The Golden Behemoth

As the dust settled and Ignis adjusted to his new form, Tsuki and Wogg approached him.

"Congratulations on becoming one of Master's servants like us!" Tsuki beamed, her voice filled with pride.

"Yes, welcome to the family, Ignis!" Wogg added, clapping his large hands together. "Serving Master is the best thing that ever happened to me. Trust me, you're in for a great life."

Ignis gave a slight bow. "It is an honor to serve our lord. I vow to protect him with all my might."

Tsuki tilted her head upward, her crimson eyes gleaming with pride. "Just remember, I'm the first servant. That means I'm the senior here." She puffed her chest out proudly.

Ray stood a few steps back, watching his servants interact. A small smile tugged at his lips. It was a rare sight, seeing them so happy and carefree.

Wogg scratched his head, then said with a grin, "You know, Tsuki, being first doesn't make you better than us."

"Of course, it does," Tsuki retorted, placing her hands on her hips. "I was chosen first because I'm the most capable."

Their banter was cut short when a barrage of notifications flooded Ray's vision.

---

[You've successfully named a Title bearer. Titanus Ignivermis has been given Ignis as a name.]

[As you've named him, he has evolved into a higher level. He is now a Level S+ monster.]

[Ignis's Volcanic Fury has evolved into Infernal Judgement.]

[Ignis's Seismic Roar has evolved into Cataclysmic Howl.]

[Ignis's Magma Cage has evolved into Hellfire Bastille.]

[Ignis's Eruption Leap has evolved into Blazing Ascension.]

[Ignis has learned Lava Shield.]

[Ignis has learned Molten Core Regeneration.]

Ding!

[As conditions are met, Ignis has obtained a unique skill.]

[Unique Skill: Pyroclasmic Aegis has been learned.]

Ray rubbed his temples as the endless stream of updates filled his mind. "What the... Why so many notifications all of a sudden?"

"Master?" Tsuki asked, noticing his frustrated expression.

"It's just my system. It's going crazy with notifications about Ignis," Ray replied.

He sighed and focused on the system. "Why didn't you send these kinds of updates when I made Tsuki and Wogg my servants?"

There was a moment of silence before the system responded.

[It's a pain to give you notifications every time... Ahem, their conditions haven't been met yet.]

Ray's eyes narrowed. "Wait, did you just say it's a pain?"

[It must be your imagination.]

"Sure, sure," Ray muttered, losing interest. He looked back at his servants, who were still chatting happily.

"Master, is everything all right?" Ignis asked, his deep voice filled with concern.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Just… carry on."

Ray observed Ignis's status in his mind, and a twinge of envy struck him. "Man, Ignis's status is so cool. I wish I had as many skills as him."

Meanwhile, Tsuki turned to Ignis. "So, you got a unique skill, huh? What is it?"

Ignis straightened his posture, a faint glow in his fiery eyes. "Yes. Due to our lord's kindness, I was bestowed Pyroclasmic Aegis as a unique skill. From now on, I will serve my lord with this power."

Ignis's proud declaration earned a round of applause from Tsuki and Wogg.

"Wait, you got a unique skill?!" Wogg's voice cracked as his eyes widened. "Why don't I have one? Master, that's not fair!"

Ray raised his hands defensively. "Ah, it's not my fault. The system said there are conditions for getting unique skills. Ignis met his, so he got one. Yours haven't been met yet."

Wogg scratched his chin, his expression turning serious. "So, I just need to meet the conditions? Fine. Bring it on!"

Tsuki and Ignis chuckled softly.

"What's so funny?" Wogg asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Maybe your unique skill will be called Piggy Charge," Tsuki teased, her voice dripping with mischief.

"I'm a proud orc! Don't call me pig!" Wogg growled, his face turning red with frustration.

"Okay, calm down, you two." Ray stepped in, holding his hands up. "We're done fighting for now. Let's set up camp here for the night."

"Yes! Food!" Wogg's mood shifted instantly, his eyes lighting up like a child's.

The group shared a laugh as they began preparing for the night, a moment of peace after the chaos of the battle.

---

As Ray and his crew were enjoying their food on the third floor of the Thornshadow Vault, two figures stood on the fifth floor, observing them from a distance.

"Looks like they've managed to conquer the third floor. They are truly exceptional." The voice belonged to a Behemoth with a golden body. Her tone, though feminine, was commanding, and her form was anything but typical. Despite her Behemoth lineage, she was far smaller than most of her kind, standing at the size of an average human. However, the pair of dragon-like wings sprouting from her back and her Behemoth-like body made her an enigmatic creature. One might mistake her for a dragon or a human, but it was clear that she was something unique—a hybrid of sorts.

Her face was unmistakably human, yet her striking golden hair set her apart, even among humans. There was no mistaking her otherworldly presence.

"They truly are, your majesty," the old Behemoth replied, his tone refined and respectful. His posture was stiff and proper, reminiscent of a butler. "They've not only defeated Titanus Ignivermis, but they've also made him their ally."

The golden Behemoth's gaze remained steady on Ray and his group as she pondered his abilities. "That's what concerns me more," she murmured, her eyes narrowing in thought. "He's gained skills like a Lunarian, but it's strange. A normal Lunarian can barely manage one or two servants. This one has control over three undead, of all things. What is he truly? He doesn't fit the profile of a normal or high Lunarian—he seems to be somewhere in between."

The old Behemoth nodded sagely. "Your majesty, I believe he is still in his first phase. Look at his fighting style—it resembles that of a newborn Lunarian. I'm certain he is a Royal Lunarian, but he hasn't awakened his other phases yet."

The female Behemoth's eyes widened as she realized the truth. "If that's the case, then he might be..."

"Yes, he surely is," the old Behemoth confirmed with a small, knowing smile.

She sighed heavily. "If that's true, then I shall personally judge him. If he fails to meet my expectations, he will fall under my hand."

The old Behemoth gave a slight bow, his expression still respectful. "I truly understand that, your majesty. But at least let him live. He is the only Lunarian we have."

"You're right," she replied, a contemplative look crossing her face. "But if he's to live, I must see his potential for myself."

She then turned to face the room and gave a firm command. "Prepare the stage for us to meet. I don't want any insects interfering with our fight."

The old Behemoth nodded. "I understand, your majesty. I shall inform the guardian of the fourth floor of your orders."

As he left, the golden Behemoth stood by the window, gazing out into the distance. A low murmur escaped her lips, filled with both anticipation and a tinge of bitterness.

"Just you wait, your highness," she whispered to herself, her eyes glowing with the fire of ambition. "We shall revive you. Our glorious days have just begun."

!