Lazry was just testing the system.
The first time, it had given him a mission to go to a tunnel and do nothing there for twenty-five seconds. Of course, if he went there alone, even while fighting weak, small demon curses, he would die.
So he thought outside the box and used his clansmen, planning to use them as sacrifices or shields. It didn't matter; as long as he did nothing for twenty-five seconds, he would complete the mission.
Fortunately, he succeeded. He was thankful to himself for that.
Now, the system had given him another mission—a second mission that required him to do nothing while a young man tried to tame his newly acquired beast.
Before accepting the mission, he decided to make a request or a challenge that would likely provoke the beast, preventing it from being tamed, without directly stopping the young man from attempting to tame it.
To him, it was the same thing: he'd give the beast to the young man if he managed to beat it. It was like taming all over again, so he didn't break, obstruct, or change the system's mission.
However, Lazry didn't expect the young man to start so soon, so he immediately accepted the mission from the system, which only he could see.
And then—
[ Ding!
[ Mission accepted.]
He didn't even get a chance to think.
Suddenly, his body stiffened, and he felt an invisible force wrap around him. He couldn't move. He couldn't even shout. Worse, he felt his limbs turn cold.
"The host accepted the mission," the system echoed. "Failure of the mission will cause the host to lose control over an itchy butt for over a month."
Lazry's eyes widened. "What the— No! Wait!"
But it was too late.
Gruig's aura exploded.
But before he could curse, Gruig's voice boomed across the empty hotel hall. "So, senior Lazry, ready to lose your little beast?"
Lazry's eyes darted toward the young man standing a few meters away. Gruig's aura pulsed like a growing storm, his curse mana swirling violently around him. The floor cracked beneath his feet.
Gruig found it odd. This senior isn't even reacting to him. So he grinned. "I'll shock you to your wake!" he thought.
Soon, his black curse mana began to swirl, condensing around his right arm. Dark mist formed a perfect sphere around him, spinning faster and faster until it glowed with an eerie violet light. Sparks of black lightning danced around it, like writhing snakes biting through the air.
Lazry's heartbeat quickened. He knew what that was. Everyone in the Lycannis family knew.
The Black Moon Flame Energy Ball.
It was a curse technique forbidden for most juniors because even a small mistake could destroy the caster's arm—or their entire body.
Winston gasped beside him, his face turning pale. "Impossible… That's the Black Moon Flame Energy Ball. Only those who've mastered the fourth level of Curse Control can even shape it."
Gruig grinned as if proud to hear it. "Looks like the old man trained me well, huh?"
The dark sphere pulsed brighter. Every rotation seemed to suck the air out of the room.
Winston muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of awe and concern. "To think… so young, yet already capable of wielding a clan-level curse beast technique. No wonder the elders favor him. His talent is far above what I've seen in years."
Lazry clenched his fists, unable to move. I know this technique, he thought bitterly. He had spent three long years trying to master it. He trained until his curse mana ran dry every night, tried to form even the smallest orb—but the moment it stabilized, it would collapse, leaving him with burns and humiliation.
And now this brat, younger than him, was casually using it like a child playing with a toy.
Gruig raised his hand, aiming the orb toward Lazry's six-eyed demon dog.
Winston smirked faintly. "A pity… such a talented boy. Once he shoots that at the young master's pet, he'll die in under five seconds. The backlash from that dog's revenge once it was completely provoked would probably leave nothing of him."
Lazry nodded at first. But then he stiffened, feeling like his soul froze. Wait… Under five seconds?!
He realized the horror instantly. If Gruig died within the first five seconds, the mission would fail.
"No! No no no! Stop! Don't die so fast, idiot!" Lazry screamed inside his head, but no sound came out of his mouth. The system's restriction held him still like a statue. He couldn't even twitch a finger.
Gruig smirked, veins bulging along his arm as the sphere reached its final form. The air twisted from the curse heat.
Lazry's thoughts spiraled. Come on, aim wrong! Hit the wall or something! Don't aim at the dog!
The moment the orb flared with a deafening boom, Gruig flicked his wrist. The black sphere shot forward—then at the last second, curved away.
It missed the dog entirely and struck the far side of the hall. The explosion ripped the floor apart, filling the entire area with dust and black smoke.
The dog who was now back to sniffing the floor was stunned. It looked up, and was immediately covered with dust!
Winston shielded his face. Lazry's mouth hung open.
[ Ding!
[ Control Mission Completed.]
[ Level One: Stay and do nothing while Gruig tries to tame your beast for 5 seconds.]
[ Reward: First-level control of your nameless legendary devouring beast.]
Lazry couldn't believe it. Then he let out a small sigh of relief. He missed. Thank the gods, he missed. No more itchy butt punishment.
Then his mind froze. Again. Why did it miss?
Suddenly, Gruig behind the smoke, laughed, his voice echoing through it. "You think I'd finish that fast? That would be boring," then, his silhouette emerged from the haze, still looking confident and unscathed. "No, senior. I'm going to enjoy this. Slowly."
Lazry's lips twitched. "...Good."
Inside, he was nearly crying with relief. Yes. Take your time. Waste every second you want.
Winston leaned closer, frowning. "Young master, this guy is wasting your time. Should I—"
Lazry's face remained calm, but inside, he screamed. No! Don't you dare! Don't provoke him, old man!
Winston kept going. "Should I drive him out? He's clearly mocking you. The Lycannis Family's young master shouldn't—"
Shut up! Lazry roared inwardly. If he leaves or dies early, my rewards stop climbing, you idiot!
His heart pounded. Every second mattered. Every delay meant another reward level.
[ Ding!
[ Control Mission Completed.
[ Level Two: Stay and do nothing while Gruig tries to tame your beast for 10 seconds.
[ Reward: Second-level control of your nameless legendary devouring beast. ]
Lazry almost laughed in triumph, but he swallowed it quickly, keeping his expression unreadable.
Gruig's eyes narrowed as he studied them. "I see now… You both think I can't beat that mutt of yours, huh?"
Winston frowned. "What nonsense are you—"
But Gruig raised his finger, silencing him. "No, don't bother denying it. I can see it in your eyes, Butler. And yours too, senior Lazry. You're both looking down on me."
Lazry's calm gaze met his. He said nothing, but inside, he thought, Yes, keep thinking that. The longer you talk, the better.
Gruig grinned, his teeth flashing. "You'll regret that."
He stepped back, planting his feet firmly on the marble floor. His curse energy spiked again, more violent than before. The lights flickered. The temperature dropped. The air thickened with black mist.
He began to chant softly, a deep, guttural tone that resonated through the hall. Symbols formed beneath his feet, glowing with crimson light.
Lazry's six-eyed demon dog growled slowly, all six eyes locking onto Gruig. Its fur bristled, and dark vapor leaked from its mouth.
Winston tensed. "Young master… he's using another technique."
Lazry's eyes flickered between Gruig and the dog. He could feel the curse pressure pressing down on his chest like a weight. The floor trembled.
Gruig's grin widened as he bent his knees and extended both arms to the side, his hands forming strange claw-like shapes. His curse mana swirled like a hurricane.
"Let me show you something," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.
His stance shifted into one Lazry recognized all too well—one that only high-level conjurers of the Lycannis Family used when fusing their curse beast directly with their body.
A dangerous technique that boosted power exponentially… but also risked tearing the caster apart.
Lazry swallowed hard. This guy's insane.
The room grew darker. The faint smell of sulfur filled the air.
And as the crimson symbols beneath Gruig's feet began to spin faster and faster, Lazry's heart pounded like a war drum in his chest.