It was a creature about the size of a normal dog, but its entire body was cloaked in shadow, like living darkness compressed into a solid form. Its mouth gaped open, revealing jagged predator teeth, glinting with lethal intent as it lunged straight at Tave.
In a flash, Tave twisted his sword around and sidestepped, slamming the hilt of the blade into the creature's side. It let out a soundless hiss and went flying into the water with a heavy splash.
He burst out laughing and slumped back into the river, sinking in until the cool water wrapped around his chest again.
A moment later, the figure of the creature resurfaced and began swimming toward him, dark fur dripping, glowing eyes focused on him with playful intensity. It was Fang.
The shadow wolf paddled closer and placed his front paws firmly on Tave's shoulders, tail wagging, tongue out, letting out a low series of playful woofs.
"Fang… testing your new hunting skills already, huh?" Tave grinned, pushing the wolf gently back into the water. "Don't forget. I'm still the better hunter here!"
Fang splashed around, paddling through the stream and letting out a triumphant bark that echoed off the trees.
What an incredible upgrade.
In just about a week, Fang had broken through to Tier 2. Not only that, but he'd already reached Level 12, faster than Tave had ever expected.
Not surprising though. He was an Elite-grade monster, after all.
Meanwhile, Tave himself had yet to gain a new level, still stuck at Level 15 since the night of his Bloodline Override. And yet, he didn't feel frustrated about it.
If anything, it made him smile.
If Fang kept progressing at this rate, he might outpace Tave soon. And that was a good thing.
The stronger Fang became, the easier it would be for them both. Especially since they shared the same Dark Element. They were wired for the same rhythm, the same instinct. Hunters of the night, moving as one.
Even just the thought of Fang reaching Tier 3 was exciting. Once he did, he'd unlock an entirely new set of abilities. Elemental-based skills that could redefine everything about how he fought. Just like that Tier 3 wolf they'd encountered before, the one that melded into the shadows and disappeared without a trace, vanishing like a ghost.
Tier 3 was a turning point. The moment everything evolved from impressive… to extraordinary.
But it wasn't just Fang that Tave had on his mind.
There was something else, something he'd been curious about for a while now. And finally, his curiosity got the better of him.
So, dripping from the river, he pulled on a simple set of clothes, found a shaded spot beneath a canopy of trees, and sat down cross-legged to meditate.
He focused. Slowly, deliberately. Letting the quiet sink in. Letting his breath settle.
The elemental particles began to stir around him. Faint glimmers of energy, flickering in and out of his vision.
It had started becoming easier. More natural. His affinity with these particles deepened each time he did this.
And if he was being honest, this level of harmony… this speed of absorption…
If he were just a normal human without a Bloodline Override, this would've been considered insanely talented.
Then suddenly, a jolt.
His heart kicked in his chest.
Hard.
Then again.
A surge like lightning raced through him, as if something had cracked open and poured its contents into every single vein in his body.
Tave's eyes snapped open.
He brought up his status screen.
[ You have leveled up to Level 16. ]
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Hah… finally."
It had taken a full week. But it was worth every second.
He'd reached Level 16, and it hadn't even been a full month since his breakthrough.
Anyone who knew how fast he was progressing would be spitting curses out of jealousy by now.
And could he blame them?
He was the author. He knew things others didn't. And maybe, just maybe, he allowed a tiny, smug flicker of pride to warm his chest.
Okay… maybe more than a flicker.
Not arrogance, of course. No no.
Just… well-earned, completely justified, author-approved confidence.
He chuckled to himself.
Slightly cocky? Maybe.
But damn. It felt good.
***
Fueled by the rush of leveling up, Tave felt completely recharged, mentally, emotionally, even physically. That little burst of progress lit a fire under him again.
Not to mention, he was a lot cleaner now. Not perfect, of course. He still smelled like a half-rotten corpse, but at least not a completely rotten one.
"Half-dead. That's progress," he muttered to himself, chuckling.
God, he missed soap. Shampoo. Toothpaste. Mouthwash. Anything that made him feel human. He hadn't even thought to buy cleaning supplies last time. His breath probably smelled like old wild boar and blood at this point.
But hey, adjust and survive. That was the new motto. So, he pushed forward.
And just like that, four more days passed.
Of course, he hadn't leveled up again. What, did he expect Level 17 to just fall into his lap? Hah.
Well… yeah, actually. He'd secretly hoped he'd hit Level 19 by now. But clearly, the world didn't work off the author's wishes anymore.
Reality had other plans.
Still, it wasn't a wasted week.
When he finally stepped out of the forest with Fang padding calmly beside him, it was with a small sense of victory.
Fang had grown. His new Tier 2 form was stronger, sleeker, and no longer the tiny energetic pup he used to be. He didn't run as much now. He moved like a predator, calculated and quiet.
Which meant one thing: Time to buy a new collar. And register him again.
No big deal.
Especially considering what Tave was bringing back.
Twenty monster cores.
Yes, twenty.
That was a huge haul.
And honestly? He should learn to appreciate that. Most of the monsters they'd killed were already half-dead, but even so, the drop rate for cores was technically supposed to be 50%. Though in practice, it felt more like 20% on a good day.
Because of course he didn't have protagonist-tier luck. He was just an extra, remember?
As they approached the city gate, one of the guards squinted at Fang with narrowed eyes. Tave didn't wait for the usual question.
"Yes, I'll register him again and get a new collar," he said flatly before the guard could open his mouth.
"And yes, I know, he'll be executed if I don't do it within 24 hours."
The guard gave him a bored look and waved him through.
Tave rolled his eyes as he passed.
"Welcome home, I guess."
He wasted no time handling the spoils of his hunt. Out of the twenty monster cores, he sold ten. Just enough to put some coins back in his pocket. Not nearly enough to pay back Lily's loan, of course. Pathetic, really. But he also needed to hold onto the rest for Fang. That wolf needed fuel to keep growing.
He also traded in a few tusks and bones from the wild boars. Items that actually held decent value for crafting materials. After wrapping up all his errands and trading, Tave returned home with a quiet sense of satisfaction simmering in his chest.
That was, until he reached the front of the house.
There she was, the blonde girl. Lily stood at the gate, eyes locking onto him like a missile the moment he appeared. Her face shifted in an instant as she ran toward him.
"Tave?!" she called out. "I thought you died in the forest!"
"I survived," he answered coolly, not breaking stride.
Then her eyes dropped to Fang, who now stood taller, sleeker, and far more intimidating than the little pup she remembered.
"Woof," Fang offered in casual greeting.
Lily crouched beside the wolf, mouth slightly open in disbelief as she stared at him. Tave just walked past them both, heading toward the door.
"Tave… is this really Fang?" she called after him. "How is he this big already? Are you sure this isn't a different beast? What kind of hunting did you even…. Tave?!"
"Yes," he replied without looking back.
Her voice cut off the moment he closed the door behind him.
Because now, all his focus shifted.
The Selection Test.
It was coming.
He narrowed his eyes, expression turning sharp with resolve.
It wouldn't be easy. And he knew that better than anyone.
But he'd be ready.