[Please choose what to extract:]
[Rend]
[Strength +20]
[Agility +15]
[Grizzlenaught Fang Daggers]
[Feral Armour Pelt]
[Elite Grizzlenaught Spirit Soldier]
"S-Spirit Soldier?" Gabriel muttered when he saw the last option, his brows furrowing slightly. It was the first time he had ever heard this term in both his lives.
He glanced at the first option, [Rend], and fell into a dilemma. The choices the system presented were just too good—if it were possible, he would have picked all of them.
Unfortunately, things didn't work like that.
'Skills are always valuable. Attribute boosts pop up often, and gear? I can probably find that later. But a spirit soldier… how rare is that?'
Gabriel had a nagging feeling that if he missed this opportunity, it might take a long time—and extreme luck—before he stumbled upon such an option again.
Without another moment of hesitation, he clicked on [Grizzlenaught: Elite Spirit Soldier].
As soon as he did, space twisted and warped. Crimson mist engulfed the corpse of the dead monster. Instinctively, Gabriel took a few steps back, watching the spectacle unfold with narrowed eyes.
Moments later, a two-meter-tall Grizzlenaught Bear with a spectral red build slowly rose from the swirling vortex of molten mist. Streaks of glowing obsidian-black veins coursed across its armored frame.
Its physique was massive and humanoid—broad-shouldered with a feral, beast-like presence. Its face was slightly obscured, but two electric blue eyes pierced through the haze, burning with a terrifying level of loyalty that bordered on reverence.
'It's beautiful.' Gabriel's eyes gleamed as he felt the oppressive aura the spirit soldier emitted. It was almost as if he were facing the real Grizzlenaught—only now, its appearance was even more fearsome.
'Also… why does it look like me?' he wondered.
The spirit seemed to have inherited some of his physical traits—its red build with obsidian veins, those intimidating electric blue eyes.
'Will all my future summons look like this?'
Gabriel didn't find it weird. In fact, he thought it was cool.
Moments later, a screen flashed before him:
[Summon Status: Grizzlenaught]
Rank: Elite Spirit Soldier
Level: 20
Type: Monster
Summon Cost: 150 MP
Skills: Rend, Blood Howl
[Revival: As long as MP is available]
...
"150 MP? I don't have that much..." Gabriel narrowed his eyes when he saw the required mana to summon the creature.
[Ding! Insufficient MP]
[Summoning Failed]
Before his eyes, the spectral Grizzlenaught started to dissolve into red fragments as it slowly faded away.
Fortunately, Gabriel had about 20 free stat points from slaying the beast. Calmly, he assigned all 20 to his Intelligence.
He did this because he wanted enough mana to summon the spirit soldier without worrying about upkeep.
[Intelligence: +20 » 27]
[MP: +200 » 270]
Even though he now had enough MP, Gabriel didn't summon the Grizzlenaught immediately. Instead, he decided to search around the cave.
Places like this often held hidden treasures—if one was lucky enough. Unfortunately, Gabriel's luck was poor, and he didn't find anything.
In the end, the only useful item he claimed before leaving was the carcass of the Grizzlenaught, which he stored in his inventory.
Although the quest was complete, he didn't return immediately. He headed toward a new location—one where he could test out the Spirit Soldier.
---
Gabriel arrived in a spacious plain where a few other adventurers were hunting Giant Black Rats.
[Giant Black Rat – Lv.10]
"Hey, do you want to form a party?"
An armored adventurer approached him politely. Monster drops were rare and expensive, so naturally, Gabriel drew some attention the moment he showed up wearing his chest plate and wielding his Voidsting blade.
Despite his not-so-pleasing appearance, the Adventurer still summoned the courage to speak.
Gabriel studied his expression, then politely declined. "Sorry, but I already have someone with me."
"Oh? Is that so?" The youth raised an eyebrow, sweeping his gaze around the field. Seeing no one, he shrugged. "Well, if you change your mind, I'm always here."
"I'll keep that in mind," Gabriel replied with a nod.
Nearby, voices murmured.
"Who does he think he is?"
"Just because he got some treasure, he thinks he's a big shot now."
As Gabriel moved to look for a monster, he could hear the whispers from the other adventurers. They spoke loudly enough for him to hear—clearly intentional.
"Stop making a big deal out of it, will ya? With that skinny frame, it won't take long for him to fall. When he does, we'll just swoop in and grab whatever treasure he drops."
Soon, Gabriel found a target.
[Giant Black Rat – Lv.10]
The creature screeched and pounced.
Gabriel didn't flinch.
"Let's test this."
He poured mana into the air—more than he'd ever used at once.
[–150 MP]
[Summoning: Grizzlenaught Spirit Soldier… Success!]
BOOM!
The ground behind him erupted.
A vortex of molten crimson mist burst open, swirling violently like a portal to another world. Heads turned at once, all drawn by the sound and shockwaves.
"What the hell—?!"
From the mist emerged a massive, red spectral figure—two meters tall, with glowing obsidian veins and burning electric blue eyes. Its very presence shook the plain, causing several rats to flinch and scatter.
Nearby adventurers froze, pupils shrinking, mouths agape.
"The hell is that?!"
"That aura… Is that a f*cking summon?"
"I've never seen anything like that before!"
"Same. It's the first time I'm seeing it too."
Meanwhile, Gabriel locked eyes with the giant black rat, which was roughly the size of a human toddler. Calmly, he pointed forward and spoke in a chilling, cold voice:
"Crush it."