Becoming the Dark Lord

Luke summoned the Spectral Beast in the form of the [Ivory Leaping Spider] and examined its skills.

This is going to be useful.

Core: Spectral Beast

Rank: E

Rank D Cores: [511/1000]

Core Skill: [Form Devourer]

Beast Skills: [Spectral Rend (Rare)], [Predatory Sovereignty (Epic)], [Typhon (Mythic)], [Form Devourer Slot I (Legendary)], [Extended Bond (Rare)], [Spectral Roar (Rare)], [Spectral Devour (Epic)], [Spectral Fusion I (Legendary)]

Form Devourer: [Ivory Leaping Spider (Rank E)], [Available Slot]

Form Devourer Skills: [Silent Stalker (Rare)], [Predator’s Pounce (Ultra-Rare)], [Venomous Fang Strike (Epic)]

Form Slot I Skills: —

Franky hid behind Luke.

I get the feeling being human is starting to change him.

“Just a feeling?” Artemis mocked.

Luke took a closer look at the spider’s skills.

[Silent Stalker (Rare)]: The spider moves with almost no sound, sensing vibrations through the ground as it closes in on its prey. Excellent for ambushes and surprise attacks.

[Predator’s Pounce (Ultra-Rare)]: A short, explosive leap used to seize prey with all eight legs before biting down. On a successful hit, the target is restrained for several seconds and suffers continuous damage from the fangs.

[Venomous Fang Strike (Epic)]: The spider sinks its fangs into the target and injects venom. The initial damage is not overwhelming, but it can inflict pain, slow the target, and temporarily weaken them.

“Come on. Climb up.”

The creature raced through the forest, carrying them with ease despite not being built for riders. The 511 cores the Spectral Beast had absorbed gave it enough stamina to keep up that pace for a long time.

They followed the river, then traveled parallel to the road, staying far enough away to avoid being spotted in broad daylight. At the first ravine, the spider started straight up the steep wall. Franky’s new hands slipped from its back, and Luke caught him before he fell. Once he was steady again, Franky glared at his hands as if they had betrayed him.

“We’re close,” Luke said, looking down at the road and the path ahead.

Once they reached the top, they continued through the forest.

***

A server set a wooden mug in front of Luke.

“Thanks.”

They were in the city of Nyvma, inside a modest tavern that doubled as a restaurant. Luke had bought several books and was reading in silence. So far, they were the best way he’d found to learn about the continent.

I need the fastest safe route to Rosehall.

Crossing the entire kingdom of Rosemark would take time, especially with Franky tagging along. There were also rumors of war. From what Luke understood, it was not a full-scale conflict, but a series of internal clashes throughout the kingdom. Some territories had become hostile toward outsiders, and he did not have a [Citizenship Card], which would have made it much easier to get past roadblocks.

Looks like I’ll have to stick to the forests when I reach those areas.

Luke opened the system interface and confirmed at least one thing: Franky was now officially registered as one of his servants.

Name: Luke

Level: 113

Race: Half-Demon

Rank: D

Core: [Spectral Beast (Rank E)]

Class: [Shadow Phantom Reaper (Lvl 117)]

2nd Class: [Arcane Spellcaster (Lvl 110)]

Profession: [Sentinel Botanist of Mother Freya (Lvl 100)]

Titles: [Dark Lord], [Myth Slayer], [Champion of Earth], [Apostle of the Goddess Artemis]

Bloodline: [Bloodline of the Dark Demon]

Health Points (HP): 16720/16720

Mana Points (MP): 30320/30320

Stamina: 11998/12000

Stats:

Strength: 1269

Lethality: 2790

Agility: 2471

Dexterity: 1120

Endurance: 1200

Vitality: 1672

Toughness: 1008

Perception: 2742

Wisdom: 3032

Intelligence: 3090

Willpower: 2018

Free Points: 20

Class Skills: [Advanced Blade Handling (Rare)], [Advanced Shadow Knife Throwing (Ultra-Rare)], [Twin Blade (Common)], [Basic Dark Dash (Rare)], [Crimson Fang (Ultra-Rare)], [Predator’s Mark (Rare)], [Force Infusion (Rare)], [Advanced Shadow Stealth (Ultra-Rare)], [Assassin’s Tracking (Rare)], [Basic Archery (Common)], [Demonic Predator Hands (Epic)], [Demonic Predator Throwing Knife (Epic)], [Burst Throw (Epic)], [Stealth Critical Strike (Rare)], [Shadow Dive (Rare)], [Knife Storm (Epic)], [Feline Agility (Epic)], [Horns of the Demon of Darkness (Legendary)], [Shadow Phantom Reaper Dance (Legendary)], [Perception Sphere (Rare)], [Meteor Shot (Epic)]

Second Class Skills: [Advanced Magic Conjuration (Uncommon)], [Teleportation Pentagram II (Legendary)], [Curse (Common)], [Cursed Weapon (Uncommon)], [Shadow Ball (Common)], [Enhanced Telekinesis (Rare)], [Witch’s Gaze (Uncommon)], [Cursed Weapon Throw (Rare)], [Telekinetic Impulse (Rare)], [Telekinetic Pull (Rare)], [Witch’s Thread (Rare)], [Despair Aura I (Rare)], [Clear Mind (Ancient)], [Shadow Mana Explosion (Ultra-Rare)], [Spell Grimoire (Epic)], [Tactile Telekinesis (Rare)], [Telekinetic Stasis (Rare)], [Transmutation (Common)], [Basic Appearance Shift (Ultra-Rare)], [Cloak of the Arcane Witch (Legendary)], [Arcane Infusion (Epic)], [Arcane Wall (Epic)], [Arcane Witch Golem (Legendary)]

Profession Skills: [Herbology of Mother Freya (Ancient)], [Precise Extraction (Common)], [Advanced Potion Crafting (Uncommon)], [Corrupted Plant Growth (Rare)], [Plant Sensor (Uncommon)], [Botanical Bond of Mother Freya (Ultra-Rare)], [Seed Conversion (Rare)], [Plant Manipulation of Mother Freya (Ultra-Rare)], [Corrupted Blood of Mother Freya (Ultra-Rare)], [Thorn Mutation (Uncommon)], [Soil Analysis (Uncommon)], [Botanical Purification (Uncommon)], [Acid Blood Arrow (Epic)], [Vegetal Respiration (Common)], [Stomach of Mother Freya (Ancient)], [Bones of Mother Freya (Ancient)], [Soil Guardian II (Ancient)], [Botanical Transmutation of Mother Freya (Epic)], [Tree of Mother Freya (Legendary)]

Race Skills: [Identify (Common)], [Demonic Perception (Uncommon)], [Dark Blood (Uncommon)], [Deep Meditation (Rare)], [Demonic Endurance (Uncommon)]

Rank Skills: [Soul Infiltration (Rank F)], [Soul Infection (Rank E)]

Blessing: [Blessing of Artemis (Divine)]

Bloodline Skill: [Servant of the Dark Lord (Unique)]

Servants: [Unavailable], [Unavailable], [Frankzaroth (Jormungandr) - Lvl 0], [Servant Slot Available], [Servant Slot Available]

Luke wanted to understand the logic behind a familiar becoming a servant. Could every familiar undergo that kind of transformation? He thought back to when Franky had still been his familiar. He was almost certain the system had mentioned some kind of special evolution, but until now, Luke had assumed it only meant Franky could absorb a second beast core. And what had happened to Franky’s wyvern form? The interface now identified him only as a Jormungandr. Either the form was gone, or the system was hiding something.

He set those questions aside and allocated ten attribute points to Lethality and ten to Agility.

“What would you like to order, sir?” a woman asked.

Most of the people looked broadly European, dressed like they had stepped straight out of the Middle Ages. Naturally, that gave Artemis even more material for her isekai jokes.

“The house special.”

Luke was not hungry, but he needed to keep up appearances.

“And what about you, little guy?”

“Little guy? I am a mighty devourer of worlds. Destruction follows wherever I go,” Franky declared.

“How adorable. And wearing grown-up clothes, too.”

“He’ll have the meat,” Luke said.

Franky spent most of the wait complaining about the waitress calling him adorable. His outrage vanished the moment she set a plate of meat in front of him. The steaks smelled good enough that even Luke was tempted to try one.

Franky practically dove face-first into the plate.

“Slow down, man. Use a knife and fork.”

“Human hands are terrible. Why can’t I just bend down and eat? Human necks are useless. Being a snake was much better,” Franky complained through a mouthful of food.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“Why?”

Chunks of meat flew from his mouth and landed on the floor.

“That’s why. And you’re making a mess.”

“I can just eat whatever falls.”

“No.”

Luke decided to ignore the snake boy’s eccentricities.

“You’re terrible with children,” Artemis said in his head.

I’m not terrible with children. I’ve dealt with kids before.

“Really? How many?”

Luke took a moment to answer.

Uh... my little sister. Just her, I guess. I didn’t interact with many people. I mostly stayed home.

“Right. Like a psychopath locked in his room.”

My sister was always complimenting me.

“And how did you treat your little sister?”

Well, whatever I did, she said I was the best brother in the world. See? I’m good with kids.

“I think she felt sorry for you because you tried so hard and still failed.”

That’s not what happened. I’m a good brother.

“Didn’t you say she was incredibly smart? That even at five years old, she was already interested in learning things so she could help you?”

Yes. My sister is very dedicated.

“There’s your answer. She realized you were the younger sibling, not her. And she figured it out at five. That’s how incompetent you are.”

That’s not even close to what happened.

While Franky demolished his meal, Luke briefly checked the class options available to him.

After leaving the restaurant, Luke began searching for a clothing store. Most of the stalls in the district sold accessories, jewelry, fabrics, and spices. The area seemed to cater mostly to adult travelers and merchants.

I guess there isn’t much demand for children’s clothes when getting here means crossing dangerous roads.

After wandering through the district for a while, they found a tailor’s shop. Inside, a woman greeted them without so much as blinking at the strange pair. Franky stood on a stool while she took his measurements.

“You’re in luck. I can alter some clothes I already have here.”

“Thanks for fitting us in,” Luke said.

“I’m used to travelers.”

Franky, however, would not stop fidgeting. His eyes tracked every movement the woman made, especially whenever the needle came close.

“You’re a restless little thing. Hold still.”

“Your stinger is dangerous.”

“Stinger?” The woman laughed and held up the needle. “At least you’re a clever boy. Your father taught you well.”

“We’re not father and son!” Luke and Franky snapped at the same time.

By the time they left the shop, Franky was wearing a new set of clothes and carrying several more. Artemis, meanwhile, was far too busy dragging Luke back into an argument he considered completely pointless.

“It’s an isekai, man.”

“No, it isn’t. Why do you keep insisting on this?”

“Let me make sure I understand. Mr. Shitpants over here reincarnated as a human. Hello? That screams isekai.”

Luke chose not to respond. As they walked through the city, he bought everything he thought he might need to take care of a child. Carts rolled through the streets constantly, though not all of them were pulled by horses. Some were drawn by horse-like creatures with lizard heads and thick tails.

Some kind of riding lizard, probably.

“Do you think they sell saddles for giant spiders?” Luke asked.

“I’m almost certain they don’t,” Artemis replied, amused.

After finishing their shopping, the two sat in a plaza. Luke began considering how to continue the journey. Looking through Angie’s eyes, he watched as the angel explained their location again.

“This is going to take longer than I thought, guys...” he said through the connection.

Beside him, Franky went still. “Sorry.”

Franky’s quiet voice made Luke turn.

“Sorry? Are you apologizing?”

“Sorry for being a burden.” Franky stared down at his hands. “I can... stay inside your soul.”

Luke let out a sigh. “It’s fine if you stay out. It’ll make the trip less boring, I guess. We still have months before that meeting I told you about.”

That did not seem to cheer him up.

“We’ve got plenty of time,” Luke continued. “It’ll only take me a few extra days to find Charlie and Angie.”

I need to cheer him up. He’s been through enough.

“Like what?” Artemis asked.

Like being abandoned by his own—

Luke froze.

Mother.

The realization hit him embarrassingly late.

He and I have a lot in common.

“And you’re only figuring that out now?”

Artemis made an exaggerated sound of disapproval. “What gave it away? The abandonment issues or the complete inability to talk about feelings?”

Taking care of a child is weird. You know the kind of situations I get into.

“And you’re going to abandon him?”

No. Of course not. Before this, I left them with the Baumanns. I wouldn’t dump a child in the middle of the wilderness, snake or not.

“And did you ever tell him you wanted the Baumanns to take him in as part of their family?”

He must have figured it out...

“Clearly, he didn’t.”

I’m trying, okay?

“From his perspective, he’s spent every day since the tutorial waiting for you to abandon him.”

Luke had no answer.

“Then make sure he understands that you won’t.”

You give good advice, Artemis.

“Don’t tell Mr. Shitpants. I’ve got a reputation to protect.”

With a sigh, Luke pulled something from his Storage Item.

“Here.”

“What... is it?” Franky asked, taking the small package.

“Cookies. Bought them earlier.”

Franky bit into one. “It’s good. Rat Lillian used to give me something like this.”

Franky took another bite, slower this time.

“She did?”

“Every afternoon.”

He kept chewing, quieter now.

“Do you miss her?”

“Hmm... maybe.”

“I miss her too.”

The cookies disappeared in seconds.

“You ate all of them? Do you have a giant stomach in there? I’ll buy more for the trip.”

Luke tried to lighten his mood, but Franky kept his head down.

“I... I don’t want to be weak.” Tears welled in Franky’s eyes.

“Hey, man. You’ve got snot running down your nose.”

“I want to be strong. I want to go back to the rat family.”

“Don’t wipe your nose on my shirt... Ah, forget it.”

Franky clutched a fistful of Luke’s shirt. For a moment, he said nothing.

“I want a class. Like you.”

“No. I’m not letting a child fight.”

“But you let me fight when I was a snake.”

“That was different. And I didn’t let you fight as a snake. Only as a giant wyvern.”

“But I helped sometimes as a snake. I gave you venom. Why can’t I help now?”

“Because I’m Rank D. There’s nothing you could do to help me. The beasts I fight would eat you as an appetizer.”

Franky lowered his head and stayed silent for several seconds. Then he looked up and summoned his interface.

“If you won’t let me help you, I’ll get stronger on my own.”

Four options appeared before him.

[Knight]: A resilient and disciplined frontline warrior. Knights rely on strength, endurance, and defensive training to hold their ground and protect their allies.

Stat Bonus: +2 Endurance, +1 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Vitality, +1 Free Point

[Barbarian]: A ferocious frontline warrior fueled by rage and an insatiable hunger for battle. Barbarians overwhelm their enemies through raw strength, durability, and relentless aggression.

Stat Bonus: +2 Strength, +1 Toughness, +1 Endurance, +1 Vitality, +1 Free Point

[Pugilist]: A close-quarters fighter who turns their own body into a weapon. Pugilists rely on physical power, toughness, endurance, and sheer will to overpower enemies at close range.

Stat Bonus: +2 Strength, +1 Toughness, +1 Endurance, +1 Willpower, +1 Free Point

[Mage]: A master of the arcane arts who trades physical resilience for magical power. Though vulnerable in close combat, Mages can devastate enemies from a distance with powerful spells.

Stat Bonus: +2 Wisdom, +1 Vitality, +1 Agility, +1 Perception, +1 Free Point

Just as Franky was about to touch one of them, Luke caught him by the wrist.

“Why were you about to press that?”

“To choose.”

“Can you even read?”

“No.”

Luke stared at him.

Franky glared back. “I don’t want to be weak. I need levels.”

“You were really about to choose a class without knowing what any of them said?”

“Then tell me what they say.”

Luke sighed before explaining each option.

“So that’s why you need to wait until you’re an adult. These classes put you on the front line. You’re barely tall enough to fight someone’s kneecaps. You’re a shrimp.”

Franky clicked his tongue.

“They’re all like that?”

“Yes. Every one of them.”

“Liar.”

“Why do you think I’m lying?”

“Because I feel like I can choose this one.”

He pointed at [Mage].

“Doesn’t matter. Grow up, get a beard, and then we’ll talk.”

Franky clicked his tongue again.

“What about when you leave? How am I supposed to defend myself? You won’t always be around, and I don’t have my snake powers anymore. I need levels. You said I might awaken powers from my snake race.”

Luke couldn’t bring himself to promise he would never leave. Not in those words.

“Forget about choosing a class. I’ll get you back to the Baumanns. And you’re not getting abandoned again. Got it?”

Franky pointed a finger at him.

“Human... I’m an adult. I decide for myself.”

“No. You are definitely not an adult.”

“Please let me help. I want to get back to the rat family as soon as possible.”

Franky’s words left Luke with no good answer. The truth was, if Franky chose a class, Luke would gain access to his full system screen and might finally understand what had happened during his evolution. He did not tell the boy that. Until the selection was finalized, almost none of Franky’s information was available.

Luke exhaled. “Fine. I’ll explain them properly. No lying this time.”

He chose his next words carefully. He didn’t try to scare Franky, belittle his options, or steer him toward a particular choice. He laid out the benefits, the risks, and what each path might mean.

When Luke finished, Franky moved his finger toward one of the options. His eyes were still red with tears, but his hand never shook.

“I’ll become really strong again, human. And I’ll—”

He swallowed.

“I’ll go back to the rat family.”

Franky tapped the option.

The interface flashed.