Samuel's POV
The stone hallway echoed with each step I took, the weight of my gauntlets thudding against my sides like a steady war drum. The faint golden glow of the torches flickered against the dark walls of Owen's chamber. I could sense his presence even before I reached the door — calm, composed, and always watching.
I pushed the grand doors open without hesitation.
Owen stood near the window, arms crossed, the silver cloak of the Beast King draped over his shoulders like a mantle of thunderclouds.
"Well," I began, my voice carrying that familiar edge, "I've finished playing around. Tell me about your quest. I'm ready to accept it."
He turned, that familiar smug grin tugging at the corner of his lips — the kind of grin that only someone equally dangerous could share.
"Took you long enough," he said casually. "I figured you'd enjoy breaking a few things before coming back."
"They broke faster than I expected," I shrugged. "Now stop stalling."
He raised his hand slightly.
And then it happened.
---
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
You have been offered an S-Rank Quest from NPC: Owen Yates (Martial King).
Quest Name: Legacy of the Abyss Gate
Objective: Investigate and seal the awakening Abyss Gate in the Eastern Human Realm.
Optional Objective: Defeat the Abyssal Lord rumored to reside within.
Quest Reward:
Title: Gatebreaker
Stat Boost (x1 Random Primary Stat +50)
Legendary Artifact (???)
Warning:
This quest is part of a hidden world-altering chain. Failure will drastically affect the stability of the Human Realm.
→ Accept / Decline
---
A wide grin spread across my face. That familiar rush of adrenaline surged through my veins.
"Heh… Abyssal Lord, huh? That's more like it."
I clicked Accept without hesitation.
[SYSTEM UPDATE — Quest Accepted: Legacy of the Abyss Gate]
Owen nodded, stepping closer, handing me a black obsidian coin — it pulsed with a dark energy I hadn't felt in years.
"This coin will activate the gateway when the time comes. You've got seven days before the tear fully opens."
I twirled the coin in my hand, amused by the weight of fate in such a small object.
"And what about you?" I asked.
Owen leaned back against his throne with that same calm arrogance.
"I'll be watching... from the shadows. After all, even kings know when to let monsters run wild."
I turned to leave, the door closing behind me.
"Let the hunt begin."
________________________________________
Owen Yates' POV
After Samuel exited the chamber, the silence settled like a comfortable cloak over my shoulders. I could still feel the pressure of his aura lingering in the air — like a wild storm just passed, leaving sparks crackling on my skin.
He hadn't changed… not really. No matter what life we were in, he was always that chaotic force of nature. But now? Now he was sharper. Hungrier. And that made things all the more fun.
I leaned back against the marble throne carved with ancient beast sigils, my fingers drumming slowly on the armrest.
"System," I said, voice cool and steady, "show me my Status Window."
---
[Status Window – Owen Yates]
Name: Owen Yates
Title: Beast King | Martial King | Gatekeeper of the Lost Realm
Race: Transcendent Beastkin (Awakened)
Level: 181
HP: 145,000 / 145,000
Mana: 70,000 / 70,000
Stamina: 90,000 / 90,000
Strength: 640
Agility: 585
Endurance: 650
Wisdom: 510
Charisma: 470
Beast Affinity: MAX
---
[Combat Abilities]
1. Beast King's Dominion – Instantly suppresses all non-royal beasts within a large radius. Grants overwhelming control over summoned beast spirits.
2. Martial Emperor's Core – Passive ability that allows perfect energy circulation. Boosts all physical stats and negates internal energy blockages.
3. Feral Rend – A brutal claw-based strike that bypasses physical defense and causes bleeding over time.
4. Heaven's Fang – A single-point explosive strike designed to destroy fortified enemies in one blow. Ignores armor.
5. Spiral Beast Step – Movement technique that creates afterimages and rapidly accelerates short-range speed.
6. World-Sunder Howl – AoE roar that paralyzes lower-level opponents and boosts allied beast morale.
---
[Unique Skills]
7. Primordial Pact – Allows binding with ancient beast spirits beyond time. Grants temporary fusion for boosted forms.
8. King's Judgement – Once per day, unleash an unavoidable strike that cuts through all defenses. Can only be used with intent to kill.
9. Untamed Heart – When fighting a worthy opponent, temporarily increases all stats by 20% and heals 15% HP.
10. Beast King's Throne – Grants political immunity in Beast Realm. Cannot be challenged for title unless willingly given.
11. Echoes of Rebirth – Remembers all martial techniques and bloodline skills from previous lives.
---
[Passive Trait]
Reincarnated Will – Grants immunity to most mental-type skills. Retains partial memory and skill affinity from past lives.
---
I gave a low whistle, eyes skimming over the numbers.
"Still a little ahead of him… but not by much," I muttered.
That bastard Samuel was catching up, faster than expected. It was going to be one hell of a show when we hit the battlefield together again.
I chuckled to myself, resting one arm behind my head.
"Let's see who makes the world kneel first, old friend."