[ Ding ]
[ System Initializing....]
[ 10%.....]
[ 50%.....]
[ 70%...]
[ 100%....]
[ Ding: Beast Evolution System Online ]
A cold, emotionless, neutral voice resonated in his mind, cutting through the silence like a knife.
Griffin's eyes flew open wide, a shiver running down his spine as he shot upright, the chair scraping violently against the floor, producing a screech that made his teeth grind. His heart thundered wildly in his chest, his facial expressions flickered chaotically, finally morphing into a blank mask.
Drawing in a deep breath, Griffin opened his mouth, his voice quivering as he managed to ask, "System, are you there?" Each word was laced with nervous thrill.
[ Yes Host ]. The cold, unwavering voice echoed back.
This time, Griffin heard it loud and clear. A flush of excitement coursed through him and his fist clenched tightly as his frame trembled with an energy he hadn't felt in a long time. The impossible had happened — he'd never imagined such fortune would fall into his lap like this.
Of course, Griffin understood what a system was; nearly anyone on Earth who read web novels, manga, or watched anime had some inkling. It was the ultimate exclusive power granted to those who reincarnated into new worlds.
He had read and watched tons of novels and isekai animes, and each time the protagonist ends up with a system, it's their exclusive cheat, something that made them ahead of everyone else.
When Griffin first woke up in this world, the idea of the system had been the foremost thought in his mind. Given how dangerous this world was, his anticipation only intensified. But after a few months without a whisper of a system, he reluctantly gave up.
But now, at his lowest point, just as he felt utterly defeated, the system had finally materialized. Naturally, he was overjoyed — more than that; his life was finally going to turn around for good.
And come to think of it, in any novel or anime that he had watched with a system trope, it always arrives when the protagonist was in danger or at the lowest point in their life.
"Looks like the saying 'The system is always late but never absent' is actually true," Griffin mused, excitement bubbling within him.
He cleared his throat. "System, can you explain your functions?"
[ Ding ]
[ Beast Evolution System Functional Analysis Complete ]
The cold, emotionless, neutral voice echoed again as glowing translucent panels materialized before his eyes. Lines of text drifted across the growing screens.
[ The Beast Evolution System is a specialized support-type evolutionary program designed exclusively for the Host.]
[ The function of the system is to accelerate, enhance, mutate, and rank-evolve all contracted beasts of the Host using Evolution Points. The system converts kills into Evolution Points, which the Host can use to evolve contracted beasts, unlock abilities, and raise rank boundaries without natural catalysts. ]
Griffin swallowed hard, his eyes widening in disbelief. His hand instinctively reached out toward the panels, but his fingers passed straight through the projection. His heart raced like a wild stallion, threatening to burst from his chest.
"System... System, you mean... I can evolve beasts without expensive materials?" His voice trembled, filled with a spark of hope.
[ Affirmative Host. Evolution Points act as an alternative evolutionary fuel. Even low-quality beasts can be evolved into higher ranks as long as sufficient Evolution Points are supplied. ]
Griffin's breath hitched, his mind whirling in disbelief. This felt like a dream — a fantastical stroke of luck that seemed too good to be true.
He quickly snapped back to reality, forcing down the tumult of emotions that surged within him. Although he was already prepared when he asked about the system functions, he was still really shocked; anyone in his shoes would be in a state of shock as well.
Awakening a class deemed completely useless by the world—a class that everyone is avoiding like some incurable disease. Even a janitor commands more respect than a Beast Tamer.
Taking a deep breath, Griffin gathered his thoughts and asked, "System... you mean everything the world says about Beast Tamers being useless doesn't apply to me?"
[Affirmative. Host has obtained a perfect evolutionary support system, and with enough Evolution Points, even trash beasts can be forced through unnatural evolution stages and ascend to Mythic Rank.]
"Mythic Rank...?" The words felt unreal coming out of his mouth.
[Correct, rank restrictions do not bind the System. As long as the requirements are met, evolution is guaranteed.]
Griffin's breath grew shallow. His hands shook so violently that he had to press them against the table to steady himself. He slowly closed his eyes to let the System's words wash over him.
Beast Tamers were considered the worst class, the poorest class, the most useless class in Dimensional Walkers history—the deadliest mistake anyone could awaken. But the Beast Evolution System overcomes every potential weakness of the class.
Every limitation, every resource barrier, and every death statistic looming over him vanished like mist in sunlight. He doesn't need to have money or a warehouse of expensive materials to evolve his beasts; all he has to do is kill monsters, and he can evolve his beasts.
Exhaling deeply through his nose, he slowly opened his eyes. Elation flickered in his steel-gray eyes; his lips curled up into a wide grin and then turned into wild laughter.
His laughter boomed across his apartment, his body shook with glee, his face flushed with excitement. Eventually, his laughter subsided, but his heart continued to thrum like a war drum.
Just then, another panel flickered in front of him.
[Would Host like to view the System Status Panel?]
"Yes," Griffin nodded immediately.
---------
[Beast Evolution System Status Panel]
Name: Griffin Creed
Age: 19
Race: Human
Class: Beast Tamer
Level: 1 [EXP: 1 / 100]
Rank: F Rank Dimensional Walker
Stats:
Strength: 8
Agility: 7
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 11
Available Stat Points: 0
Evolution Points: 0
Beast Slots: 0/1
Beast Slot Rank Limit: F Rank
[System Evaluation: Host possesses low stats, and without System support, survival probability is extremely low. Recommend acquiring a beast immediately.]
-------
Griffin's eyes swept from top to bottom repeatedly, absorbing every piece of information. His lips pressed tightly together as he saw his stats—pathetic, weaker than the average person on the street.
Even novice Walkers typically had Strength around 13, Agility 15, Endurance 12. His were barely surpassed that of a sickly civilian. He couldn't help but let out a bitter chuckle.
"So this is what I'm starting with..." Griffin muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Everything about his Status Panel screamed weak. Weak body, weak stats.
If not for the System floating in front of him, he would have been just another name on the casualty list. His eyes flickered towards the Beast Slot section, and a strange feeling rose in his heart. One slot. Although barely anything, but it was something—a place to begin.
He looked at the Beast Slot Rank Limit and chuckled."Looks like I'm no exception, even if I have a System."
Griffin had researched the Beast Tamer class and understood a thing or two about its mechanics.
The Beast Slot Rank Limit refers to the maximum rank of any beast he can contract within a given beast slot. Every Beast Tamer starts with one slot, and that slot always has a rank ceiling attached to it.
For Griffin, his beast slot rank limit is F Rank, which means he cannot contract a beast above F Rank right now. Even if he encountered an E Rank wolf or a D Rank lizard, the bond would be rejected completely, and the beast would either ignore him or attack him.
This was why Beast Tamers often found themselves stuck with trash beasts in the beginning — because the rank limit chains them down. As Griffin gains strength and evolves as a Walker, his rank limit naturally increases: F Rank to E Rank, then D Rank, C Rank and so forth.
As Griffin levels up, the limit increases, allowing him to tame stronger beasts. However, while normal Beast Tamers struggle for years to raise their slot limits, the System allows Griffin to raise them much faster.
The Beast Slot Rank Limit is the cage that locks every Beast Tamer down. But with the System, Griffin now holds the key. Griffin's gaze remained fixed on the Beast Slot Rank Limit section as he contemplated all of this.
"Looks like I need to tame my first beast quickly. Tomorrow I will have to go to the Beast Tower." With that thought in mind, Griffin stood up, stretching his limbs before heading to his bedroom.
His heart was still racing with excitement, and he could hardly wait for morning to arrive.