Lord Of Beasts

{Congratulations on completing the Objective: Evolve one Beast to B Rank}

{Reward: 1 Stat Point}

Ethan stared at the notification.

For a few seconds, he said absolutely nothing.

Then his eye twitched.

”You’re taking the piss.”

His voice was flat, almost offended, as if the system had personally insulted him.

’Come on, I know I was lucky with Wolfy, but couldn’t I have gotten a better reward than that?’

He exhaled sharply through his nose, running a hand down his face.

The system always did this.

It gave, and then it balanced, always making sure he never got too comfortable.

’But one stat point is actually ridiculous.’

He scoffed.

’Couldn’t I have gotten an Instant Recovery, just like in the last gate before Rina? That would have actually been useful.’

That had been his hope.

Something practical and immediately useful.

Instead, one measly stat point.

He shook his head, muttering under his breath.

”Cheap bastard.”

Still, complaining wouldn’t change anything, and if there was one thing Ethan had learned, it was to use everything he had.

No matter how small.

He brought up his status briefly, eyes scanning through his stats before settling on one.

MP.

’Yeah... I’m going to need this.’

Without hesitation, he allocated the point.

A faint sensation passed through him, subtle but noticeable, like a small expansion within his mana core. It was not dramatic and far from game-changing, but it would add up eventually.

He then dismissed the interface and exhaled slowly.

’One objective left out of the three...’

His gaze sharpened slightly.

’And it’s probably going to be the hardest one.’

He already knew what it was.

{Objective 1: Survive the gate.}

It was simple in wording but brutal in execution.

He glanced outward, toward the endless, disgusting expanse of the Acidic Swampland. Bubbling pools of corrosive sludge stretched in every direction, releasing thick, nauseating fumes that distorted the air above them.

The moment he left this place, there were three B Rank insect beasts waiting for him.

Steel Scarab.

Rotwing Fly.

Dreamveil Monarch.

He could not forget them even if he tried.

”Yeah,” he muttered quietly. ”We’re not rushing into that just yet.”

Before going back, there was still something he needed to do.

His gaze shifted to Wolfy.

’Time to test out your new skills.’

The environment was not ideal.

Not even close.

The small patch of solid land they stood on was barely enough for Wolfy to move properly, surrounded by acidic sludge that hissed and bubbled constantly.

Still, it would have to do.

Ethan just needed a demonstration to get a feel for what his newly evolved Fenrir could do.

As if the world itself responded to his thoughts, the swamp stirred.

A ripple spread across one of the nearby acidic pools, followed by a sudden eruption as something massive burst out of the corrosive liquid.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed instantly.

{Common Beast Status}

{Race: Acidspine Toad

Growth Stage: Prime

Beast Rank: C

Strength: 36

Speed: 40

Stamina: 38

MP: 34/34}

Ethan smiled.

”We meet again,” he said, despite knowing it obviously wasn’t the same beast he had killed.

The massive, grotesque toad croaked loudly, its bloated body pulsing as acidic fluid dripped from its jagged spine-like protrusions. When he had last faced one of these, it had not been easy at all.

It was the first creature he faced on a C Tier Floor and it definitely lived up to the hype.

But now?

Ethan barely reacted to it.

”Go for it, buddy.”

As soon as he said that, Wolfy made his move.

It was almost instant.

A blur of dark motion as the Fenrir lunged forward, its claws digging briefly into the ground before launching its entire body toward the beast.

The Acidspine Toad reacted quickly, its body expanding as it prepared to unleash a spray of corrosive fluid, but it was too late.

A deep, resonant sound tore through the air.

Sovereign Howl.

The sound was not just heard, but was felt in one’s very bones.

It pressed down on the environment, on the air itself, carrying a weight that made the toad hesitate for the briefest moment. Its body stiffened, its movements slowed, and its coordination faltered.

Even the surrounding swamp seemed to quiet for a fraction of a second.

Ethan’s eyes lit up.

”That’s insane.”

At the same time, Wolfy’s presence surged.

Its muscles tensed, its aura flaring slightly as its already terrifying form became even more imposing: faster, stronger, and sharper - similar to Predator Frenzy but without the wildness.

The toad tried to retaliate.

It opened its massive maw, acidic fluid gathering within, but Wolfy was already upon it.

The Fenrir’s jaws snapped forward while energy gathered and condensed.

Crescent Fang.

There was a flash.

A sharp, cutting arc of energy burst outward from Wolfy’s bite, slicing forward in a moon-shaped wave that tore through the air with lethal precision.

It hit cleanly, and the result was immediate.

Shing!

The Acidspine Toad’s body split.

Wolfy’s attack carved through it with brutal efficiency, slicing through flesh, bone, and everything in between as if it offered no resistance at all. It even continued onward, splitting the green pool the beast was in.

Acid spilt outward, hissing and burning.

But when it touched Wolfy’s fur, it did nothing and simply slid off, failing to penetrate the dense, dark coat that now protected him.

The toad’s remains collapsed into the swamp with a wet, heavy sound.

{Beast Eliminated!}

Ethan let out a low whistle.

”Yeah.”

He shook his head, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.

”You’re a fucking monster now.”

He laughed.

”I love it.”

Wolfy turned back toward him, tail flicking slightly, its crimson eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

’But now it’s my turn.’

Ethan’s gaze sharpened as he exhaled slowly.

Without hesitation, he unsummoned Wolfy.

The massive Fenrir dissolved into particles of dark crimson light, scattering into the air before vanishing completely.

But the connection remained.

No, rather it deepened as Ethan closed his eyes and reached inwards towards that presence, that power, and that beast...

’Partial Assimilation: Wolfy.’