Brama awoke within the narrow crevice of stone that had served as his shelter from the wild beast's pursuit. Several hours had passed without him realizing. His breathing was still heavy, and his body still felt exhausted, but his awareness had fully returned.
"Ahh... damn," Brama muttered while wiping his face. "I fell asleep in a situation like this… Good thing nothing dangerous came after me."
He took a deep breath. Though he was safe, his mind was still full of questions. Something was left unresolved.
"System, what did you mean by the contract can proceed once I'm stable?"
Ding
"When the host was previously in a state of life and death—more precisely, nearly dead—the soul of the beast linked within the host responded instinctively. However, due to the host's disrupted focus and unstable physical condition, the awakening could not proceed. Forcing it would have caused a fatal rejection from the host's body."
Brama nodded slowly. The system's explanation made sense.
"Alright... so now I can awaken it?"
Ding
"Correct. The host's physical and mental state is now declared stable. The soul beast awakening process may begin."
"Teach me the process. Don't skip anything. I don't want to fail again."
Ding
"Initiating Soul Beast Awakening Process. Please follow the instructions carefully:
1. Sit cross-legged in a calm position. Breathe slowly until your body relaxes.
2. Focus your mind on the deepest space within your chest—where your soul energy center resides.
3. Visualize a strand of light connecting your soul core to a foreign energy that feels both united and distinct.
4. Slowly recite: 'Awaken, soul bound to me.'"
Brama followed each instruction one by one. In the stillness of the stone crevice, he closed his eyes and focused his mind. Slowly, specks of light emerged from his pores, forming a gentle vortex that swirled around his body.
The specks of light gathered in front of Brama, forming a golden orb of energy the size of a baby's head. The orb condensed, revealing a smooth texture and an oval shape like an egg.
A crack appeared.
Light burst from within the egg, and it shattered completely. From inside emerged a small, fluffy creature. Though it was only the size of a palm, its gaze was sharp. It looked like a chick… but had two long crests on its wings that extended down to its feet. Its golden feathers reflected a soft glow.
Ding
"Congratulations to the host for successfully awakening a soul beast. Please assign a name."
Brama opened his eyes and looked at the small creature in front of him with a mixed expression.
"A chick...?"
Brama frowned for a moment, feeling odd. But there was something about this little creature… something that stirred his soul.
"Is this truly my soul beast?"
Ding
"Correct. This is a young Garuda bird—a soul beast with immense latent potential."
"Garuda…?" Brama murmured. Instantly, an image of pride and nobility from his former world flashed in his mind. Garuda—the symbol of courage and strength.
Brama gave a small smile.
"Alright… I'll name you Ruda."
The little Garuda lifted its head and let out a soft chirp, as if approving of its name.
Ding
"Congratulations. The soul bond between the host and Ruda has been established. Here is Ruda's data:
Name: Ruda
Species: Young Garuda Bird
Level: 1
STR: 12
AGI: 18
INT: 15
VIT: 20
Active Skills: None
Passive Skills: Flight Instinct (increases awareness of aerial threats)
"Level 1… and no combat abilities yet. I can't expect too much from you for now," Brama muttered. But he knew that true strength takes time to grow.
"How do I level him up? Do I need to hunt and collect EXP like I do?"
Ding
"Correct. The EXP system is linked. The host may allocate earned EXP to Ruda based on an agreed ratio. By default, the distribution is 70% to the host, 30% to the soul beast."
"I see… Are there other methods?"
Ding
"Yes. The second method is soul energy cultivation. It's a self-contained process that strengthens the spiritual bond between the host and the soul beast without combat."
Brama nodded. "Explain the cultivation system."
Ding
Soul Beast Cultivation Stages:
Stage 1: Initial Symbiosis
Level 1: Spiritual Bonding
Level 2: Breath Synchronization
Level 3: Energy Alignment
Stage 2: Soul Resonance
Level 1: Aura Spark
Level 2: Harmonious Waves
Level 3: Vibration Unification
Stage 3: Soul Merger
Level 1: Partial Manifestation
Level 2: Duality Connection
Level 3: Soul Shadow
Stage 4: Energy Evolution
Level 1: Instinctive Regeneration
Level 2: Blood Adjustment
Level 3: Biological Enhancement
Stage 5: True Union
Level 1: Dual Soul
Level 2: Perfect Symbiosis
Level 3: Soul Transcendence
Each stage requires active cultivation through joint meditation, energy synchronization, and special training.
Brama remained silent for a moment.
"So, not only by fighting, but also by nurturing the soul bond? Interesting…"
He looked at Ruda, now asleep on his lap. Their journey had just begun.
"System, how do I cultivate?" Brama asked, leaning his body against the cold, rigid, and rough stone wall. His body still held traces of tension from his earlier escape, and his soul had yet to find peace.
> Ding! The system does not have access to cultivation techniques in this version. Host is advised to find them independently.
Brama took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. That heavy breath conveyed more than fatigue—it was the breath of someone beginning to grasp just how deeply he had been dragged into this foreign world.
"So many limitations in this system," he muttered to himself more than to the system. "Slightly better than the military super AI back in my world... but honestly, I'd really love to upgrade this system if I knew how. There isn't even a hint available. Everything's so vague."
The sky outside the stone crevice where he sheltered began to change. The twilight dimmed, giving way to the swiftly descending dark. No stars. No moon. Just a curtain of night falling like mist, smothering everything in a heavy silence.
Brama gazed at the gray sky. He remembered skies he'd seen over refugee camps—skies empty after explosions, skies that held no voice after all his comrades lay silent in death.
Beside him, Ruda—the small Garuda bird he had just awakened—slept soundly. Its golden feathers glowed like a tiny flame in the darkness. Brama stared at it for a long time, feeling a mix of wonder, responsibility... and a touch of fear.
"I don't even know how this world works," he whispered. "Not even a full day has passed since I arrived… and I've already fought two monsters, been chased nearly to death, and now—I have to learn something that was never part of military training: surviving with a spirit beast."
He rested his head against the stone wall. Its temperature bit into the nape of his neck. But the discomfort paled in comparison to the weight on his mind.
After taking another deep breath, Brama decided to ask the system again. There was one thing that kept bothering him—this world, Arunika.
"System, can you give me basic information about this world?"
> Ding! According to the current system version's access limitations, the following basic information is available:
---
World Name: Arunika
World Structure: Arunika is composed of three major land layers:
1. Lower Layer: A region inhabited by common humans and beginner cultivators. Filled with wild forests, small villages, and low-to-mid level creatures.
2. Middle Layer: Accessible only by mid-level cultivators and above. It is the center of power conflicts, kingdoms, and organizations.
3. Upper Layer: A realm known only through legend. Believed to be home to great beings, sacred beasts, and untouchable spiritual entities.
About Cultivation: Cultivation is the process of refining soul and body energy to surpass human limits.
Personal Cultivation → Enhances individual physical and spiritual strength.
Cultivation with a Spirit Beast → Forms a symbiotic power bond between the master and the bonded creature.
Two Main Paths:
Basic Levels: Gradual progression.
Soul Cultivation: Increases all stats by 25% per level and doubles at each stage.
System Version 1.0 Limitations:
Max scanning range: 150 meters
No cultivation techniques included
Cannot upgrade automatically
Responds only to explicit questions
Arunika's Advantages:
Pure soul energy is naturally dispersed
All living beings have potential to fuse with a soul entity
Fighting energy creatures grants EXP, shared between host and spirit beast
---
Brama read and absorbed the data like a strategic briefing before a major strike. But unlike a military briefing, there was no map. No teammates. No base.
Just him, a tiny bird, and a world he didn't understand.
"Arunika..." he murmured. "A foreign world, full of threats... but also full of opportunities."
The night wind began to blow through the narrow cave gap. The air grew more humid and heavy. The scent of earth, moss, and forest dampness blended into an unfamiliar aroma that stung his nose.
His stomach growled faintly. He had resisted hunger as long as he could, but his body was starting to demand attention. As a soldier, he could go two to three days without food during missions. But right now, his body was still exhausted. Not enough time to recover.
"If this were a regular military op, I'd have a foldable tent, emergency rations, water purifier, and a radio," he muttered. "Now? I have to sharpen even my own rocks."
He inspected the cramped space where he was hiding. Too small for maneuvering, but suitable as a one-way defense point. Brama began mentally noting:
One entrance
No natural light at night
Humid air, likely to attract crawling creatures
Strategically viable for root traps, if needed
Suddenly, a small sound came from the right side—a rough scraping noise. Brama's instincts kicked in. He turned quickly, every muscle tensed.
Ruda opened his eyes, stood upright on his tiny legs, then darted into the darkness.
"Ruda! What is it?!" Brama called out, almost standing, but held himself back. He didn't want to make unnecessary noise.
In the darkness, the flapping of wings echoed... followed by a small body colliding with something. A few seconds of silence.
Then soft footsteps returned. Ruda emerged from the dark, and in his beak hung a snake. It was slightly larger than Ruda's small body. The snake wasn't moving.
Brama approached slowly. "Is that... a snake? You caught a snake?"
> Ding! Confirmation: The snake is a common type. No soul energy detected. Grants no EXP.
Brama gave a small smile. "So not every creature gives rewards... Still, good job, Ruda. Your night vision is proving useful."
He gently patted Ruda's head. The little bird chirped lightly, as if pleased by the praise.
Suddenly, Brama slapped his own forehead. "Damn. Why didn't I realize sooner? The system can scan up to 150 meters! Why haven't I been using it from the start? Even just to detect safe routes."
He made a mental note: tomorrow morning, reassess movement patterns using the system.
For now, he needed to eat.
He cleaned the snake as best he could, tearing open the midsection with a sharp stone he had crafted the day before. Blood dripped—fishy, but warm. He began chewing the raw meat slowly.
"Disgusting... but better than starving."
He left the bigger portion for Ruda, who quickly devoured it with enthusiasm. His eating style was ravenous yet efficient. Even this tiny creature knew this world showed no mercy to the slow.
After the meal, Brama felt his body grow heavier—not from food, but from a day that felt like a week.
He leaned his back against the stone wall. Cold. Hard. But for the first time since arriving in this world—he felt a bit stronger than before.
Above, the sky remained starless.
Around him, the world stayed silent. But in Brama's heart, a single voice continued to whisper:
"You're not dead yet. The flame still burns."
> And tomorrow, cultivation would become his new way of life in Arunika.