Mutated Beast

Biodata

Characteristics

• Mutated Beasts are generally physically stronger than humans. At higher levels, even species without body-enhancement talents can match the physical strength of body-enhancement Awakened. 7
• They retain animal instincts but can be cautious and tactical: they probe prey, retreat from stronger opponents, and exploit weaknesses rather than attacking blindly. 9
• Mutation can radically alter an animal’s body and abilities. A Crimson Refining Snake, for example, develops fiery venom, defensive scales, and intense body heat after mutation. 9
• Many Mutated Beasts possess two or more talents, while three talents is not unusual; this is a major advantage over most humans, who typically have one ability. 2
• Some wind- or element-aligned Mutated Beasts may form elemental gems that store energy, though these gems usually dissipate when their owner dies. 17

Rank and Level System

Documented Species

Abilities & Traits

Racial Talents

Mutated Beasts can possess both species-wide talents and individual abilities. The number and nature of these talents vary greatly between species. 2

• Talents may grant physical adaptations, elemental attacks, sensory advantages, concealment, or mental effects. 2 9 17
• A creature’s apparent rank does not always reveal the full danger of its abilities; low-level Heavenly Foxes were able to deceive stronger Awakened. 4
• Psychic-type Mutated Beasts become far more dangerous near a King of their species, whose influence can strengthen their racial abilities. 13

Cognitive Distortion

A defining talent of Heavenly Foxes that alters a living target’s cognition and perception. 2

• Allows foxes disguised as humans to remain unnoticed among ordinary citizens. 2
• Can make observers fail to recognize killings and other impossible events occurring in front of them. 2 14
• Its effectiveness may be reinforced by the presence of a psychic King Tier Mutated Beast. 13

Conventionality Reversal

A Heavenly Fox talent that forces targets to accept acts that should be recognized as abnormal. 2

• Prevents victims and witnesses from noticing violations of common sense. 2
• Works alongside Cognitive Distortion to conceal predation and human-skin disguises within Mingzhu City. 2 12

King Bloodline

Some descendants of King-level Mutated Beasts may inherit traits that let their abilities damage beings beyond their own rank. 26

• Nethermist Mutated Beasts are suspected to possess this inheritance. 26
• The effect can allow attacks to threaten targets below King level despite a significant rank gap. 26

Relationship with Humans

• Mutated Beast materials are a major source of weapons, equipment, and special resources in Mingzhu City. 7 9
• Crimson-Tempered Snake Scales can fuse with refined iron to improve hardness and toughness while granting a degree of self-repair. 7
• Pearl Sabers are standard anti-beast weapons, but are primarily intended for beginner-level Mutated Beasts; heavily defended beginners may still resist them. 7
• Corpse-Eating Hound bones and Carrion Nightingale ghostfire can be used to create a Nightingale Lantern, an item that conceals its bearer’s aura, scent, and information. 35
• Mutated Beasts compete fiercely for rare resources. At Salt Frost Tree Valley, hundreds fought over Salt Frost Fruits, while the blood-fed Blood Salt Fruit could potentially trigger further evolution in a beast but causes humans to explode if consumed. 23 25

Notable Incidents

• Zhang Ping’s first direct battle with a Mutated Beast is against an Armored Venom-Tail Rat near his former orphanage. He kills it by exploiting its reduced agility and stabbing through its eye. 9
• The Cleanup Team confirms that Heavenly Foxes have infiltrated Mingzhu City after killing disguised foxes and observing their bodies revert to fox form outside the city. 12
• The Salt Frost Tree Valley conflict draws humans and numerous Mutated Beasts into a large-scale battle over potential-enhancing fruit. 23
• The Moonfolk-affiliated Heavenly Fox encountered by Zhang Ping is revealed to be a Level 37 Top-tier Mutated Beast with greatly enhanced physical strength. 38