Nero and Fortis could be seen walking deep into the World of Pets, carefully avoiding combat with the countless beasts that roamed the region.
As they ventured deeper, the density of Manarai Energy increased dramatically.
The trees grew taller.
The air became heavier.
Even the weakest beasts had disappeared from sight.
Fortis glanced around cautiously.
"We've entered the territory of high-ranking beasts."
Nero nodded.
"Good."
His response earned a sigh from Fortis.
"One day your curiosity will get us killed."
Nero simply laughed and continued walking.
Several hours later, they arrived before a massive waterfall.
Hidden behind the rushing water was a cave entrance.
Ancient claw marks covered the surrounding rocks.
The moment they stepped closer, a powerful pressure washed over them.
Fortis narrowed his eyes.
"A Beast King's territory."
Nero's grin widened.
"Looks like we found something interesting."
The two entered the cave.
Blue Manarai crystals illuminated the darkness.
The deeper they traveled, the stronger the pressure became.
Eventually, the tunnel opened into a massive underground chamber.
Bones littered the ground.
Some belonged to beasts.
Others were so enormous that even Fortis couldn't identify them.
At the center of the chamber rested a colossal creature.
A Beast King.
Its body resembled a lion covered in black scales.
Massive horns curved from its head.
Even while resting, it radiated terrifying power.
Fortis immediately spoke.
"We should leave."
Nero nodded.
"Agreed."
Curiosity was one thing.
Suicide was another.
Unfortunately, the Beast King's eyes slowly opened.
Golden irises locked onto the intruders.
The cave trembled.
A low growl echoed through the chamber.
The Beast King rose to its feet.
Its pressure spread across the cave like a tidal wave.
Then it moved.
BOOM!
The ground shattered beneath its feet.
Fortis intercepted the attack but was instantly sent flying across the chamber.
Nero immediately gathered Manarai Energy into his right hand.
A glowing sphere began forming.
The energy compressed repeatedly.
The sphere crackled with destructive force.
His strongest move.
A technique he had spent years perfecting.
"PLASMA BALL!"
The glowing sphere shot toward the Beast King.
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion shook the entire cave.
Crystals shattered.
Dust filled the chamber.
When visibility returned, the Beast King remained exactly where it stood.
Unharmed.
Not a single scale had been damaged.
The creature simply stared at Nero.
The message was clear.
They stood absolutely no chance.
Fortis climbed out of the rubble.
"We're leaving."
Nero immediately agreed.
Neither of them hesitated.
The two sprinted toward the exit.
Surprisingly, the Beast King didn't chase them.
It merely watched them leave.
Minutes later, Nero and Fortis emerged from the cave.
Both carried injuries from their brief encounter.
Unfortunately, their troubles weren't over.
Four crimson wolves stepped out from the surrounding forest.
Each one radiated C-Rank Manarai Energy.
The wolves spread out, surrounding them.
Fortis frowned.
"A Crimson Fang pack."
Nero drew his weapon.
"Four C-Ranks right after a Beast King."
Fortis chuckled.
"We really are unlucky."
The wolves attacked.
Immediately.
One lunged for Nero's throat.
He barely dodged.
Its claws tore through the tree behind him.
At the same moment, two wolves attacked Fortis.
The fourth circled behind Nero.
The pack fought with frightening coordination.
Every opening was exploited.
Every mistake was punished.
Within minutes, both Nero and Fortis were covered in wounds.
The wolves were strong individually.
As a pack, they were far more dangerous.
Fortis transformed both arms into beast claws and slammed one wolf into the ground.
Before he could finish it, another wolf bit into his shoulder.
Blood splattered across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Nero found himself fighting two wolves simultaneously.
Every time he created distance, they closed it instantly.
His stamina began to drain.
His Manarai reserves were rapidly decreasing.
The battle dragged on.
Ten minutes.
Twenty minutes.
Neither side gained a decisive advantage.
Finally, Fortis managed to pin one wolf.
Nero seized the opportunity.
Manarai Energy surged into his palm.
A glowing sphere began forming.
Larger than before.
More unstable.
More powerful.
"Move!"
Fortis immediately leapt backward.
"PLASMA BALL!"
The attack struck the center of the pack.
BOOOOOOOOM!
The explosion flattened nearby trees.
When the dust settled, all four wolves lay motionless.
Nero dropped to one knee.
Fortis wasn't in much better condition.
The battle had pushed both of them to their limits.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then crimson energy began flowing from the wolves' bodies.
The four beasts slowly rose to their feet.
Nero calmly watched.
Fortis sat against a tree.
Neither looked concerned.
This was normal within the World of Pets.
Powerful beasts often underwent a second awakening after defeat.
The true challenge wasn't killing them.
It was earning their acknowledgment.
The wolves approached.
No hostility remained in their eyes.
The leader stepped forward and lowered its head.
The others followed.
Ancient runes appeared on their foreheads.
Contract runes.
Fortis smirked.
"Looks like they accepted you."
Nero nodded.
"They fought well."
He placed a hand on the leader's head.
The runes glowed brighter.
A contract formed naturally.
One by one, the remaining wolves completed their contracts as well.
By the time the light faded, Nero had gained four new pets.
Four powerful C-Rank Crimson Fangs.
Fortis looked at the exhausted wolves.
"Not bad for a day's training."
Nero laughed.
"Let's just hope tomorrow is easier."
The four wolves immediately growled in disagreement.
Fortis burst out laughing.
Clearly, tomorrow wasn't going to be easier at all.
The journey back to their base was slow and exhausting.
The battle against the creature inside the cave had left both Nero and Fortis injured.
The battle against the Crimson Fang pack had only made things worse.
Even the four newly contracted wolves looked exhausted.
As the sun began to set, a familiar clearing appeared before them.
At its center stood a wooden cabin surrounded by ancient trees.
This was their base.
The moment Nero stepped into the clearing, a calm voice echoed from above.
"You've returned."
Nero immediately looked up.
Sitting on a tree branch was a handsome man with silver hair, fox ears, and several fluffy tails swaying behind him.
Kitsune.
One of the strongest beings within the World of Pets.
Unlike Fortis and the Crimson Fangs, Kitsune wasn't contracted to anyone.
Yet even powerful beasts respected him.
His golden eyes scanned the group.
First Nero.
Then Fortis.
Then the wolves.
His expression darkened.
"What happened?"
Fortis immediately pointed at Nero.
"He found a cave."
Kitsune slowly nodded.
"I see."
Nero smiled awkwardly.
"It wasn't that bad."
"What was inside the cave?"
"...A Beast King."
Silence.
Then Kitsune sighed.
"A Beast King?"
He jumped down from the tree and walked toward them.
"No."
Nero frowned.
"What do you mean no?"
Kitsune folded his arms.
"What you fought wasn't a Beast King."
Both Nero and Fortis froze.
"It wasn't?" Fortis asked.
Kitsune shook his head.
"It was one of the Beast King's Accolytes."
The revelation hit them hard.
Nero remembered how helpless they had been.
How his strongest attack had failed to leave a scratch.
How they had barely escaped.
And that thing wasn't even a Beast King.
Fortis swallowed.
"Then how strong is the actual Beast King?"
Kitsune smiled.
"You don't need to worry about that yet."
Neither Nero nor Fortis found that answer reassuring.
Then—
SMACK!
Nero grabbed his head.
"OW!"
SMACK!
Fortis wasn't spared either.
"WHY AM I GETTING HIT TOO?!"
"Because you followed him."
Kitsune pointed at both of them.
"You two challenged a Beast King's Accolyte despite being unable to use a single Ability."
Nero rubbed his head.
"We survived."
"That doesn't make it better."
Eventually, Kitsune's gaze shifted toward the Crimson Fangs.
A faint smile appeared.
"At least you managed to gain four decent companions."
The wolves lowered their heads respectfully.
Kitsune nodded.
"They have potential."
Nero grinned.
"See?"
Kitsune glared at him.
Nero immediately stopped smiling.
"Sit."
The seriousness in his voice made everyone obey immediately.
Nero sat beneath a tree.
Fortis sat beside him.
The wolves settled nearby.
Kitsune stood before them.
"Tell me, Nero."
Nero looked up.
"What is your strongest move?"
"Plasma Ball."
"And what happened when you used it against the Accolyte?"
Nero frowned.
"It didn't work."
"It didn't work?"
Kitsune laughed.
"It didn't do anything."
Fortis struggled not to laugh.
Nero threw a stick at him.
Kitsune shook his head.
"That's because you're relying entirely on Manarai Energy."
The fox humanoid raised a finger.
"Power is important."
Then he raised a second finger.
"But Abilities are equally important."
Nero leaned forward.
"I know Abilities are powerful, but how do they actually work?"
Kitsune smiled.
"Every person develops an Ability differently."
He began pacing around the clearing.
"Some awaken them naturally."
"Some gain them through experience."
"Some discover them during battle."
"Most people only possess one Ability."
The fox humanoid paused.
Then a grin appeared on his face.
"But there are rare exceptions."
Nero immediately became interested.
"Exceptions?"
Kitsune nodded.
"There are individuals capable of wielding multiple Abilities."
Fortis blinked.
"I've only heard stories about them."
"Most people have."
Kitsune pointed at himself.
"Like me."
Nero froze.
Fortis froze.
Even the wolves raised their heads.
Kitsune smirked.
"I can use more than one Ability."
Nero nearly jumped to his feet.
"WHAT?!"
"Briefly."
Kitsune corrected.
"I can only maintain them for short periods."
Nero stared.
"How many?"
The fox humanoid shrugged.
"I stopped counting."
Fortis looked offended.
"That's not normal."
"It isn't supposed to be."
Kitsune laughed.
Then he raised his hand.
A small sphere of Manarai Energy appeared above his palm.
Nothing impressive.
Nothing threatening.
Just a simple sphere.
Nero frowned.
"That's it?"
Kitsune smiled.
"Watch carefully."
The sphere suddenly dissolved into dozens of glowing foxes.
The tiny foxes began running around the clearing.
Some climbed trees.
Some chased each other.
Others sat beside the Crimson Fangs.
The wolves stared in confusion.
One even tried biting a fox.
Its jaws passed right through.
Nero's eyes widened.
"They aren't real."
"Correct."
Kitsune nodded.
"They are illusions."
One of the glowing foxes jumped onto Nero's shoulder.
Another climbed onto Fortis' head.
Neither could feel any weight.
Yet the illusions looked completely real.
Kitsune smiled.
"This is one of my Abilities."
The foxes suddenly vanished.
Then Kitsune snapped his fingers.
The temperature around them dropped instantly.
A layer of frost formed across the grass.
Another snap.
The frost disappeared.
A gust of wind swept through the clearing.
Another snap.
The wind vanished.
Nero's eyes widened further.
"Those are different Abilities."
Kitsune nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked directly at Nero.
"An Ability isn't simply a powerful attack."
"It's an extension of who you are."
He tapped Nero's chest.
"Your instincts."
"Your personality."
"Your nature."
"Your potential."
Nero lowered his head in thought.
For the first time, he realized he had been focusing entirely on raw power.
Kitsune smiled.
"Which is why your training starts tomorrow."
Nero looked up.
"What kind of training?"
The fox humanoid's smile widened.
A smile that immediately made Fortis nervous.
"For the next month..."
Nero suddenly had a bad feeling.
"...you won't be allowed to use Manarai Energy."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
"What?"
Nero stared.
Fortis burst out laughing.
The four Crimson Fangs began howling as if they were laughing too.
And for the first time that day, Kitsune looked completely satisfied.
Later that night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Kitsune stood alone outside the cabin.
His golden eyes drifted toward the distant mountains where the Beast King's territory lay.
The smile on his face had vanished.
"They're still too weak..."
His tails swayed slowly behind him.
"But they have potential."
A faint breeze passed through the forest.
Kitsune closed his eyes.
"I must prepare them for the coming King's Selection."
For the first time in years...
The ancient fox looked concerned.