The Earth After Rebirth

"Well, I didn't want to act alone. I'll send it to him." Hiro didn't even look up, he was busy crafting something.

Asgard was convenient like that in this aspect. Items could be sent using the system, as long as you had the person as a friend and some coins. You could send them almost anything.

"What are you making anyway?" He was curious now.

"It's a surprise." Hiro answered mysteriously.

"Is it for me?" His eyes popped in excitement as he asked.

"No."

"Tch."

Kiro didn't want to logout. He felt like, if he did, Hubris would die. His weakened state hadn't improved, he couldn't very well let a legendary beast slip through his fingers.

"I'll be in the forest, let me know when Saanvi gets here or send her to me."

Hiro simply nodded.

He left Hiro to his devices, he was like a crazed animal. Working on his craftsmanship like there was no tomorrow. Kiro had asked him why he was working so hard without taking breaks. He simply said, 'I have a mountain to climb. If I don't start now I'll never be able to reach the peak.'

Kiro was a bit worried that his friend was taking the game way too seriously. He could tell that he had a different kind of love for crafting and since in real life he couldn't afford materials to create, the game gave him plenty.

As much as he wanted them to have plenty of money. He also didn't want his friend to get so lost in Asgard that he can't tell reality and virtual reality.

Kiro walked into their mini forest. The other beasts had already chosen their territories and made themselves at home. Since they had one master, they had to get along. Attacking each other was made impossible by the system.

"Hubris, let's see what you can do. Impress me."

Even though Hubris could feel Kiro wouldn't harm him, he was scared. Remembering the fight in the cave gave him a chill. He had never quite seen a being as daring as Kiro, even amongst hellhounds.

This made him feel conflicted. As a hellhound, he had his pride. But what's pride against absolute power?

That's why he could be seen, trying his best to conjure hellfire even though he was weakened and that would in turn injure him.

He coughed as if clearing his throat, all that could get out was dark smoke. He looked at Kiro as if he'd just did the most amazing thing.

"Is that all you can do? I guess in your weakened state you're useless." He looked at him pitifully.

"Well let's try this again." He took out a rubber ball, "Fetch this, will ya?" He threw it far into the forest. He wanted to test his speed.

Hubris didn't move an inch. He was a hellhound not a dog. He'd die before he did something this embarrassing.

"I thought I'd scared the cheek out of you. I guess you need a beating. I suppose Frost didn't give you enough beatings." He didn't even wait for him to make a move.

He didn't use his staff, afraid he'd kill him. He used his fists. He beat him to an inch of his life, then gave him a potion and then did it all over again.

He looked like a crazed maniac beating on a harmless pupp the way he was. Anyone who saw this, would be sure Kiro was an abusive owner.

Hubris had been fed the potion for the 3rd time when he decided to bite the bullet. He ran like the wind, and disappeared into the trees in an instant.

"At least you've got speed!" He shouted after him.

He wondered why even though he tamed Hubris, it was still not following his orders blindly. Was there a glitch in the game?

Ding!

[That's because he's a legendary beast. The times when it accepts you as a master are completely rare, so to avoid getting killed, always be stronger than it.]

"So you can read my mind? That's unsettling."

Ding!

[I'm not interested if it's not about the game, rest assured, Asgardian.]

Kiro was a bit concerned about the revelation of taming a legendary beast. He didn't think it was worth it if its going to turn around and maul him to death.

Ding!

[Hubris isn't just a legendary beast, he's a legendary beast that can evolve.]

"What does that even mean?"

[...]

'I just have to be stronger than it, right?'

Hubris came rushing back from the forest and gave Kiro the ball. He noticed that running didn't affect his health at all, so he threw it again. Without hesitation this time, Hubris lunged after the ball. He surpringly caught it before it went too far.

"Wow that's nice pet. I want one too."

Kiro looked back, it was Saanvi.

"Hell will freeze over before Hubris admits to being a pet."

"It's aware? That's cool."

She did nothing and stood there silently. Kiro didn't quite like Saanvi, her quirks were too much for him. But since Hiro liked her a lot, he was learning to too.

"Well, can you help him? Of course I'll pay you, whatever you want."

"I know you like money, so how about a million." She said teasing.

"You know, that's a horrible way to play. You said you wanted a pet, I captured more beasts. I can give you one," he said trying to get this conversation as far away from money as possible.

"Deal," she said smiling, as if that was her goal all along.

"Hubris come here boy, be nice to this lady, she's here to treat you."

Hubris growled. He wasn't about to let some unknown human touch him. But when Kiro showed his fists with an awkward clearly angry smile, he immediately became docile and willing.

"ah, seems like he's cursed."

"What? Can you fix him?"

"Calm down Waynworth, I wouldn't be much a priest if I couldn't."

Kiro looked at her dumbfounded, 'did she just call me by my surname like it's the most normal thing?'

She started doing some chants, incantations, Kiro couldn't be sure but he watched in apprehension.

After 30 minutes of mumbling nonsensical words, a golden light enveloped Hubris. For the first time, he howled since he was just a little thing it wasn't an impressive howl.

"Is he in pain?"

"Of course he is."

It took about an hour, Saanvi was drenched in sweat at this point.

"Done, that'll cost you a beast."

Kiro commanded them to come out the forest. Saanvi chose the white tiger Yin but didn't take it right at that moment since it was still little.