The ramen shop Ra-Eat buzzed with noise at noon. The rich scent of broth mixed with the clatter of chopsticks and murmured conversations. Many customers had their eyes fixed on the large TV mounted in the corner, broadcasting the midday news.
"Last night, a colossal rare Beast was spotted in HallEast District. Footage revealed a figure with eight wings and the silhouette of horns on its head. Dozens of Beast Slayers attempted to tame it… yet nearly all perished within minutes. The creature has since been named the Shadow Dragon."
The female reporter paused, then continued:
"Remember—every human can only resonate with one core beast in their lifetime. That resonance defines their future, whether they'll rise strong or be branded weak forever. Afterward, they can no longer resonate. The only option is taming beasts as companions or combat pets. That's why the first resonance is the most important moment of any Beast Slayer's life."
The restaurant fell into uneasy silence. Some customers sighed nervously. Among them, a young waiter named Luxe froze, staring at the TV.
"Only once in a lifetime, huh…? If you get a trash beast, you're done. Your whole life becomes a joke."
"Luxe!" a sharp voice snapped him back. Yorke, the cook, glared while slamming down a tray full of ramen.
"Table ten! You're only here because the boss pitied you. If you want a better life, become a Beast Slayer!"
"Sorry, chef Yorke." Luxe gave a faint smile and lifted the tray.
At just 170 cm, his frame was thin, almost frail. Handsome features with sharp eyes couldn't hide the weakness of his body. Seventeen years old, living humbly with his grandmother, far away from comfort or college life.
The wall clock struck 4:15 PM. Customers hurriedly paid and left. Everyone knew the rule: before sunset, doors locked tight, lights off, no sound.
Except the wealthy, who could still live as if night didn't matter. They could afford beast-core products: blackout curtains that cloaked their homes from beasts, reinforced walls forged with beast bones.
Luxe helped lower the shop's rolling door when the phone rang. Bruce, the owner, answered.
"Two spicy beef ramen to Brooklyn Street No. 32. Luxe, deliver them now."
"What? Sir, it's almost—"
"No excuses. If you don't like it, quit."
Snickers echoed from the staff. Luxe clenched his teeth. Damn boss.
By 5:17 PM, he was pedaling furiously. After delivering the food, he rushed back. Streets were already empty, the sun sinking fast.
"Faster, faster… don't let it get dark yet." Luxe glanced at his watch: 5:45 PM. Panic surged—then,
CRASH! The bike smashed against a lamppost. Luxe tumbled, blood streaking his arm. He abandoned the wreck and ran, breath ragged.
Streetlights blinked out one by one. The city drowned in darkness. Silent. Only the pale moon above.
From the distance, a purple glow erupted. A Serpant slithered forth—an enormous snake with a woman's face, a single horn, and four hands gripping different weapons. Luxe stifled his breath, hiding in an alley.
But more light bloomed: red, green, white. Three other beasts stepped through—Blue Fox Fire, Broke Golem, The Wraith.
"Shit… high-class beasts? Here?! I've only seen them on forums!"
Suddenly his phone rang, loud and shrill.
"Damn it!" He fumbled to silence it, but too late. All four beasts turned, glaring at him.
Luxe bolted, chased into a dead end. His face went pale, body trembling.
"Damn it, I'm dead… Bruce, I'll haunt you forever!"
A deafening roar shook the sky. A massive shadow swallowed the moonlight. When Luxe dared open his eyes—the four beasts were gone.
Before him stood a small owl, its body wreathed in black aura, golden eyes glowing.
Luxe glanced at the ground. Two glowing cores—red and white—lay amid blood-stained asphalt. Scattered fragments of horns and feathers littered the street.
Not far away, a black scythe rested on the ground, its blade chipped at the tip, yet still pulsing faintly with sinister energy.
"Hah? An owl? A weak beast like this? But… why are there cores here? I thought they were rare drops… and that scythe—was it The Wraith's?"
The earth shook violently. From the sky descended the Silver Dragon Beast. Its body began to crack into glowing shards.
Shit, why now?! Wait… it's breaking apart? No… I've read about this. When a beast chooses a human, it shatters into fragments for resonance.
Seriously?! Is it choosing me?! If this happens… my whole life changes forever!
But before the silver shards could reach him, a pitch-black crystal shot into Luxe's chest.
"Arghhh! Black?! Not silver?! Don't tell me… that owl?!"
Pain engulfed him. Dark aura wrapped his body. Chains of shadow burst from his hands, binding the Silver Dragon.
The dragon roared, the ground quaking. Its body burned under the chains—but soon shattered them apart.
Silver eyes flashed. In an instant, its colossal form vanished, leaving only a streak of light.
Luxe froze.
"T-Teleportation…?! That thing can blink through space?!"
Still panting, he lowered his gaze. His hands were trembling, engulfed in shadows.
I… bound a Silver Dragon? With that weak owl? What the hell am I…?
"Over here!" Voices echoed closer. Dozens of footsteps approached. Luxe's heart pounded.
Instinctively, he snatched up the loot. The two cores vanished into his pocket. Then he grabbed the cold black scythe, its edge still smeared with blood.
"…Whatever this is, I can't leave it behind."
He looked up at the high wall before him, jaw tight.
"No way I can climb this…"
The footsteps grew nearer. Panicked, he jumped. Shadows flared around his body—and suddenly he was propelled upward, clearing the three-meter wall with ease.
He landed, stunned, staring at his trembling hands.
"Was that… my power?"
Far behind, a Beast Slayer squad arrived, eyes widening at the blood-soaked alley.
Meanwhile, Luxe raced across rooftops with newfound speed.
At last, the moon guided him home. He dropped from the roofs, groped for his key in the dark, and slipped it into the lock with shaking hands—click.
Silence. His grandmother was already asleep. Luxe tiptoed inside, careful not to breathe too loud.
Once in his room, he collapsed onto his thin mattress. On the desk, the two cores gleamed faintly beside the black scythe.
He lifted his shadow-stained hand, chest heaving. Only one question echoed in his mind:
"What kind of beast… resonated with me?"
That night, Luxe finally drifted into sleep—unaware his life would never be the same again.