As they reached the secluded area, Ichio felt a flicker of hope. He looked at the group, trying to push down the unease gnawing at his chest. "Guys, I think this world is really merged," he started hesitantly. "I couldn't find the settings button earlier when I tried to log out. I think we're stuck here. So, I was thinking... maybe we should find an Ainslif and rank up while we're on Floor 1. If we work together, it'll be easier to handle the upper floors."
The words hung in the air for a moment before Ronin snorted, folding his arms. "What are you even talking about? 'We'? You keep talking as if you're part of us."
Before Ichio could respond, Takashi's hand shot out, shoving him roughly to the ground. "You were never one of us," Takashi sneered. "You just tagged along because we needed extra numbers to fight the Void Knight. That doesn't make you part of the Elohim Party."
Ichio struggled to his feet, his voice trembling. "But I—"
Ryoka cut in with an almost casual tone. "Honestly, I don't care. He was useful against the Void Knight, I'll give him that."
Ronin's sharp glare silenced Ryoka, his lips curling in disdain. "That doesn't matter. He's not one of us. He's dead weight."
Yasei's smirk widened as he leaned in toward Ichio, his voice laced with mockery. "Dead weight, huh? Well, if we get rid of him, Ronin, you and Takashi can finally have a on your precious crushes."
Ichio's heart sank as Sherry turned toward him, her eyes filled with a coldness he'd never seen before. "Wait, you mean this loser actually had a crush on me?" She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound that made his chest tighten. "Oh, wow. I was only nice to you because I felt sorry for you. You mistook that for something more? That's disgusting." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Do you really think someone like me would ever like someone like you? A weak, pathetic little boy who can't even stand up for himself?"
Her words hit him like a physical blow, but before he could react, Rosewalt's voice chimed in, dripping with contempt. "Honestly, I didn't even want to talk to you. My parents told me to be nice to you, that's all. They felt sorry for the lonely, useless nerd living next door." She tilted her head, feigning pity. "Do you really think I would've bothered otherwise? You're nothing, Ichio. You were nothing then, and you're nothing now."
Ichio's breath caught in his throat. He tried to say something, anything, but the lump in his chest made it impossible. His legs felt weak beneath him, and the world around him seemed to blur.
"Look at him," Yasei taunted, nudging Ichio with his foot. "Can't even defend himself. What a joke."
Ichio's hands trembled as his mind spiraled into chaos.
'Why? Why are they doing this? These were my friends. People I trusted. People I thought would have my back in this insane world. And now... now they're throwing me away. Leaving me to die.'
The realization hit him harder than any physical wound. 'They're abandoning me. They don't even care if I live or die. Was I really that worthless to them all along?'
Sherry scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Honestly, this is just embarrassing. The fact that I even wasted time being nice to someone like you makes me sick."
Rosewalt smirked, her voice cutting through him like a blade. "Well, at least now you know where you stand. Or should I say, where you fall."
Ichio clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. 'I trusted them. I believed in them. And now... they're doing this? Tossing me aside like I'm nothing?'
His thoughts swirled with anger, despair, and a growing darkness that felt foreign and suffocating. 'I thought Sherry was my friend. I thought...'
Before he could process the depth of his pain, Ronin's cold voice brought him back. "Yasei, do it."
Yasei smirked, summoning a massive wolf from his shadow. The creature growled low, its yellow eyes locking onto Ichio as saliva dripped from its bared fangs. "I can't believe I wasted my shadow summon on this guy, but whatever. It's not like it'll take much to finish him off."
The group turned and began walking away, their laughter and voices cutting into Ichio like knives.
Ryoka's voice carried over the distance. "You know, there's one guy I'd destroy if I found him. That stupid Knox. My sister was obsessed with him, and it drove me crazy. If I ever find him, I'll tear him apart."
Yasei chuckled darkly. "You're not alone. I'd destroy someone too. My cousin wouldn't shut up about this one player in some game she plays, and it made me sick."
Ryoka snorted. "Wasn't that the cousin you had a crush on? Man, you're pathetic."
With a final laugh, Yasei activated his shadow movement, and the group disappeared, leaving Ichio alone with the snarling wolf.
As the wolf growled, its fangs glinting in the dim light, Ichio stood frozen. 'They really left me. They don't care if I die. No... They want me to die.'
The weight of their betrayal settled over him like a suffocating shroud. 'I was nothing to them. Just a tool. A means to an end.'
Tears stung his eyes, but he blinked them away, his jaw clenching. 'If this is what they think of me, then fine. I'll show them. I'll survive. I'll prove them wrong.'
The wolf's growl grew louder, snapping Ichio back to the present. The fight was just beginning, and for the first time, he felt the stirrings of something cold and unrelenting in his chest. A determination born not of hope, but of anger.
The wolf emerged from the shadows, its massive form towering over Ichio. Its fur was jet black, with streaks of crimson glowing faintly like molten veins. Its eyes burned a feral gold, locking onto him with a predator's hunger. This was no ordinary wolf. Its presence exuded power, dominance, and unrelenting danger.
A name appeared above its head: "Nyx Fenrir, the Void Howler."
Ichio's breath hitched, his chest tightening. The name alone sent a chill down his spine. 'Nyx Fenrir… a Void-class monster. They summoned a Void-class beast just to kill me.' His mind raced, filled with anger and despair.
His so-called friends were gone, their harsh words still ringing in his ears. Sherry's venomous laugh. Rosewalt's cruel sneer. The disdain in Ronin's voice. They had cast him aside, left him for dead without a second thought.
*They'll pay for this.*
The thought surfaced unbidden, a whisper of malice growing louder with each beat of his heart. 'They'll regret ever betraying me. I'll make them suffer the way I'm suffering now. When I survive this—if I survive this—the next time we meet will be their last.'
Nyx Fenrir moved, a blur of speed that Ichio could barely register. In an instant, it was in front of him, its massive paw slicing through the air.
Pain erupted in his body as the wolf's claws tore through his flesh, severing his left arm at the shoulder. Blood sprayed across the ground as Ichio staggered back, screaming in agony. His vision blurred, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he clutched at the empty space where his arm had been.
"AHHH! Damn it! Damn it!" he cried, stumbling away. But Nyx Fenrir wasn't done.
The wolf melted into the shadows, disappearing from sight. Before Ichio could comprehend what was happening, it reappeared behind him, its massive paw slamming into his back. The force sent him flying, his body crashing into the ground and rolling like a ragdoll.
He lay there, gasping for air, tears streaming down his face. His voice trembled with rage and despair, his words a mantra as he clawed at the dirt.
*They'll pay for this… they'll pay… they'll pay… they'll pay… THEY WILL PAY!*
Suddenly, his status board flickered open before him.
Ichio froze, his pain momentarily forgotten. 'Why is this happening now? How is this even possible?'
His eyes scanned the board, his mind racing. Wait… that name… He had seen it earlier on his friend list but couldn't make it out. Now, a message appeared, bright and clear:
Without thinking, Ichio pressed
An arrow of light materialized in front of him, hovering just above the ground. Confused but desperate, Ichio reached for it. As his fingers touched the arrow, it dissolved into a soft glow and entered his body.
A rush of energy surged through him, spreading warmth and light through every fiber of his being. His pain began to fade, his body growing lighter. He looked at his severed arm, and to his shock, the stump began to regenerate, flesh and bone reforming rapidly.
Ichio stood slowly, his rage simmering beneath the surface. He clenched his restored fist, his eyes narrowing.
"They're going to pay."
His voice was a low growl, filled with venom and unyielding resolve.
Nyx Fenrir leapt into the air, its jaws wide open, fangs glinting as it aimed for Ichio's head. Time seemed to slow as he stared at the approaching beast, resignation settling in his heart.
*So, this is it?* he thought.
*Maybe it's finally over.*
But just as the wolf's jaws were about to close around him, a voice echoed in his mind:
The pocket on Ichio's chest tore free, morphing into a Calabash. Dark energy poured out of it, swirling like a living mist. It enveloped the Nyx Fenrir, cutting off its attack mid-air. The wolf howled in defiance as the mist swallowed it whole, pulling it into the void.
The energy receded, the Calabash transforming back into his pocket and seamlessly attaching to his outfit. Ichio stood in stunned silence, his breaths coming in sharp, shallow bursts.
He glanced down at his left arm, flexing his fingers. The arm was fully restored, as if it had never been severed. Even his tattered clothes had mended themselves, returning to their original state.
A notification appeared on his status board:
Ichio stared at the words, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "So that's why I didn't get the Axion Archon class after completing the Ruler Class quest? Seriously? I had to almost die for this?"
He exhaled, relief washing over him. He wasn't dead. Not yet.
But then, he noticed movement in his shadow. His eyes widened as Nyx Fenrir emerged, its head bowed low. Its once-feral eyes now gleamed with intelligence and loyalty. The massive wolf wagged its tail, its voice echoing in his mind.
"Master, I am at your service."
Ichio staggered back, staring at the creature in disbelief. "What… what just happened?"
Nyx Fenrir raised its head, its telepathic voice calm and resolute. "You have tamed me, Master. I am yours to command."
Ichio's heart pounded as he tried to process what had just unfolded. What am I now? What have I become?
[Um, I'm pretty sure the guy said you were A Child of the Star.]
Ichio stared at Nyx Fenrir, still processing everything. His gaze shifted to the glowing notification on his status board. "Axion Archon… the most powerful of all Axion Classes," he murmured, a mix of disbelief and awe in his voice. He knew what the class entailed—it granted the user access to the abilities of every Axion Class. But what surprised him even more was his immediate ability to use a Tamer skill.
"To be able to tame a Void-class monster like a Nyx Fenrir the moment I got this class… That's insane," he muttered.
Nyx Fenrir, standing tall beside him, tilted its massive head. Its telepathic voice was calm and measured. "Master, as I was about to devour you and I was sucked into that endless void, I was given two choices: serve you or die. I chose to serve you… Since I didn't want to die."
Ichio raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a wry smile. "Is that so?"
Nyx Fenrir nodded. "Yes, Master. Now that I serve you, may I request something? Could you give me a name?"
Ichio blinked, caught off guard. "What's wrong with the name you already have? Nyx Fenrir sounds imposing enough."
Nyx shook its massive head. "That is merely my designation as a Fenrir wolf. A true name bestowed by my Master carries greater meaning and binds me closer to you."
Ichio scratched his head, frowning. "I'm terrible at giving names. Seriously, don't expect anything creative."
Nyx's voice carried a sense of reverence. "I will be happy with whatever name you bestow upon me, Master."
Ichio sighed, glancing at the wolf. "Alright, fine. Your name is Nyx. It's shorter and easier to say."
The moment the words left his lips, Nyx began to glow with a dark, pulsating energy. Shadows swirled around its body, growing denser and darker, yet shining with a faint, ominous light. The transformation was swift but intense. When the glow faded, Nyx had changed.
Its form was larger, its muscles more defined. Its black fur shimmered like liquid obsidian, and its eyes now glowed a deep crimson. The aura it exuded was even more fearsome than before.
"Thank you, Master," Nyx said, bowing its head. "I have evolved into an Ultimate Fenrir Wolf. I am now at your command."
Ichio waved dismissively. "It's no big deal. Right now, I need to rank up and get stronger—fast. They'll regret betraying me."
Nyx's head tilted slightly, its voice tinged with concern. "Master, I can sense anger, hatred, and wrath within you. These are dangerous emotions for a human to carry."
Ichio's eyes darkened, and his voice dropped to a cold, sharp tone. "Shut up, Nyx."
Nyx immediately quieted, bowing its head submissively.
Ichio's face was grim, his thoughts consumed by vengeance. "I need to find an Ainslif and start ranking up," he muttered, his voice like ice.
Nyx perked up. "Master, I can smell the presence of an Ainslif. It's far from here, to the west."
Ichio smirked, the faintest glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good boy. You're more useful than I thought."
Nyx wagged its tail slightly, pleased by the praise.
"Hide in my shadow," Ichio commanded.
Nyx melted into the shadows, disappearing entirely. The only trace of its presence was the faint, lingering chill in the air. Ichio began walking westward, his pace steady and determined.
As he walked, he raised his hands in a triangular shape and pulled them apart, opening his status board. His eyes scanned the screen, lingering on his rank.
"Still Eta," he muttered, his tone tinged with frustration. "I can't expect to rank up just because I tamed Nyx, though."
He continued scrolling, pausing when he noticed something new in his abilities list.
"Artem abilities… I have access to them already?" His brow furrowed as he examined the list.
One caught his eye: "Void Bash."
The description confirmed his suspicion. "So, this is what I used to tame Nyx," he said aloud.
Another ability made him stop in his tracks: "Arbeul Dal Garm."
Ichio's eyes widened. "Wait… isn't that the name of the Void Knight before he became the Void Knight? Does this mean I can now access his Artem?"
The thought sent a surge of excitement through him. His lips curled into a small, dark smile. "This might be the start of something interesting."
He dismissed the status board and continued westward, the determination in his stride unwavering. His mind was focused on the goal ahead—the Ainslif. Every step he took brought him closer to his next step toward revenge.
CHAPTER END.