Shadows, and the Things That Wake Within Them
Lucien was surrounded by darkness.
Memories replayed before his eyes one after another — like scenes on a dim screen.
This time, though…
Whenever the Griffin lunged, he could see it clearly.
The angles.
The tension of muscle.
The faint tremor before each leap.
As though he could predict its movements just by watching.
When the battle finally ended, the darkness thinned — and the sound rang through the void:
Ding.
Physical reform complete.
The host has successfully attained the Ancient Prime Alpha Physique.
Details available in the Innate Talents tab.
Light flooded in.
Lucien opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw… was the soft silhouette of Evelyn's back — her long black hair flowing to her waist, horns glinting faintly, shoulders rising and falling as she breathed.
His chest tightened.
He didn't think. He simply moved.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Mother… I'm glad you're alive."
His voice trembled. He held her with everything he had — afraid she'd vanish if he loosened his grip even for a second.
Evelyn stiffened — then turned and pulled him into her arms.
Tears shimmered in her deep crimson eyes.
"Sniff… My darling… I thought I'd never see you again."
They held one another, letting the fear slowly bleed away.
Lucien finally exhaled — truly exhaled — for the first time since the mountain burned.
Warmth.
Comfort.
No illusion could fake this.
Then panic struck him again.
He leaned back and blurted:
"How do you feel, Mom? Are you still hurt? What about your magic core?"
Evelyn smiled gently and ruffled his hair.
"I'm fine, sweetie. Even the cracks in my core healed. But as you can see… I look a bit different now. Can you tell me what happened? Did I… do anything strange to you?"
Lucien choked.
Of course she misunderstood. She'd woken up naked, younger, and practically on top of him.
Inside his mind, Isabella's amused laughter echoed.
"Hahaha! Let's see how you talk yourself out of this one, Host. Mommy anger is scarier than beasts."
Lucien grimaced inwardly.
"Isabella… would it be bad if I just told her about the system?"
The Divine Harem Ascension System fell silent for a moment.
Then Isabella answered in a surprisingly serious tone:
"There's no penalty. The system only exists because of you — no one can steal it now. Honestly, I encourage it."
Her tone shifted back to teasing.
"But before that… maybe take a peek at the Eternal Pair tab."
A chill crept down Lucien's spine.
He opened the status window.
A golden number "1" blinked.
"Uh… Mom, can you wait a second? I'll be right back."
He didn't make excuses this time.
He simply turned around and walked away to gather himself — far enough not to worry her, but close enough not to vanish.
Once hidden among the shadows of some fallen stone, he tapped the tab.
Ding.
Eternal Pair function unlocked.
The system does not only forge strength — it forges destiny.
Those bound as Eternal Pairs can never betray the Host.
Regularly monitor their condition.
Lucien scrolled.
There was only one entry.
Current Eternal Pairs: 1
—————————
Evelyn Superbia
Race: High-Class Demon (reborn)
Age: 18–19 Appearance (Rebirth State)
Emotional State: Happy / Confused / Worried
Description: You truly are attached to your mother, aren't you?
Lucien's eye twitched.
"Are you kidding me!? Isabella — what is this!? I don't remember agreeing to anything like this!"
Her laughter softened — but didn't vanish.
"Technically, you agreed when you used the Celestial Rebirth Lotus Rune. Reviving someone without losing soul integrity requires backlash. This was the safeguard. An Eternal Pair cannot betray you — and I also adjusted her physical age so you wouldn't grow up next to an elderly woman. You're welcome."
Lucien sighed.
"I… think she's beautiful. But I've never thought like that about my mother."
For once, Isabella didn't tease.
"Good. Keep it that way. There's no point regretting what's already done. Unless you'd have preferred she stayed dead?"
"Never."
"Then stop brooding. Now — let's make the story believable."
She whispered instructions.
Lucien nodded — and walked back to Evelyn.
He took a breath.
Then told her everything.
The Griffin.
His death-close injuries.
The mysterious "inheritance grimoire" only he could activate.
He left the Divine Harem Ascension System unspoken — not yet. Not directly. Instead, he reshaped it into something she could accept.
When he finished, Evelyn's gaze softened — complex, thoughtful.
"So, this disaster… was actually a blessing in disguise. If that grimoire truly comes from someone who transcended even Helheim Continent — perhaps from beyond Nirwana Planet — then reviving the dead without turning them into hollow puppets… yes. That would make sense."
Lucien secretly exhaled.
She believed it.
"Darling, let me see the grimoire. I must be sure it's not harming you."
He and Isabella had already planned.
The "Skill Web Chart" was adjusted — disguised — its interface reshaped enough to look like an ancient manual instead of a floating system screen. The abilities it listed were now titled under:
Beast Buster Arts
He needed one more thing.
A reason.
"Of course. But I need the Griffin's corpse first. This grimoire imitates beast talents. Since I haven't cultivated yet, I need the corpse as a substitute for mana."
Evelyn nodded calmly.
She had seen stranger conditions in magic before.
Lucien approached the ruined body.
Ding.
Griffin (variant) obtained. Absorb? Y/N
He nodded.
A rune spread beneath the corpse — consuming it into light.
Another screen appeared.
New skills unlocked:
Enhance Series:
Sixth Sense (Passive)
Emperor Might (Passive)
Infinite Stamina (Passive)
Elemental Series:
Darkness Affinity (Passive)
Poison Affinity (Passive)
Beast Series:
Beast Claws
Dark Poison
Lucien's eyes shone despite himself.
"So many…"
Isabella cut in immediately.
"Don't get cocky. Skill quality depends on monster rarity, strength — and your actual effort. If you don't inflict at least half the damage, you get nothing. You barely scraped by thanks to ripping it open and finishing it off."
Lucien smirked faintly.
"Then I'll just get stronger."
For once, Isabella didn't laugh.
"…Good."
And the sky above forest felt just a little wider.