Beast Hack: Customizing Beasts and Capturing Beauties - Chapter 400

Chapter 400: Just Surprise Marketing
Two silhouettes emerged from the crater—both upright.

Kaelen stood still, arms loose at his sides.

Drelmas exhaled deeply, the mist retreating from his shoulders.

A few seconds later, both of them deactivated their fusion states.

Kaelen rolled his neck once.

“Not bad.”

Drelmas nodded.

“Solid hit. Didn’t flinch.”

Kaelen smirked.

“Neither did you.”

Up above, Fiona floated down just slightly and pointed toward them.

“Alright, everyone—you saw it.”

“Both of them still standing. No clear victor.”

She gave a playful shrug.

“Looks like we’ve got ourselves a draw!”

Turning back to the camera drone, she added with a grin.

“This was just a practice match anyway. No need for knockout punches… yet.”

—

[Luxoria Castle App – LIVE CHAT]

@MUTUALRESPECT: That was a real test of power

@DRAWISFAIR: Honestly, both earned it

@SOVEREIGNMATCHUP: Imagine if they went all out

@MOREMATCHESPLEASE: Round 2 someday??

@FIONAWINNING: Fiona’s coverage top tier

—

Fiona chuckled at the stream chat.

She waved to the two departing tamers below.

“Great match, you two!”

Kaelen gave a small nod as he passed by her.

“Good commentary.”

Drelmas followed silently, giving a quiet gesture of respect with his massive hand.

Fiona watched them go, then turned back to her drone with a glowing grin.

“And that wraps it up, folks.”

“Two Sovereign-class tamers, two monster-level beasts.

She flipped backward once midair, landing gently at the center of the platform.

“This officially ends today’s Luxoria Castle Auction Stream!”

She held up a hand and wagged a finger playfully.

“But don’t forget—we’re not done yet.”

“At the end of this week, we’ve got the first ever Best Vornis Competition.”

“If you’ve got a Vornis, bring it.”

“If you are a Vornis owner, better start training.”

She leaned forward toward the lens.

“Because that’s when we’ll find out who’s evolved Vornis to be the best.”

—

[Luxoria Castle App – LIVE CHAT]

@GREATSTREAM: Fiona crushed it again

@INFERON+BRUT FTW: That match was WILD

@VORNISPREP: Yo we need to get ready for that competition fr

@DREL-KAELENREMATCH: Best practice fight I’ve ever seen

@STREAMQUEENFIONA: Fiona carried the whole auction

@CANTWAIT: Vornis comp gonna be

—

Fiona smiled warmly as she read the rolling comments.

“Thanks, everyone. Seriously.”

“Thanks for watching, thanks for bidding, and thanks for being part of streaming.”

She gave one last wave as the camera zoomed out slowly.

“See you at the Vornis Tournament.”

“Fiona Flares—signing off!”

The stream ended on the high note of fire and mist still lingering in the air.

—

Lucius stepped out from his chamber.

Luna stood just outside it, arms folded, leaning against the doorframe.

Inside the room, Loreia sat in the center of a glowing array.

Luna smiled, turning to Lucius.

“Was she in the same process as me and Liora back then?”

Lucius only smirked.

“Rougher and harsher than both of you.”

Luna tilted her head slightly.

“You think she’ll surpass us?”

Lucius shrugged, amused.

“Of course, she was. I didn’t spend that many hack points to make her average.”

Luna let out a soft chuckle.

“She’ll be thrilled to hear that.”

They both turned to watch as Loreia’s body was momentarily lifted off the floor.

Then Lucius blinked and asked,

“How’d the auction go?”

Luna brightened slightly, stepping away from the door.

“Just wrapped. Both beasts sold.”

“Inferon went for 120 SS-Rank beast cores.”

“Brutaurus? 130.”

Lucius gave a quiet whistle.

“Impressive. Did they show up?”

“Both buyers arrived in person.”

“Kaelen Stravos and Drelmas Vharkorr.”

Lucius’s smile widened.

“So the ones who showed up were those two, huh?”

Lucius turned toward Luna.

“How’s our star, Fiona?”

Luna smirked without even checking a screen.

“She’s in the restaurant.”

“Third table from the window. Finished two plates already.”

Lucius chuckled.

“Impressive metabolism. Let’s meet her, shall we?”

Luna nodded.

“She’ll like that. She’s still buzzing from the auction.”

Lucius pushed the door open with one hand.

“Good. Let’s see how far that buzz carries when I drop her next job.”

Luna’s smile widened slightly.

“You’re not going to warn her first?”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

At the far table, Fiona sat with a tray nearly cleared of food.

Lucius, still wearing his silver mask, stepped closer without a sound.

Fiona looked up—and blinked in surprise.

“Ah—Lord L!” she said, sitting up straighter.

“Didn’t expect you here.”

Lucius gave a light chuckle as he slid into the seat across from her.

“Relax. Just continue eating. We’re not here to audit your appetite.”

Luna sat beside him, offering Fiona a small wave.

Fiona grinned.

“Alright… if you say so.”

She picked up her glass, sipping lightly before glancing back at him.

“So? How’d I do?”

Lucius leaned an elbow on the table.

“I watched the whole stream.”

“Smooth execution. Strong presence. Sharp timing.”

“Auction mode synced with Fionyx perfectly.”

Fiona beamed.

“Right? It was flawless. Even the chat said so.”

Lucius nodded once.

“Luxoria Castle’s reputation just jumped another tier.”

“SS-Rank beast auctions delivered like a cinematic experience…”

“All thanks to you.”

Fiona set her glass down and leaned in slightly.

“By the way…” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“You mentioned there were surprise slots besides Inferon and Brutaurus.”

Lucius tilted his head.

“Did I?”

Luna glanced at him with a faint smirk.

Fiona nodded.

“Yeah. You said the two weren’t the only ones up for bidding.”

Lucius tapped a finger on the table, thinking.

Then he shrugged with a mischievous grin behind his mask.

“Ah… right.”

“Well, that was… just to hype things up.”

Fiona blinked.

“Wait—what?”

“There weren’t any other beasts in this auction,” Lucius admitted casually.

“But the phrase ‘surprise slots’ boosts anticipation.”

“Viewers stay longer. Bidders stay alert.”

Fiona gaped.

“So you faked it?”

Lucius laughed lightly.

“Did anyone ask for clarification?”

Fiona blinked again… Then sighed and leaned back.

“I mean… no.”

Lucius chuckled, resting his hand against his chin.

“Then I didn’t lie. I just let the silence do the marketing.”

Fiona shook her head, exasperated but clearly amused.

“You really play people like it’s second nature.”

Lucius tilted his head slightly.

“It’s not about playing. It’s about preparing them to want more.”

Fiona raised an eyebrow.

“So there really aren’t any hidden beasts?”

Lucius leaned forward just a little.

“Not in that auction.”

Fiona squinted.

“…Which means?”

Lucius’s grin widened.

“You’ll find out. Just keep that drone of yours ready.”

Fiona rolled her eyes.

“Figures.”

Then she smirked.

“Fine. I’ll bite.”