NOVEL WEB
Chapter 18
“A pet?” Suho looked puzzled as he read the sudden message.
“A pet?” Beru parroted, also looking puzzled.
A name tag appeared above the little wolf, who was currently licking away at the seaweed soup.
[?? - Level 1 - Fang Wolf]
With perfect timing, the system sent a message.
Ding.
[You can give a name to your pet.]
[Please choose a name for your pet.]
“The system is asking me to give the pet a name.”
Beru had the same puzzled look on his face. “Huh? Something like this didn’t exist back then.”
“What didn’t exist? Pets?”
“Yes. There didn’t seem to be such a feature when my king was leveling up,” Beru explained. The current leveling system applied to Suho was originally passed down from the current Monarch of Shadows, Sung Jinwoo. Of course, it has been improved to some extent since then, but upgrades mainly involved removing the “malice” that had been embedded in the system.
“Malice?”
“Yes,” Beru replied.
In the past, the system’s objective had been to forcibly prepare Suho’s father to become a vessel for the original Monarch of Shadows. The moment the objective was accomplished, Sung Jinwoo’s human soul was destined to be completely annihilated.
“However, he managed to defy the system’s original purpose and ultimately became the Monarch of Shadows in his own right despite the various challenges and obstacles. He became a formidable being who no longer needed to level up.”
And the one who had inherited that system was none other than Suho.
“But why did the pet feature, which didn’t exist back then, suddenly appear now?”
“Hmm... Perhaps it was here all along, and we just didn’t know about it.” Beru narrowed his eyes and stroked his chin. “The creator of the level-up system was not us but a sorcerer from an arcane world who dreamed of immortality.”
“A sorcerer from an arcane world?”
“Yes. He must be the only one who knows exactly which functions are in the system.”
Long ago, a sorcerer of an arcane world wished to transcend the fate of finite creatures and become an eternal being. As a result, the sorcerer had made a pact with god’s angels and created what was now known as the leveling-up system.
“At that time, the system’s sole purpose was to create the Monarch of Shadow’s vessel, so there was no need for things like pets. After all, shadow extraction allowed the Monarch to kill and turn anything into a shadow soldier. It seems like the Young Monarch’s system has a completely different purpose than it did back then.”
Suho was perplexed. “The system’s purpose isn’t to turn me into the Monarch of Shadows?”
“That’s right. The Young Monarch can’t become the Shadow Monarch,” Beru stated firmly. “In this world, there is only one Monarch of Shadows.”
In other words, it meant that Suho would have a chance to succeed his father only if he died and the throne of the Monarch was vacant. However, the Monarch of Shadows ruled over death, meaning his own death was something that would never happen.
“He’s a true immortal.”
“Okay, I get it. My dad is remarkable.” Suho was curious. “So, what is the purpose of my system?”
The question made Beru smile faintly and look into Suho’s eyes. His sheer existence, born from the marriage of the Monarch of Shadows and an ordinary human, was unprecedented across all dimensions. Even the Architect, the creator of the system, couldn’t dare to guess what lay ahead for Suho. Would he continue as the Young Monarch with the inherited skills of the Monarch of Shadows? Or would he break free from destiny and forge his own path like his father?
“The system’s role is simply to guide the Young Monarch on whatever path he chooses to take. If new features have emerged, they are undoubtedly meant to assist the Young Monarch.”
As Beru looked at Suho’s face, he could see the visage of a man who had once walked a lonely and challenging path, standing against the world. His father had lived relentlessly. He’d been closer to death than anyone else in the world, constantly struggling to survive. In the end, he even conquered death itself through his own strength. The current Earth was a noble and peaceful place established through Sung Jinwoo’s profound sacrifice. But lately, that peace was under threat once again by the Outer Gods.
“Status window.” Suho suddenly opened his status window.
[Status Window
Name: Sung Suho
Level: 16
Job: None
Title: Wolf Slayer
HP: 2,350/2,350
MP: 235/235]
[Stats]
[Strength: 35
Stamina: 25
Agility: 25
Intelligence: 25
Sense: 25
(Available Ability Points: 0)]
[Skills]
[Passive Skills: Pain Tolerance Level 2, Dual Sword Mastery Level 1
Active Skills: Ruler’s Authority Level 1, Shadow Extraction Level 1, Storm Slash Level 1]
After listening to Beru, Suho understood why his job was still listed as “none.” It was probably never going to say “Monarch of Shadow” in that slot. Suho paid more attention to the other stats beneath the job. This is where I’m currently at. His stats had skyrocketed compared to when he was at level 1, constantly being chased by the Mist Burns.
He already had so many skills worth using—I’m still weak—but Suho never overestimated his own strength. Not because of humility, but based on experience. He had reached Level 99 multiple times in his dreams during adolescence. When he recalled those sensations from back then, his current strength felt incredibly inadequate. Even just looking at his last battle, if he hadn’t earned the title of “Wolf Slayer” at the right moment, he knew he would have struggled to take the beast down.
Suho also took the opportunity to check out the new skill that had emerged during this battle.
[Skill: Dual Sword Mastery Level 1
Passive Skill.
No mana required.
Dual Sword Mastery can be used more proficiently.
When wielding two swords, an additional 33% damage is applied.
(This also applies to weapons other than swords.)]
Dual Sword Mastery, huh? Come to think of it, he had always fought with weapons in both hands. Initially, it was with axes. This time, it was with swords. Perhaps this skill had emerged based on his previous combat techniques.
“So, to get stronger from here on, I’ll have to continue using dual swords.”
Suho’s gaze lingered on Rakan’s Fang. He was quite satisfied with Rakan’s Fang’s attacking power. Once it landed a hit, the necks of Gwanaksan’s beasts went flying. To balance his dual-wielding, it seemed like Suho would need another sword of similar quality to Rakan’s Fang.
I need to make some money. Hunter weapons are quite expensive. His gaze shifted downwards. “And this little guy...”
Before he knew it, the little wolf had finished the seaweed soup and had a stuffed belly. However, he still seemed to lack the strength to crawl and lay weakly on the floor.
“I’ll need to train him a lot more if I want to utilize his full potential.”
[Please choose a name for your pet.]
The system messages had been urging Suho for a while now. He decided on a name without hesitation. “Since you have gray fur, let’s call you Gray.”
[Will you name your pet “Gray”?]
“Sure.” As soon as Suho finished speaking, the question mark above the little wolf’s head disappeared, and a new name was engraved.
[Gray - Level 1 - Fang Wolf]
Gray was now officially recognized as Suho’s companion. The pup raised its head with a vacant look and gently sniffed the surrounding air. It seemed to be smelling his new owner’s scent.
Suho touched Gray’s nose with his fingertip and asked Rakan’s Fang a question. “I have a question for you.”
“What is it?”
“How should I raise him so he’s useful?”
“Is there anything special about raising a pet? Keep him fed, make sure he gets plenty of sleep, and play with him regularly.”
“Don’t give me the obvious answers. As a descendant of the Monarch of Fangs, isn’t there any special method?”
“Eating is really important. The reason this little one became weak in the first place is because Broki was afraid of its growth and kept starving it.” The sword raged with renewed anger as it recalled the deeds of the deceased Broki. If the child of the Monarch of Fangs had grown normally from the beginning, it would never have been held captive by the giant hyena. “So, feed it well. Let it rest a lot, allow it to play to its heart’s content, and it will grow into a much stronger predator than Broki ever was.”
“Is that so? What should I feed it then?”
“Magic beasts, of course. It’s even better if it’s prey he hunted himself. The children of our clan start hunting and playing from the moment they are born.”
“Basically, having fun from hunting.”
It sounded a bit ridiculous to make a wolf that couldn’t even walk on its own go hunting.
“The Fang Clan are more spartan than ants. We at least leave the larvae alone while they are still in that state.”
Inspired by Beru’s words, an idea came to Suho. After all, who had raised Suho when he was just a newborn?
“Beru, I want you to take care of this little one from now on.”
“All of a sudden?”
“Yeah, you’re the best nanny I know.”
“One does not know how to react when such a compliment comes from the Young Monarch.” Beru shuffled uncomfortably, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Shall we go?”
“Pardon? Where are we suddenly going?” the ant asked.
Holding Gray by the scruff of his neck, Suho inserted the key to the Shadow Dungeon into his own shadow.
[Would you like to enter the Shadow Dungeon?]
“Where do you think? Right here.”
Click.
[You have entered the Shadow Dungeon.]
***
Upon entering the Shadow Dungeon, Suho casually placed Beru on Gray’s back.
“From now on, you guys are a team.”
“What?!”
Gray, despite being small, was twice the size of Beru. But they were still pint-sized when combined.
“Is this place...?” Rakan’s Fang, who had followed on a whim, felt a strange sensation as it looked at the Shadow Dungeon. “Is this the world of the Monarch of Shadows?”
“More precisely, it’s the world inherited by the Young Monarch. However, it’s been neglected for too long. His absence has allowed the wild beasts to take refuge here.”
Beru noticed why Suho had brought them here and narrowed his eyes. Suspicious glances from various places in the dungeon were directed their way.
“Wild goblins. Perfect opponents to train pets.” The ant chuckled and patted Gray’s back as he rode him. “Rise, descendant of the King of Beasts! Show your cruelty to those pitiful creatures!”
However, Gray seemed to have no intention of fighting at all. He appeared to lack the will to even get up, slumping down even lower on the ground.
Rakan’s Fang couldn’t hide its frustration at the pup. “Ugh. Due to its confinement, it seems like he has lost all of his innate combat instincts! What are we going to do about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll say.”
Suho and Beru’s reactions were composed and indifferent.
Beru’s skill was predation. He could partially absorb the power and memories of consumed monsters. “Get up, young warrior.” The best nanny Suho knew nudged Gray’s back once more, this time without mercy.
[Beru activated the Skill: “Ruthless Command”.]
[Skill: “Ruthless Command” increases Gray’s stats by 50%.]
[Skill: “Ruthless Command” has a side effect that causes Gray to be afflicted by a curse of madness.]
Growl! The skill lit up Gray’s previously lackluster eyes.
Beru wickedly chuckled and continued to prod Gray. “Good! Let’s keep up the momentum, you little growl machine!”