Johan's POV
After the groups were assigned and the missions given, our group decided to set out early to gain an advantage and secure a high grade. Dave was tasked with locating a suitable intermediate fortress for our quest. Once the location was confirmed, we stepped into the dimensional rift.
As soon as we crossed through, everything changed. The air was denser, the atmosphere oppressive. The sky was a dull crimson, the ground coated in red sand, and even the trees had scarlet leaves. Just standing there made your skin crawl.
Writer's POV
"Who among us is capable of being a scout?" Claire asked, her eyes scanning the strange terrain.
Lam stepped forward confidently. "With my lightning element, I'm faster and more agile than the rest of you," he said, already preparing to move.
He sprinted ahead in a blur of sparks, disappearing into the crimson mist. While he scouted, the rest of the group readied themselves for battle. Claire had top-grade equipment and weapons. The others, Brave and Lam included, had decent mid-tier gear. Johan, on the other hand, wore only a worn-out cloak and the basic equipment provided by the school.
Dave took notice of this and approached him.
"Hey, Johan. Can we talk?"
Johan nodded.
"Who is Claire to you?" Dave asked with a strangely firm tone.
"She's just a friend," Johan replied, genuinely unaware of the tension beneath the question. Claire had been friendly, sure—but after losing his parents and growing up isolated, Johan was still emotionally distant from others.
Dave frowned. "I see," he said flatly, misinterpreting Johan's honesty for evasion.
Before things escalated, Lam returned—shouting and waving excitedly. At first, they thought he'd discovered treasure. But a moment later, the thunder of pounding footsteps followed.
A horde of monsters was chasing him. Short, muscular, green-skinned creatures with sharp ears, this was the only description the group could use to describe these creatures.
"FORMATION!" Claire commanded, her voice sharp and commanding.
Electricity crackled across Lam's body as he surged forward like a bullet, arriving back at the group's side within seconds. They all took their positions.
Johan activated his Discerning Eyes.
Discerning eyes [Level 01]
Name: Unknown
Race: Green Goblin
Realm: Early Intermediate-level Beast
Form: Humanoid
Evaluation: has weak Eyes and Heart together with powerful physique and low intelligence.
"Lucy," Johan whispered. "Why am I not seeing some sections, like the name?"
The tiny fairy-like figure sitting on his shoulder grinned and stretched. "Because you named me, silly. I've got features the others don't. But Johan, don't forget: I can't reveal everything. But what I can tell you—be creative. You are more than you think you are."
Johan blinked in confusion, but nodded.
Writer's POV
Claire's rage was building. Lightning coiled wildly around her body, almost lashing out at her teammates. Then, in a sudden shift, she focused. Flames ignited around her, her hair turning deep crimson and rising as if dancing in the air. She took a deep breath.
"Attack!" she shouted.
The battle began.
Brave hurled handmade explosives, their bright bursts lighting the battlefield. Lam zipped through enemies, discharging bolts of lightning and engaging in close-range combat. Claire was a blazing tempest, moving like a dancer of destruction.
Johan, standing behind the others, decided it was time to try something new. His hand ignited with Hell Flame, darker and colder than typical fire. Inspired by a memory, he began shaping the flame into a sphere.
[ Perfect Shape Achieved]
[New Skill Created: Fireball]
He smiled. This time, the flame formed naturally. He launched it toward a goblin. Upon impact, the creature screeched so loudly it made even the undead shudder—except Johan, who found the sound oddly... beautiful.
The goblin rolled, screamed, clawed at its skin, and finally, after another hit, ended its own life.
[Strength +1]
[ Energy Restored]
[Points +100 | Bonus +200]
While the others were exhausted and panting, Johan stood calmly, still full of energy.
Dave misread the situation entirely.
"You didn't even fight, did you?" he accused, before suddenly punching Johan in the face, knocking him out cold.
Claire screamed, rage taking hold. Lightning flared around her in deadly arcs. She stormed toward Dave, who stumbled backward as the atmosphere cracked with her fury. She beat him down with swift, brutal precision before rushing to Johan's side.
Johan awoke a few minutes later, Claire tending to his wounds. When he realized what had happened, fury brewed inside him. He said nothing—just stood up and walked away.
Claire tried to speak, but Johan brushed her off and kept walking, disappearing into the crimson woods.
While wandering alone, he heard a strange noise—a whimpering creature. Curious, he approached, and what he saw shocked him.
A goblin. But this one was different. It wasn't green—it was jet black.
Johan activated Discerning Eyes again.
Discerning Eyes [Level 01]
Name: Unknown
Race: Black Goblin
Realm: Early Intermediate-level Beast
Form: Humanoid
Evaluation: Has high evolution potential and feral aggression and weak control over Instinct
"This is a rare mutation of the goblin species, born once every few decades. It also possesses an insatiable hunger for its own kind and as a result they are mostly killed after birth. It quite rare to see a living black goblin even from where I come from." Lucy explained with a smile.
Johan narrowed his eyes. A smile curled at the edges of his lips.
This was no ordinary beast. After reading the black goblin's description, an idea sparked in Johan's mind. He moved quietly through the eerie red forest, crouching behind bushes until he spotted a group of regular green goblins nearby.
Without hesitation, he slipped behind a thick crimson tree trunk and began throwing Fireballs—one after another.
The moment the flames struck; the goblins screamed in agony. To Johan, their cries weren't horrifying—they were strangely melodic. A chilling song of pain that made his blood race with satisfaction.
Then, a sudden change occurred within him.
[Strength +10]
[Energy: Full]
[Points +100 ×10]
[Bonus Points +200 ×10]
The notifications confirmed the goblins were dead. Johan stopped, smirking slightly. He dragged their charred bodies one by one back to the black goblin.
As soon as the black goblin laid eyes on the corpses, it lunged forward and began devouring them with savage hunger. Flesh, bone—nothing was spared.
While the black goblin ate, he asked Lucy. "Lucy I don't seem to ever run out of energy."
"Yes, the hell flame has an absorption specialty when it is burning a target. It feeds on sin." She indifferently explained.
Once it finished, the goblin stared at Johan. Its glowing red eyes weren't threatening, but almost... expectant. Hungry for more.
Suddenly, a system notification appeared.
[Requirement Met]
[Would you like to initiate Beast Taming Protocol?]
[Yes] / [No]
Johan blinked at the message. Confused but intrigued, he chose Yes.
[New Feature Unlocked: Beast Taming]
[Condition Met – Compatible Bond Detected]
[Scale of Control Obtained: Summon / Dismiss]
[System Upgraded]
[Would you like to Dismiss your beast companion now?]
[Yes] / [No]
A different voice came from the system which startled him. Before he could react, the familiar voice of Lucy chimed in—cheerful and teasing.
"Don't be alarmed. With the system upgrade, you now get me as your guide... and a new mechanical voice to handle commands and evaluations," she explained, floating lazily beside him. "Think of it like a partnership—except I'm the fun one."
Johan chuckled under his breath. "Alright, guess we're partners now."
A white vortex opened behind the black goblin. Without resistance, the creature was sucked into the swirling light. Johan instinctively knew—it hadn't died. It had been sent into a separate dimension, one only he could access.
"Summon," he said, excited to test the new skill.
The same vortex reappeared, and the black goblin stepped out. Its eyes locked onto Johan immediately.
"Master... can I have more meat?"
The voice echoed in Johan's mind. It was different. It wasn't Lucy, nor the mechanical tone of the system. It sounded like a boy—young, curious, and deeply hungry.
Johan froze. His body tensed. He looked around, thinking someone else was nearby.
But the forest was still. Silent.