Morning light seeped into the mine, slipping through cracks in the stone. Dust shimmered in the air, like remnants of last night's nightmare.
Steve stirred awake, his body still aching, bruises throbbing deep into the bone. He winced as he tried to move his arm.
"Ughh…" he groaned, turning his head to the side.
Luxe was already awake, sitting against the wall of the cave. His face was calm, his breathing steady, though his body was still covered in dried blood. Steve's eyes widened—the brutal wounds from last night, the slashes and crushing blows from that monstrous wing, were nearly gone. Only dried stains remained.
"W-what the… Luxe? How is that possible…? Your wounds… they're almost gone?"
Luxe slowly opened his eyes. The ashen-violet armor still clung to him, pulsing faintly with a dim glow. He flexed his fingers, feeling the strange yet familiar flow of energy.
"So… this is its effect," he murmured.
Steve crept closer, disbelief painted across his face. "That armor… it's still on you?! Can't you take it off?"
Instead of answering, Luxe closed his eyes, steadying his breath. Cinder Bird… return to your form.
The armor shuddered. Cracks of light along his arms dimmed, and in an instant, the ashen plates dissolved into a swirl of glowing dust—whoosh—gathering in front of him.
The dust merged and reshaped, forming once more into the colossal avian. But this time, it was different. The gray-black feathers and violet-blue glow remained, but its size was halved, its body sleeker, more controlled.
Steve stumbled back, almost tripping over himself. "W-what the hell?! Straight into growth form?! Pets are supposed to start from baby form first!"
Luxe only smiled faintly, meeting the bird's glowing eyes that now burned calmer. "Seems… he's different."
Steve clenched his jaw, his expression hardening. "Luxe, listen to me. I'm a hundred percent sure—if you register this Beast with the Association, they will take it. Even with my father's connections, I won't be able to protect it."
Luxe glanced at him, then willed the bird to fade. Cinder Bird dissolved into dark ash, melting into Luxe's shadow. He replied flatly, "That's why… Prism Ward isn't registered either."
Steve froze, stunned. He could only let out a sharp breath, unable to argue further.
But Luxe raised his hand again. The ashen-black aura around his arm pulsed once, faint dust flowing from his fingertips like smoke.
"Hold still," he muttered.
Steve frowned. "H-huh? For wha—"
The dust had already wrapped around him. Warmth spread over his battered body, soothing and gentle, the complete opposite of the suffocating aura from last night. His cuts began to close. The bruises faded. The worst of his injuries shrank down to mere scratches.
Steve's eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching. "T-this… healing?!"
The ash faded, sinking back into Luxe's body. Luxe exhaled deeply, then smirked. "Looks like… it's one of Cinder Bird's abilities. I'll call it Ashen Veil."
Steve stared at him, torn between awe, fear, and worry. "…You're insane, Luxe."
But Luxe pushed himself up, stepping toward the cave's exit. "Come on, Steve. We should go. Our families must be worried sick."
Reluctantly, Steve followed. "Tch… fine. Ah—damn, it's bright."
Outside, Luxe scanned the forest. "All clear. Hey, Steve… let's test something."
He lifted his arm. The air trembled, violet-gray motes swirling from his body. They spun wildly before coalescing into a towering silhouette.
FWOOSH!
Cinder Bird burst forth once more, its massive wings unfurling with a sharp cry. Steve flinched.
"H-hey! You're summoning it out in the open! What if someone sees?!"
"It's safe. I checked," Luxe replied calmly, patting its beak before leaping onto its back. "Come on."
Though uneasy, Steve climbed on as well. The moment they were seated, Cinder Bird thundered its wings—WHUUM!—gusts of hot wind scattering leaves and shaking trees. In seconds, they shot into the sky, piercing through the morning fog.
"HHHHH—! LUXE!!! YOU'RE CRAZY!!!" Steve screamed, clinging for dear life, nearly thrown off.
But Luxe gazed calmly at the horizon. "Relax. This is only the warm-up."
He shut his eyes briefly, then commanded: "Now… become armor."
The bird trembled, then exploded into a vortex of ash—SHHHHH!—which wrapped Luxe, reforging the Living Equipment along his torso, arms, thighs, and legs.
Steve howled in terror. "AAAAAAAAHH!!! WE'RE FALLING!!!"
They plummeted, the wind roaring past them. Steve flailed helplessly, eyes squeezed shut. "WE'RE DEAD! WE'RE SO DEAD!!!"
But Luxe only laughed softly, holding onto him tightly. "Relax. Trial number two."
"Release."
The armor shattered back into ash—BOOM!—and reformed into Cinder Bird mid-air. With a piercing screech, the beast swooped in, catching them on its broad back before soaring skyward again.
Steve's face twisted with panic and fury. "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND?! YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL ME?!"
Luxe chuckled, unbothered. "Now we know. He can switch forms instantly—between Living Equipment and his true self."
High above Pinefall, Cinder Bird glided elegantly. The morning sun broke through the mist, revealing the vast forest stretching endlessly below.
Steve trembled, but his wide eyes softened with awe. For once, fear gave way to wonder.
Luxe sat calmly on the bird's back, a faint smile on his lips.
Moments later, Cinder Bird dissolved into thin ash, fading away. Luxe and Steve landed back in Pinefall's woods, walking the sunlit path toward the city.
At the outskirts, they finally stopped.
Steve clapped Luxe's shoulder, exhaling hard. "Hhh… insane. Luxe, I don't even know what to say anymore. We're alive purely on luck."
Luxe smirked faintly. "Luck… and the choices we made."
They walked in silence until Steve suddenly smacked his forehead. "Wait! I know how to protect your pet from the Association!"
Luxe glanced at him, intrigued. "How?"
Steve grinned, eyes flashing. "We form a Guild. A registered guild can mark its own pets and equipment. The Association can't just seize them."
"Guild?" Luxe arched an eyebrow.
Steve nodded eagerly. "Yeah. Guilds hold authority. Their emblem makes the markings official. Once registered, it's legal."
Luxe's tone sharpened. "And the requirements?"
Steve sighed and counted on his fingers. "Minimum of five members, including leader and vice. If no rank-S Slayer, then one million zen as a fee. And… a guildhall. Real property, to serve as meeting grounds, marking site, and proof of existence."
"One million? Plus a building?" Luxe muttered in disbelief.
Steve only smirked. "It's meant to keep guilds from flooding the system. But don't worry. My father can cover it. He even owns the company that makes the marking devices."
"And besides safety from the Association?" Luxe asked.
"Tons of benefits," Steve replied. "Guild tournaments to build prestige, wider connections, independence from the Association's stupid rules. The stronger we get, the more respect we command."
Luxe exhaled slowly. "The problem is members and cost. It's huge."
Steve puffed his chest proudly. "Leave it to me. The money and guildhall, my father can handle. The extra three members? I'll fill them with his trusted members. You and I just join in."
Luxe nodded slightly. "If that's the case… then I'll join, Steve. If you'll have me."
"Hah! I wouldn't form one without you. You'll be my vice!"
"…Alright." Luxe allowed himself a faint smile.
Steve raised a fist. "Settled! The name will be… Veyrath."
"Veyrath?" Luxe repeated. "What does that mean?"
"Inspired by you," Steve grinned. "Your beasts all carry an aura of shadows. You yourself are like a 'Shadow Beast Tamer.' So Veyrath… Shadow Sovereign."
Luxe was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Veyrath… a good name."
"Perfect! I'll handle all the paperwork. In a week, you'll see our emblem."
They parted ways at the crossroads—Luxe to his small apartment, Steve to the opposite street.
"Make sure you pick up when I call tomorrow!" Steve shouted, waving. "See you, Luxe!"
Luxe raised his hand once before disappearing into the narrow street.
Meanwhile, deep in Pinefall Forest Sector 3…
The battlefield still reeked of blood and dust. Trees lay splintered, soil gouged with antler marks, black stains clinging to the roots.
Amidst the wreckage, a lone man crouched. His shoulder-length, center-parted hair fell partly over yellow-tinted glasses that glimmered under the sunlight. A white cloak draped over a sharp black suit, the crest stitched onto it clear: a tiger's head, jaws open in a vicious bite. Beneath it, a single word.
RAVAGAR.
He drew a cigarette to his lips, smoke curling upward, phone pressed to his ear. His tone was cold, mocking.
"Hey, Brute. Is your pocket screen broken, or are you just a fool? You swore Grimthorn Stag would appear here last night. And what do I find this morning?"
He gestured with his cigarette at the shattered landscape. Splintered trees. Torn ground. Deep antler marks carved into trunks.
"Only the aftermath of a brutal battle. The stag appeared… and someone else claimed it."
The voice on the other end erupted in rage, faint yet sharp through the speaker:
"WHAT?! Who dared take my target Beast?! I paid a fortune for that pocket screen on the black market! Damn it—I was scammed!!"
The man only exhaled slowly, smoke veiling his calm expression.
"You're an idiot. I told you—never trust the black market."
But the voice barked again, spitting venom:
"Craigg! Find out who stole Grimthorn! Whoever it is, they've just declared war on Guild Ravagar! I'll crush them myself!"
Craigg narrowed his eyes behind his tinted lenses. He stubbed out the cigarette against the dirt, a thin smile curving his lips.
"Idiot. How should I know who did it? If you want answers, send Aika. She's faster than all of us."
The call ended with a sharp click. The forest fell silent once more.
Craigg rose to his feet, brushing the dust from his suit. His gaze swept the battlefield, then lifted toward the rising sun.
"Interesting… looks like Ravagar has found new prey."
The last wisp of smoke curled away into the wind as he stepped forward, vanishing into the trees.