Kazaf: The upside down

You're right, I missed that detail! Since Kazaf is still in the upside world, the beast should fit within that context. Let's revise the cre

---

The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the land. Kazaf stood at the edge of a cliff, looking down at the vast expanse of forest below. The wind tugged at his clothes, but he felt no fear of the height. The energy inside him hummed with newfound power, and he couldn't help but feel alive in a way he never had before.

Alaca approached from behind, her footsteps silent as always. "You've come a long way in such a short time," she said, her tone measured.

Kazaf turned, meeting her gaze. "It feels like I've just scratched the surface."

"You have," she replied. "But what you've unlocked is only the beginning. Now, you need to learn how to use it."

Kazaf nodded. "I understand."

Alaca gestured to the forest below. "You see that valley? It's full of wild beasts—some of them dangerous, others not so much. Your task is to go down there and find your first real opponent. Use your power, but don't rely on it entirely. You need to think like a cultivator, not a human."

Cholo, who had been lingering nearby, spoke up with a grin. "You sure about this, Mom? He's still a rookie."

Alaca's eyes flicked to Cholo, her gaze sharp. "He has no choice but to become strong. The cultivator world won't wait for him to catch up."

Kazaf clenched his fists. "I'll be fine. I'm ready."

Without another word, Alaca nodded and stepped back, allowing him to take his first real step into the valley.

---

The valley was lush, filled with trees that seemed to whisper in the wind. Birds chirped in the distance, but there was an underlying tension in the air. Kazaf could feel it—the presence of something watching him.

He crouched low, his senses heightened. He had to trust his instincts now, to feel the energy around him and use it to anticipate what would come.

And then, he heard it.

A rustle in the bushes. A low growl.

Kazaf's eyes snapped to the source of the sound, his heart pounding. A large, wild dog emerged from the underbrush—its fur matted, its teeth bared in a snarl.

Kazaf didn't hesitate. He sprang into action, his body moving almost instinctively. The energy inside him surged as he darted forward, launching himself into a roll to avoid the beast's snap.

But the creature was fast. It lunged, its jaws snapping just inches from his chest. Kazaf barely managed to twist his body, his enhanced reflexes just enough to avoid a direct hit.

Think like a cultivator, he reminded himself.

His energy flared again, this time with more control. He reached deep within, feeling the essence flow through his limbs. The wild dog roared in fury and charged at him once more.

Kazaf didn't move—he stood his ground, his mind focused, waiting for the right moment.

As the dog neared, Kazaf ducked low and grabbed its neck, using the energy within him to propel himself upward. He flipped over the creature's back, landing behind it with perfect precision. Before the dog could react, he sent a surge of energy through his palm, slamming it into its side.

The dog staggered but didn't fall. It turned with a snarl, faster than Kazaf had anticipated.

Kazaf's heart raced. This isn't enough.

Suddenly, Alaca's voice echoed in his mind. You must anticipate, Kazaf. Don't just react—see the fight before it happens.

Kazaf closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. For a moment, everything went silent. The wind, the birds, the beast—all of it faded as he reached within himself, tapping into the core of his essence.

He could feel the creature's movements before they happened. Its every shift, every muscle tensing, every step it took. The energy flowed through him like a current, guiding his body.

The dog lunged again, but this time, Kazaf was ready. He dodged to the side, grabbing its leg and using its momentum to slam it into the ground. With a roar, the creature attempted to rise, but Kazaf was already on top of it, his energy flowing through his fists as he delivered a series of precise strikes.

The dog finally collapsed, its form crumpling to the ground. Kazaf stood over it, panting, his body trembling with the exertion. The rush of power and adrenaline slowly began to fade, leaving him breathless but victorious.

Alaca appeared beside him, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the scene. "Well done. But don't get cocky. The real challenge has only just begun."

Kazaf straightened, wiping the sweat from his brow. "What's next?"

Alaca's lips curled into a faint smile. "Now, you learn to fight against others like yourself."

Kazaf's heart skipped a beat. Cultivators?

She nodded. "Yes. The time will come when you must face the true enemies of your world. And to defeat them, you'll need to be stronger than you ever imagined."

Kazaf's jaw clenched, his resolve hardening. "I'll be ready."

Alaca's eyes softened for a brief moment. "I hope so, Kazaf. Because they are already coming."

---