Ryusei's eyes shot open—something was near him. He shifted his head around, only to see Haku perched on the edge of the platform, gazing at the rising sun.
Ryusei yawned, still groggy.
"Haku, why are you up so early?"
Haku didn't respond right away. His sharp eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, as if searching for something beyond the golden glow.
Ryusei slithered closer, his curiosity piqued.
"Haku?"
The eagle finally glanced at him before returning his gaze to the forest.
"Didn't you ask me a question last night?"
Ryusei frowned. Last night? What did I—oh!
"Yes. I wanted to ask—"
Before he could finish, Haku cut in, already anticipating his words.
"I need your help."
Ryusei blinked, startled by the sudden request. He puffed up his cheeks in annoyance. At least let me finish talking!
Haku turned his head slightly. "Are you listening?"
Ryusei let out a small sigh, his tone carrying a hint of irritation. "Yes... But why?"
Haku's answer came without hesitation. "Soon, the island will sink. And we need at least two more kills to evolve into a Tyrant."
A chill ran down Ryusei's spine. "Whaaat?!" He jolted upright. "The island's sinking?! And what do you mean by evolving into a Tyrant?"
Haku exhaled, his feathers ruffling as he sighed.
"How did you even manage to kill Rat King when you don't even know about ranks?"
Ryusei froze. His heart skipped a beat.
"H-How... did you know?" he stammered before narrowing his eyes. "Don't tell me... you want revenge."
Haku let out a quiet chuckle. "No. I was planning to kill him to achieve my next rank, but to think he died to a monster ranked lower than him..."
Ryusei felt a huge weight lift off his chest. If it came to a fight, he was only 50% confident he'd win— and that was just based on sensing Haku's mana.
Still… Why do we need to evolve? Can't we just fly out of here?
As if reading his thoughts, Haku spoke. "Do you know what ranks are?"
Ryusei nodded.
Haku continued. "There are three ranks: King, High King, and Tyrant."
Ryusei frowned. Huh? Didn't I see five ranks?
"...King and High King aren't that different from one another," Haku explained, "but Tyrant is when we monsters become humanoids."
Ryusei's eyes widened. "Wait! Humanoids? Does that mean we become humans?"
A flicker of excitement shot through him. Arms. Legs. My sense of taste—I'll finally have them back!
Haku, however, quickly shut that thought down. "Not exactly. We stay the same, but our appearance and bodies starts to resemble that of a human."
That's basically the same! He thought with a grin.
"So we just need to hunt two more monsters?"
Haku nodded but gave him a firm look. "Evolution into a humanoid is different from ranking up." His voice lowered slightly. "Tell me, what is a Tyrant?"
Ryusei raised an eyebrow. "A cold-hearted ruler that does whatever he wants?" he guessed.
Haku's expression didn't change, but there was a faint smile. "Yes. A Tyrant is a selfish ruler. And that's exactly what we need to be if we want to evolve."
Ryusei blinked. "Huh? Being selfish will let me become a humanoid?"
That didn't make sense. He had seen just how selfish humans could be, yet that alone didn't make them Tyrants. A Tyrant was someone who ruled through oppression and fear, bending others to their will.
And I have to become that… just to evolve? He thought.
Before he could dwell on it, Haku's voice snapped him back.
"Let's focus on our battle tonight," he said, his tone casual but firm. "We'll be facing a High King-ranked troll."
Ryusei stiffened. A battle? Already?
His mind was still spinning from everything he had learned, yet now he had to fight? He knew this moment would come eventually, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon.
Yet something else was still bothering him.
"Haku," he hesitated before asking, "why did you only mention three ranks? What about the others?"
Haku's reaction was immediate. His body tensed ever so slightly, and his voice was unsteady as he answered.
"I'm surprised you know about that… but don't bother with it. Those beings are myths."
Ryusei felt a cold sensation crawl up his spine. Huh? Does that make me a myth?
Should he tell Haku? No I shouldn't. He sounded afraid of those beings. What if he decides to attack me?
Before he could get lost in his thoughts again, Haku spoke once more.
"Ryusei, are you ready for tonight?" His voice was serious.
Ryusei took a deep breath. He hadn't planned on getting wrapped up in Haku's ambitions, but... he also wanted to evolve. He wanted to become a humanoid.
No matter what it took.