it but the Emberjack's hide was likely fire resistant. She is still too young to use her full power, flame. Muse was strong, but not meant for direct combat. She isn't even their tame beast. He and Fenna would need flawless coordination.

"No solo tamer under C should even try," he muttered. "But we're not solo."

He met Fenna's gaze. The fire in her eyes didn't flicker. "We've got each other. And we've got them."

Star growled low, stepping forward like he'd sensed everything.

Aurora fluttered overhead, ember feathers gleaming.

Zephyr drew his blade. "Then let's take down our first C-Rank."

The beast snarled and lunged.

Zephyr's instincts screamed at him to run. But he stepped forward.

"Fenna— spread left. I want eyes on the ribs. Tell Aurora to use flash, now!"

As soon as she gave the command. The phoenix shrieked and dive bombed the creature's face, her feathers bursting into brilliant light like scattered shards of sun. The Dire Emberjack snarled and jerked its head away, flames momentarily disrupted.

"Star! Right side. Hit low!"

The young drake surged forward, his claws carving furrows in the ash laced soil. His molten eyes locked onto the predator. With a crack of his wings, he pounced.

But the Emberjack reacted with startling speed.

It twisted, brought down its shoulder, and rammed Star in mid air. The impact threw the drake sideways— he crashed into a tree with a thunderous crack, bark and embers were flying from the impact.

Zephyr's heart lurched.

"Star—!"

But the dragon rolled, shook his head, and rose. No fire. No panic. Just anger.

Fenna didn't wait. She released a volley of three arrows in rapid succession. Each arrow head ignited mid- flight by true fire, streaking toward the Dire Emberjack's ribs.

The beast spun and One arrow missed. One glanced off its shoulder. The third one struck— embedding deep.

The Emberjack roared. Its flame furnace throat swelled. Then— A torrent of fire erupted from its mouth.

Zephyr dove, shielding his face with his arm as a river of flame tore across the clearing. Trees caught alight. The heat slapped his skin like a whip.

Muse bellowed, raring to shield the cart.

Aurora flared outward, redirecting the flame like a wave. Her wings are glowing hot white.

Zephyr scrambled to his feet, mana burning in his veins. "No more soft footing," he growled. "Let's break this thing."

He pulled and grabbed the dagger more tightly. It's silver edged inscribed with mana.

He whistled sharply—three bursts.

Star heard it.

The drake launched again, this time moving in a curve—zigzagging between trees, baiting the Emberjack to turn its back.

It fell for it.

Zephyr sprinted. He ducked under a low branch, boots sliding across scorched earth, dagger ready. As the beast twisted to track Star—

He slid beneath it. His dagger sank deep into the exposed vein just behind its front leg.

The Emberjack roared in pain.

Fenna fired again. One arrow found the same wound.

Aurora swooped low and raked its eyes with her talons.

Star struck from the side, jaws locking onto its haunch with crushing force.

The Dire Emberjack stumbled. It turned wild, swiping at shadows.

"Now!" Zephyr shouted. "Take it down!"

Star roared. His claws glowed—molten light pouring from his veins. His wings snapped wide, beating once to lift him into the air.

"Star, use the fireball!" Zephyr shouted.

The drake's jaw opened, and a pulsing orb of heat formed between his fangs.

[Skill Activated: Fireball]

The condensed flame burst forward, crashing against the Dire Emberjack's shoulder in a violent explosion. The ground beneath them lit up, scorched black and glowing red. The beast snarled, flames licking its hide but it didn't falter.

"Rapid Fireball, now!" Zephyr called.

Star shrieked— three smaller fireballs blazed in a quick, staccato volley. They slammed into the Dire Emberjack's chest, side, and legs, slowing its momentum. Steam hissed from the beast's back. Its fur sizzled and cracked with Star's dragon fire.

Still, the Dire Emberjack lunged, jaws wide.

"Dodge and circle!"

Star ducked low, his wings sweeping ash aside as he rolled under the beast. As he circled behind, his tail snapped forward, throwing a wall of smoke.

"Ember Lance—take out the flank!"

[Skill Activated: Ember Lance]

From deep within his chest, Star condensed a spear of fire, narrower and more focused than a fireball. With a sharp roar, he launched it— the Ember Lance shot like a comet, piercing through the Dire Emberjack's left flank with a hiss of molten air. The beast roared in agony, its legs buckling.

Zephyr and Fenna flanked to either side, Fenna used another arrow that burst into fire mid-air. It struck Emberjack's exposed neck, briefly dazing it.

"Finish it with Infernal Ring!" Zep gave the final command.

Star launched himself high.

[Skill Activated: Infernal Ring]

He spun mid-air and landed with a ground shaking crash. Flames whirled outward in a perfect circle from his body, sweeping around Dire Emberjack's legs and back. The beast screeched in pain as the searing ring licked across its scarred hide.