"I have waited..."
"...for thousands of years."
The ancient voice echoed through Kai's mind, deep and majestic, carrying an indescribable sense of loneliness.
Kai's hand froze only a few centimeters from the black egg.
"Who's there?"
No answer came.
Instead, the golden runes covering the shell began to pulse like a heartbeat.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
The entire clearing trembled.
Leaves drifted from the towering trees as an invisible pressure spread across the forest.
Hundreds of beasts fled in terror.
Even powerful predators lowered their heads before running as far away as possible.
[Warning!]
[Divine Beast Aura detected.]
[Current danger assessment: Unknown.]
[Host is advised to remain calm.]
Kai took a deep breath.
"System, identify it."
[Analyzing...]
[Analysis failed.]
[Attempting Origin Scan...]
[Origin Scan successful.]
A new screen appeared before him.
Name: Unknown
Race: Sealed
Rank: ???
Bloodline: Beyond Divine
Current Status: Unhatched
Condition: Waiting for its destined contractor.
Kai frowned.
"Beyond Divine?"
He remembered from the previous owner's memories that beasts were divided into the following ranks:
Common
Elite
Commander
Lord
King
Emperor
Saint
Divine
Nothing existed beyond Divine...
At least, according to history.
Yet this egg had surpassed even that.
Suddenly, another notification appeared.
Hidden Quest Activated
The Beast That Waited
Description: A mysterious beast has waited for thousands of years for its true master.
Complete the contract.
Reward:
10,000 System Points
Divine Beast Gift Pack
Hidden System Function Unlocked
Failure: The beast disappears forever.
Kai smiled.
"I don't think I can refuse."
He gently placed his palm against the egg.
The moment he made contact—
A blinding golden light erupted.
Thousands of ancient runes flew into the air.
A massive magic circle spread across the entire clearing.
The stars themselves seemed to brighten.
Inside Kai's Beast Space, something awakened.
[Contract Formation Initiated.]
Normally, forming a beast contract required both the human and beast to willingly accept each other.
If either side resisted...
The contract would fail.
But before Kai could even begin...
The egg radiated excitement.
It almost seemed...
Happy.
The mysterious voice returned.
"I finally found you..."
"My Master."
Kai's eyes widened.
"You've been waiting for me?"
"For countless ages."
"I rejected every Beast Tamer."
"Every king."
"Every emperor."
"Every god."
"They were not worthy."
"But you..."
"You possess the Origin Aura."
"You are the one."
Kai couldn't help asking,
"What exactly are you?"
The egg became silent.
Moments later, it answered softly,
"I don't remember."
"My memories were sealed before I was born."
"I only know one thing."
"I was created..."
"...to stand beside you."
Kai smiled warmly.
"Then let's become partners."
The contract circle suddenly exploded with brilliant rainbow-colored light.
[Contract Successful!]
At the same moment—
CRACK!
A small crack appeared on the egg.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, the entire shell shattered.
A tiny creature slowly climbed out.
Kai stared in disbelief.
It wasn't a dragon.
Nor a phoenix.
Nor any legendary beast from history.
Instead...
A small black fox sat before him.
Its fur shimmered like the night sky.
Golden markings glowed across its body.
Its eyes resembled miniature galaxies.
Nine tiny tails swayed gently behind it.
The little fox looked up at Kai.
Then happily jumped into his arms.
"Master!"
Kai instinctively hugged it.
"So... you're the legendary beast?"
The fox proudly puffed out its chest.
"That's right!"
"But..."
It lowered its ears.
"I'm still a baby."
Kai laughed.
"I can tell."
The tiny fox pouted.
"I'll become strong very quickly!"
The system interrupted.
New Beast Contracted
Name: Unnamed
Species: Primordial Nine-Tailed Origin Fox
Rank: Beyond Divine
Current Level: 1
Growth Potential: Infinite
Loyalty: Infinite
Kai almost dropped the fox.
"Infinite growth potential?"
The fox tilted its head.
"Is that good?"
Kai smiled helplessly.
"I'd say it's very good."
Beginner Quest Completed!
Rewards:
1,000 System Points
Beginner Gift Pack
Divine Skill x1
Hidden Quest Completed!
Rewards:
10,000 System Points
Divine Beast Gift Pack
New Function Unlocked
Kai's eyes sparkled.
"Open everything."
Beginner Gift Pack Opened
Rewards:
Beast Growth Pill ×10
Spirit Fruit ×20
Beginner Beast Manual
Divine Beast Gift Pack Opened
Rewards:
Divine Evolution Stone
Origin Blood Crystal
Universal Beast Language Manual
New Function Unlocked
SYSTEM SHOP
Kai grinned.
"Looks like I hit the jackpot."
The fox climbed onto his shoulder.
"Master?"
"What should my name be?"
Kai looked into its bright golden eyes.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled.
"How about..."
"...Nova."
The fox's tails wagged excitedly.
"I love it!"
"From today onward..."
"My name is Nova!"
A warm light surrounded the fox.
Name Registered
Nova
Kai gently patted Nova's head.
"Let's grow stronger together."
"I'll make sure no one can ever threaten us."
Nova nodded confidently.
"And I'll protect Master forever!"
At that very moment...
Several kilometers away...
A middle-aged man wearing crimson robes suddenly stopped walking.
His contracted Emperor-rank beast trembled.
The man looked toward the deepest part of Azure Beast Forest.
"This aura..."
"It disappeared?"
"No..."
"It hatched."
His expression turned grave.
"The legendary beast has finally chosen its master."
"We're too late."
Back inside the forest...
Kai had no idea that powerful organizations across the continent had been searching for Nova's egg for centuries.
He simply smiled as Nova curled up comfortably on his shoulder.
The system suddenly spoke.
Emergency Quest Activated
Unknown enemies have detected traces of Nova's birth.
Escape Azure Beast Forest safely.
Reward:
Shadow Movement Skill
2,000 System Points
Failure: Host may die.
Kai frowned.
"So..."
"We're already being hunted."
Nova looked determined.
"Don't worry, Master."
"We'll defeat anyone who comes."
Kai chuckled.
"Not today."
"Today..."
"We're going home."
He turned toward the forest exit.
Neither he nor Nova noticed the pair of crimson eyes watching them silently from the darkness high above the trees.
A deep voice whispered,
"So..."
"The Child of Origin has finally appeared."
A cold smile spread across the hidden figure's face.
"The game... begins."