Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 45

"Remember," Yang warned as the assistants selected which Stone Lurker they would face, "they are ambush creatures. Don’t let their apparent passivity fool you until the end."

The team entered the designated area, their footsteps echoing in the sudden silence that had fallen over the training field.

Students pressed forward to watch, eager to learn from either success or failure.

The chosen Stone Lurker was released, immediately melting into its surroundings like just another rock.

"Begin!"

Han took the initiative, his spider’s hexagonal patterns rippling across his skin as he moved forward with his spear held at the ready. Sora followed close behind with her shield. Jun covered the flank, his monkey’s markings shifting nervously as he gripped his sword.

"Maintain formation," Lin suggested from the sidelines. Her experienced eye could already see the gaps in their coordination, the subtle signs of uncertainty in their movements.

The Stone Lurker suddenly sprang to life, rising on its suction-cup feet with shocking speed upon detecting that Jun was smaller than itself.

Its mouth opened impossibly wide, revealing rows of crushing teeth designed to pulverize both stone and bone. The grinding sound of its jaw expanding sent shivers through the watching crowd.

Jun screamed and stumbled backward, his sword shaking violently in his grip.

His monkey’s patterns distorted chaotically with panic, the usual brown markings becoming a jumbled mess that reflected his terror.

The maintained formation shattered like glass.

"Don’t separate!" Han shouted, his spear moving to intercept the Stone Lurker with spider-enhanced precision.

But it was already too late, Jun had retreated too far, breaking the defensive line.

Sora, equally frightened by the creature’s sudden animation, had moved in the opposite direction with her shield, leaving a fatal gap in their defenses.

The Stone Lurker, displaying the predatory intelligence that made its species so dangerous, instantly exploited the separation. It launched itself toward Jun with surprising agility, its stone-covered body somehow fluid in motion.

The boy barely managed to raise his sword, the blade trembling as he faced the incoming mass of animated rock.

Yang intervened with lightning speed, his Behemoth manifesting fully as he caught the Stone Lurker mid-leap. The creature writhed in his grasp, its rock armor grinding against itself, but it was useless against the teacher’s overwhelming strength.

"Enough," he declared while returning the creature to its cage, its struggles diminishing as it recognized defeat.

"What went wrong?"

"They broke formation at the first scare," Lin answered. "Only Han maintained his composure, but a team isn’t just one competent member."

The three students withdrew from the area, their failure weighing heavily on them.

Jun still trembled, his monkey’s markings faded and distorted. Sora stared at the ground, her deer’s manifestation barely visible in her shame.

Only Han maintained his composure, though frustration radiated from his rigid posture.

♢♢♢♢

"Next team!" Yang called out, his voice carrying across the training field. "Jin, Kai, and Cass."

Jin stepped forward with a predatory smile, his tiger markings gleaming with an almost electric intensity.

Kai flexed his arms, scales catching the morning light like polished jade.

Cass stretched her red eagle wings, the feathers spreading in an impressive display.

’This group will be different,’ Ren thought while observing from his position. The mushrooms in his hair pulsed as he studied their movements. ’Jin might be an idiot who falls for traps, but he’s no fool in combat.’