Two weeks of relentless grinding.
Kaelen had become obsessed with leveling up. Every spare moment was spent outside the walls, hunting mutated creatures, pushing himself harder and further than before.
Ryker and Lira struggled to keep up.
"Slow down!" Ryker panted, wiping sweat from his forehead. They'd just finished killing a pack of mutated rats—Level 3s, easy prey now. "We've been at this for six hours straight!"
"We can rest when we're done," Kaelen said, checking his status window.
[Level 8: 750 / 1200 XP]
Two more levels. That was all he needed.
"Done with what?" Lira asked, leaning against a broken wall. "Kaelen, you've been driving us crazy. What's the rush?"
Kaelen hesitated. He hadn't told them about the quest—about reaching Level 10 and the class selection that awaited him. Something told him to keep that information to himself for now.
"I just want to get stronger," he said finally. "Strong enough that people like Voss can't threaten us. Strong enough to protect you both."
Ryker's expression softened. "We appreciate that, man. Really. But you're going to burn yourself out."
"He's right," Crust said. "You're pushing too hard. Even divine bodies have limits."
"I'm fine."
"You're exhausted. Your regeneration is slower. Your power output has decreased by eight percent. You need rest."
Kaelen wanted to argue, but he knew Crust was right. His arm ached. His head throbbed. And every time he used Divine Burst, it took more effort than before.
"Okay," he admitted. "We'll take a break. Find somewhere safe to rest."
"Finally," Ryker muttered. "I thought you'd never say it."
They found shelter in the ruins of what might have been a warehouse once—concrete walls still mostly intact, a roof that only leaked in two places. It wasn't comfortable, but it was better than being exposed.
Lira pulled out their rations—dried meat and stale bread. "We're running low on supplies."
"We'll resupply when we get back," Kaelen said, accepting his share. The food tasted like cardboard, but he forced himself to eat. His body needed fuel.
"So," Ryker said around a mouthful of bread. "When are you going to tell us what you're really after?"
Kaelen looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"Come on, Kaelen. We're not stupid. You've been pushing toward something specific. Level 10, right? That's when something happens with your system?"
Kaelen sighed. There was no hiding anything from Ryker.
"Yeah. At Level 10, I get to choose a class. Whatever that means."
"A class?" Lira perked up. "Like in games? Warrior, mage, that kind of thing?"
"I think so. The system hasn't given me details yet."
"That's actually pretty cool," Ryker said. "What do you think your options will be?"
"No idea. But if it makes me stronger..." Kaelen trailed off, staring at his hands. "I need every advantage I can get."
"Speaking of advantages," Crust interrupted. "I'm detecting something. Northwest, approximately one kilometer. Something... unusual."
Kaelen's head snapped up. "What kind of unusual?"
"Powerful. Ancient. And it's calling to you."
"Calling to me?"
"Divine blood recognizes divine blood, little god. And whatever is out there has a connection to the old world."
Kaelen's heart raced. "Could it be—"
"One of the legendary beasts? Possibly. The energy signature matches descriptions from your father's kingdom."
Kaelen stood abruptly.
"Kaelen?" Lira frowned. "What's wrong?"
"There's something out there. Something I need to find."
"Now? We just sat down!"
"I know, but—" Kaelen struggled to explain. "I can feel it. Like it's pulling me. I have to go."
Ryker and Lira exchanged glances.
"Fine," Ryker said, standing. "But we're coming with you."
"It might be dangerous."
"Everything's dangerous. That's never stopped us before."
They moved through the wasteland cautiously.
Kaelen followed the pull—an invisible thread tugging at his chest, growing stronger with every step. The ruins here were older, more ancient. He recognized some of the architecture.
This was part of the kingdom, he realized. Part of what I destroyed.
"Yes," Crust confirmed. "These were the outer territories. Hunting grounds for divine beasts."
The pull led them to a collapsed building—or what remained of one. Massive stone pillars lay broken across the ground, covered in divine script that still glowed faintly after millions of years.
And in the center of the ruins, trapped beneath a fallen beam...
A wolf cub.
It was small—no bigger than a normal dog—with silver-white fur and eyes that glowed an electric blue. It was struggling weakly against the beam pinning its hind leg, whimpering softly.
"Is that..." Lira whispered.
"A mutated wolf?" Ryker finished. "But it's so small."
"It's not mutated," Kaelen said quietly, approaching slowly. "It's something else."
The cub's head snapped toward him, its lips pulling back in a snarl. But Kaelen could see the fear in its eyes. The pain.
"Fenrir," Crust breathed. "One of the legendary beasts. The Thunder Wolf King. Or rather... what will become the Thunder Wolf King."
"It's just a baby," Kaelen murmured.
"All great beasts start small. But this one—if it survives—will grow to command storms. To lead armies. To shake the earth with its howl."
Kaelen knelt a few feet from the cub. "Easy. I'm not going to hurt you."
The cub growled, but it was a weak sound. It had been trapped here for a while—maybe days. It was dehydrated. Starving.
Dying.
"We need to lift this beam," Kaelen said.
Ryker and Lira hurried over. Together, the three of them grabbed the massive stone beam and pulled.
It was heavy—impossibly heavy. Kaelen felt his muscles screaming, felt his divine power surging to compensate.
Slowly, inch by inch, the beam lifted.
"Now!" Kaelen shouted.
The cub scrambled free, limping badly, its injured leg dragging.
They released the beam. It crashed back down with a thunderous boom.
The cub backed away from them, snarling, its fur crackling with tiny sparks of electricity.
"Easy," Kaelen said again, holding out his hand. "I'm a friend."
The cub didn't believe him. Of course it didn't. It had been trapped, hurt, alone. Why would it trust anyone?
"You need to make a bond," Crust said. "Blood calls to blood. Divine essence to divine essence. Offer it your blood, and it will recognize you as kin."
"My blood?"
"Yes. Bite your palm. Let it taste your power. If it accepts you, the bond will form."
Kaelen hesitated, then pulled out Ryker's knife. "I need to try something."
"What are you doing?" Ryker asked nervously.
"Making a friend."
Before anyone could stop him, Kaelen drew the blade across his palm. Blood welled up—bright red, but glowing faintly gold.
The cub's ears perked up immediately. Its nose twitched.
Kaelen held out his bleeding hand. "Here. It's okay."
The cub took a tentative step forward. Then another. Its blue eyes were locked on the blood, mesmerized.
Finally, it limped close enough to sniff his palm.
And then it licked the wound.
The effect was immediate.
Golden light exploded between them—not destructive, but connective. Kaelen felt something lock into place in his soul, like a puzzle piece snapping home.
[BOND FORMED]
[You have tamed: Fenrir, Cub of the Thunder Wolf King - Level 1]
[Fenrir will grow alongside you. As you level, so too will your beast.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Beast Communication (Passive)]
The cub—Fenrir—sat down in front of Kaelen and tilted its head. And for the first time, Kaelen heard a voice that wasn't Crust.
Young. Uncertain. But unmistakably there.
"...Master?"
Kaelen's eyes widened. "You can talk?"
"You... saved me. You... are pack leader?"
"I... yes. I guess I am."
Fenrir's tail wagged once. "Good. Pack leader strong. Fenrir will be strong too. Will hunt together."
Despite everything, Kaelen smiled. "Yeah. We'll hunt together."
Ryker and Lira stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
"Did you just..." Ryker started. "Did that wolf just talk to you?"
"Sort of. In my head." Kaelen stood, and Fenrir immediately pressed against his leg, favoring its injured paw. "He's coming with us."
"Us?" Lira said. "Kaelen, that's a wolf. A magical wolf. How are we supposed to hide it in the shelter?"
"We'll figure something out."
"You're collecting quite the entourage, little god," Crust observed with amusement. "Two human companions and now a legendary beast. What's next? A dragon?"
Kaelen looked down at Fenrir, who gazed back up at him with absolute trust.
"Maybe," he said quietly. "If I'm lucky."
They made it back to the city just before dark.
Sneaking Fenrir through the breach was easier than expected—the cub was small enough to fit under Kaelen's shirt, and exhausted enough to stay quiet.
The hard part was explaining to Mira why Kaelen now had a wolf.
"Absolutely not," she said firmly when they brought Fenrir into the apartment. "You are not keeping a wild animal in my home."
"He's not wild," Kaelen protested. "He's tame. Watch."
Kaelen looked at Fenrir and projected a thought: Sit.
The cub immediately sat, tail wagging.
Mira blinked. "That's... impressive. But still—"
"Please," Kaelen said. "He's hurt. And he's important. I can't explain how, but I need him."
Mira looked between Kaelen's pleading face and the cub's big blue eyes.
She sighed. "Fine. But if he bites anyone, he's gone. Understood?"
"Understood. Thank you."
Kaelen set to work treating Fenrir's injured leg, using bandages and water to clean the wound. The cub whimpered but didn't pull away, trusting Kaelen completely.
"You'll heal fast," Kaelen told him silently. "Divine beasts regenerate. Give it a day or two."
"Fenrir will heal. Fenrir will be strong. Will fight for pack leader."
"Not yet. First, you rest. Eat. Grow."
Mira brought over a bowl of meat scraps—the best she could offer. Fenrir devoured them in seconds, then curled up on a blanket in the corner, exhausted.
Within minutes, he was asleep.
Kaelen sat beside him, running his hand through the cub's soft fur.
This is the first one, he thought. The first of three.
"And each will make you stronger," Crust said. "But remember—they're not just weapons, little god. They're living beings. They'll follow you. Fight for you. Die for you. Don't betray that trust."
"I won't."
"Good."
That night, another notification appeared.
[Congratulations! You have tamed your first Legendary Beast!]
[Bonus Quest Completed: Begin the Pack]
[Reward: 300 XP]
[Level 8: 1050 / 1200 XP]
Kaelen smiled faintly. Closer. He was getting closer.
Two more levels.
And then, everything would change.
Over the next three days, Fenrir recovered quickly.
His leg healed completely—faster than should have been possible. And with each passing day, he grew. Not much, but noticeably. By the third day, he was the size of a large dog, his muscles more defined, his movements more confident.
And his power was growing too.
Kaelen could feel it through their bond—the crackling electricity beneath Fenrir's fur, the latent strength in his jaws.
"He'll reach Level 5 soon," Crust predicted. "And when he does, he'll unlock his first ability. Thunder Fang, most likely."
"How do you know?"
"Because I remember. Your father's kingdom kept records of all legendary beasts. Their abilities. Their potential. Fenrir is destined to command lightning."
Kaelen watched the young wolf playing with Ryker in the shelter courtyard—a rare moment of normalcy.
"I'm going to make sure he reaches that potential," Kaelen said quietly.
"I know you will. But remember—power comes with a price. The stronger Fenrir becomes, the more attention you'll attract."
"Let them come. I'm not afraid."
"You should be. Because the next beast you find won't be abandoned and injured. It will be wild. Dangerous. And it will test everything you've learned."
Kaelen nodded slowly.
Typhon.
The serpent king.
At Level 20.
"I'll be ready."
"We'll see, little god. We'll see."
That night, Kaelen checked his status one last time before sleeping.
[Level 8: 1050 / 1200 XP]
[Fenrir - Level 3]
One hundred and fifty experience to go.
One more good hunt.
And then, Level 9.
One step closer to Level 10.
One step closer to power.
Tomorrow, Kaelen thought, closing his eyes with Fenrir curled up at his feet. Tomorrow, we hunt again.
And in the darkness of his mind, Crust smiled.
"Yes, little god. Let's see how far you can go before you break."