The moment he accepted, the space beside him began to distort. The air swirled unnaturally, pulling in faint particles of light and shadow as something started to take form. It wasn't just a simple summoning—it felt heavier, like reality itself was making room for another presence. Kang-suho instinctively took a step back, watching closely as the shape grew clearer.
Then it emerged.
The polar bear stood beside him once more, but it was no longer the same creature he had fought. Its body radiated a cosmic glow, similar to the dinosaurs from before, with faint streaks of light running across its fur like distant galaxies. Its eyes glowed softly, no longer wild, but calm—obedient. The sheer presence it gave off felt different, no longer an enemy, but something bound to him.
Kang-suho let out a short scoff.
"New form, huh?" he said, tilting his head slightly as he observed it. There was no fear in his expression, only curiosity mixed with a hint of satisfaction. Whatever this system was, it wasn't just giving him power—it was changing the nature of the things he controlled. And that thought alone made his grip tighten slightly.
Then he felt it.
The energy in his hands shifted.
The light daggers he held began to flicker, their glow becoming unstable as the color slowly darkened.
What was once bright and radiant turned into something deeper—something heavier. The blades didn't lose their sharpness, but their presence felt colder, more dangerous.
Kang-suho stared at them for a moment.
"…So even this changes," he murmured quietly.
Before he could think further, another shing rang out.
A new window appeared in front of him, clearer and more structured than the ones before. The text arranged itself neatly, presenting options as if expecting him to decide immediately. Kang-suho's eyes scanned the choices, his expression slowly turning more serious.
[Would you like to change your title? Choose from the options below]
—Options—
[Dark Mage]
[Cosmic Summoner]
[Light to Dark Mage]
[First Class Dark Mage]
[First Summoner]
The choices lingered in front of him, unmoving.
Kang-suho didn't answer right away, his eyes scanning each option carefully. Every title felt like more than just a name, like it carried weight and consequences he didn't fully understand yet. He hesitated, his mind running through possibilities. For once, he didn't rush.
Then, he opened his mouth to speak.
"First Class Dark Mage sounds cool."
The moment the words left his lips, the system responded instantly, as if it had been waiting for that exact choice. There was no delay, no confirmation, just immediate acceptance. A faint pulse of energy passed through his body, subtle but noticeable. It felt like something had just been decided for him.
[Title Successfully Changed]
[Any living monster can now see your title]
Kang-suho's eyes widened slightly as he read the new line. The meaning settled in quickly, and it wasn't exactly comforting. If monsters could recognize his title, then that meant they could react to it too.
Whether that was a good thing or not… he didn't know yet.
He didn't have time to think about it.
Before he could fully process the information, the gigantic polar bear in front of him suddenly lunged forward. Its massive claws, still stained with fresh blood, cut through the air with terrifying force. The attack came fast, far faster than before, leaving almost no time to react.
But something intercepted it.
His summoned bear stepped in instantly, placing itself between Kang-suho and the attack. The two massive bodies collided, their sheer weight shaking the ground beneath them. The sound of impact echoed through the forest, heavy and violent.
Kang-suho's focus snapped back immediately.
His expression hardened as he raised his daggers, now radiating a dark, ominous glow instead of light. The shift in color made them feel sharper, more dangerous, like they carried a different kind of intent. Without wasting another second, he charged forward.
But he didn't go straight.
At the last moment, he shifted his movement, leaping sideways to avoid a direct confrontation. The change in direction was quick, almost unpredictable, allowing him to circle around the massive creature. His eyes locked onto its hind legs—the weakest point he could reach.
Then he struck.
His dagger sliced cleanly across its leg, the black glow leaving a faint trail as it cut through fur and flesh. The polar bear let out a deep, pained growl as its balance gave out. Its massive body tilted before crashing sideways into the ground with a heavy thud.
Kang-suho didn't hesitate.
He immediately pushed forward, aiming straight for its head. This was his chance, and he knew it. His grip tightened as he raised his dagger, preparing to finish it in one decisive strike.
But the bear moved faster than expected.
Before his blade could land, its claw swung violently to the side. The attack connected directly with his hip, the force of it overwhelming. "Ght—!" Kang-suho reacted instinctively, his body lifted off the ground from the impact.
He was sent flying.
His back slammed hard into a tree, the force knocking the air out of his lungs. Pain exploded through his body, sharp and immediate, making it hard to even breathe properly. "Ahh!" he cried out, unable to suppress the reaction as he fell to the ground beneath it.
For a moment, everything spun.
But he didn't stay down.
With visible effort, Kang-suho forced himself back up, his body trembling from the impact. He grabbed onto the tree trunk beside him, using it to steady himself as he struggled to stand. His injured side throbbed painfully, each movement sending another wave through him.
Still, he remained on his feet.
Kang-suho lifted his gaze, his breathing still uneven as he steadied himself against the tree. His eyes locked onto his summoned bear, watching as it clashed with the other polar bear. Their massive claws collided again and again, each impact sending vibrations through the frozen ground. Neither side gave in, their strength evenly matched as if they were reflections of each other. The air around them felt heavy with tension, every second dragging longer than it should.
For a brief moment, Kang-suho's attention shifted.
Something in the distance caught his eye—a faint glow piercing through the snowy forest. He narrowed his eyes, focusing on it despite the chaos unfolding nearby. The color was unmistakable.
Red.
"Huh… a red portal," Kang-suho scoffed quietly, a small smirk forming despite the situation. The realization clicked into place almost instantly. "That answers it," he added under his breath, his tone carrying a hint of understanding. Whatever this place was, it wasn't random—it followed the same rules.
His focus snapped back to the fight.
Without hesitation, Kang-suho swung both his arms over his head, gathering momentum. The black-glowing daggers in his hands pulsed faintly as if responding to his intent. Then, in one smooth motion, he threw both blades forward at the same time, aiming straight for the polar bear.