Chapter 1: The Rise of the Goat
Author's Note:
Please don't judge the novel by the first chapter alone. The story becomes deeper, darker, and much more exciting as it progresses. Thank you for reading!
A World of Monster Souls
In this magical world, every human is born with a Monster Soul.
Some possess powerful dragons, while others have simple creatures like grasshoppers or wolves. By forming a bond with their Monster Soul, they can summon it or even transform into it, gaining incredible powers.
But not everyone is blessed...
A fourteen-year-old boy named Arashio walked quietly through the streets.
Unlike everyone else, he had no Monster Soul.
No spirit.
No transformation.
Nothing.
After surviving a terrible accident a few months ago, he had also lost all memories of his past. He couldn't remember who he was or where he came from.
Because of that, he rarely talked to anyone and lived alone.
As Arashio entered the market, loud shouting echoed through the street.
Two boys were fighting.
"Bull Transformation!"
Two giant horns appeared on one boy's head as his body became stronger.
The other boy smiled.
"Eagle Transformation!"
Large wings spread behind him while sharp feathers surrounded his body.
Arashio quickly stepped between them.
"Stop! Fighting won't solve anything!"
The Bull boy laughed.
"Move aside, weakling. This doesn't concern someone without a Monster Soul."
The Eagle boy grinned.
"Feather Storm!"
Hundreds of glowing feathers shot toward the Bull boy.
BOOM!!
Before they could collide—
A beautiful girl with long white hair suddenly appeared between them.
"Phoenix Shield."
Golden and blue flames formed a massive shield, stopping every attack instantly.
The Eagle boy's face turned pale.
"Oh no... Run!"
He immediately flew away.
The Bull boy refused to back down.
"Nobody can beat me!"
"Horn Strike!"
His glowing horns rushed toward the girl.
She smiled calmly.
"Not bad..."
"But this is over."
"Phoenix Feather Rain."
Thousands of blazing blue-and-gold feathers filled the sky.
BOOM!!
The Bull boy screamed before running away in fear.
Smoke slowly covered the street.
When it cleared...
The mysterious girl had already disappeared.
Only a single golden card remained on the ground.
Arashio picked it up.
VIP Invitation
One Free Night at the 10-Star Royal Hotel
His eyes sparkled.
"Seriously?!"
Royal Hotel
That evening...
Arashio entered the luxurious hotel.
Crystal chandeliers shined above him while rich guests walked around wearing elegant clothes.
He looked down at his old, worn-out outfit.
"...I'm definitely the poorest person here."
He scratched his head.
"Whatever. Free food is free food."
Just then...
A girl with beautiful white hair walked toward him.
"Welcome."
"My name is Siya."
"I'm the manager of this hotel."
Because of the bright lights behind her, Arashio couldn't clearly see her face.
"Oh..."
"Can you tell me where the dining hall is?"
She smiled.
"Of course. Follow me."
Dining Hall
The delicious smell of food filled the room.
Unfortunately...
The Bull boy and Eagle boy were already there.
The Bull boy laughed loudly.
"Look who's here."
"The poor kid."
Siya frowned.
"Stop bullying him."
Arashio smiled.
"Tell me..."
"Is your brain full of ash..."
"...or is the ash replacing your brain?"
The Eagle boy burst into laughter.
The Bull boy's face turned completely red.
He couldn't say a single word.
Arashio happily continued eating.
Ten minutes later...
Arashio had already finished several plates of food.
Spicy chicken.
Roasted meat.
Seafood.
Desserts.
Even more chicken.
"I'm going to eat everything before they change their minds."
Siya couldn't help laughing.
"Come with me."
"The fireworks are about to begin."
Rooftop
More than a hundred guests stood together under the beautiful night sky.
Everyone protected themselves using their Monster Soul abilities because the magical fireworks released powerful energy.
Only Arashio had no protection.
BOOM!!
A massive firework exploded.
Dangerous energy rushed straight toward him.
Siya's eyes widened.
"Phoenix Flame!"
Golden fire instantly erased the dangerous energy.
Before anyone could relax—
WHOOSH!!
A gigantic spaceship suddenly appeared above the hotel.
Without warning...
It fired.
BOOOOOOM!!
The entire building exploded.
People escaped using wings, beasts, and flying monsters.
But Arashio...
Fell.
A huge steel beam crashed toward him.
"ARASHIO!!"
Siya immediately transformed.
Magnificent phoenix wings spread across the sky as she rushed toward him.
Suddenly—
A yellow-haired boy appeared.
His eyes were cold.
"I've been waiting for this."
He created a strange black gun.
"Power Absorption."
The weapon fired.
Siya's Phoenix power was instantly drained.
Her glowing wings disappeared.
"No..."
She fell from the sky.
The yellow-haired boy summoned a giant dragon.
The dragon trapped Siya inside its sticky fur before flying toward the spaceship.
Inside the Spaceship
Siya was locked inside a cage.
Soldiers surrounded her.
The yellow-haired boy smiled.
"Today is my lucky day."
Siya looked directly into his eyes.
"Please..."
"Let me go."
"I promise I'll disappear with Arashio forever."
The boy frowned.
"Arashio?"
"Who's that?"
"My name is Zen."
"And I have no idea what you're talking about."
The Dark Mind
Everything around Arashio was completely black.
Slowly...
A blue glowing soul appeared.
Arashio stepped backward.
"W-Who are you?"
The boy smiled.
"I'm James."
"Your best friend."
Arashio frowned.
"I don't even know you."
James sighed.
"You lost your memories."
"But listen carefully."
"Siya is in danger."
Arashio immediately shouted,
"Then send me back!"
James crossed his arms.
"Without power?"
"I can't save her."
"You have to awaken first."
Arashio looked confused.
"Where are we?"
James smiled.
"Inside your subconscious."
"And..."
"I've always lived inside your soul."
Back to Reality
Arashio suddenly opened his eyes.
The city around him had become ruins.
His leg was badly injured.
Zen landed in front of him.
"So..."
"You're Arashio."
"The one Siya kept talking about."
Arashio stood despite the pain.
"And who are you?"
Zen laughed.
"I thought I'd need a 2,000-ton box to crush you."
"But looking at you..."
"Three hundred kilograms is enough."
Arashio clenched his fists.
"I'll stop you."
Zen instantly grabbed his neck.
"Really?"
He flew toward the spaceship while choking Arashio.
Arashio couldn't breathe.
His vision slowly became dark.
Soul Contract
Inside his mind...
James stretched out his hand.
"So..."
"Ready?"
Arashio reached forward.
"Help me."
Their hands touched.
A brilliant blue light exploded.
"The Soul Contract... is complete."
Awakening
Back inside the spaceship...
Arashio's eyes suddenly turned Neon Blue.
Blue lightning exploded around him.
His body released terrifying energy.
Zen froze.
"W-What?!"
"AKAIDO!!"
BOOM!!
A single punch sent Zen flying across the ship.
Bones shattered.
Blood filled the air.
Zen screamed in unbearable pain.
Blue lightning illuminated the entire spaceship.
With another attack...
The ship exploded.
BOOOOOOM!!
Arashio rescued Siya before the spaceship crashed into the ground.
The stolen power-absorbing gun landed nearby.
Arashio picked it up and pointed it at Siya.
Blue energy flowed back into her body.
Her Phoenix powers returned.
Nearby people watched in complete shock.
Siya slowly opened her eyes.
Arashio raised a glowing energy sphere.
"Who are these people?"
"They're enemies?"
"No!"
Siya quickly stopped him.
"They're my teammates!"
Arashio lowered his hand.
"...Teammates?"
He looked around in confusion.
"My memories..."
"The spaceship..."
"You..."
"What is happening?"
His glowing eyes slowly returned to normal.
Then—
He collapsed.
Heavenly Planet
Far above the world...
Zen knelt before a mysterious figure hidden in darkness.
"We found him."
"The legendary vessel..."
The mysterious man smiled.
"So..."
"James truly transferred his soul before dying."
Zen lowered his head.
"The boy's name is Arashio."
The mysterious figure laughed.
"Excellent."
"Everything is going exactly as I planned."
His crimson eyes slowly opened.
"This time..."
"No one will escape fate."
To Be Continued...