The metallic giant exploded from the dense shrubs like a coiled spring.
It cleared the rushing stream in a single, terrifying bound.
The Flame Palm Ostrich had just taken a step back from the water, its thirst finally quenched.
Suddenly, the giant bird froze, noticing a shadow hurtling toward it.
Swoosh!
Before the creature could even turn its head, a heavy arc of steel sheared through the air.
The rusted broadsword cleaved cleanly through the ostrich's long, sinuous neck.
The severed head and Mr. 99's heavy iron foot slammed into the muddy riverbank at the exact same time.
[Your Summon Killed Level 3 Flame Palm Ostrich]
[Gained 120 Leveling Points (LP). How much LP would you like to share with your summon?]
Luke crouched behind the bushes, utterly baffled by the explosive speed of his rusted metal summon.
The sharp notification sound ringing in his head finally snapped him out of his shock.
He gave one more stunned look at the ostrich's ruined corpse. The massive feathered body was already dissolving, turning into sparkling particles of light and disappearing into the wind. A small pile of loot dropped onto the wet dirt where the beast had stood.
Luke blinked and checked the system message hovering in his vision.
Seeing 120 LP from a single Level 3 kill sent a thrill of electricity through his veins. But the celebration was short-lived, replaced by a wave of confusion.
He had to share the LP with his summon—which meant earning double just to grow stronger at the same rate. If he split the points straight down the middle, leveling up would take agonizingly long.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Luke made a bold decision. He had no combat skills of his own, so funneling all the experience into Mr. 99 made the most sense. A stronger summon meant faster kills and access to higher-level prey.
He mentally allocated all 120 LP to Mr. 99.
[Hollow Descendant 99 Leveled up +1]
Suddenly, a bright light flashed in the corner of his eye.
Mr. 99 glowed with a fierce, pulsating orange hue. The brilliant light slowly faded, and the construct stood completely still.
Luke rushed over. He immediately noticed a change in the metallic armor—the surface of the thick plating was noticeably less rusted and worn than before.
"Status," Luke whispered.
…
Name: Hollow Descendant 99
Title: Grand Arbiter of the Blade
Rank: FFF
Level: 1 (20%)
Expert: Great Sword
Attributes: Strength 9, Agility 6
Accumulated Attribute Points: 5
Skills: Slash, Cleave, Thrust
…
Luke stared at the changes—the level jump from 0 to 1, two visible attributes, and 5 accumulated attribute points from the level-up.
He immediately distributed the AAP, assigning 2 points to Strength and funneling the remaining 3 into Agility.
With the distribution complete, his gaze dropped from the glowing screen to the ground.
The amount of loot resting on the dirt was staggering. He quickly gathered everything into his arms and moved away from the stream to a quieter spot under the trees. Other beasts would soon come to drink, and he didn't want to be caught in the open.
He dropped the pile and picked up the first item to inspect it.
[Name: Upgrade Book]
[Type: Universal]
[Rank: F]
[Description: An upgradeable book that can enhance anything—skills, items, weapons, etc.]
Luke threw his fist into the air in victory, unable to contain his excitement.
Upgradeable books dropped from beasts were extraordinarily rare and obscenely expensive. One needed incredible luck just to see one.
His eyes darted toward Mr. 99, the giant metal figure standing silently nearby. Am I that lucky, or is it you? he wondered.
Without hesitation, Luke used the book on Mr. 99 to upgrade its broken pauldron.
He retrieved the fallen piece of metal from his backpack, attached it to the construct's shoulder, and activated the magic within the tome.
It instantly dissolved into a cloud of white particles. A bright, searing light formed at Mr. 99's shoulder joint, then faded to reveal a newly polished metal pauldron fused perfectly into place, looking incredibly sturdy.
Luke reached out and gave it a firm tug. This time, it didn't budge at all.
With a satisfied nod, he returned to inspecting the remaining loot.
[Ostrich Meat x3]
[Flame Ore x3]
[Ostrich Bone Necklace x1]
The remaining items included three slabs of ostrich meat—highly nutritious—and three chunks of Flame Ore, which could easily sell for a few silver coins. He picked up the strange piece of jewelry last.
[Name: Ostrich Bone Necklace]
[Type: Universal]
[Rank: F]
[Description: The wearer gains +2 hidden Luck.]
Another rare find on his very first kill.
"Does Mr. 99 have a lot of luck?" Luke murmured, giving the silent metal figure a long, thoughtful look.
He raised the necklace toward his own neck—then paused.
The dungeon's sixty-percent loot tax at the exit gate. Those greedy officials would definitely confiscate something this valuable.
Instead, he stepped forward and tied the necklace securely around the construct's thick neck, planning to reclaim it once they were safely outside.
He packed the remaining loot into his battered backpack and slung it over his shoulder.
They returned to the stream to set up another ambush. He needed more kills—fast.
Soon, both of them were hidden perfectly within the dense shrubs.
Within ten minutes, the soft crunch of leaves echoed through the clearing.
Another beast emerged from the tree line and approached the stream.
This time, however, it wasn't a bird.
It was a wolf.
[Name: Flame Palm Wolf]
[Level: 3]
[Rank: F]