Kiyanotoka stood firm as the flaming aura of his baby dragon flared behind him.
The alley around them shimmered with heat, the air wavering like a mirage. Thamuz, though small, radiated power. Tiny cracks formed on the pavement beneath its claws with each step it took.
> "I'm warning you," Kiyanotoka said coolly, "back off before I let him breathe fire."
Brad was trembling, but his pride didn't allow him to back down.
> "You think I'm scared of that oversized lizard?! Dusk Wolf—attack!"
The Dusk Wolf vanished into the shadows.
Kiyanotoka barely had time to react.
> [ SYSTEM ALERT – Dusk Wolf has activated: Shadow Pounce ]
The wolf emerged behind him in a blur of darkness, fangs bared. Kiyanotoka flinched—
But Thamuz was faster.
> [ Skill: Blazing Scale Burst – Activated ]
With a guttural growl, the baby dragon's scales flashed crimson, and a shockwave of superheated air exploded around it.
The wolf was blasted backward mid‑leap, howling in pain as its fur singed and smoke curled from its paws.
Brad's jaw dropped.
> "That… That's an S‑Rank passive?! On a baby?!"
---
Kiyanotoka exhaled in relief, sweat on his brow.
> "Whew. That was close."
> [ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
[ First Defensive Skill Used – Cooldown: 20 seconds ]
[ Fire Resistance Buff Activated: 10 seconds ]
"Alright, Thamuz," Kiyanotoka whispered, eyes narrowing. "Time to fight back."
---
The baby dragon flapped its small wings, lifting slightly off the ground. Its eyes locked on the injured Dusk Wolf, and it let out a low growl.
> [ Skill: Ember Breath – Ready ]
Thamuz opened its maw.
A concentrated stream of fire surged forward, roaring toward the Dusk Wolf.
> "Dusk! Flicker Hide!"
Brad's beast barely dodged in time, phasing into a blur of shadow just before the flames engulfed the spot it had stood. The wall behind them blackened, smoke rising.
---
Kiyanotoka's expression tightened.
> He dodged that? Damn, not bad for a D‑Rank.
But it didn't matter.
Thamuz was just warming up.
---
The Dusk Wolf reappeared on a rooftop nearby, panting. Its fur was scorched, and one leg trembled. It howled—low, eerie, and sharp.
> [ Dusk Wolf activated: Whimper Howl ]
> [ SYSTEM WARNING – Mental Disruption Detected ]
Kiyanotoka's head throbbed. For a second, he staggered.
> Shit. This is a support-type ability... it's trying to mess with my perception.
But Thamuz simply roared in response—its Crimson Roar cutting through the mental haze like a sword through mist.
> [ Skill Clash: Crimson Roar vs. Whimper Howl ]
Effect: Dusk Wolf stunned – 3 seconds ]
The wolf yelped and collapsed to its knees.
---
"Now," Kiyanotoka whispered. "Finish it."
Thamuz lunged forward with a burst of flame underfoot, closing the distance in a flash. It tackled the wolf with surprising force for its size, sending both beasts rolling across the rooftop in a tangle of smoke and growls.
Then:
> [ Skill Used: Ember Bite ]
[ Target: Dusk Wolf ]
[ Critical Hit – Weak Point Struck ]
[ Victory ]
The system chimed one last time.
> [ BEAST DEFEATED – +1 Kill ]
[ Progress to Dragon Evolution: 1 / 10 ]
---
Brad collapsed to the ground as his spiritual link faltered.
> "Ugh... Dusk..." he groaned, reaching toward the rooftop. His wolf vanished in a flicker of dark mist—returned to his spirit ring, severely wounded.
Kiyanotoka approached him.
> "Next time," he said calmly, "try picking a fight with someone at your own level."
Brad didn't respond. His pride was shattered.
---
Thamuz landed beside Kiyanotoka, snorting out a puff of steam. Its chest rose and fell rapidly, but its eyes gleamed with pride.
> "Good job, buddy," Kiyanotoka smiled. "That was our first win."
The dragon chirped, flicking its tail.
Just then, the system rang again.
> [ SYSTEM UNLOCK: Starter Skill Slot – Available ]
[ Choose a Skill Branch for Host: ]
① Beast Bond (Support / Healing)
② Dragon Pulse (Attack / Aura)
③ Tamer's Command (Control / Multi-beast control)
Kiyanotoka's eyes lit up.
> "So now I get my own skills too...?"
He stared at the options.
> "Heheh. Let's see what kind of master I'll become."
---