"[Divine Beast Summon]."
Rey's voice echoed throughout the vast room of the 99th Floor, as he made a wide smile.
His heart kept racing for some reason, and even though he didn't need to say the name of the Skill to activate it, he found himself declaring it very boldly.
Perhaps a part of him wanted Ater to hear it.
As expected, after he activated the Skill, a System Window appeared in front of him.
[Select Category Of Summon]
~Divine Tier (SS)~
~Absolute Tier (S)~
~Grand Tier (A)~
~Lesser Tiers (B - C)~
[Warning: You are not a Tamer, so unless you have a Skill that can subdue the Beast you are Summoning, there will be no way to control it.]
[End Of Information]
His smile grew wider.
"Brings back old memories, doesn't it?" Rey muttered, partially talking to Ater, who watched from in front of him.
The black suited Familiar sat in midair and observed the entire process.
His face was a lull, so Rey couldn't properly see what he was thinking of. Of course, due to their bond, he knew Ater was still bothered about the whole thing.
'Shouldn't you be happy about the growth of your Master?' Rey wondered to himself, eventually shrugging it off.
"I wonder if I should go for the Divine Tier this time…" A broader smile formed on his face.
Rey's [Absolute Dominion] Skill was the replacement for [Bonding], and it allowed him to make as many beings his Familiar as long as they were S-Tier entities or lower.
'Of course, Beasts also apply to this equation.'
The problem was that Divine Beasts were a Tier above that, so it would be impossible to control a Beast of that level if it was summoned.
'I'm not seriously considering it, but I could at least try, right? If it misbehaves, I have SS-Tier Skills I can use to subdue or even kill it.'
Rey's excitement was growing even higher.
"I mean… if we both work together, maybe we can subjugate the Beast, and I can—"
"No, Master." Ater's response was curt.
It was very rare to see Ater take such a blunt tone, even when addressing serious issues. He was usually very polite and subservient in his approach on matters.
Yet… his response this time was straightforward and borderline disrespectful.
"Do not attempt to summon a Divine Tier Beast, Master." He added, a serious frown now on his face.
Rey couldn't tell whether he was upset because he would summon a more powerful Beast than him and possibly make it his Familiar, or there was another underlying cause.
Even his connection with Ater gave him muddled responses.
"Why shouldn't I? Scared your position would be threatened by a newcomer?" Rey joked, his face a mask of playfulness.
In response to this, Ater merely scoffed and shrugged.
"There are only a few entities who could threaten my position, and I doubt you'd be able to summon them."
"Tch! Is that a challenge?" Rey responded back, surprised by Ater's rather loose tongue.
'He doesn't seem to be lying, based on our connection. And it seems he genuinely doesn't want me to summon a Divine Beast.'
"It's not a challenge, but a statement. I do not mind Master having more subordinates, as I have also suggested the idea to you in the past." Upon hearing Ater say this, Rey could remember their conversations on the issue.
Ater indeed wanted Rey to expand his influence.
"So why are you against the Beast Summoning?"
Ater shrugged upon hearing the question. His red eyes oozed sheer honesty as he opened his lips to speak.
"Because it isn't necessary at the moment. Master is already plenty powerful, and I am already competent enough as your Familiar. Having another one seems like a superflous waste."
Rey didn't agree. One could never have too much power or resources.
"I respect Master's decision, however. You may go ahead with the Summon. Just don't attempt to summon one from the Divine Tier." Ater reiterated.
Once again, everything he said was genuine and honest.
"Hmmm… why though?"
Rey already knew his chances of success were low, but he always thought it would be worth a try at least. Besides, even if he didn't succeed, there was the opportunity of learning new Skills from the Beast before killing it.
'I currently have six Divine-Tier Skills. It should be more than enough to handle a Beast of that level.'
It wasn't like he hadn't at least thought it through.
"You will surely die if you summon one now." Ater replied with as much brute honesty as possible.
"H-huh…?" Rey's eyes twitched the moment he heard that.
"What do you mean die? As in, I do not have enough Mana to summon one?"
"No. That's not it. You most certainly have enough Mana to do so." Ater sighed, shaking his head a little as he spoke.
"The problem is that you would have no means to defeat it."
Rey didn't understand why Ater was speaking this way. Perhaps his Familiar greatly underestimated his strength.
"I have six Divine-Tier Skills, you know?"
"I am well aware. However, all of those won't be enough when facing a Beast in that category—at least, if you summon the real thing."
Rey felt even more confused.
'Is he saying Divine-Tier Skills won't suffice for a Divine-Tier Beast?'
"Master, what I am saying is simple…" Ater interrupted Rey's thoughts with his calm words.
"If a proper Divine Beast is summoned to this world, it will spell the end for everything you know and love. Including yourself."
Ater was a Beast himself, so Rey had to grant some credence to his words. Perhaps he knew something he didn't know about Beasts.
'I should trust his words…' His thoughts trailed as a sigh escaped his lips.
"Fine. I won't summon a Divine-Tier Beast."
"Maybe don't summon any at all."
"Don't push your luck."
"O-okay…"
Rey clenched his fist in annoyance, with a tinge of frustration. He really wanted to try seeing the full extent of the Skill.
It seemed Ater noticed that.
"Don't worry, Master. In the fullness of time, even Divine Beasts would beg to be your slaves."