Chapter 6 – Night of Fear, Morning of Shock
The Beast Space shook violently, a monstrous roar echoing through the void. A shadow with blazing eyes emerged, radiating pressure that nearly crushed Joy's chest.
> [Warning: Unknown Entity Detected.]
[Classification: Otherworldly Intruder.]
[Danger Level: ???]
Joy's body froze. His wolf whimpered, tail tucked in fear. The water snake coiled tightly, trembling as if it had seen death itself.
"W-What the hell is this thing…?" Joy's lips quivered. His knees buckled, sweat dripping like rain.
The shadow opened its jaws—pitch-black mist oozing out. The pressure was unbearable.
Then, the system's voice thundered:
> [Emergency Protocol Engaged.]
[Otherworldly Entity incompatible with Beast Space.]
[Forceful Expulsion Initiated!]
BOOOOOOOM!
A blinding light engulfed the entire space. The shadow screamed, thrashing violently before it was sucked into a vortex and vanished.
Silence.
Joy collapsed on the glowing floor, his beasts still trembling beside him. His hands shook uncontrollably. "T-That… thing… it wasn't from this world…"
Even the usually proud wolf pressed its body against the ground, shivering. The snake's scales rattled with fear.
Joy forced a laugh, his voice hoarse. "So much for living a peaceful life…"
---
Hours later, Joy returned home. The familiar stench of home cooking barely masked the suffocating tension.
"JOY!" His sister's shrill voice pierced the air the moment he opened the door. "Where the hell were you!? Do you know how embarrassing it is to have a useless brother like you!?"
Normally, Joy would lower his head, take it silently.
But tonight—he was done.
He slammed the door shut, glaring at her. "And do you know how annoying it is to have a sister who only knows how to yell like a broken speaker!?"
Her jaw dropped. "Y-You dare talk back to me!?"
Joy grabbed a plate, filled it with rice, and sat down on the couch. He turned on the TV, ignoring her completely.
Mouth full, he muttered, "Keep barking if you want. I'm busy eating dinner."
"You—!!" she shrieked, face red with rage. But before she could throw something at him, Joy turned the TV volume higher.
"Ahhh… finally, peace."
After eating, he went to his room and collapsed on his bed. Within minutes, exhaustion dragged him into sleep.
But as the night deepened—his sister crept into his room. Eyes burning with frustration, she held a sharp kitchen knife.
"He dares talk back to me… I'll teach him a lesson."
She raised the knife.
But the moment the blade neared Joy's body—CRACK!
A golden barrier erupted around him, sending her flying back into the wall.
> [Auto-Protection Mode Activated.]
[No entity may harm the Host while asleep.]
His sister screamed in pain, clutching her arm. "Wh-What is this!?"
Joy snored peacefully, unaware of the chaos.
---
The next morning—
Ding!
> [Notification: Beast Growth Detected.]
[Water Snake has reached Level 7.]
[Forest Wolf has reached Level 10.]
Joy's eyes shot open. "Wait… WHAT!?"
He rushed into his Beast Space—only to be left speechless.
The once-small water snake now towered like a giant python, its body coiling as high as a three-story building. Its aqua-blue scales shimmered like polished crystals.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Aqua Tail (Lv.1).]
– The user whips its tail infused with water energy, capable of crushing boulders.
Meanwhile, the wolf—oh dear gods—the wolf stood at tractor height, its fur dark and menacing, its muscles bulging with raw power. Its crimson eyes glowed with newfound dominance.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Destructive Bite (Lv.1).]
– The user's bite carries explosive force, tearing through steel and stone alike.
Joy's jaw dropped. "Holy mother of snacks… did my pets eat steroids in their sleep!?"
The wolf let out a deafening howl, shaking the very Beast Space. The snake slammed its massive tail, making the ground tremble.
Joy staggered back, eyes wide. "H-How the hell am I supposed to hide you two when you're growing like monsters!?"
The system chimed, calm as ever:
> [Beasts evolve alongside the Host.]
[This is only the beginning.]
Joy's lips twitched. "The beginning? BRO, they're already house-sized!!"
And yet… deep in his heart, he felt it. A strange excitement.
For the first time in his miserable life—he wasn't the weak one anymore.