From the moment he saw the cub in the dungeon, there had been something in its eyes.
Not fear.
Not confusion.
Something sharper.
Focused.
Even now, remembering it, he could feel that same intent.
A need.
"…Revenge?"
He wasn't sure, but it fit too well to ignore. The tainted mana, the guardian, everything that happened… the cub's reaction hadn't been random.
Arthur's jaw tightened for a second, then eased.
"If that's what it is…"
He let the thought sit there, turning it over.
Would normal training be enough? Running missions with the squad, fighting stronger monsters, growing little by little..
Would that be enough for something like that?
He shook his head slightly.
"…No."
Not completely.
There was a gap there. Something deeper than just getting stronger the usual way.
His eyes sharpened a little.
That left one option.
His system.
Intent. Growth. The only thing that had never failed him.
