GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 16.1: Breakpoint Behemoth

For a moment, victory seemed certain. The behemoth's movements grew sluggish, its massive head drooping as blood pooled beneath its body. We've got it, Vel thought. The creature would soon fall, and they could end this before losing any more lives.

But then—a change.

Like thunder, a wave of darkness pulsed outward from the behemoth's body. The shockwave slammed into everyone nearby, lifting them off their feet and hurling them backward. Vel felt himself flying through the air before crashing hard against the wooden wall of the barracks.

The dark mist surrounding the behemoth suddenly intensified, swirling more violently. The creature's body went rigid, its head snapping up. Its eyes, previously clouded with pain, now blazed with unnatural energy—twin orbs of pure darkness.

Pain lanced through Vel shoulder as he struggled to his feet. Around him, guards and Celia lay scattered, many unconscious from the impact.

The behemoth rose slowly, its movements no longer those of a wounded animal. It stood tall, the darkness flowing around it like a living shroud. Its eyes fixed on Vel with terrible intelligence—not the mindless rage of a beast, but something calculated and coldly aware.

Vel's blood ran cold as recognition dawned on him. This wasn't just a Behemoth anymore. It had transformed into something else entirely, a transformation that had never existed in his original design.

Vel struggled to his feet, a sharp pain coursing through his shoulder. Blinking away disorientation, he noticed a flicker in his vision—his interface activating. Normally dismissive, he now desperately sought any information it could provide.

The translucent panel materialized before his eyes:

Voidtainted Ravager Behemoth

Elemental Attribute: Dark

"This isn't in the game..." he whispered to himself. His knowledge of behemoth attack patterns and weaknesses might be useless now. He'd have to rely on instinct and logic instead of memory.

"Everyone watch out!" Vel shouted. "It's changed—it's not the same behemoth anymore!"

The creature rose to its full height, lifting both front legs high into the air. Vel recognized the motion—a standard ground pound attack—but something felt wrong. The dark mist surrounding the behemoth concentrated around its raised limbs, pulsating with malevolent energy.

"Get back!" Vel yelled, though he knew his warning came too late.

The behemoth slammed its forelegs into the ground with devastating force. Instead of the expected impact, a dark shockwave of energy burst forth, rippling outward along the ground in all directions. Guards caught in its path were thrown backward, bodies crumpling as the wave passed through them.

Only Celia, with her incredible reflexes, managed to leap clear of the attack, landing nimbly several yards away.

Vel stared in horror. This attack pattern was completely new—nothing like the behemoth's standard abilities. "This is not good," he muttered. "The guards stand no chance against this."

The sergeant seemed to realize this too. With grim determination, she positioned herself closer to the creature, raising her sword defiantly.

"Fall back!" she ordered her remaining guards. "Get the wounded to safety!"

Vel knew what she was doing—offering herself as bait to draw the creature's attention. It was brave, but foolish. Against this transformed monster, she wouldn't last long alone.