ROAR!
The deafening roar echoed throughout the ancient cave, shaking the walls violently. Dust fell from the ceiling as the enormous creature stepped into the light.
Kai finally saw it clearly.
It stood over ten meters tall.
Its body resembled a lion, yet shimmering black scales covered its back like armor. A pair of magnificent silver wings stretched from its shoulders, and a crown of crystal horns rested upon its head. Its golden eyes burned with ancient wisdom rather than bloodlust.
Nova instinctively jumped in front of Kai.
"I'll protect you, Master!"
The beast lowered its head slightly, studying the tiny fox.
Then it looked at Kai.
"So..."
"The heir has finally arrived."
Kai frowned.
"You were expecting me?"
The Guardian nodded.
"For ten thousand years."
"I have guarded this inheritance."
"I have watched countless Beast Tamers enter this cave."
"They all sought power."
"They all failed."
Kai asked calmly, "Why?"
"They lacked the qualification."
The Guardian's gaze shifted to Nova.
"But you..."
"...carry the Beast of Origin."
"And you..."
It stared directly into Kai's eyes.
"...carry the aura of the All Encompassing One."
The System suddenly spoke.
[Identity Confirmed.]
Name: Asterion
Title: Guardian of the First Beast Sovereign
Rank: Divine
Current Condition: Weakened (5% of original power)
Threat Level: Extremely High
Even at only five percent of its original strength, Asterion possessed overwhelming power.
Kai took a slow breath.
"If you're guarding the inheritance..."
"Does that mean I have to defeat you?"
Asterion laughed, his voice echoing through the cave.
"No."
"If I fought with even one percent of my true strength..."
"You would disappear before taking your next breath."
Kai smiled awkwardly.
"That's... reassuring."
"Instead..."
Asterion continued,
"You must prove your heart."
The cave suddenly transformed.
The stone walls vanished.
Kai found himself standing inside a beautiful village.
Children laughed as they played.
Farmers worked peacefully.
The smell of fresh bread drifted through the air.
Nova looked around in confusion.
"Master..."
"What happened?"
The System answered.
[Trial of the Heart Initiated.]
An old woman suddenly ran toward Kai.
"Please!"
"Help us!"
Kai looked beyond the village.
Hundreds of monstrous beasts were charging toward the gates.
The villagers screamed in terror.
Asterion's voice echoed through the illusion.
"You possess enough power to escape."
"But not enough to save everyone."
"You may only choose one."
Kai frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Three glowing paths appeared before him.
The first led toward a frightened child trapped beneath a fallen cart.
The second led toward a wounded soldier defending the gate.
The third led toward the village square, where dozens of civilians were surrounded.
The System displayed a notification.
Warning
Only one path may be chosen.
Nova looked at Kai.
"Master..."
"What do we do?"
Kai closed his eyes.
The answer came almost instantly.
"We save everyone."
Nova blinked.
"But the trial says—"
"I know."
Kai smiled.
"But it never said I had to choose the obvious solution."
He quickly looked around.
The village well stood near the center.
Several large wagons were loaded with barrels of oil.
The narrow streets connected directly to the main gate.
An idea formed in his mind.
"Nova!"
"Can you use Origin Flame?"
She nodded.
"Of course!"
Kai grinned.
"Then listen carefully..."
Within moments, the two sprang into action.
Kai ordered the villagers to roll the oil barrels toward the entrance.
Nova ignited them at the perfect moment.
A wall of golden fire erupted before the charging beasts, forcing them to stop.
Kai then rescued the trapped child.
The grateful villagers freed the wounded soldier.
Together, they evacuated everyone to safety.
The illusion trembled.
The attacking beasts disappeared.
The village faded into countless particles of light.
Asterion stood before Kai once more.
For the first time...
The ancient Guardian smiled.
"You saw a fourth path..."
"...where everyone else only saw three."
Kai shrugged.
"I've never liked impossible choices."
Asterion laughed loudly.
"Excellent!"
"The First Beast Sovereign believed the same."
The Guardian slowly knelt before Kai.
"I acknowledge you."
Golden light filled the cave.
The murals began to glow.
A magnificent throne appeared in the center of the chamber.
Resting upon it was an ancient silver bracelet engraved with countless beast symbols.
[Divine Artifact Detected.]
Kai approached cautiously.
The bracelet floated into the air before attaching itself to his wrist.
Immediately, another blue screen appeared.
Artifact Acquired
Beast Sovereign Bracelet
Rank: Divine
Abilities:
Doubles beast cultivation speed.
Allows communication with all beast species.
Suppresses hostile beasts below Divine Rank.
Stores one million beast resources.
Nova's eyes sparkled.
"Master!"
"It looks amazing!"
Kai smiled.
"It really does."
Suddenly, the bracelet emitted a pulse of light.
A tiny crystal key materialized in Kai's hand.
Hidden Item Obtained
Origin Key (1/7)
Description:
One of the Seven Origin Keys required to unlock the inheritance of the All Encompassing One.
Kai's expression turned serious.
"So there are six more."
The System confirmed.
[Correct.]
Current Progress:
Origin Keys Collected: 1/7
Asterion's smile slowly disappeared.
His expression became solemn.
"Kai..."
"There isn't much time."
"What do you mean?"
"The Seven Origin Keys have begun to awaken."
"You are not the only one searching for them."
Kai frowned.
"Who else?"
Asterion looked toward the darkness beyond the cave.
"The ones who destroyed the First Beast Sovereign."
"They believed his bloodline had vanished forever."
"But now..."
"They know you exist."
The cave suddenly shook violently.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
A powerful explosion echoed from outside.
The System's alarm rang continuously.
WARNING!
Unknown enemies detected outside the inheritance cave.
Enemy Count: 37
Threat Level: Extreme
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"They found us already?"
Asterion stood and spread his magnificent wings.
"I shall hold them back."
"You must escape."
Nova growled.
"We'll fight with you!"
The Guardian gently shook his head.
"Not yet, little one."
"Your time has not come."
He looked at Kai one final time.
"Grow stronger."
"Find the remaining Origin Keys."
"And uncover the truth..."
"...behind the All Encompassing System."
The cave entrance exploded inward.
A cold voice echoed through the chamber.
"So..."
"We finally found the Heir."
A man dressed in black robes walked through the dust, followed by dozens of masked Beast Tamers.
On his shoulder sat a crimson serpent whose eyes glowed with murderous intent.
The man's lips curved into a sinister smile.
"Hand over the Origin Key..."
"...and perhaps I'll let you die quickly."