The scent of blood.
Gray's nostrils filled with the metallic tang of blood and flesh from various beasts mingled together. Amidst the Primordial Forest, Gray panted for breath.
'Primordial Forest.'
A paradise and hell for beasts. This forest Gray currently wandered was a space created by the Primordial Darkness. A place to test the qualifications for becoming the King of Beasts. A primordial world where all manner of creatures that have existed since ancient times coexisted. Here, in this vast land extinct giant mammoths, red-maned lions ruling the savannahs, and countless predators from different eras and locations existed together. Only a being capable of dominating this primordial world with overwhelming power was qualified to inherit the Primordial Darkness.
Growl…
Just then, from the shadows of the dense forest, another group of predators revealed themselves. A giant rhinoceros with skin like steel armor, a black-maned lion, and a red-eyed bear. Each beast emanated a potent scent.
Grrr.
Seeing them, Gray also bared his teeth. He lowered his body slightly. The moment he gripped the ground firmly with his front paws, sharp claws emerged, scratching the earth. The giant rhinoceros eyed Gray's posture, growling arrogantly. A thick smell of blood clung to its body as well. It must have just finished hunting other beasts.
Like himself…
Indeed, countless carcasses lay scattered along Gray's path. Some half-eaten, others simply left dead. Seeing the defeated, easily numbering over several hundred, the rhinoceros let out a low growl, almost like a scoff. And immediately after pawing the ground…
RUMBLE!
Its massive body charged fiercely towards Gray. Displaying overwhelming power and speed that shook the forest with the force of the charge alone. But, just as its hard horn aimed to pierce Gray's torso with that momentum…
Whoosh–
Gray leaped upwards like the wind, the rhinoceros's horn futilely cut through the air.
Crunch!
Immediately after, Gray's fangs sank deep into its neck.
Kuaaargh!
The rhinoceros roared, shaking its body violently. But the more it struggled, the stronger and deeper Gray's claws and fangs pierced through its thick hide, digging into the delicate flesh beneath. He bit and clawed, tearing out chunks of meat.
Kwaaaduk!
Fushaaa—
Finally, blood erupted. A thick artery burst beneath Gray's teeth, and crimson liquid spurted like a fountain. The beast bellowed.
[Perfect.]
Watching the entire scene from behind, the Fang Monarch Rakan's lips curled upwards.
[You've become quite the hunter.]
He was deeply moved. Rakan suddenly recalled the first time he saw Gray. A weak pup, listless and near death. A mere whelp dying, having its blood sucked by Brockie of the Hyena clan. Fortunately saved by Suho, but having spent his life within the sanctuary since birth, he was a novice who had never properly learned how to hunt. That was Gray, the last descendant of his Clan. Thankfully, he had gained a lot of hunting experience alongside Suho since then, but those were the combat methods of a 'hunting dog.' However…
[First and foremost, the King of Beasts is not someone's hunting dog, but a hunter. One must seize the qualification as the apex predator through one's own strength.]
Thud—
Finally, the rhinoceros, after struggling for some time, breathed its last, the massive body collapsing. Before it, the remaining predators pawed the ground, growling. They couldn't hide their bewilderment at the giant dying so easily.
Grrr.
Gray stood proudly, placing a front paw on the rhinoceros's carcass, glaring at the remaining beasts. Fierce eyes. Yet, an unhurried calmness was felt in Gray's chilling gaze. Grasping his presence, the predators flinched, lowering their stances.
[Good…]
Rakan nodded. Looking back, Gray had never once held back or shrunk before enemies since the succession ceremony began. He may have never properly learned hunting methods, but neither had he learned retreat. That itself was the history of struggle Gray had learned from Suho.
Wooooo—!
Finally unable to bear it, the red-eyed bear charged first. Gray turned his body to meet it, but aiming for that moment, the black-maned lion simultaneously lunged at Gray's flank. An unexpected pincer attack.
[Sometimes, predators coordinate attacks against a single enemy. It is instinct, requiring no conversation.]
Before Rakan's explanation could even finish, the situation unfolded and concluded in an instant.
Thwack!
The lion's paw struck Gray. Perhaps in a normal situation, this single blow would have inflicted a fatal wound, tearing the opponent's internal organs. But Gray endured. The lion's fierce attack couldn't penetrate his thick fur. And Gray, simply taking the blow, twisted his body almost simultaneously and caught the lion's neck in a single bite.
Crunch!
The sound of the spinal bones being instantly crushed was heard.
Kwaaang!
Discarding the lion, Gray instantly turned and fiercely extended his front paw towards the chest of the charging red-eyed bear, in exactly the same attack as the lion tried on him.
Thwack—!
With that one blow, the bear's heart was destroyed. Instant death. The bear lost the light in its eyes without even uttering a scream. Witnessing that scene, the remaining predators turned tail and began to flee in panic.
Grrrrrrrk!
Gray didn't stand still. He targeted the fastest among them and gave chase. When running, Gray was like the living lightning. He tripped the fleeing puma by hooking its hind leg with his front paw, then tore into its neck. Meanwhile, the other predators vanished into the jungle.
[Will you pursue?]
Rakan asked. Gray shook his head without hesitation. Then, he turned back, approached the rhinoceros carcass, and devoured its heart. Thus, he consumed the flesh of the creatures he had hunted, one by one.
[A wise decision. If you left such tempting prey behind, only hyena-like creatures would feast.]
In the Primordial Forest, one had to eat when possible. If prey hid away, even the strongest predator could starve. And hyenas, lurking in the darkness, lay in wait, anticipating the moment a starved predator weakened.
[If you have stored up enough strength, move on.]
At that suggestion, Gray lifted his head. Rakan frowned, perhaps finding the expression displeasing.
[Where to go, you ask? Why question me about that? This world is a trial made for you; wherever your paws touch is the path.]
Everything else was already sufficient, but this was Gray's biggest problem. Having always trotted behind Suho, he didn't know how to choose his own prey by his own will – a 'hunting dog.' That was Gray's limitation. Rakan clicked his tongue and spoke.
[If you desire a stronger foe, seek the darker places. In this Primordial Forest, there are still plenty of creatures left for you to hunt.]
In the trial to become the King of Beasts. The Primordial Darkness required Gray to hunt every type of beast existing in the Primordial Forest. Only by finding, hunting, and devouring all of them could he prove himself the true King of Beasts. But the problem was that they didn't attack all at once. Beasts acted according to their own characteristics. Some, thankfully, formed packs and attacked. However, others lay in wait, seeking only opportunity, remaining hidden until the end. Far more beasts waited patiently for him to tire and weaken first. Tracking them down and hunting every single one was the task given to Gray.
[Still, you are doing better than expected. Regardless, since you were confined to the sanctuary from birth, if you cannot master these wild hunting methods, you are not qualified to be king.]
As Rakan said, everything Gray needed was gathered in this forest. Thanks to that, Gray was growing steadily over time. But the problem was that as he grew stronger, the other predators increasingly hid deeper in the darkness. What could be done? Even the strongest possessed no instinct to attack a beast stronger than themselves without provocation.
Grrr.
Thus, Gray had to blindly roam the dark forest, searching for his next prey. Seeking deeper, darker places.
And eventually…
He encountered the being lurking deep within the darkness beyond. Giant horns. Eyes overflowing with a terrifyingly immense aura.
[Behemoth. One of the races that met extinction at my hands.]
Kwaaang—
Combat was immediate. Behemoth. A monster three or four times Gray's size charged, breaking through all the trees in its path.
Rakan advised.
[You've gone too deep. At your current level, this is clearly a strong enemy. Retreat and build up your strength.]
Growl!
[…You do not listen.]
Let's reiterate, Gray had never learned retreat. A thorough hunting dog. He wouldn't seek prey himself, but once prey appeared before him, how strong the opponent was mattered little. He simply fought back.
Grrrrrrr!
Attack, then attack again. Even against the Behemoth, possessing overwhelmingly superior strength, Gray sought openings and fiercely bit and tore. The exact opposite situation from before. Gray's teeth couldn't penetrate the Behemoth's thick hide. But after several attempts, his fangs barely reached the creature's weakest point, the Achilles tendon. At that moment…
[Gray uses Skill: 'Paralysis'.]
[Gray uses Skill: 'Bleed'.]
Perhaps if Suho had been present, he would have seen these system messages. 'Rakan's Fang' and 'Kasaka's Venom Fang,' which he had given Gray. These two possessed opposite characteristics. The effects attached to Rakan's Fang were Critical Wound and Contempt for the Weak – powers for when the strong dominated the weak. Conversely, Kasaka's Venom Fang was a power more effective when the weak fought the strong…
[Effect 'Paralysis': Target cannot move.]
[Effect 'Bleed': Target loses 1% HP per second.]
The wound was clearly shallow, and the effects were faint. But it definitely worked! The Behemoth's massive body momentarily stumbled, limping.
[Now! Retreat and wait for an opportunity!]
Growl!
[Such a fearless creature!]
Gray moved contrary to Rakan's advice. Seeing the Behemoth show an opening, however brief, he seized the moment, climbing onto the Behemoth's back, aiming for its neck.
…Thwack!
But he was wrong… Only one leg was paralyzed. Struck by the Behemoth's massive arm, Gray was flung away, tumbling wretchedly on the ground. And immediately, towards his location a tree trunk, ripped out roots and all was swung like a whip.
Kwaaang—
Gray, without blinking an eye, faced the attack filling his entire field of vision, and bared his teeth ferociously.
Krwaaaaar!
With the intent to bite and destroy the entire log descending with immense destructive force.
[Th-this…!]
At that moment, when even Rakan, who had remained calm throughout, let out an urgent cry.
Woof?
Gray's eyes, which had been those of a ferocious predator, suddenly sparkled brightly. Because right in front of him… 'Suho' stood. Blocking the log with one hand.
"Uh, sorry. Am I a bit late?"
Suho spoke. Smiling broadly, looking not at the mighty beast Behemoth, but at Gray. Seeing his smile, Gray finally grinned too, his mouth splitting wide. Tongue lolling out, tail wagging.
[This is undoubtedly a dog…]
Rakan lamented at the pathetic sight. But on the other hand, it was fortunate. As had been the case with all previous successor candidates, having a priest present makes the succession smoother. Hadn't even those lacking qualification received the Primordial Darkness thanks to Suho? But…
Shiver.
The moment Rakan actually looked at Suho's form, his expression stiffened rigidly.
[W-wait. Who are you?]
Accompanying that was a look of utter astonishment. The 'Suho' who appeared before him was not the Suho Rakan had known until now.
[Have you inherited the Dragon King's darkness? No, even so, this aura…]
Rakan couldn't help but trail off. The presence Suho currently exuded overwhelmed the entire Primordial Forest. The aura emanating from the current Suho was so profound that even Rakan, the former Monarch, couldn't possibly fathom it. A bottomless pit that felt like it would suck him in just by looking. A distant abyss was felt.
[…What in the world have you become?]
Rakan asked, wary of him. Beneath Suho's feet, his elongated shadow harbored a pure white darkness.
Groooooooooar—!
It wasn't just Rakan who felt wary. The hegemon of this region, Behemoth, roared, putting strength into the log it swung, which was being blocked effortlessly, with one hand. Suho, before answering Rakan's question, glanced up at the Behemoth. But the creature was too tall.
"My neck hurts from looking up."
[…!]
"Kneel."
With that single word, immense pressure crushed the Behemoth.
Kuuuung—!