The world had long since fallen into ruin — a desolate wasteland shaped by catastrophe.
Everything that lived had changed.
Animals and plants alike had evolved, mutating into what survivors now called fierce beasts. They grew faster, stronger, and deadlier with every passing year.
Humans, too, had "evolved"… but far more slowly.
Mino had explained it to Luciel the night before, her voice small and soft as they sat by the dim glow of a cracked lantern.
There were three types of humans now — Awakened, Mutants, and Enhancers.
Awakened: one in ten thousand. Chosen by fate, gifted with mysterious powers.
Mutants: one in a thousand. Their bodies changed according to their talent — some stronger, some grotesque.
Enhancers: ordinary people who strengthened themselves through potions, energy stones, or grafted beast organs. They made up most of the fighting force in the wasteland.
Luciel had listened quietly, only now understanding how this shattered world worked.
---
"Huh? Luciel… you're an Awakened?"
Mino's eyes widened in disbelief. Her jaw dropped, the words barely escaping her lips.
Luciel smiled faintly. "Yes. My awakened ability is to tame beasts."
It wasn't entirely a lie — only a convenient disguise for the god-level system hidden in his mind. Sooner or later, people would see his ability to domesticate animals; better to be honest from the start.
"Luciel, that's… incredible!"
Mino grabbed his sleeve, trembling with excitement. She stammered for words, unable to express her awe.
Their camp had never had an Awakened before. Big Sis often said that if one appeared, they could change everyone's fate.
"Shh," Luciel chuckled, pressing a finger to his lips. "Don't let anyone hear."
"Right, right! We can't tell anyone!"
Mino quickly covered her mouth, nodding frantically.
Then, as her excitement faded, another thought crept in — If Luciel is an Awakened, will he really stay in such a small camp?
Her chest tightened with worry, but she said nothing.
---
Luciel, meanwhile, had other matters to attend to.
He spoke in his mind, his tone calm and focused:
> "System, didn't you say I can inherit a beast's talent?"
> "Ding! Detected domesticated beast: Rock Tortoise. Talent available for inheritance — Earth Rock Spike. Proceed?"
> "Inherit."
> "Ding! Inheritance in progress… adapting… completed."
A rush of warmth spread through Luciel's veins. His vision blurred as his body tingled, strength pulsing through every muscle. When he opened his eyes again, the world seemed clearer, sharper — alive.
> "System, show my attributes."
A familiar light-blue screen shimmered before him.
---
Trainer: Luciel
Physical Strength: 6
Speed: 4.3
Power: 5
Spirit: 8.7
Lifespan: 24 / 100 years
Taming Points: 0 (Refreshed daily, accumulative)
Evolution Points: 0
Ability: Earth Rock Spike (Lv. 1)
Domesticated Beast: Rock Tortoise (Lv. 1) — Talent: Earth Rock Spike (Lv. 1)
---
Luciel's eyes flickered with surprise.
His physical and mental attributes had more than doubled — and his lifespan had jumped from seventy-nine to one hundred years.
"If the Rock Tortoise continues to evolve," he murmured, "could its lifespan reach a thousand years… or even ten thousand?"
It wasn't impossible.
Each time he tamed a new beast, he could inherit another talent, further enhancing his strength — and perhaps his life.
His lips curved into a faint, confident smile.
> "System, what does Earth Rock Spike do exactly?"
No answer appeared. The ability description was blank.
"Guess I'll have to test it myself."
He took a breath, focusing on the energy that now hummed within him. His mind reached out — and the ground ahead of him trembled.
With a deep crack, the soil rose, and a jagged spike of solid rock shot up from the earth, tall as his waist and sharp as a spear.
The Rock Tortoise beside him tilted its head, blinking its emerald eyes at the spike as if puzzled.
Luciel chuckled softly. "Not bad. If I drive this from beneath an enemy's feet, it could cripple them instantly."
His soldier's instincts took over, analyzing the potential.
> "Hit the legs first to immobilize… then a follow-up strike from below. Fatal."
He exhaled slowly, his tone calm and decisive. "Power's acceptable. But it drains both stamina and mental energy."
After a quick estimation, he realized he could activate the skill about six times before exhausting himself completely.
"Three times would be the safe limit," he concluded. "Always reserve enough energy to survive emergencies."
That was the difference between a survivor and a corpse in this world.
---
Luciel's eyes drifted to the Rock Tortoise resting near his feet. Its shell was as rough as stone, yet faintly glowed under the sun — his first companion, his first success.
His next goal was clear.
He would evolve this creature — from an ordinary beast into a divine one, a Holy Beast like the legendary Black Tortoise.
That was his path forward.
---
"Luciel," Mino's small voice broke the silence. She looked up at him hesitantly. "If you're an Awakened… how did you faint that day when we found you?"
Luciel paused only for a heartbeat before replying. "I was bitten by a venomous beast."
It was a simple lie — one he had prepared. No one here would believe he was from another world.
"Oh…" Mino nodded, relief washing over her face. But her eyes soon dimmed. "Then… are you leaving once you're healed?"
Luciel hesitated. "Yes," he said quietly. "I'll go."
It wasn't that he didn't appreciate her kindness — but the camp was small and weak. Outside, the world was vast, full of beasts to tame and treasures to find. Staying here would mean stagnation.
"I see…" Mino's voice cracked. She looked down, her hands tightening around the edge of her rough tunic.
After a long silence, she asked in a trembling whisper, "When will you leave?"
"In two days," Luciel replied gently.
His body had fully recovered, now stronger than ever. He would use the remaining time to search the camp for anything that contained energy — materials, relics, even beast fragments — anything that could help his Rock Tortoise evolve.
"So soon?" Mino bit her lip, blinking fast to hold back tears. "Can't you stay… just a few more days?"
Luciel smiled faintly, brushing a smudge of charcoal from her cheek. "You forgot, taxes are due in three days."
Mino blinked in surprise, then lowered her gaze, embarrassed. She always disguised herself as a boy — charcoal smeared on her face, hair wrapped under a cloth — to survive in the camp.
"I'll catch more little lizards," she said firmly, gripping his hand. "You have to believe me."
"I do," Luciel said softly. Then his expression turned serious. "But tell me, Mino — if I leave in two days… would you come with me?"
Her breath caught. "I… I want to, but…"
Her voice faltered. In her mind echoed the words of her Big Sis — Wait for me. I'll come back for you.
She couldn't just abandon that promise.
Luciel's gaze softened. "You don't have to decide now. Think about it. Tell me your answer in two days."
Mino lowered her head, tangled emotions swirling inside her chest.
Go with Luciel… or stay and wait for Big Sis?
If she left, she might never see her again.
If she stayed, she might never see Luciel again.
Either choice would tear something away.
She clutched her chest, whispering under her breath, "So hard…"