Wuk can't be trusted alone with Jasmine – his harmless pranks could easily hurt her, given the vast difference in their strength. Wuk looks disappointed, but ever since signing the contract with Sean, he's come to view his partner's words as absolute commands. Neither of them fully understands why this bond runs so deep – they only know they're growing closer with every passing moment.
"Sean, is that your partner?" Aunt Tsu asks when they come downstairs. She's already up and preparing breakfast, as always.
"Yes – he's an Iron Monkey, one of the most common mystique creatures in the city," Sean replies. Then he turns to Wuk, his expression serious.
"Wuk, this is Aunt Tsu. She's the person I owe more to than anyone else in this world. I want you to memorize her face and scent – she's one of the most important people in my life."
Aunt Tsu waves her hands dismissively, her eyes warm with affection. "What are you saying? We're family – family doesn't keep score of debts."
Sean smiles – he'd expected this response. But after all the warmth and care she'd given him since he arrived in this world, he'd sworn to himself that she'd be by his side as he built a better life.
"Aunt, I think you should quit your job and focus on being a housewife – and start training martial arts," he says firmly.
"No need for that," she shakes her head. "I'm too old for all that. I don't have the talent to achieve anything significant."
She'd long accepted that her martial potential was limited, but Sean has other plans.
"I'm not trying to make you a powerful fighter – just to boost your vitality and extend your lifespan," he explains, taking her hand. He looks directly into her eyes.
"I'm working hard to build a future where we can live as comfortably as the nobles in the inner city. What good is all that if the people I care about aren't around to share it with me?"
His sincere words make her tremble. After years of working herself to the bone to raise her children, she'd forgotten to take care of herself. His acknowledgment of her efforts makes her feel valued in a way she hasn't in a long time.
"Think about it – but I'll tell you now, I'll force you to train if I have to. Or at least force-feed you mystique creature ingredients to keep you healthy," he says with a playful glint in his eye, before heading to the kitchen to pack a large amount of meat.
Wuk can eat raw meat without issue, but Jasmine can only consume avian meats and fruits. Some mystique creatures have very specific dietary needs – a quirk of their biology that varies from species to species.
After dinner, the three of them share a room for the night. Wuk curls up on the floor while Jasmine sleeps peacefully on Sean's chest.
The next morning, everyone in the house is up except Yana, who's still asleep. Sean decides to stay home – the order he placed last night will be arriving soon, and their small house has just enough space for training.
He and Wuk begin their practice while Jasmine watches from the corner, clearly wanting to join in but unable to keep up with their physical demands. After three intense sessions, both lie exhausted on the floor. Sean checks his status and grins in satisfaction:
Name: Sean
- Realm: Skin Tempering 6th stage
- Vital Force: 6
- Spirit: Bronze Rank
- Contracts: 2/3 - [Iron Monkey, Spirit Fox]
- Innate Abilities: Vajra Body, Leather Skin
- Technique: Monkey Body Tempering Technique (Early Stage)
- Skill: King Kong Punch
The training has been grueling, but the progress is undeniable. While some might call his current pace a bottleneck, he knows his growth is already abnormally fast by any standard.
"Sean! There's a package for you!" Aunt Tsu calls out suddenly.
In an instant, Sean is on his feet and racing for the door – his excitement is palpable. Wuk and Jasmine stare, stunned by his speed.
"Are you Sean?" the delivery driver asks.
Sean nods eagerly, practically bouncing on his toes. This is what he's been waiting for – evolution.
In this world, finding high-ranking mystique creatures is the fastest path to power, but there's another, more coveted way: evolution. This rare phenomenon is the dream of every martial artist and Spiritual Tamer. When a bonded pet evolves, the change directly benefits its partner – the effects vary by species, but they're always positive.
"Can you stay and keep an eye on us?" Sean asks his aunt after carrying the heavy crate inside. He doesn't know what to expect – he might stay conscious, or he might black out like he did when creating his technique.
Aunt Tsu doesn't fully understand what's happening, but she agrees without hesitation. For her, family comes first.
I spent half my savings on this, Sean thinks as he opens the crate. Hopefully Wuk and I can earn it all back once we start hunting.
The money had come from both his earnings at the shop and the savings the original Sean had left behind.
Inside the crate are piles of meat exuding powerful vital energy – all harvested from wild mystique creatures and monsters, perfect for Wuk's needs. Next to the meat lie thick metal bars, polished and ready to be consumed.
Wuk's eyes lock onto the food immediately. He begins devouring the meat ravenously, pausing occasionally to bite into the metal bars like they're candy. Aunt Tsu watches in shock – she'd heard stories about mystique creatures' strange diets, but seeing it firsthand is another matter entirely.
Once Wuk has eaten everything, he collapses to the floor.
[Evolution commencing...]
Cracking sounds echo through the room as Wuk's body begins to expand. His fur grows thicker and more luxurious, and his muscles bulk up significantly.
[Evolution completed. New species designation pending.]
Suddenly, Sean's vision blurs and he too falls to the ground, startling both Jasmine and Aunt Tsu.
When he wakes up, he's on the living room couch.
"Sean! You're finally awake! Thank goodness!" A soft weight presses against his chest as Aunt Tsu hugs him tightly.
"Aunt? Right – Wuk evolved. Did I faint again?"
His last memory was the system's notification.
"You were out for two hours! I was about to call the hospital if you didn't wake up soon," she says, holding him close like she's afraid to let go.
"Relax – this is just part of being a Spiritual Tamer. That's why I asked you to watch over me," he reassures her, patting her back before checking the system messages.
[Vajra Body has undergone enhancement.]
That explains why he'd fainted – the evolution had triggered changes in his own body as well.
A loud chattering and jumping can be heard outside. Wuk is clearly bursting with excitement. Sean rushes to see him and checks his new status:
Name: Wuk
- Species: [Unnamed]
- Grade: Rare
- Innate Trait: Golden Vajra Battle Body
- Rank: Vital Realm (Iron Tier 9)/Stage 1 Monkey Body Tempering Technique
- Skills: King Kong Punch
- Next Evolution Requirements:
1. Breakthrough to Bronze Tier
2. Increase Vitality
3. Reach 2nd Tier of King Kong Punch
Wuk had jumped two full grades from Common to Rare. While his appearance hasn't changed drastically beyond being larger and more muscular, his abilities have been completely transformed. Sean reads the description of his new trait and his eyes widen in amazement:
Golden Vajra Battle Body (Passive): Absorbs metal elements; enhances battle instinct, senses, endurance, toughness, strength, and vitality.
Battle Ape Form (Active): Transforms into a battle ape, doubling all physical traits. [King Kong Punch] tier increases by one while transformed.
This makes Wuk the perfect frontline fighter – and he's already on the verge of reaching the Bronze Tier of the Vital Realm. Sean checks his own updated abilities:
Vajra Body (Passive): Pure yang physique; increases strength, constitution, vitality, and mastery of physical techniques.
Berserk (Active): Increases all physical attributes by 100%.
King Kong Punch (1st Tier): Channels all the user's weight and strength into a single strike. Vital power amplifies damage.
"I wonder just how strong I've become," he murmurs, feeling power coursing through his veins like never before.
He brushes himself off and turns to his aunt. "I'm heading to the dojo today. Can you take care of Jasmine while I'm gone?"
"I don't mind, but I don't know how to look after a mystique creature," she admits nervously.
"Don't worry – Jasmine's a Spirit Fox with no combat abilities. Just feed her fruits and chicken, and she'll be fine," he says. Then his expression grows serious.
"I think it's time you and Yana started learning about mystique creatures. As a martial artist, I'll be encountering all kinds of them, and it would help if you could tell me which ones you think might suit you both."
When she opens her mouth to protest, he pulls her into a tight hug.
"I won't move until you agree," he says firmly.
She knows him well enough to realize he won't back down once he's made up his mind. Warmth floods through her – she'd always been anxious about their future, and her gentle nature had made her an easy target for others to take advantage of.
At her old job, her manager had tried to harass her repeatedly. He'd almost succeeded once, until Nima had walked in and seen what was happening. The manager had disappeared the next day, replaced by a kind woman. But even so, working as a clerk had exposed her to unwanted attention from perverts time and time again. She'd wanted to quit so many times, but had pushed through for her children's sake.
Now, with Sean's transformation, she feels the same sense of security she'd felt when her husband was alive. Tears stream down her face unbidden.
Sensing her emotions and the slight tremble of her body, Sean's resolve to give her a better life only grows stronger.
"Now that you've agreed – no overworking yourself. I'll find techniques suited for you and Yana. Just wait – I'll bring you both to the top!"
He leaves the house brimming with determination, ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
When he arrives at the Black Ape Dojo, he's immediately approached by a female disciple.
"Lord Sean, the young miss has been waiting for you in her private training room," she says with a respectful bow.
Sean is taken aback – he's not used to being addressed so formally – but he follows her to Reina's room regardless.
"Finally! Some people work hard to grow stronger, while others slack off the moment they reach the Vital Realm," Reina says the moment he enters, her tone sharp with admonishment.
"I wasn't slacking!" Sean protests. "I've been training nonstop, and I want to see how much stronger I've become after mastering the Black Ape Fist!"
It's a small lie – what he really wants is to test the power of his King Kong Punch and see how far his enhanced Vajra Body and Leather Skin have taken him.
"Looks like someone's gotten arrogant after being called a genius," a new voice says from the doorway. A young man with perfectly styled hair and expensive clothes steps inside – the very image of an arrogant noble.
Sean's expression quirks in amusement but he ignores the man, focusing instead on Reina with burning determination in his eyes.
"Are you challenging me?" Reina asks, surprised. She hadn't expected him to be bold enough to face her directly.
Sean shakes his head. "I'm not that foolish. I'm asking for a spar – you're the only one I know who's truly mastered the Black Ape Fist. I want to experience it firsthand so I can learn and grow stronger!"
His sincerity is clear, his voice filled with unwavering resolve. He has no interest in mediocrity – he doesn't care if he gets beaten down, as long as it makes him stronger without compromising the people he loves, his freedom, or his principles.
Now that he's given a second chance in life, he decided to live it the way he wanted.