Chapter 31: The Gathering of the Four Claws
Grokemon's POV – The Royal Guest Wing
Device Status: G-Vision Slate-Frames detected.
Synchronization: 0.2% (Geminimon still in Deep Sleep).
Alert: Host is poking a relic of the "Old Fools." Recommendation: Do not press the "Factory Reset" button.
Saferu sat on the edge of the silk-covered bed, turning the iridescent glasses over in his hands. To anyone else, they looked like expensive, fragile spectacles. But to someone who had spent thirty-eight years staring at a computer screen, they felt like a long-lost limb.
"Bunsway said these were a relic," Saferu muttered. "But they don't feel like stone or wood. They feel like... hardware."
"Analysis suggests you're right, host," I chimed in, my holographic form hovering near his shoulder. "But it's not just tech. There's a soul-binding script woven into the circuitry. The Fool who programmed this didn't want a tool; they wanted a guardian. It's designed to choose its master based on a specific psychological frequency. For some reason—likely because your brain is a seven-room apartment—it thinks you're the perfect fit."
Saferu slid the glasses onto his face. The moment the stems touched his temples, the sapphire light of the room didn't just brighten—it hummed with a low, tectonic vibration.
[NANO-SYSTEM ENGAGED] [USER BIOMETRICS CONFIRMED: SAFERU L. GOLDMOON] [INITIATING ARMATURE DEPLOYMENT]
"Wait, what's happening—?"
The translucent frames didn't just sit on his nose; they began to liquefy. The iridescent metal flowed like quicksilver across his cheekbones, wrapping around his jaw and sealing over his ears. It crawled up his forehead and back over his skull, hardening into a sleek, Cyberpunk-style fantasy helmet. A glowing blue visor snapped into place over his eyes, and a series of cooling vents hissed as they opened along the back of the neck.
It wasn't a clunky knight's helm. It was a streamlined, high-tech shroud that fused with his skin, flickering with runes that looked like a cross between circuit boards and ancient Sanskrit.
"Whoa!" I buzzed, spinning in a circle. "Host, you just went from 'Isekai Protagonist' to 'Special Ops' in 2.5 seconds! The mana-draw is intense, but the helmet is self-regulating."
Inside the HUD, the tiny, three-tailed dragon-cat, Geminimon, let out a soft mumble in her sleep. She didn't wake up, but as she shifted, a new menu appeared in Saferu's vision.
[ELEMENTARY ACCESS GRANTED: GEMINI-V1] [ACTIVE ABILITY: AURA-FILTER V1.0] [PASSIVE ABILITY: SOUL-GUARD (LOCKED)]
"It feels... light," Saferu whispered, his voice sounding slightly synthesized through the helmet's vocal processor. He looked in the mirror. He looked like a warrior from a future that hadn't happened yet. "Grokemon, look at the stats."
"I'm seeing it, host. Even in her sleep, Geminimon is acting as a firewall. This helmet isn't just a visor; it's a soul-bound weapon. Anyone else who tried to wear this would have had their brain fried by the security protocols. You're only alive because your 'No Expectations' mindset acts like a bypass."
A knock at the door interrupted them. Saferu quickly willed the helmet to retract. The metal flowed back into the shape of the Slate-Frames, though the air still thrummed with the energy of the fusion.
Bunsway entered, his suit pristine and his expression urgent. "The Banquet of Fangs is about to begin. The Emperor expects your presence. And... try not to let that relic pulse too loudly. The Wolf King has an ear for high frequencies."
The Great Hall of Claws
The banquet hall was a literal arena of power. Instead of small tables, there were massive stone slabs piled high with raw and roasted meats. At the head of the central slab sat Emperor Leonidas, looking like a god carved from gold.
As Saferu entered, flanked by Mirae, the HUD in his Slate-Frames began to light up like a Christmas tree.
"Behold," Leonidas rumbled, his voice echoing. "The Four Claws have gathered."
Saferu took his seat, his eyes scanning the room through the Aura-Filter. To the far left sat a figure he hadn't seen since his first days in the woods. Lyca the Black Panther. She sat with a feline grace, her dark fur shimmering under the mana-lamps. She wasn't a queen, but as the General of the Shadow-Corps, her influence was undeniable. She caught Saferu's eye and gave a nearly imperceptible nod—a silent acknowledgment from one survivor to another.
Next to her was the mountain himself: Ursus the Bear King. He was a wall of iron-colored fur and scars. Despite his terrifying size, he looked bored, more interested in the honeyed ribs than the politics. Through the visor, his aura was a steady, immovable brown. "Neutral," I logged. "Basically a sentient mountain that wants to be left alone."
To the right, the atmosphere shifted. Queen Zenobia of the Hyenas sat draped in silks that looked like they were woven from the purple smoke of the Echoes. Her laughter sounded like dry leaves skittering on a grave.
"So," Zenobia purred, her yellow eyes locking onto Saferu. "The Little Fool. Tell me, human, does that metal on your face help you see the end of your species, or just your next meal?"
"It helps me see things for what they are," Saferu said, his voice calm, leaning into his 'No Expectations' armor.
Finally, there was King Fenris of the Wolves. He was tall, lean, and wore silver armor that hummed with a sharp, aggressive mana. He was Pro-Echo, and he didn't hide it. He looked at Saferu with the hunger of a predator who had found a new type of meat.
The banquet wasn't a place of war—not yet. It was a formal introduction, a display of teeth and titles. For the first time, Saferu saw the cracks in the Beast Kingdom. The Lions ruled, but the Wolves and Hyenas were circling, waiting for the Emperor to slip.
"Host," I whispered, watching the political heat-map. "The 'No Expectations' rule is being tested. They aren't here to eat. They're here to see if you're a weapon they can steal."
Geminimon shifted again in the HUD, a small "0.3%" appearing in the corner. She was waking up, and just in time.