[Target: Sub-Zero Jaguar]
[Status: Consumable Subject]
Devour? [Y/N]
Aquarius stared at the prompt, chest rising and falling slowly. Everything had moved so fast, he hadn't even had time to breathe—let alone think about the fact he was in a damn novel.
He figured he'd save the existential breakdown for later. Right now, people were bleeding out.
"Question is there a way I can do this at a later time? Two people are on the verge of dying over there."
[Yes. Subject (Sub-Zero Jaguar) will be held in your inventory until you're ready to devour.]
Aquarius nodded in satisfaction, relief washing over him. "Would've been pretty awkward if I tried to use Devour knowing two people were gravely injured." he muttered.
His attention shifted—wait, how exactly were they supposed to get ou—
Before the thought even finished, the Sub-Zero Jaguar's corpse fractured into shimmering golden specs, scattering like sunlit snow. They danced toward him in elegant spirals, and a warm glow wrapped around his body.
A tingling sensation washed over his skin like fine static before fading.
[Beast Core acquired.]
[This C-Ranked Threshold has been complete.]
'Huh. Guess he was actually right. This wasn't a E-Ranked Threshold.' Aquarius thought, eyes narrowing slightly.
Then everything around him began to fracture.
The world split like glass caught in slow motion—shards peeling away and disintegrating into pale light, just like Vergil's Judgement Cut End. He could see pieces of the frozen battlefield drifting into the void, fading into streaks of glowing blue.
It was… surreal. Dreamlike. Like the ending to a boss fight.
And just like that, they were gone.
They reappeared on cobblestone streets lined with snow-covered rooftops and glowing lanterns. The surrounding village had an old-world charm, reminding him vaguely of the Hidden Leaf Village from Naruto—but older, more worn. The kind of place with history carved into every brick and banner.
A choked sob yanked his attention.
He whipped around and spotted the woman again—Shia—kneeling beside the two unconscious men, their bodies limp in her arms. Blood stained the ground beneath them.
"Help!! Someone!!" he screamed, voice echoing off the stone walls and wooden homes.
It worked.
Doors cracked open. Villagers cautiously stepped out, gasping as they took in the scene.
Among them stood a towering, ethereal beast—white and purple, glowing like starlight. Butterfly wings larger than a man shimmered in the cold air.
Beside it, a man barked, "Gia go help them!!"
The butterfly cooed—a haunting, melodic sound—and launched into the air with fluid grace.
Aquarius blinked, mesmerized by the sheer elegance of the creature. It drifted toward them like a spirit of winter, the wind around it warm and oddly comforting.
Gia hovered above Fin and Shane, wings slowly folding in to create a cocoon of shimmering light. Tendrils of glowing thread unraveled from her body, spiraling downward.
First soft.
Then stronger.
They wove into muscle, mended fractured bone, pulsed into the spirit.
Shia stared in awe through tear-streaked lashes.
Within seconds, Shane's color began to return. His chest rose. His breath no longer wheezed.
Fin coughed again—but this time, it wasn't the death rattle. It sounded alive. Grounded.
Aquarius stared, half-stunned. "That big ass butterfly… is a healer?"
"More than that-" said a calm, firm voice behind him.
A tall man approached, draped in thick fur with a wide scar running from his jaw to his collarbone. Power radiated from every step. "Gia's one of the Sacred Companions. You're lucky we were close."
He looked Aquarius over—measuring, not judging.
"You… You're not from here, are you?"
Aquarius opened his mouth—then hesitated. His eyes flicked toward the now-breathing Fin and Shane… then back to the imposing man in front of him.
The air was thick with silence, the crowd waiting.
Shia immediately rose to defend him. "He saved us!"
The villagers' eyes widened, murmurs rising.
"Wait wasn't that Threshold E-Ranked? It couldn't be that hard to clear right??"
"Yeah and where did he even come from? If I remembered only you three went inside the Threshold."
"Actually—" Aquarius stood up straight, speaking with calm authority. "That Threshold was C-Ranked with a very powerful Tier 1 Beast."
The villagers gasped.
"And if it wasn't for Aquarius… we wouldn't be alive."
Aquarius raised an eyebrow slightly. Now that he thought about it… he didn't remember telling her his name. Maybe her Trait had something to do with it?
Probably.
"Tch… I don't believe tha—"
"Do you doubt my daughter?"
The voice cut like steel through ice.
Everyone turned.
A man and woman stepped forward—clearly leaders. The man was in his late 40s, built like a general, silver-haired and clad in dark armor. His black eyes burned with silent judgment. Beside him was a regal woman with brunette hair and piercing purple eyes, her cloak etched with divine-looking symbols.
The village elders. Shia and Shane's parents.
"H-Huh? No sir! I was ju—!"
"Silence. Get out of my sight. I'll deal with you later."
"Y-yes sir!" The villager bolted away like a terrified rabbit.
"Shia, Shane… is this true?" her father asked, voice softened just a hair.
Shia nodded, wiping the last tears from her face. "Yes, Father. Aquarius saved us. If he hadn't arrived when he did…" Her eyes dropped to Shane in her lap, still breathing, "…we wouldn't be here."
Fin added hoarsely, "He… fought the Jaguar. Mostly by himself. It was stronger than anything we've ever faced."
The War Chief took a long, silent breath.
Then locked eyes with Aquarius.
"You," he said. "Come here."
Aquarius didn't flinch. He stepped forward, posture relaxed, meeting the towering elder eye-to-eye.
"I am Darius, War Chief and Elder of Threshold Hollow." He placed a heavy, calloused hand on Aquarius's shoulder.
"You have my gratitude."
Another murmur rolled through the villagers—this time in disbelief. The War Chief never gave thanks. Not unless it was earned with blood and soul.
Aquarius blinked. "Preciate it. Honestly just didn't want to watch anyone die today."
The woman stepped forward now. Her voice was gentle, melodic.
"I am Marien, High Seer of the Hollow. My husband speaks for the sword—I speak for the soul."
She studied him closely.
"Your soul is different… reeking of potential to grow and expand."
'Common sense tells me it's because of my Trait.' he mused.
To his surprise, Darius… smiled.
"We will hold a big special dinner and celebration for our guest. Would you like anything right now… Aquarius, was it?"
Aquarius nodded. "Do you all have a… library?"
He desperately needed more context. He was flying blind in a world with Thresholds, ranks, beasts, and Divine Cores.
"Just down that way, help yourself."
"Thank you." Aquarius nodded and started walking off.
"Thank you again, Aquarius!" Shia called out.
"Yeah, that dumbass never would've survived!" Fin added.
"Shut up, Fin. But yeah—we appreciate it!"
He stopped, glanced back with a grin.
"No problem. I would do it again."
At the Library
The quiet hum of silence greeted him as Aquarius stepped inside.
It was warmer here—lined wall-to-wall with old wooden shelves packed with scrolls, books, and handbound tomes. A soft orange glow came from lanterns strung overhead, casting long shadows along the arched ceiling beams. Dust floated lazily in the air, and the scent of aged parchment and herbal ink filled his nose.
The place felt ancient. Sacred.
Really this was like Rule 1 of what you would do entering a world like this. Knowledge was power after all, and he definitely didn't want to be oblivious to everything. He only learned a few new terms on the fly.
He walked between the aisles slowly, letting his fingertips trail along the worn spines. Some of the texts were cracked with time, others gleamed faintly with embedded runes. There were books in languages he didn't recognize, and ones that whispered faintly when he brushed past.
This was a proper fantasy world…
He found a long table near the back and settled into one of the cushioned benches. A system prompt flickered faintly at the corner of his vision, likely dormant now that he wasn't in combat.
He leaned forward and pulled a random history book from the stack near the center of the table.
[Title: Realms and Ranks – The World Beyond the Hollow]
He cracked it open and began to read, absorbing as much as he could. Territories, political structures, the concept of Thresholds, Sacred Companions, and the difference between common beasts and Tier-classified ones. Most importantly—he learned about Judicators and Tamers and the power system of this world.
He was quite a fast reader considering all the novels and books he read before.
It didn't take him longer than 30 minutes to finish it.
He slapped the book closed.
'So..' he began to think. 'This was one of those beast taming x apocalypse type of novel worlds.'
Most of it was the same information he read about before.
Divine Cores were godlike fragments that came to be because of 'The Cradle' which was a random anomaly that hit this world's Earth.
Thresholds came to be after the dumbass government tried to weaponize Divine Cores and put them in synthetic bodies to make 'living Gods' which didn't go their way in the least.
Fully named the 'Thresholds of Judgement'
Judicators were chosen by Divine Cores to fight against Thresholds. Tamers were Judicators who had bonded to a beast.
Judicators and Tamers utilized a power called 'Faith' in order to empower the Traits from the Divine Cores. Which were basically like a multiple or singular superpower it gifted.
Faith was this world's version of 'Ki' or 'Magic' if you will. Different from the usual Faith.
Now Divine Cores ranged from a Dormant Divine Core to a Supreme Divine Core.
Dormant equals E-Rank and Supreme equals SSS and above Rank.
Either I was the protagonist or extremely lucky because ain't no way in hell I managed to hit gold like that.
But anyways, common Beasts were basically Beasts that hadn't been touched by a Divine Core. No abilities. No awakened instincts. Just big ass animals, some more dangerous than others, but ultimately manageable.
But the Tiered Beasts?
That was where the real game began.
Tier 1 beasts were the entry-level monsters you could tame if you were skilled—or lucky—enough. They had heightened intelligence, minor elemental traits, and were often the first step to becoming a true Tamer.
Tier 2s were a different story. Capable of full-blown elemental attacks, minor domain control, and linked to Lesser Divine Cores. Usually led packs, sometimes even formed small realms inside the Thresholds.
Tier 3s? Those were semi-sentient. Some could talk. Some could warp their environment. Bonding with one wasn't just hard—it was dangerous. The power they offered was insane, but so was the risk.
Tier 4 and 5s…?
That's when you got into mythic boss, Dark souls like fight territory.
Only high-ranking Tamers with sky-high Faith compatibility could even attempt it. And even then, most were rejected. Those beasts weren't just monsters… they were forces of nature.
There were other monsters too, but mainly those you would see in the normal dungeon novel.
Aquarius leaned back, rubbing his eyes.
It was a lot of shit to intake, but he got it.
He was mostly interested in this System he got and wanted to explore it a bit. Really he hadn't had a chance to because of all the random and unexpected shit that happened.
As if the System heard him, a loud ping was heard.
[Notice: Beast Core (Sub-Zero Jaguar) remains unprocessed.]
[Would you like to devour and initiate Harem Synthesis now?]
[Y/N]
Aquarius blinked at that and his eyes fell on two words.
Harem Synthesis..
He had a Harem Synthesis System?
And if his common sense was there like he knew it was this meant, he could turn beasts into Beast girls and in return receive some power for it?
"Don't want to assume just yet..this could be some bullshit after all and I'd be hella disappointed."
A thought hit.
"Quick question System can I see my Avatar real quick then we can began the process?"
[Of course.]
A sleek hologram shimmered to life.
Short white hair. Silver eyes. Chiseled frame. Peach-brown skin. 6'1. White shirt, white shoes, and black jeans dusted from battle.
"…Not bad. A cool ass jacket and some more muscle and I'm a one-way ticket away from being a Harem King."
He paused.
"…I sound like Issei Hyoudou. I don't like that. How about Supreme Sovereign?"
Yeah. Way better.
"Alright System. I'm ready."
The moment Aquarius said it, the system surged.
[Harem Synthesis System Initiated.]
A cold pulse rippled through his chest—icy and electric, like someone poured winter directly into his bloodstream. He staggered slightly, gripping the edge of the table as the world around him began to warp.
The library dissolved in a shimmer of blue frost.
One blink—and he was standing in an entirely different realm.
It was a vast, boundless tundra stretched to infinity. Snow blanketed jagged cliffs and shattered plains beneath a black, starless sky. Frozen gusts howled like distant spirits, carrying whispers through the air.
Time itself felt… suspended.
Crystalline snowflakes hovered mid-air, unmoving.
His breath fogged in front of him—but the cold didn't hurt. It wrapped around him, almost like… it was welcoming him.
Below his feet, a glowing ring of sigils pulsed in steady rhythm—carved from solid ice, etched with glowing runes that seemed to chant his name.
And then a flash of blinding, thunderless light.
And she appeared.
She emerged like the embodiment of winter itself—stepping through the mist as if born from the frost and shadow. Each stride was silent but resonant, like a heartbeat you felt instead of heard.
Long, silver-blue hair cascaded behind her like ribbons of glacial silk. Snow-dappled jaguar ears twitched with awareness atop her head. Cyan eyes—sharp, unblinking, and amused—locked onto his with piercing precision.
Her body was armor-clad in jagged plates of translucent blue crystal, sculpted to her form like divine artistry. Her legs were sleek and powerful, patterned with sleek jaguar spots. A tail—spiked and dangerous—coiled behind her like a loaded weapon.
She was danger.
She was divine.
And she was gorgeous.
"About damn time."
Her voice was velvet wrapped around steel—smoky, biting, and drenched in power. "I was wondering when you'd stop gawking at books and come talk to me."
Aquarius didn't miss a beat. It was time.
No way in hell was he about to fumble this like some virgin harem protagonist.
He walked toward her—slow and smooth, a slight smirk curling his lips.
"Trust me. If I knew you were waiting…"
He vanished in a flicker.
Appeared behind her.
His voice dropped—deep, rich, and close enough for his breath to tease her ear.
"…those books would've been the last thing on my mind."
He gripped her waist with one hand—firm, but controlled.
The other slid slowly up—fingers grazing her neck—until he gripped it gently but possessively.
The contact sent a visible shiver through her.
She definitely felt something poking her back now… but neither of them said a word.
"Mmm… confidence…" A light moan escaped her lips, and a blush stained her cheeks as she tilted her head back, eyes locked on his.
She smiled—a slow, wicked thing.
"Is going to take you places with me. My name is Jagara by the way, Master…"
Her voice dripped with sultry respect. No fear. Just interest—and approval.
She liked dominance.
Respected power.
Only acknowledged men who claimed what was theirs.
Aquarius leaned in a little more, his presence a blanket of heat against her cool aura.
"Then let's see how far it can take you…"
He pressed her tighter against his growing hardness, and Jagara giggled—a rich, teasing sound that echoed across the frozen plain.
"Slow down, Master… the process must finish first. And then…" Her lips brushed against his cheek in a whisper of a kiss, "…I'm all yours."
She slowly pulled back, her icy tail flicking lightly against his leg as she stepped toward the center of the sigils.
Aquarius took a breath—then another. He needed to calm himself.
And his 'Junior.'
[Processing…]
[Harem Synthesis: Tier 1 Beast – Sub-Zero Jaguar (Jagara)]
[Compatibility: 100% – Dominance Affinity Achieved]
[Do you accept Jagara as your first Beast Girl?]
[Y/N]
Aquarius stared at the glowing text, then at her.
Jagara stood at the center like a queen forged of ice and instinct—fierce, radiant, and his.
The way her eyes watched him…
The flick of her tail…
Damn.
He was already in love haha.
This shit was actually happening.
He smirked.
"I'll be dumb as hell to choose no." he said casually, getting another giggle from her.
[Confirmed. Initiating Full Synchronization.]
The sigils beneath them exploded in radiant blue light—whirling around the two like a divine storm. Ancient glyphs wrapped upward, encircling their bodies in spiraling runes.
Jagara stepped forward again. Her movements were confident, purposeful.
She pressed her forehead to his, their breath mingling in the freezing air.
"In mind… in power… in body…" she whispered, eyes glowing.
"…In soul." Aquarius finished without hesitation.
The world trembled—
Then shattered like crystal caught in a sonic boom.
[SYNTHESIS COMPLETE!]
[Beast Girl Acquired: Jagara, the Sub-Zero Huntress]
[Title Gained: Sovereign of Frost]
[New Trait Acquired]
Jaguar's Might [B-Rank]
Grants raw strength and reflexes of a jaguar. Enhanced muscle response, predatory awareness, and short-burst agility unlocked.
[New Passive Acquired] Glacial Veins
Ice-element attacks empower you instead of harm you. Mild resistance to extreme cold environments granted.
[Affection Level] 20/100 (Intrigued/Attracted)
[Bonding Rank: E]
Each rank increases synchronization, power of her techniques, and overall battle synergy.
[Primary Bond Formed]
As your first Beast Girl, Jagara has established a Primary Bond.
All future Harem Syntheses will link through her.
She will be your anchor—your queen.
[Harem System Perk Unlocked: Queen's Bond]
When your Primary Beast Girl is nearby, all stats increased by 10%.
(Scales by 1.5% per level.)