The moon disappeared behind a curtain of dark clouds.
For a heartbeat, Green Paradise Zoo fell into complete darkness.
Then—
Whoosh!
Twelve figures landed silently across the quarantine zone.
Each wore a white fox mask carved with crimson markings.
Long white cloaks fluttered behind them despite the still air, and every one of them carried a different weapon.
A spear.
Twin daggers.
A chain sickle.
A black bow.
An ancient halberd.
Not one of them made a sound.
The silence alone was enough to send chills down Arjun’s spine.
He instinctively took a step in front of Aisha.
She noticed.
“…Trying to protect me?”
Arjun kept his eyes on the masked intruders.
“I’m trying to protect myself.”
Aisha smiled knowingly.
“Liar.”
Before Arjun could respond, the system exploded into life.
EMERGENCY QUEST
Defend the Moon-Devouring Heavenly Wolf
Enemy Faction:
The White Fox Society
Mission Difficulty:
SSS+
Success Rewards:
1,500 Years of Cultivation
Heavenly Step Technique
Mystery SSR Treasure
Failure:
The Fake Demon Realm Awakens Ahead of Schedule.
Arjun stared at the glowing screen.
“Why does every mission end with the world ending?”
Statistically, the Host attracts disasters.
“…That’s insulting.”
It is also statistically accurate.
The masked man standing on the zoo gate slowly removed his hood.
Unlike the others, he didn’t wear armor.
He wore a perfectly tailored white suit beneath his cloak.
His silver hair reached his shoulders, and although the fox mask concealed most of his face, the visible lower half revealed a calm smile.
He looked less like an assassin…
And more like a gentleman attending a formal banquet.
He gracefully stepped down from the gate.
His polished shoes made a soft click against the pavement.
“My apologies for disturbing everyone.”
His voice was refined.
Almost pleasant.
“My name is Ren.”
He placed one hand over his chest and bowed politely.
“I am the First Apostle of the White Fox Society.”
Bruno blinked.
“…Fancy Human.”
Arjun nodded internally.
That was surprisingly accurate.
Ren’s gaze swept across the group before settling on the Moon-Devouring Heavenly Wolf.
“There you are.”
His smile widened.
“We’ve searched for centuries.”
The wolf stepped forward.
Golden eyes unwavering.
“I have no intention of returning.”
“I expected that answer.”
Ren sighed almost theatrically.
“What a troublesome guardian.”
Aisha frowned.
“Guardian?”
The wolf didn’t answer.
Instead, it continued staring at Ren.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense.
Director Wang, who had returned halfway to his office after forgetting his keys, wandered back into the area.
“…Arjun?”
Everyone froze.
The elderly director looked around.
“Twelve people wearing fox masks?”
He adjusted his glasses.
“…Is this some kind of cosplay event?”
The White Fox Society fell silent.
Even Ren seemed caught off guard.
Bruno whispered to Arjun,
“…What’s cosplay?”
“Not now.”
Director Wang smiled warmly.
“You youngsters really put effort into your costumes.”
One of the masked assassins slowly lowered his sword.
“…Captain…”
Ren gently rubbed his forehead.
“This is…
unexpected.”
Director Wang walked right up to him.
“If you’re filming something, remember to clean up afterward.”
He handed Ren a broom.
“There.”
“Borrow this.”
The First Apostle of an ancient secret organization stared at the broom in complete disbelief.
Arjun bit the inside of his cheek.
Don’t laugh.
Don’t laugh.
Don’t—
Bruno burst into laughter first.
“Pfffft!”
The giant panda rolled across the ground, clutching his stomach.
“Broom!”
The wolf quietly turned its head away.
Its shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
Even Varkhaz coughed suspiciously into his fist.
Ren looked at the broom.
Then at Director Wang.
Then back at the broom.
“…Thank you.”
He accepted it out of pure reflex.
The system immediately chimed in.
✔ COMEDY BONUS ACTIVATED ✔
Director Wang has inflicted
Emotional Damage on the First Apostle.
Enemy Morale:
-12%
Arjun nearly choked.
Comedy improves survival.
Director Wang nodded happily.
“Good.”
“I’ll leave you young people to your filming.”
He waved cheerfully before walking away again.
The moment he disappeared around the corner…
Ren quietly handed the broom to one of his subordinates.
“…Hold this.”
“…Yes, Apostle.”
Nobody mentioned what had just happened.
Ever.
Ren cleared his throat and returned to business.
“As entertaining as that was…”
His eyes became sharp.
“We are taking the Guardian tonight.”
The wolf lowered its body into a combat stance.
Bruno cracked his neck.
Varkhaz summoned black flames around his fists.
Aisha instinctively moved closer to Arjun.
Only Arjun stood awkwardly in the middle.
“…I have a bad feeling.”
The system immediately agreed.
HOST STATUS
Combat Experience:
Almost None
Enemy Average Combat Experience:
Three Hundred Years
Recommendation:
Try Not to Die.
“That’s your plan?”
Host is welcome to invent a better one.
Before Arjun could complain further, Ren slowly raised his right hand.
Every masked warrior drew their weapon simultaneously.
Steel gleamed beneath the moonlight.
Spiritual energy erupted from all twelve figures.
The pressure alone made the nearby trees bend.
Animals throughout the zoo began roaring in panic.
Ren smiled calmly.
“Capture the Guardian.”
A single word followed.
“Alive.”
The eleven masked warriors vanished from sight.
Their attack had begun.
The instant the eleven masked warriors disappeared…
The system screamed.
COMBAT MODE ACTIVATED
Hostile Forces Engaged
Enemy Count:
11
Recommended Action:
Survive for 180 Seconds.
Bonus Objective:
Do Not Destroy the Zoo.
Arjun blinked.
“…Why is that a bonus objective?”
The Director will be disappointed.
“…Fair point.”
A deafening whistle cut through the air.
One of the masked warriors appeared behind the Moon-Devouring Heavenly Wolf, swinging a silver spear toward its neck.
Before the spear could land—
BOOM!
Bruno moved.
One moment, the panda was beside Arjun.
The next, he was standing between the wolf and the attacker.
He casually raised one furry paw.
CLANG!
The spear struck Bruno’s paw and bent into a U-shape.
The masked warrior froze.
“…What?”
Bruno looked at the ruined weapon.
Then at the warrior.
“…You broke your stick.”
Silence.
Then—
Bruno flicked the bent spear with a single finger.
The weapon shot backward like a cannonball, carrying its owner with it.
BOOOOM!
The warrior smashed through three empty storage sheds before finally stopping.
Dust rose into the night sky.
The system updated immediately.
✔ ENEMY ELIMINATED ✔
Heavenly Bear Emperor dealt with the opponent.
Host Contribution:
Moral Support
“…Moral support?”
Every team needs encouragement.
“I didn’t encourage anyone!”
Host remained alive.
That was encouraging.
Meanwhile, the remaining ten warriors attacked together.
Two charged Bruno.
Three surrounded the wolf.
The others spread out, cutting off every escape route.
Ren remained where he was, calmly observing the battlefield with his hands behind his back.
“So…”
He murmured.
“The Bear Emperor has recovered more strength than expected.”
Varkhaz roared.
Black flames burst from his fists as he intercepted two attackers.
His punch collided with a masked warrior’s sword.
The impact blasted both of them backward.
A crater formed beneath their feet.
The warrior flipped gracefully through the air before landing without a scratch.
Varkhaz frowned.
“Elite cultivators…”
The masked warrior laughed.
“And you’re weaker than the legends claimed.”
Varkhaz’s expression darkened.
“My seal only broke yesterday.”
“Excuses.”
Shockwaves rippled across the empty service road.
Arjun stared.
“…They’re terrifying.”
Aisha nodded.
“I don’t think normal people can do that.”
“We’re normal people.”
She looked at him.
“…Are we?”
Arjun opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Fair enough.
Suddenly—
A sharp whistle echoed from above.
Three masked warriors leaped over Bruno, heading straight toward Aisha.
Arjun’s eyes widened.
“Aisha!”
Without thinking, he ran.
The system reacted instantly.
INSTINCTIVE ACTION DETECTED
Host has chosen to protect the Fox Queen.
Compatibility Increased.
“I wasn’t thinking about compatibility!”
We know.
Arjun reached Aisha just as the first warrior swung a short sword downward.
Instinct took over.
He shoved her aside.
The blade missed her shoulder by centimeters.
Instead, it struck Arjun’s left arm.
Slash!
Pain exploded through him.
Warm blood soaked his sleeve.
Aisha’s face paled.
“Arjun!”
The masked warrior smiled beneath his fox mask.
“One down.”
The system’s interface suddenly turned brilliant gold.
EMERGENCY AUTHORITY RELEASE
Host has fulfilled the conditions.
Protecting an Ally.
No Intent to Kill.
Keeper’s Authority temporarily unlocked.
Duration:
30 Seconds
“…What?”
Before Arjun could react—
Golden symbols spread across his injured arm.
The pain disappeared.
His wound closed before his eyes.
The masked warriors froze.
Ren’s calm smile vanished for the first time.
“…Impossible.”
Arjun felt an indescribable warmth spread through his body.
The world around him seemed to slow.
He could hear every heartbeat.
Every footstep.
Every breath.
The system spoke in an unusually gentle tone.
SKILL AWAKENED
Keeper’s Command
Current Uses Remaining:
1
Effect:
Issue a command to any Beast that acknowledges the Keeper.
Arjun stared.
“Just one command?”
Choose wisely.
One of the masked warriors lunged toward Bruno from behind.
Another prepared to strike the wolf.
A third rushed Varkhaz.
Everything happened at once.
Arjun didn’t have time to think.
He simply shouted.
“Bruno!”
The panda immediately turned.
“Yes, Keeper?”
“Protect everyone!”
Bruno smiled.
A genuine, happy smile.
“…Okay!”
Golden light erupted from the panda’s body.
The ground trembled violently.
Countless bamboo stalks burst from beneath the earth like emerald spears, forming a massive forest around the quarantine enclosure.
The charging warriors were instantly separated.
Some became trapped.
Others were thrown backward.
The wolf and Aisha were shielded by a wall of glowing bamboo thicker than concrete.
Even Varkhaz stared in amazement.
“The Emperor’s…”
He swallowed.
“…Imperial Bamboo Domain.”
Bruno scratched his cheek.
“I haven’t used this in a long time.”
The panda looked strangely embarrassed.
“I hope I remembered how.”
The system displayed a new notification.
✔ KEEPER’S COMMAND SUCCESSFUL ✔
Heavenly Bear Emperor obeyed without hesitation.
Loyalty:
Beyond Maximum
New Passive Unlocked:
Beast King’s Blessing
Far beyond the zoo walls…
8Standing atop a distant skyscraper…
The silver-haired Apostle Ren watched the glowing bamboo forest with narrowed eyes.
He slowly smiled again.
“So the rumors were true…”
He raised two fingers.
A shadow emerged behind him and knelt.
“My lord?”
Ren’s smile deepened.
“Inform the Sovereign.”
His eyes remained fixed on Arjun.
“The Keeper…”
“…has finally begun to awaken.”
To Be Continue….