A Background Character’s Path to Power

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ELLU'VETH - KAI'ETHRIL OF THE ITHIL'DOR

"A voice that silences flowers, a shadow that outlasts moons."

Habitat: Unknown

Threat Level: ★★★★★ (Recommended to accept defeat)

Current Rank: Elder Beast

True Rank/Potential: Mythical Beast

Strengths:

- Unknown

Weaknesses:

- Power wanes in daylight

- Unknown

Bondable: YES (But this one is permanently bonded to Erethiel Vell'ael Tarethil)

NOTES:

- "Hatches only during lunar eclipses; their first cry withers night-blooms in reverence."

- "This specimen's growth was stunted by the Shattered Eclipse Pact."

- "Last recorded Ellu'veth in the current era."

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My eyes scanned the entry once. Twice.

Then I took a very deep breath.

Five-star threat and recommended to accept defeat, huh.

A wry smile tugged at my lips. Of course, Emory's "pet bird" was actually a sealed Mythical Beast masquerading as a simple moonbird. Why wouldn't it be?

Kai—no, Ellu'veth—was currently ranked as an Elder Beast (Tier 5), but I wasn't fooled. Mythical Beasts didn't play by normal rules. Even weakened, its power likely rivaled a Tier 6 Overlord monster. And with everything about its abilities listed as "unknown" except for a daylight weakness?

Yeah, no thanks.

I wasn't suicidal. Not to mention the fact that I am in a friendly relationship with it. Well, at least I think so.

The bonding clause was equally telling.

Permanently bonded to Erethiel Vell'ael Tarethil.

I rolled the name in my mind.

Erethiel.

It had to be Emory's true name. Nolan's full name was Nolarien Vell'ael Tarethil, after all. The shared surname confirmed they were brothers—though how a Mythical Beast ended up bonded to a runaway prince was a mystery for another day.

The notes offered fragments of insight:

- "Hatches during lunar eclipses; their first cry withers night-blooms in reverence."

Poetic. And terrifying.

-"Growth stunted by the Shattered Eclipse Pact."

No clue what that meant, but it explained why Kai was at Tier 5 right now.

- "Last recorded Ellu'veth in the current era."

A chuckle escaped me. Of course, Emory had the last surviving Mythical bird of its kind. Why wouldn't he?

Still, one thought comforted me:

At least it's not stronger than Virion.

My mentor could probably punt Kai into the sun if he felt like it.

I mentally reviewed the monster tiers I'd learned a long while ago:

- Tier 0 — Feral (Unawakened, animals, etc...)

- Tier 1 — Awakened/Lesser (Title explains everything)

- Tier 2 — Dire (Enhanced power/abilities/aura)

- Tier 3 — Greater (Intelligent, advanced skills)

- Tier 4 — Alpha (Regional dominants, rare mutations)

- Tier 5 — Elder (Ancient, territory-spanning threats)

- Tier 6 — Overlord (Cataclysmic, nation-level dangers)

- Tier 7 — Mythical (Legends given form)

- Tier 8 — Primordial (Forces of nature, ancient, probably a world threat)

- Tier 9 — Transcendent (Probably peak of the world. Planetary threats)

Simple and easy to remember version.

However, the last three were more classifications than strict power levels, while Tiers 0 through 6 were concrete.

So, we can't be too sure when talking about them. I even feel like my master has long surpassed his tier.

Don't worry, I still believe in you, Master!

On the other hand, the monster attack had mostly been Lesser and Dire beasts, with a few weaker Alphas and Greater beasts.

If a true Alpha—like the corrupted Frostfang at its peak— had shown up, we would've been in serious trouble. Thankfully, Ralph and the others took care of them pretty easily, aside from the guard's captain, of course - she used all her strength from the start.

And those turtles…

What tier are they even?

No answers there.

With a shake of my head, I snapped the encyclopedia shut and banished it to my inventory.

A strange sense of peace settled over me as I dismissed it. Or it was probably because I realized another thing.

The shop had a Mythical Beast as its guardian.

And Emory—Erethiel—was likely far more powerful than his timid act suggested.

If Kai's strength was tied to his bonded partner, then Emory might already be a Tier 5 Resonator... or even higher.

Early twenties and already at that level?

I shook my head sharply, cutting off that train of thought before it spiraled into another abyss of speculation.

Enough.

I needed a distraction.

Turning my attention to the fifth storyline, I nodded. Only one scenario was listed—nothing new since I'd last received that scenario message.

That left one thing.

The three unread messages that had been taunting me this whole time.

With a deep breath, I opened my inbox.

The message interface unfolded before me, three lines glaring in spectral text:

1. [UPDATE SUCCESSFUL]

2. [CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE DIED]

3. [YOU ARE FREE]

My fingers hovered over the first one.

Let's start with the least ominous option.

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[UPDATE SUCCESSFUL]

"You have successfully participated in and influenced 5 major storylines."

"System interface has been updated."

"New features unlocked."

Note: "You can check stories in the new [Stories] page of the updated system interface."

Rewards Granted:

- [Narrative Glimpse Upgrade]

- [Shard of the Unseen Depths]

- [Echo of Life Evolution]

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A silent beat passed as I stared at the rewards.

Next time, I'm checking messages first, I muttered inwardly.

My attention snapped to the second reward—[Shard of the Unseen Depths]. The name alone sent a thrill through me. I felt like it might be related to the void somehow.

As I focused on it, a new window materialized:

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[Shard of the Unseen Depths]

"A fragment of the space between stars, where even light forgets to exist."

Type: Bound Treasure (Attuned)

Rank: ★★★★

Description:

A jagged black crystal that floats just above your palm, warping the air around it. The longer you stare, the more it seems to absorb the very concept of light. Occasionally, faint violet cracks pulse within its depths like a slow-beating heart.

Effects:

- Passive Void Affinity Growth – Continuously refines and strengthens your connection to void energy, accelerating natural progression.

- Void Energy Capacitor – Stores excess void aura that would otherwise harm the user, preventing backlash during overuse.

- Spatial Anchoring – Reduces backlash from void-based teleportation/skills by 20%.

Limitations:

- Maximum Affinity: Grade 4 (Cannot surpass this threshold without further evolution)

- Warning: If storage exceeds capacity, it may cause temporary spatial instability.

Note: "Even the void must be tamed before it can be wielded."

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For a moment, I just... stared.

"..."

Thank you again, system.