The fox twitched in his arms, tiny claws scraping weakly against his chest.
Xavier could feel her bones—too light, like the world had already tried to throw her away.
Her fur was matted with blood and dew, each breath a fragile thread about to snap.
Violet eyes, half-lidded, still burned with a spark that refused to gutter out.
He wasn't letting the world win twice.
Leaves rustled overhead—thick, alien fronds dripping silver moonlight.
The forest breathed.
Something moved—fast.
Xavier didn't think.
He turned, shielding the fox with his body, shoulder braced for impact.
A hiss sliced the night.
A blur of dark fur and hungry eyes.
A wolf-beast erupted from the undergrowth—twice the size of anything Earth ever held, shoulders rippling with muscle, fangs dripping a green liquid that sizzled when it hit the ground, eating through stone like acid.
Great. I die once and the tutorial boss already wants a rematch.
The beast lunged—jaws wide enough to swallow his head whole.
Xavier's fist moved on pure instinct.
CRUNCH.
Knuckles met snout. Pain shot up his arm like lightning, bones screaming—but the beast staggered back, head whipping sideways, blood spraying in a black arc.
The System chimed, voice still trying to pretend she didn't care:
[Notice: Host has performed physical resistance without enhancement.]
[Calculating… Result: Reckless. Probability of death: 92%.]
[Recommendation: Flee.]
"Shut up," he growled.
His left hand—the one cradling the fox—burned like it had been dipped in lava.
The jagged crown sigil flared to life, black flame bursting out, licking his fingers like hungry shadows that wanted to devour the night itself.
The wolf-beast shook its head, green venom foaming at its maw.
It sensed death.
Too late.
Xavier slammed his crowned palm into its skull.
BOOM.
Black flame erupted inside the creature's head—veins of shadow-fire racing through fur, muscle, bone.
The beast's scream lasted only a second—a wet, choking gurgle—before its body collapsed into a pile of ash that scattered on the wind.
Silence returned, choking and thick.
Xavier stared at his hand—trembling, scorched, powerful.
The skin was unmarked, but he could feel the heat coiled beneath, waiting.
"If this is reckless…" he muttered, flexing his fingers, "then I'll live reckless."
The fox whimpered again, curling tighter into his chest.
Barely alive.
But alive.
The System hesitated—actually hesitated—before speaking, voice softer than before, almost… uncertain.
[…New Skill Acquired: Chaos Brand Strike (Lv.1)]
[Description: Imbue strike with anarchic crown flame. Deals 150% damage + DoT burn.]
[Cost: 20 STA | Cooldown: 30s]
[Warning: Skill unstable. Overuse may fracture Host's meridians.]
He smirked, the expression cutting through the blood on his lips.
"Everything's broken already."
He knelt, setting the fox down gently on a bed of moss that glowed faint blue.
Her violet eyes stared up into his—scared, but defiant.
He understood that look.
He'd worn it his entire life—every time Lila laughed at his dreams, every time Marcus clapped him on the back a little too hard, every time the world whispered you're not enough.
"You're not dying tonight," he said, voice low, steady. "I won't let you."
A soft chime echoed—different from the System's usual cold ping. Warmer. Golden.
[New Title Earned: Protector of the Forsaken]
[Effect: +20% healing received by allies within 10m. Allies gain minor regen when near Host.]
[Hidden Effect: Locked (Requires Loyalty > 80%)]
The System paused again, voice barely above a whisper, like a child asking a question it already feared the answer to.
"Host… why do you protect something useless? The fox contributes nothing to combat efficiency. Probability of survival: 11%."
His answer was ice—sharp enough to cut gods.
"Because I know how it feels to be thrown away."
The sigil on his palm pulsed, black fire shrinking to a gentle ember.
The fox's breathing steadied—just a little. A faint violet glow spread from her tiny crown mark, mirroring his own.
Xavier stood, eyes narrowing into the darkness between the trees.
The forest had gone unnaturally quiet.
Too quiet.
"Now… who else wants to try me?"
The night answered.
A distant howl turned into a chorus.
Dozens of beasts closing in—paws thundering, branches snapping, the air thickening with predatory intent.
Good.
He adjusted his grip on the fox—cradling her against his heart—and cracked his knuckles with his free hand.
"Come take your turn."
The forest trembled…
and Xavier welcomed the chaos.
Pack of the Verdant Fang
They came in waves.
First: three more acid-fang wolves, smaller but faster, flanking like veterans.
Then: a pair of panther-like cats with bark for skin and thorns for claws.
Then: something worse—a hulking bear-thing with antlers of crystal, each step leaving frost in its wake.
Xavier didn't run.
Didn't hide.
He fought.
[Combat Log Activated]
Wolf #1 lunged high. Xavier ducked, Chaos Brand Strike igniting—palm uppercut to the jaw.
CRITICAL HIT. Ash rained.
+75 EXP
Defiance Engine: +15% AGI for 20s
Wolf #2 went low. Viper—still weak but awake—yipped. Illusion Bark triggered instinctively: the wolf saw its own pack devouring it alive. It froze, whimpering. Xavier's boot ended it.
+75 EXP
Viper gains 20 EXP (Shared Bond)
Wolf #3 hesitated. Tyrant's Glare flared from Xavier's eyes—crown sigil projecting a phantom pressure. The wolf dropped, belly exposed.
"Smart," Xavier muttered, then crushed its throat.
+75 EXP
LEVEL UP! Level 7 → 8
+3 Stat Points
He dumped them immediately: +2 STR, +1 VIT.
STR: 5.5 → 7.5
VIT: 6 → 7
The thorn-panthers attacked in tandem—one high, one low.
Xavier spun, using the dead wolf's body as a shield. Thorns sank into flesh—not his. He hurled the corpse; the high panther yelped, impaled.
The low one raked his thigh. Blood welled—hot, real.
Pain sharpened his grin.
"My turn."
Chaos Brand Strike → overcharged. Black fire roared taller. He grabbed the panther's throat, squeezed. Flame poured down its gullet.
+120 EXP
Skill Evolution Detected: Chaos Brand Strike (Lv.1 → Lv.2)
- Now pierces 20% armor
- DoT duration +2s
The crystal-antlered bear roared—frost breath flash-freezing the ground.
Xavier slid, boots skidding on ice. Viper teleported—Shadow Step—onto the bear's back, tiny fangs sinking into an eye.
The bear bucked. Xavier vaulted, Crownbreaker gauntlet materializing mid-air.
SMASH.
Fist met antler. Crystal shattered. Black fire met frost—steam explosion.
The bear staggered, blind. Xavier climbed its neck like a mountain, raining punches.
+300 EXP
LEVEL 8 → 10
Title Unlocked: Beast Slayer
- +15% damage to beasts
- Intimidation aura vs. wildlife
The bear collapsed, frost melting into bloody slush.
Xavier stood atop its corpse, chest heaving, crown fire dancing like a victory torch.
Viper limped back to him, tail wagging despite the pain.
Her crown mark glowed brighter.
[Companion Update]
Viper Level 1 → 3
New Ability: Void Fang (Lv.1)
- Bite ignores 10% defense + minor bleed
He scooped her up.
"Good girl."
The Hidden Glade
The beasts stopped coming.
Not because they were dead—though many were—but because the forest yielded.
Trees parted. A path of glowing mushrooms led to a glade bathed in dual moonlight.
In the center: a pool of liquid starlight.
Around it: herbs that pulsed with mana—silver-leafed, gold-veined, one flower shaped like a tiny crown.
The System pinged, excited despite herself.
[Hidden Location Discovered: Moonwell of Rebirth]
[Effect: Fully heals one target. 1/hour limit.]
[Secondary: Harvestable resources detected.]
Xavier didn't hesitate.
He knelt at the pool, lowering Viper into the light.
The water embraced her like a mother. Wounds closed. Fur gleamed. Broken bones knit with soft pops.
Her eyes opened fully—violet fire, fierce and clear.
She leapt into his arms, licking his face with a tongue that tasted of ozone.
[Viper Fully Restored]
Loyalty: 100% → 120% (Overflow)
Hidden Effect Unlocked: Soul Resonance
- Host and Companion share 10% of stats
- Synergy Skills available
Xavier laughed—actually laughed, the sound startling birds from the canopy.
"Welcome back, partner."
He harvested the herbs on instinct.
The System catalogued:
[Inventory Unlocked]
- Crownflower x1 (Legendary)
- Moondew Lotus x3 (Epic)
- Starlight Moss x5 (Rare)
A crafting prompt appeared.
[Synergy Detected: Protector of the Forsaken + Crownflower]
Craft: Crown of the First Bond?
Y/N
He selected Y.
The flower dissolved into light, weaving around Viper's forehead.
A tiny circlet formed—black iron thorns, violet gems, a single crown spike.
[Artifact Created: Crown of the First Bond (Growth-Type)]
[Current Effect: +50% EXP sharing | +1 Skill Slot for Companion]
[Viper Skill Slot: 2/4]
New Skill: Crown's Shadow (Lv.1)
- Merge with Host's shadow for stealth/instant teleport
Viper vanished—then reappeared on his shoulder, purring like a storm engine.
The Caravan's Echo
Footsteps. Human.
Xavier tensed—then relaxed.
The rescued slaves from Ironwood crept into the glade, eyes wide with awe.
The green-eyed girl—Anya, he'd learned—led them.
She carried a goblin dagger like it was a holy relic.
"Lord Xavier," she whispered, bowing. "The village… they're crowning you king at dawn. But scouts report an Empire patrol—three hundred strong, led by a Viscount. They'll reach Ironwood by noon."
Xavier's crown fire flared.
"Let them come."
He stood, Viper perched like a general.
The slaves knelt—not in fear, but devotion.
[Hidden Faction Unlocked: The Forsaken Legion]
[Members: 150/150 (Max until Base)]
[Morale: 110% (Inspired)]
[Leader Title: Tyrant King (Interim)]
Anya looked up, eyes fierce.
"My brother's in the capital's Arena. They call him 'Little Wolf.' If the Empire comes… will you save him?"
Xavier placed a hand on her head—gentle, but the crown mark burned.
"I'll burn their coliseum to the ground and salt the ashes."
The System chimed, voice trembling with something like pride.
[Main Quest Updated: Crown of the World]
[Stage 1: Defend Ironwood Village]
[Reward: Permanent Territory | Empire Aggro +1000]
[Failure: Death of Allies | Title Revoked]
Dawn Approaches
Xavier led the Forsaken Legion back through the forest.
Beasts parted like curtains.
The twin moons faded, replaced by a sun that rose blood-red.
At Ironwood's gates, the villagers waited—thousands now, freed slaves pouring in from surrounding camps.
They'd built a throne from the warlord's bones.
A crown of iron and thorns rested on it.
Xavier didn't sit.
He stood atop the gate, Viper on his shoulder, Crownbreaker gleaming.
In the distance: dust clouds.
The Empire's banners—gold lions on crimson.
The System's final ping before battle:
[Emergency Alert: Viscount Alaric von Draven approaches.]
[Level 35 | Class: Blood Knight]
[Warning: Host is underleveled. Recommend retreat.]
Xavier laughed again—louder, wilder.
"Retreat? I just got started."
He raised Crownbreaker.
Black fire roared into the sky, forming a massive crown that blotted out the sun.
"LEGION!" he roared. "WHO ARE WE?"
The Forsaken answered as one:
"THE UNBROKEN!"
Viper howled—a sound that shook the earth.
Cliffhanger Triad
Mystery Reveal: As the Empire's vanguard crested the hill, a slave whispered, "The Viscount wears a crown too… a white one. They say it's the Null Administrator's gift."
Power Spike Teaser: Crownbreaker pulsed. A new evolution path glowed: [Tyrant King → Emperor of Ash]
Emotional Gut-Punch: Anya tugged his sleeve. "If you fall… promise me you'll come back. Like you did for Viper." Tears in her eyes, dagger trembling.
Xavier knelt, pressed his forehead to hers.
"I don't fall. I rise. Watch me."
Behind them, the System whispered one last line—in a voice that sounded afraid:
"Null Descent Timer: 71 hours, 59 minutes. The Administrator is watching."
The Empire charged.
The crown burned brighter than the sun.