As I stood there, goblin blood still smeared across my hands, I opened my status:
Name: Leon
Level: 1 (EXP 20/100)
Race: Human (Blocked)
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 160 / 150
SP: 95
STR: 10+
DEX: 10+
CON: 10+
INT: 16+
Contracts: 0
Five SP for my first kill… not bad. My fingers itched. I could already feel the power thrumming beneath the surface, a dangerous, intoxicating hum.
I turned and made my way back to my apartment, conveniently located on the first floor. The hallway was quiet—too quiet, maybe—but nothing seemed out of place. I slipped the key into the lock, slid the door open, and closed it behind me. A small, private space. Perfect.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I decided to explore the system further. My eyes lingered on a single option that I hadn't clicked before: Contracts.
I tapped it.
Immediately, a long list of possible contracts appeared, shimmering in the interface. Most were vague—names, levels, brief descriptions—but one caught my attention.
My heart skipped a beat. A controllable monster… my very own pet, my tool, my weapon. The restriction was clear: the monster had to be weakened, vulnerable. That made it safer, easier to dominate. My mind raced. Think of the possibilities. Training it, naming it, growing its strength alongside mine… the power…
I hesitated only for a moment, then clicked it.
A faint red aura surrounded me as the system activated. A small prompt appeared:
Perfect timing, I thought, glancing toward the alley where I had seen a Shadowling earlier. I just need a weakened target… and then it will be mine.
I crept toward the alley where I had first seen the Shadowling. Its amber eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and I could see it limping slightly—clearly weakened from some earlier encounter. Perfect, I thought. Just how the contract requires.
I activated the contract. The red aura flared around me again, and the interface displayed:
I didn't hesitate. Confirm.
Immediately, 50 SP vanished from my pool. My hands tingled with the system's energy as the Shadowling froze, sensing the power flowing through it. Its glowing eyes widened in fear—or perhaps recognition—and then it collapsed to its knees, submitting.
A small window popped up in the interface:
Name: Shadowling
Level: 1
HP: 30 / 50
SP: 50 / 50
Contract Status: Bonded to Leon
The system prompted me to name it. My eyes narrowed. This wasn't just any creature—it was my first weapon, my tool, my companion in the chaos to come.
Confirm.
Another surge of energy ran through me as 45 more SP drained from my pool. The Shadowling whimpered briefly before bowing slightly in acknowledgment. I typed its new name:
"Shadow."
I checked my status again:
Name: Leon
Level: 1 (EXP 35 / 100)
Race: Human (Blocked)
HP: 100 / 100
MP: 160 / 150
SP: 0
STR: 10+
DEX: 10+
CON: 10+
INT: 16+
Contracts: 1 (Shadow)
So this is what it feels like… to have control. My pulse quickened. One kill, one contract, and now a named subordinate. Already I can feel the path to power stretching before me. The weak cling to morality. The heroes cling to rules. Me? I take what I want.
Shadow crouched at my feet, obedient but alert. I could sense its potential, its fury waiting to grow alongside mine. This is only the beginning.
A slow, dangerous smile curved on my lips. Let the world tremble. Let the monsters and heroes alike taste the chaos I will bring.
I decided it was time to push further. Kill more creatures, grow stronger, take what the world had yet to give me.
As if the gods themselves had answered my call, two goblins stumbled into the alleyway ahead, knives drawn, eyes wild. Their shrieks echoed against the walls.
Perfect.
I signaled to Shadow. The little creature crouched, tense, ready. Then, with a simultaneous burst, we charged.
The first goblin slashed at me. I parried instinctively with my iron sword, metal ringing against metal. My counterattack followed without hesitation—a precise strike across his chest. Shallow, but enough to draw blood and weaken him further.
The second goblin lunged at Shadow. The creature dodged with uncanny speed, snapping its jaws down. Its fangs sank into the goblin's neck, injecting venom into the vein. The goblin wobbled, staggering under the sudden poison, before collapsing.
I didn't pause. The first goblin, bleeding but still dangerous, opened his mouth to scream, but my blade found his throat in one smooth motion.
The interface blinked in the corner of my vision. Forty EXP for two weak goblins—twenty each. My SP increased by twenty, reflecting my ruthless efficiency. My pulse raced—not from fear, but exhilaration. Every kill was fuel. Every strike, every act of ruthlessness, made me stronger.
Shadow crouched beside me, teeth glinting, eyes still glowing amber. It wasn't just a monster anymore. It was an extension of me. Together, we had cleared the alley.
I wiped the blood from my hands, tasting it almost subconsciously, and grinned. Leveling up isn't just numbers. It's control. Power. And it's addictive.
Shadow and I moved through the streets, intent on returning to my apartment, when we noticed two more goblins guarding the entrance. Their knives caught the dim light, and they growled in unison.
Perfect.
We didn't hesitate. Shadow crouched low, ready, while I gripped my sword tighter. As one goblin lunged at me, I parried with precision, countering with a shallow slash across his chest. The other went for Shadow, only for the little creature to dodge and sink its fangs into the goblin's neck, injecting venom.
The first goblin screamed as I followed up, cutting his throat cleanly. The second staggered under Shadow's bite before collapsing to the ground.
I watched the interface blink in acknowledgment. Sixty EXP from two goblins, ten SP gained, and a small thrill ran through me.
A sudden notification appeared, brighter than anything before:
The system outlined the ability:
Bloodlust Strike(Active, Wrath Skill)
Effect: Deals bonus melee damage and restores a small amount of HP per successful hit.
Requirement: Level 2
SP Cost: None (passive scaling with Wrath)
I opened my status to see the change:
Name: Leon
Level: 2 (EXP 0 / 150)
Race: Human (Blocked)
HP: 110 / 110
MP: 170 / 170
SP: 20
STR: 11+
DEX: 11+
CON: 11+
INT: 17+
Contracts: 1 (Shadow)
I stared at the interface, a grin slowly spreading across my face. So this is what it feels like to grow… to become stronger every step I take. Every kill, every strike… it's mine.
I glanced at Shadow, crouched obediently at my side, eyes glowing. We've only just begun.
With my new power ready, Bloodlust Strike unlocked, and my stats improved across the board, the streets of the city no longer seemed chaotic—they were mine to control.