The cavern was silent.Only the faint gray fire flickered on Arin's fingertips — the leftover echo of the contract he had just made.
His breathing was unsteady.
His heart felt heavy.
And then… his eyes fell on the small body lying a few steps away.
The wolf baby.
Blood on its fur.Eyes closed.Cold.Lifeless.
Arin slowly walked toward it.
He knelt down, gently touching the tiny head.It was the same creature he had tried so desperately to protect.
"I'm… sorry," Arin whispered.
For the first time since coming to Lumora, tears blurred his vision.
"She died because of me… all because I failed."
But the moment a tear touched the wolf's cold fur—
Ding!
The system notification flashed:
[A dead creature has been detected.][Would you like to perform: Soulbound Resurrection?][Cost: 1 Soul Fragment][Chance of success: 62%]
Arin froze.
He looked down at the small wolf.
"…I can bring her back?"
His hands trembled.
Memories of the First Necromancer's words echoed:
"You carry the seed of Necromancy.Awaken it… through death."
Arin clenched his fist.
He had power now.A power that could undo tragedy.
He took a deep breath.
"…Yes. Do it."
[Soulbound Resurrection Activated]
The cavern went dark.
A circle of glowing gray runes formed beneath the wolf's body, spinning slowly.Arin felt something pull inside his chest — like a tiny piece of his soul being gently removed.
The runes brightened.
FWOOM.
Gray flames wrapped the wolf's body.
Arin watched nervously.
"Come on… come on… please work…"
The flames pulsed……flickered……then burst into a bright flash.
And then—A small gasp.
"Kyu…?"
Arin's eyes widened.
The wolf baby moved.
Its body slowly lifted, fur glowing faint silver, eyes changing from normal blue to a mysterious ghostly gray.
It blinked at Arin.
"Y-You're alive…?" Arin whispered.
The wolf wobbled forward and nuzzled his hand.
A new notification popped up:
[You have resurrected your first creature!][New Skill Gained: Soul Link][Creature Added: Ghost Wolf (F Rank → evolves with host)][This creature is now permanently bound to your soul.]
Arin wiped his eyes.
He didn't care about ranks.He didn't care about stats.
The little wolf was alive.That was enough.
He picked her up gently.She curled into his arms, letting out a soft, warm sound.
"From now on… I'll protect you," Arin whispered.
The system flashed again.
[Please name your resurrected creature.]
Arin smiled faintly.
"You… should be called…"
He looked into her glowing gray eyes.
"…Lunara."
[Name Confirmed: Lunara]
The cave suddenly trembled.
BOOM.
The giant gate behind him pulsed with ancient energy — almost as if reacting to Lunara's rebirth.
A chilling message flashed:
[Warning: Your resurrection has awakened something deep within the dungeon.][Prepare yourself.]
Arin slowly stood up, Lunara in his arms.
"…So it begins."
The shadows behind him thickened—
Something massive was waking up