Dancing on the golden ashes

I stood straight, looking down on them with disdain that seemed to rise from the depths of my soul. Why? I wasn't sure. But I hated these creatures. I felt an almost primal need to make them respect me—to fear me.

"Rise!" I growled in their language.

The Thunder Tempests obeyed, standing to their feet without resistance. The connection between us was absolute; I could feel it. I had complete control over them.

"Good..." A rush of satisfaction surged through me as my heartbeat quickened. Excitement bubbled within. I did it! Wow! This is so awesome!

"I'm the Dark Lord!" I declared triumphantly. Haha, I bet that sounded so cool!

Malrang, perched on my shoulder, glanced at me with a strange expression. Without warning, she gave me a soft punch on the cheek with her tiny paw.

Wake up, Gaon... What are we supposed to do with them now?

Her words snapped me out of my exhilarated daze, pulling me back to reality.

"Right..." I mumbled, realizing I hadn't thought that far ahead. Sometimes I acted without a plan, and now I was stuck with six extra mouths to feed. What should I do now?

How about you make them hunt for us? Malrang suggested as she leapt to the ground. She circled the wolves, sniffing them with a critical air. Her aura shifted, exuding a commanding presence that screamed dominance, clearly showing who was the true overlord here.

Her gaze locked onto the leader of the pack, and the once-proud beast shivered under her intensity.

"Woo!"

Malrang's bark rang out, firm and resolute. I could catch the meaning in her words: "Don't even think about rebelling. If you ever dare to hurt her, I'll kill you myself!"

A warm smile spread across my face. Malrang was too caring and after being with her for so long, it was easy to translate her words.

"Come!" I commanded, and the wolves obediently lined up in front of me, sitting down like overgrown puppies, their eyes betraying a mix of fear and reluctance.

"Names?" I barked, attempting to mimic their guttural sounds. Speaking in beast language was far harder than I expected, but I managed to get the point across.

"We... do n-t have," the leader replied, its fragmented words clearer now.

I sighed, realizing I now had the task of naming them. What should I call them? Using numbers like "One" or "Two" would be ridiculous—not to mention I'd mix them up constantly.

I scanned the group, my eyes landing on the smallest of the pack—a young-looking Thunder Tempest. Walking around it, I reached out to touch its fur, only to feel a sharp jolt of electricity surge through me. The wolf's aura flared in response, burning my skin slightly, though it wasn't strong enough to cause serious harm.

Before I could react, Malrang transformed into her towering form, her posture tense and ready to pounce on the aggressor.

"It's fine," I said, shaking my head to calm her. My scythe remained in my hand, and I swiftly flipped it to use the dull edge, smacking the wolf on the head. It yelped in pain, a pitiful howl escaping its maw.

Grabbing it by the jaw, I forced the wolf to meet my gaze, hoisting it to my eye level. My killing intent burned fiercely, my purple pupils glowing with rage and casting a shadow of pure terror over the beast. It shivered violently, and to my disgust, it peed itself.

"Bad wolf," I growled, my voice cold and deliberate. "You better behave, or I'll feast on you myself."

To drive the point home, I pressed the razor edge of my scythe lightly against its neck, leaving a shallow wound—a mere warning. It wasn't anything this type of beast couldn't heal, but the message was clear.

The rest of the pack was too terrified to even glance in my direction. Their eyes remained locked straight ahead, disciplined and still, like a squad of soldiers trained to obey without question.

I released the wolf's jaw and gave its head a firm pat, smiling brightly. But to the creature, my grin must have looked utterly deranged. Even I felt a shiver creep down my spine at the thought.

What am I becoming...

Yet, a strange part of me didn't mind. In fact, I wanted to stay this way. Even in my old world, it was the confident and the arrogant who stood at the top, while the weak and timid were nothing more than tools to be used.

And this world? It would be far worse.

Once people began building their civilizations, it wouldn't take long for greed and ambition to consume them. I could already picture it: bloody wars waged over territory, alliances crumbling, endless struggles for power. A brutal future lay ahead—and I intended to stay out of it.

If I could become the strongest in this world, no empire would be able to stand against me. And with five thousand beasts under my command... I could destroy anyone who dared block my path. Even if I had to face this entire world alone, I would emerge victorious.

But what truly lay at the pinnacle of power? The goddess had hinted at something greater—a step that could take me beyond my current limits. What would my power level be when I reached that point?

And what is the top of the system, anyway? What's the maximum level?

I doubted I'd find the answer anytime soon. This journey could take years, maybe even a lifetime. But one thing was certain: I wouldn't stop climbing.

Gaon? You've spaced out again... Malrang's voice pulled me back to reality. Honestly, without her around, I'd probably look like a total weirdo all the time.

"Sorry..." I murmured, forcing a smile that wasn't really a smile.

I took a few steps back, surveying the pack. "Let's see..." My gaze settled on the one who had attacked me earlier—the youngest and most energetic of the group. "I shall call you... Ravokar!"

The moment I spoke the name, something shifted deep within me. A string of mysterious connection was forged, and my entire body shivered. The name 'Ravokar' imprinted itself onto my soul, binding the wolf to me.

"Woah!" I exclaimed as a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. My head spun, and I felt a significant drain on my mana. I quickly realized I had lost nearly 3,000 mana in an instant.

I could feel everything about that wolf—its breath, its heartbeat—as if I were a part of it.

"This is so awesome!" I exclaimed, overwhelmed by the sensation.

Ravokar lowered his head, bowing to me with complete submission.

"I shall only serve one master in my life, and it will forever be you, oh great one!" he barked. Our connection transcended speech, allowing me to fully understand his language, though speaking it remained a challenge for me.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Good..." I managed to bark back, the sound rough but sufficient.

Next, I turned to the wolf standing beside him. This one was slightly different from the others—its eyes glowed blood-red, unlike the golden eyes of the rest. It stood unfazed by my aura, though it showed no signs of rebellion.

"Your name... Lykaon!" I declared.

The moment the name left my lips, another string of connection etched itself into my soul, binding us together.

"Yes, master," Lykaon said without hesitation, bowing deeply. His blood-red eyes shone brightly, giving him an almost cursed appearance.

My gaze shifted to the next wolf. It resembled the others, but its mouth was smeared with fresh blood, and the faint smell of raw flesh lingered. Strands of meat still clung to its teeth, and its claws were noticeably larger than those of the others.

"Vargrin," I said, meeting its gaze. "It seems to suit you."

"Master..." he said unwillingly.

With that, a third name etched itself into my soul, further solidifying my growing bond with the pack.

As I named them, I began to feel a subtle change within myself—a faint but tangible surge of power. It was small, almost imperceptible, but undeniable. These bonds were not just connections; they were making me stronger.

It was the fourth wolf's turn, and this one looked different—sleeker, more slender. A female Thunder Tempest?

"Your gender?" I asked directly, my tone firm.

A softer growl, though still ferocious, answered me. "Female, master..."

She already accepted me as her master? A hint of curiosity stirred within me. Perhaps we can even be friends.

"You shall be named Savryn!"

"Yes!" Savryn growled in response, her tone devoid of any dissatisfaction or reluctance.

Next, I turned to the fifth wolf. This one was enormous—despite being level 19, it was nearly twice the size of the others.

"I like this one," I muttered to myself, already envisioning this beast tearing a bear apart with ease. "Omenpaw, will you take this name?"

The towering, two-meter wolf gazed down at me, nodding solemnly. With that simple motion, the fifth connection was made, etching its name into my soul.

"Now..." My gaze fell on the last of the pack—the leader. A level 20 Thunder Tempest. It was powerful, commanding, and proud. But even it had been unable to resist my binding.

"I will not submit!" the leader roared, its aura flaring violently. Lightning crackled across the sky, and a storm gathered overhead.

A thick bolt of lightning suddenly struck, hurtling straight toward me.

Foolish...

"Earth Shield..." I murmured, my tone cold, tinged with sadness and disappointment.

Massive slabs of rock and dirt materialized mid-air, forming an impenetrable barrier that effortlessly absorbed the lightning strike.

The wind whipped around me, sending my hair dancing wildly as my dark aura surged. Rage bubbled within me—an unrelenting, primal fury. I felt insulted, unrecognized, and unworthy in this wolf's eyes.

Without hesitation, I swung my scythe, the blade carving through the air. The leader's head fell to the ground in a spray of crimson, its body collapsing in a pool of blood.

Something deep within me screamed, urging me to let go, to obliterate anyone who dared to defy me. And so I did.

The remaining wolves trembled, their submission absolute. None spoke; none dared move.

[You have lost a companion beast]

[The current beast count: 5/20]

"What a pity... I liked this one the most," I muttered, my voice heavy with a blend of rage and sorrow.

In that moment, Malrang leapt onto my shoulder, her familiar warmth grounding me.

"It's okay, Gaon, she said softly, her tone calm and reassuring. You did exactly what you needed to do. They had to learn respect. If not you, then I would have done it in your stead."

I took a deep breath, letting her words settle the turmoil within me, then turned to address the remaining wolves.

"Listen well, my companions. You are no slaves to me. Obey, and you will be my friends. Rebel, and you will become my enemies. My word is absolute. The Dark Lord stands before you—bow to the birth of disaster we shall bring to our enemies!"

"AWOOOO!"

The wolves' howls echoed across the valley, a deafening chorus of submission and unity.

And so, this was how I took my first true step on the path of darkness. But this darkness would not fall upon those who called me their friend. No—this darkness would only consume those who dared to call me their enemy.