Chapter 100 – The Sleeping Wolf Awakens
Three months had passed.
Inside Moon's body, the essence flowing through his meridians was no longer a thin mist-like current. It had thickened, condensed to a point where it felt almost like liquid water coursing through his inner channels. His body hummed with vitality, his every breath echoing with a low, faint vibration of power.
In those months, he had consumed nearly fifty-four bottles of highly refined, condensed essence fluid. Each bottle was a treasure in itself, a distillation of pure elemental force that could fuel breakthroughs ordinary cultivators. But Moon had devoured them relentlessly, pushing himself forward without pause.
As he finally stirred from his meditative trance, his eyelids flickered open. A faint glimmer of energy passed through his irises. But before he could even steady his breathing, a faint chime rang inside his mind.
—
System Notification
You have reached King Level.
Attempting to ascend further in such a short span through artificial means may damage your foundation.
Recommended: cease consumption.
Excess bottles may be administered to your Bonded Beast for its growth.
---
Moon froze, staring blankly at the glowing words before him. For a moment, his chest tightened with mixed emotions—satisfaction at having advanced so quickly, but also caution.
"…King level, already?" he muttered, his voice low and hoarse from months of silence. His hand rose unconsciously, stroking his chin as if to steady himself. But as his fingertips brushed his skin, he suddenly frowned.
"...Rough?"
He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a mirror. His reflection stared back at him: a face with overgrown facial hair, his once neat black hairs now long and unkempt, hanging past his shoulders. His shirt clung stiffly to his body, reeking faintly of sweat and essence residue. A bitter laugh escaped his lips.
"So… this is what three months of closed cultivation does to a man."
He sighed. "Fine. I'll rest for a few days."
Moon rose from his seated position, stretching his stiff limbs. He passed his training clothes to a service robot, instructing it to wash and disinfect them. Then, with a thought, he summoned Kuro.
A faint flicker of light shimmered beside Moon, tiny sparks scattering like miniature stars. From the rippling void of Beast Space, a small figure tumbled forward, its form condensed and compact as it leapt into reality. Moon's tired eyes widened as he took in the sight: a sleek black wolf cub, its fur glinting faintly under the dim light, flecks shimmering like dusted starlight, and eyes a vivid, molten gold that seemed to pierce straight into his soul.
Moon's exhausted expression softened immediately. His chest loosened, and a long-forgotten warmth seeped back into him. "Kuro," he whispered, voice gentle, almost reverent. He bent down, arms opening instinctively, ready to gather the little wolf into his embrace.
But Kuro had other ideas. With a sudden hop, his paws barely touching the ground, he twisted away. His fluffy tail flicked sharply, ears flattened slightly, and his tiny body was taut with indignation. He turned his head, lips curling back in what looked like a frustrated snarl—but the sound that emerged from his throat was far from fearsome. Instead of the deep, resonant howl of a wild wolf, it came out as a high-pitched, wobbly whine, almost like the cry of a toddler throwing a tantrum.
Moon blinked, startled. "H-hey… what's with you, huh? Come here… stop being difficult."
He sniffed the air, grimacing faintly at the odor that clung to the cub—a mixture of months of sweat and essence residue smell . It was pungent, yes, but far from unbearable. And yet, Kuro refused to approach. The little wolf twisted his body stubbornly, deliberately turning his back to Moon, like a sulking child pouting at a parent who had forgotten them.
Moon exhaled slowly, trying to maintain patience. Kuro… what's wrong? Why are you so angry?
The wolf's response was immediate and heartfelt . The words tumbled out clumsily, stuttering and faltering, carrying the unmistakable tone of a sulking toddler:
"M-mommy… you weft me in Beast Space fow thwee whowe munths! No summon, no huggy! Hmph, I'm suuuper mad!"
Moon froze, his hand rising to slap his forehead as guilt washed over him. The pang of shame was sharp; he had been so engrossed in his own cultivation, in refining and mastering the condensed essence, that he had completely forgotten his bonded companion. "Ah… right. Damn it. I… really forgot," he muttered under his breath.
But after some time,
Moon blinked in shock. "Wait… you just spoke with your mouth? Not through our spiritual connection?"
Kuro puffed up his little chest, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Yep! Ruby Papa taught me how!"
"Forget about that for now," Moon said, brushing the matter aside.
He crouched low, lowering himself to Kuro's level, voice soft and almost apologetic. "S-sorry, Kuro. I… I was too focused on cultivation. But I promise you—no more being locked away like that. Not for the next few months, at least. You'll be free, and I'll make it up to you."
Kuro froze, ears twitching. Slowly, a flicker of hope glimmered in his golden eyes. His tail stopped flicking, though it still twitched faintly with anticipation. The anger melted away, replaced by curiosity, mixed with the tiniest spark of joy.
"Weawwy?" he whispered, voice tiny and trembling, tilting his head as though trying to read Moon's face for truth.
Moon chuckled softly, reaching out and scooping the little wolf into his arms despite the cub's half-hearted squirming. "Yes… weawwy," he said warmly.
Kuro's eyes sparkled, luminous orbs glowing in the dim light. His tail wagged so rapidly that it seemed like a little golden whip, swishing against Moon's arms. His tiny claws kneaded gently at Moon's chest, almost like an affectionate gesture, and his whines melted into soft, contented whimpers.
Evening descended slowly, painting the room in hues of amber and shadow. Moon drew a warm bath, the water steaming and curling in gentle swirls, fog rising like ghostly tendrils in the dim light. He eased himself in first, the heat seeping into his tense muscles, relaxing the knots of fatigue that had built up over months of relentless cultivation. Then he gently placed Kuro in the water.
The cub splashed cautiously at first, small pawprints sending ripples across the surface. Then, sensing the warmth, he began to paddle around energetically, sometimes bumping into Moon with an innocent little nudge. Moon leaned back against the edge of the bathtub, eyes closing briefly, allowing the warmth to permeate his body.
For the first time in months, he felt… peace. His eyelids grew heavy, the weight of fatigue finally catching up to him. He let himself drift, the rhythmic splash of Kuro's movements and the gentle warmth of the water lulling him toward sleep.
Kuro, sensing his companion's drowsiness, swam closer, circling Moon's arms, occasionally resting his tiny head against Moon's chest before darting away to paddle a few more circles. The wolf's golden eyes glimmered faintly, reflecting the soft light of the room as he floated, carefree, in his human's embrace.
Minutes stretched into hours. The room was filled with the soft sound of water lapping against the tub's sides, the faint hiss of steam, and the occasional splash of tiny paws. Moon drifted in and out of consciousness, dreams mingling with reality, until a cold shiver finally woke him.
The water had cooled, and Kuro had settled atop Moon's forehead, tiny body rising and falling in sleep. Moon blinked, stretching a hand over the cub's small, warm form. He's really exhausted too…
Moon's stomach growled—a deep, hollow sound that reminded him of the long neglect of his own hunger. The lingering metallic tang of the essence fluid still coated his tongue, making real food taste even more urgent. He reached for his communication array, ordering a feast that would satisfy both himself and the little wolf: pizzas, burgers, steaks, pasta, biryani, fries, noodles, sushi, milk, and more.
When the delivery arrived, the dining table groaned under the sheer volume of food. Kuro's golden eyes widened, pupils dilating with delight, drool forming in the corners of his mouth. Moon laughed softly. "Stop just staring, Kuro. Dig in!"
The wolf leapt forward, paws flailing as he dove into the feast. Moon chuckled, rolling up his sleeves, grabbing a slice of pizza, and joining him. The room was filled with laughter, excited barks, and the occasional chomp, the two companions finally sharing something beyond cultivation: simple joy, playfulness, and a long-overdue reunion.
For hours, they ate, played, splashed, and rested. Kuro sometimes climbed onto Moon's shoulders, sometimes pawed at his face, and Moon responded with soft laughter and gentle scolding. For three to four days, they lived in the quiet joy of companionship, away from the demands of cultivation, battles, or the relentless pull of essence.
Eventually, Moon's eyes cleared, and he knew the moment of preparation had arrived. He led Kuro to the underground training hall. The little wolf pranced beside him, ears twitching, tail wagging furiously, golden eyes alight with both excitement and curiosity.
Moon's gaze hardened with determination, yet softened with care. "It's time, Kuro," he whispered. "Let's see what you can really do."
The wolf looked up, head tilted slightly, ears forward, his tiny body radiating anticipation. And for the first time, Moon felt the weight of responsibility for his bonded beast not as a burden, but as a privilege.
The two companions entered the training hall together, ready to begin a transformation that would change both of their fates forever.
"Alright," Moon said, placing the little wolf on the stone floor. He uncorked a bottle of condensed essence fluid and—before Kuro could react—forced it past his jaws.
Kuro gagged, his small body wriggling. The taste was vile, worse than anything he had ever known. His little growls turned into shrill, offended yelps.
"Ewww… whaaat's dis? I don't wike it!"
"Stop whining," Moon said firmly. "Wait a moment."
The moment stretched like a heartbeat frozen in time—and then, as if ignited by some unseen spark, Kuro's small form erupted in light. His black fur glimmered with a radiant sheen, each strand reflecting the faint golden hues of the essence that now coursed visibly through his body. Swirling currents of raw energy twisted around him, coiling like liquid fire in the air, spiraling upward before being drawn seamlessly into his being. For a fleeting instant, he looked ethereal, almost otherworldly, a creature suspended between reality and pure power. And then, just as suddenly, the brilliance vanished, absorbed entirely into his tiny frame.
Moon's jaw clenched, disbelief tightening the muscles in his face. One second? He had spent an entire day—twenty-four grueling hours of excruciating concentration—just to process a single bottle of essence. Every pulse, every circulation of power through his veins had been painstakingly deliberate. And here Kuro had done it in less than the blink of an eye, his small body digesting the energy as if it were nothing more than a sip of water.
"You… lucky bastard," Moon muttered, a mixture of awe and irritation coloring his tone. His fists clenched, white knuckles pressing against his thighs, and yet a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
There was no time for hesitation. Moon uncorked another bottle, the thick, shimmering liquid catching the light, and forced it past Kuro's reluctant jaws. The cub gagged, a tiny whimper escaping him, but his glowing form never faltered. He swallowed it down in a rush, his throat bulging slightly, essence disappearing into him like a bottomless pit.
Moon didn't stop. Another bottle, then another. Four bottles. Eight. Ten. Each time, Kuro's small body twitched and squirmed, paws scrabbling for leverage, tail lashing in frustration. Tiny whines and muffled protests punctuated the air, his golden eyes wide with defiance.
"Nnnngh! I-Ick! It's yucky!" he whimpered, voice tottering, yet still swallowing every last drop.
Moon watched, fascinated despite himself. The swirling essence around Kuro had intensified with each bottle, coiling and spinning in his aura like storm clouds pregnant with lightning. With each gulp, his body seemed to expand subtly, the air itself trembling as if recognizing the surge of power emanating from the small creature. The light radiating from his fur grew warmer, almost blinding, casting moving shadows along the walls of the training hall.
By the time the last bottle had been emptied, Kuro's body quivered violently, a trembling core of concentrated energy. His black fur was now streaked faintly with gold, the glow of pure essence tracing the lines of his muscles, highlighting his small but growing frame. His golden eyes were fierce, blazing with intensity, burning like molten sunfire. Every breath he drew seemed to pulse through the air, setting tiny currents of wind in motion, the scent of raw power mingling with the faint metallic tang of absorbed essence.
The hall itself seemed to respond, vibrating faintly as Kuro's energy reached a critical threshold. The air hummed, a low, resonant tone vibrating through the stone floor. Even Moon's hair stirred, lifted by the waves of power radiating outward. Kuro's aura twisted and coiled, forming visible spirals of light that hung in the air like ribbons caught in a storm, raw and unrestrained.
This… Moon thought, heart tightening with both pride and anticipation, this little bastard… he's something else entirely.
---
System Notification
Your Bonded Beast has surpassed its bottleneck.
Evolution initiated.
---
Kuro collapsed to the floor, his body encased in a radiant sphere of energy. The orb swelled and shrank with each pulse, like the heartbeat of a sleeping titan. Waves of pressure rolled through the training hall, rattling the walls.
Moon sat beside him, silent, watchful.
Three days, the system whispered. The process will last three days.
Moon exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the glowing sphere. His thoughts churned.
Three days until he awakens… Three days until I see what he becomes.
The wolf cub he had summoned as a weak companion was no longer just a cub. He was something else now—something greater.
And Moon knew, deep in his chest, that this evolution would change everything.
---
To Be Continued…