The forest held its breath. In a hidden, moss-covered grotto, far from the well-trodden paths of other players, Lucas Thorne knelt before his summon. The [Wildheart Berries] in his palm pulsed with a soft, crimson light, a stark contrast to the gloom. He had done the work. He had endured the grueling, thankless grind. He had paid the price in sweat, frustration, and sheer, stubborn persistence. Now, it was time to claim his reward.
Kael, now a hardened Level 5, looked from the berries to Lucas, his intelligent eyes filled with a new, unwavering trust. There was no hesitation. Lucas offered the berries, and the wolf pup ate them, the soft fruit disappearing in a single, eager gulp.
[Evolution Requirements Met. Initiate Evolution? Y/N]
Lucas selected 'Yes' with a thought, his own heart a steady, expectant drum.
The transformation was not an explosion of power, but a deep, resonant hum of life. A soft, green light emanated from Kael, weaving through his scruffy fur like living threads. He let out a low whine, not of pain, but of change, his body trembling as a wave of energy washed over him. His small, wiry frame began to expand. Bones lengthened with a series of soft, popping sounds. Muscles, lean and hard-won from days of fighting, thickened and coiled beneath his skin. His patchy, pup-like fur fell away, replaced by a thick, healthy coat of dark, slate-gray.
When the light faded, the pathetic, whimpering [Forest Wolf Pup] was gone forever. In its place stood a lean, powerful [Forest Wolf]. He was now the size of a large dog, his shoulders broad, his eyes sharp and filled with a new, confident intelligence. His fangs, once small and sharp, were now a formidable pair of gleaming daggers. He was no longer a liability. He was a weapon.
[Summon Evolved: Kael]
[Species: Forest Wolf | Level: 5]
[Loyalty: 45%]
## Core Stats
[STR: 12 | AGI: 15]
[VIT: 10 | INT: 5]
[DEX: 10 | LUK: 5]
[New Skill Unlocked: Vicious Bite – A powerful single-target attack that causes a bleeding debuff.]
The stat increase was immense. Kael's Strength and Vitality had more than doubled. He was now faster, stronger, and tougher than Lucas himself in every physical aspect. He was a proper combatant.
Kael shook out his new, thicker coat and let out a howl. It wasn't the yip of a pup, but a clear, confident call that echoed through the grotto, a declaration of his newfound power. He trotted to Lucas's side and nudged his hand, a gesture of profound, instinctual loyalty.
Lucas felt a rare, genuine smile touch his lips. He ran a hand over Kael's back, the fur thick and healthy. "Good work, partner," he murmured.
They needed a field test. A real one. It was time to stop hiding in the low-level zones and see what their new synergy could accomplish. They set out from the grotto, moving with a new, predatory confidence.
The opportunity came sooner than he expected. As they moved through a shadowy ravine, a flicker of movement caught his eye. He signaled Kael to a halt, and they melted into the shadows behind a cluster of rocks. Ahead of them, a pack of three [Shadow Cats] was stalking a wounded deer. The same type of creature that had nearly killed him just days ago. Before, he had run. Now, he analyzed.
His [System Insight] flared to life, his mind processing the threat. The cats were Level 4, fast and agile, but their health was low. They were ambush predators, not brawlers.
"The one on the right is the pack leader," Lucas whispered, his voice a low hum of command. "It directs the others. We take it out first, and the pack will break. I will draw its attention. You, Kael, will be the kill shot. On my mark."
He stepped from the shadows, intentionally snapping a twig under his boot. The lead cat's head whipped around, its eyes locking onto him with a low, menacing hiss. It abandoned the deer, its focus now entirely on the new, easier-looking prey. It began to stalk toward him, a silent, black-furred predator.
Lucas stood his ground, his simple staff held at the ready. It was a terrible weapon, but he was not the weapon. He was the bait. The cat crouched, its muscles coiling, and then it sprang.
"Now, Kael!"
From the opposite side of the ravine, Kael exploded from the shadows. He was not a pup anymore. He was a gray streak of pure, focused violence. The Shadow Cat, its attention locked on Lucas, never saw him coming. Kael's jaws, now larger and more powerful, clamped down on the cat's neck. The [Vicious Bite] skill activated, and the cat shrieked as its health bar plummeted.
The other two cats, their leader suddenly incapacitated, froze in a moment of confusion. It was all the opening Lucas needed. He charged, not at the cats, but at the one Kael had pinned. He brought his staff down in a series of hard, brutal, two-handed blows. The fight was over in seconds.
The remaining two Shadow Cats, their leader dead, let out a panicked cry and bolted, disappearing back into the shadows.
[You have defeated a Shadow Cat. +12 EXP]
[Your summon, Kael, has leveled up to 6.]
Lucas stood over the corpse, breathing heavily, a grim satisfaction settling over him. This was the difference. Before, he was the prey. Now, he was the hunter. He harvested the valuable [Shadow Cat Pelts] and [Intact Fangs], his mind already calculating their crafting potential.
He looked at Kael, who was licking a minor scratch on his leg. They were a team. A real, effective combat unit. The path to Level 10, to his own job advancement, to the [Tamer's Genesis Ring], suddenly felt much, much shorter.
He pulled up the main system map. The deep woods had been his crucible, his training ground. But to find the hidden quests and rare materials his Talent hinted at, he would need to venture out. His eyes settled on a small, flickering icon on the edge of the map, a place he hadn't dared to consider before. A player outpost. A hub of information, trade, and danger.
He looked at Kael, who met his gaze with a new, unwavering confidence.
"Come on," Lucas said, a new, hard determination in his voice. "Let's go see what the rest of the world is up to."