The forest still smelled of mammoth blood.
But Kael's eyes were no longer on the battlefield.
They were fixed on the system screen floating before him.
---
System Reward
[Hidden Founder Reward Unlocked]
[Unique Item Granted: Founder Beast Egg]
A ripple of black light appeared in Kael's palm.
Then—
crackling lightning…
And the egg materialized.
It was unlike anything they had seen.
Pitch black shell.
Veins of purple lightning crawling across its surface.
A faint… heartbeat.
Slow.
Heavy.
Ancient.
---
Angelika stepped closer first, her strategist mind already working.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"…Kael… this thing is not normal."
Elara, however, reacted differently.
Her eyes shone with excitement and instinct.
"This… is powerful."
Even Dean, who rarely showed emotion, frowned slightly.
"…I don't like the pressure coming from it."
---
System Explanation
[Founder Beast Egg]
Type: Unknown (Mutated Bloodline)
Rarity: Unique
Bond Condition: First to hatch → Absolute Loyalty to Founder
Kael's heartbeat quickened.
Absolute loyalty…
This was no ordinary beast.
---
Decision
Kael closed his fist gently around the egg.
"We take it back to Titanblood Tribe."
No one argued.
Even Angelika nodded seriously.
"…We protect it."
---
Three Weeks Later — Titanblood Tribe
The village had changed.
Massively.
✔ New wooden houses stood in organized rows
✔ Titan cows were now being used for plowing
✔ Food storage pits were nearly full
✔ Abyssari strength had accelerated construction speed
Angelika had become the brain of the village.
Elara… its fiercest shield.
And Kael—
Its undisputed core.
---
The Egg Room
Inside Kael's wooden house, the black egg rested on a bed of soft fur and warm ash.
For three weeks—
Nothing happened.
Until tonight.
---
Midnight
Crack…
Kael's eyes snapped open.
The system flashed violently.
[Founder Beast Egg — Hatching]
Lightning burst across the room.
Angelika rushed in first.
Elara right behind her.
Dean appeared at the door, already on guard.
---
The Birth
CRACK!!!
The black shell split open.
Dark smoke poured out.
Then—
A small head emerged.
But it wasn't normal.
Not one.
Three.
Three serpent-like heads slowly rose.
Each with glowing ember eyes.
Black scales.
Faint fire leaking from their mouths.
The room temperature spiked instantly.
---
Angelika whispered in disbelief—
"…Three-headed…?"
Elara's eyes widened for the first time since Kael met her.
"…What kind of beast is this…"
---
System Roars
[CONGRATULATIONS HOST]
[You Have Tamed: Skullrend Hydra (Fire Variant)]
[Bond Level: Absolute]
[Growth Potential: DRAGON-TIER]
---
The First Bond
The tiny hydra looked around.
Then all three heads turned—
toward Kael.
It slowly crawled forward.
Weak.
Newborn.
But terrifying.
Then—
It lowered its three heads.
Submission.
Recognition.
Master.
---
Kael slowly placed his hand on its central head.
Warm.
Alive.
Powerful.
A faint voice echoed in his mind.
"…Master…"
Kael's pupils shrank.
It can communicate already…
---
Reaction of the Women
Angelika was staring like she was seeing the future unfold.
Her strategic instincts were screaming.
With this beast… Titanblood Tribe's growth will explode…
Elara, however, stepped closer to Kael.
Her voice soft but intense.
"…It chose you completely."
Her fingers lightly touched Kael's arm.
Pride.
Possession.
Emotion.
All mixed.
---
Dean's Warrior Respect
Dean crossed his arms slowly.
Then nodded once.
"…Now we're becoming dangerous."
High praise.
Again.
Just when the room began to calm—
SYSTEM FLASHED RED
[Hidden Potential Detected]
[Skullrend Hydra Mutation Path Available]
[Next Evolution Requirement: Massive Meat Supply + Combat Growth]
Kael's eyes sharpened.
The real training…
was about to begin.