The wind blew softly across the forest as Arin finally regained his breath.The mask hugged his face perfectly, its presence strangely comforting—as if it belonged to him long before he ever arrived in Lumora.
Arin slowly stood up.
"So… this is my new power," he murmured, flexing his fingers as a faint grey aura leaked out.
His senses felt sharper.His breathing smoother.His body—lighter.
He wasn't the same Arin anymore.
But as soon as he took a step forward—
A faint whimpering sound echoed through the trees.
Arin froze.
It was soft… fragile… like a heartbeat struggling to stay alive.
He turned sharply.
"That sound… a wolf?"
His eyes widened.
"No way… it can't be—"
Without hesitation, Arin sprinted toward the noise.Branches cracked under his feet as he dashed through the dense forest.
The sound grew louder.Sadder.
Until finally—
Arin slid to a stop.
His heart sank.
The Baby Wolf… Still Alive?
There, lying beneath a fallen tree, was the same small wolf—the one he failed to protect.
Its fur was covered in dirt and blood.Its breaths were shallow.Its eyes were barely open… but they weren't lifeless.
Arin knelt beside it, shock written on his face.
"I-I saw you die… The goblins killed you…"
He wasn't imagining it.
The system itself said MISSION FAILED.
Then how—
Suddenly, a soft transparent text appeared.
[ Soul Fragment Detected ][ A dying creature requests your energy… ][ Will you accept? ]
YES / NO
Arin's eyes softened.
"…Of course I will."
He pressed YES.
A dark aura flowed from his hand into the wolf.Instead of harming, it wrapped the creature gently—warm and soothing, like a blanket of night.
The wolf cub's body twitched.
Its wounds began to fade.Its breathing steadied.
And then—
A blinding black-and-grey light burst out.
Arin covered his face.
"What the—!?"
A New Evolution
The system exploded with notifications.
[ New Skill Activated: Soul Rebirth ]
Resurrects dying creatures by binding them to the host.
[ Contract Initiated: Shadow Beast ]
A creature born from death and shadow, loyal only to Arin Kaito.
[ Beast Name: ??? ]
Awaiting host's choice.
When the light faded—
The tiny wolf cub was gone.
And in its place…
Stood a larger, stronger, beautiful wolf.Black fur with streaks of silver.Eyes glowing purple like mini galaxies.Its shadow stretched unnaturally long behind it, moving like black smoke.
It stared at Arin.
Not with fear.
But with pure loyalty.
"...You came back," Arin whispered.
The wolf stepped forward and gently pressed its head against Arin's leg.
A warm glow surged between them.
A bond.
A connection.
A heartbeat shared.
The Name
The system asked again.
[ Name your Shadow Beast ]
Arin gently placed his hand on the wolf's head.
"You're born from death… and shadow.But you're not weak.You're a fighter.Just like me."
He smiled slightly.
"I'll call you… RAVEN."
The wolf howled softly, the name resonating with power.
[ Shadow Beast "Raven" Registered ][ Shadow Form Unlocked ]
Raven can merge with Arin's shadow to hide, travel faster, or protect the host.
[ Synchronization: 7% ]
Bond will grow stronger over time.
Arin scratched Raven behind the ear.
"Heh… looks like I'm not alone anymore."
Raven barked softly—no, not a bark.
A shadowy, echo-like sound.
Almost mystical.
The Hunter Arrives
But the moment of peace didn't last long.
Leaves rustled violently.A heavy presence pressed against the air.
Arin's instincts rang like alarms.
"Something's coming…"
Raven stepped in front of Arin, growling.
From behind the trees—a tall figure emerged.
Clad in metal armor.Holding a spear dripping with crimson energy.
The figure's eyes glowed like molten gold.
A voice thundered:
"You. Boy with the mask. You hold the scent of the Ancient Monarch."
Arin's heartbeat stopped.
Raven crouched, ready to attack.
The armored man raised his spear.
"You… are a threat to Lumora."
Arin tightened his grip on his katana.
"Raven… stay close."
The man stepped closer, each footstep cracking the ground.
"Arin Kaito… you were never meant to exist."
Arin's eyes sharpened.
"That's too bad."
He lowered into combat stance.
"Because I'm not going anywhere."