Perhaps it needed warmer temperatures.
Perhaps it required a special item to stimulate it.
These were the two commonly known methods for hatching a creature's egg.
However, eggs belonging to Ancient Beings had only one method.
'Thank you… for giving me such a gift.'
Jin-hyuk expressed his sincere gratitude and turned his hand toward the black egg.
Anubis' body trembled slightly.
He didn't want this to happen.
This human was going after one of the best eggs.
It couldn't be dismissed as coincidence.
Still, Anubis merely flinched and showed no further reaction.
He was confident.
A human could never awaken an ancient species.
But—
'I know how to awaken them.'
Jin-hyuk smiled.
At this point, nothing in this world could truly shock him anymore—not even Gods.
Ancient Species were exceedingly rare, which meant that very little information about them existed.
However, some secrets had been revealed by an explorer named Pesis.
Maybe he was just a geek obsessed with exploration.
Pesis loved venturing into unknown places, and unlike ordinary dwellers of the Tower, his curiosity and desire to understand other floors were his driving forces.
Thanks to him, Jin-hyuk had uncovered many of the Tower's secrets.
'Aside from the Gods and me, he probably knows the most about the Tower.'
Pesis should be around the 20th floor by now.
Jin-hyuk smiled.
Then, he picked up the black egg.
[Lv4 'Communion' is activated.]
A skill that created a sense of familiarity upon first contact.
This was the very ability that had allowed Park Hana to survive the labyrinth.
Woong!
A bright light enveloped the egg.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
The heartbeat of the being inside began to resonate.
"Oh."
Rick narrowed his eyes.
An ancient species' egg—normally unresponsive—had reacted.
Jin-hyuk inhaled slowly.
'Stay calm.'
Communion was only the first step.
The real challenge began now.
Maintaining Communion, Jin-hyuk stimulated the lower part of the egg using Glacier Formation.
'If I activate Blessing of the Stars now…!'
A faint energy ripple stirred along the egg's left side.
Flinch!
The reaction intensified.
'Right… you can't resist this, can you?'
There was only one way to hatch and tame an ancient species.
Magic.
Pure, varied, overwhelming magic—their source of sustenance.
But no single type of magic would ever be enough.
Ancient beings required extraordinary stimulation.
'I understand you.'
Eating the same food every day would make anyone bored.
Chicken. Pizza. Ramen.
All the same.
'So I'll feed you variety.'
A buffet of thousands of flavors—endless stimulation.
Jin-hyuk activated Sword Grave, then layered Fire Element on top.
Dense magic washed over the egg.
Flinch! Flinch!
The egg shook violently.
Like dangling food in front of a starving predator.
'Give up… and come out.'
Jin-hyuk was certain.
'There's no other master who can satisfy you like me.'
Then—
He activated Daylight.
Puak!
A crack formed on the egg's surface.
"T-this can't be…"
"Impossible."
"An ancient species egg is hatching…"
All three Gods stared in disbelief.
Rick was silent.
Jin-hyuk didn't care.
What mattered now was what would emerge.
And then—
Kya!
The ancient being cried out.
It resembled a reptilian creature, roughly one meter long, with black scales and amber eyes that twitched constantly.
Gulp.
Even Jin-hyuk swallowed.
'Isn't this one… a bit violent-looking?'
Every instinct screamed to grab it and hug it—
But he restrained himself.
Until imprinting was complete, it was still dangerous.
Carelessness meant death.
Jin-hyuk focused magic into his fingers.
Wooong!
A small glass-like marble formed.
Kyao?
The creature sniffed and cautiously approached.
The temptation was irresistible.
"This is your first meal. If you want to stay with me, eat this."
"Eot?"
"Eat. Not eot."
"Eot!"
"…Sure. Close enough."
He would've smacked anyone else.
But not this one.
The creature swallowed the marble.
[An 'Engraving' has been completed on Ancient Species '???'.]
[Naming the pet will increase loyalty.]
[First-ever successful taming of an Ancient Species recorded in the Hall of Fame.]
[All beings within the Tower are now paying attention.]
Multiple system messages flooded in.
Perfect.
Inside, Jin-hyuk was grinning.
He had finally fulfilled a dream he never achieved before.
"Eot!"
The creature wagged its short tail enthusiastically.
'Still hungry?'
Another bead.
Swallowed instantly.
'Now… a name.'
A proper name increased loyalty.
Something fitting.
Jin-hyuk thought for a moment.
Black skin. Yellow eyes.
"You'll be Sweet Potato."
A perfectly roasted one.
"Sweet Potato."
"Sweet Potato!"
The creature opened its mouth happily.
Right.
From now on—
You are Sweet Potato.
Soon after, Jin-hyuk returned toward the gate.
Horus looked regretful.
"If you ever change your mind, the Egyptian Gods will always welcome you."
Greedy.
But perceptive.
"Thank you, but my answer won't change."
Anubis said nothing.
Anger simmered quietly.
Finally—
"This was… enlightening. I never imagined a human could tame an ancient species."
Rick stepped forward.
"There are special people in this world."
"Haha. Coming from you, that's ironic. I look forward to our next meeting."
Excitement.
Anticipation.
And genuine interest.
Then—
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/FinalArcHero789