After learning how to use the dimensional ring, Aaron pulled out the equipment he needed—armor that would serve as both protection and clothing, since he was completely naked. He also took out his bow and arrows, ready for a hunt.
The armor he wore resembled something out of the medieval era, but it wasn't quite the same. It had been modified with a more modern design and enhanced features.
Jet black with gold lining along the edges of each plate, the armor was made with energy-condensation material, eliminating the need for a bulky helmet. Instead, it featured a hood that served a more advanced function. The result was an elegant, lightweight piece of armor.
Though it looked like a high-tech version of medieval armor, by the standards of the current age, all of Aaron's creations were low-quality gear, far inferior to more advanced energy-condensed equipment.
"Huh, this is way better," he muttered. "But why does this ring have special abilities, while the gear I made doesn't, apart from being stronger than average stuff?"
As he puzzled over the glaring difference, flashes of recent insane events played in his mind. Eventually, he reached a conclusion:
'Could it be... the ring's power was triggered by my blood? That must be it. It didn't activate until it absorbed my blood!'
Filled with excitement, Aaron pricked his finger with a dagger from his dimensional ring.
Then, he retrieved all his energy-condensed weapons from the ring: armor, dagger, sword, bow, and arrows, and let his blood drip onto each one.
"Item Marking Failed!"
"Upgrade Required to Enable Marking!"
Suddenly, a virtual screen appeared in front of him. Aaron was stunned. Despite how expensive his energy weapons were—enough to be considered mid-tier hunting tools on Earth—they were still classified as "ordinary" items by the system.
"Upgrade? These things were already too expensive for me... and now I have to upgrade them?" A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of the costs. It seemed nearly impossible.
Since his items had to be upgraded before they could be marked, there was nothing he could do about it for now. He would have to make do with what he had.
He turned to his dog, now finished eating, and said, "Let's go, Patrick! It's time to change our fate—for a brighter future!"
Thanks to his enhanced senses, Aaron had no trouble navigating his way out of the cave.
But the first thing he saw outside was far from what he expected.
There, lying on the ground in a near-death state, was Ziva—the giant, winged tiger monster. Standing in front of her was a massive gorilla-like monster with a body that looked like solid rock and glowing, molten lava running through its veins.
Although the distance would have been too great for any ordinary human to see clearly, it posed no issue for Aaron. His evolved body and heightened senses gave him a clear view.
Seeing the monster who had helped him recover and level up, on the brink of death, ignited a spark within him. He quickly grabbed his bow and arrows, ready to help in any way he could. Yet, he was well aware that his chances of harming, let alone killing, the Fire Gorilla Monster were close to zero. The gap in power between them was too wide.
Still, if nothing else, Aaron could use this moment to test his new strength.
After scanning the terrain for an escape route, he took aim. With his improved senses, his grip on the bow was steadier, his aim more precise. As he focused on his target, a strange sensation crept over him, an odd tingling that spread throughout his body.
That sensation flowed toward his bow and arrows, channeled by his intent and concentration.
Without him realizing it, dark energy began to seep from his body, enhancing his already-strengthened form. The black energy didn't stop there, it enveloped the bow and arrow as well.
Once Aaron locked on to his target, he released the arrow. It shot forth with a speed and force many times greater than his first time testing the weapon. The arrow tore through the air, traveling an incredible distance before piercing the monster gorilla's heart from behind.
"ROARRRGH!"
The Fire Gorilla Monster's roar echoed across the forest, its voice so powerful it rippled through the air, putting every creature in the area on high alert. Animals scattered, desperate to distance themselves from the terrifying sound.
Shocked and unable to comprehend what had just happened, the fire gorilla monster was consumed by pure rage.
But there was nothing he could do except roar again.
"ROARRRGH!"
That final roar escaped his mouth as his vision blurred. The enormous body toppled sideways, hitting the ground with a thunderous crash that made the earth tremble.
The Fire Gorilla had fallen, brought down by Aaron's dark energy-infused arrow.
A virtual screen appeared in front of Aaron once more.
"Name: Aaron Ockford"
"Age: 12"
"Progress: (1450/2000)"
"Level: 1"
"Power: Chaos"
"Body: Earth Rank"
"Passive Skill: Swallowing Hole (Absorbs destructive elemental energy)"
"Active Skills: Soul Drainer, Energy Share"
"Avatar: Fire Gorilla Monster (King Rank)"
"Soul Energy: +15 (Excluding innate soul energy)"
"Item: Dimensional Ring (Gold Grade)"
[+1 Soul Core]
"King-ranked monster defeated."
"First King-rank kill reward: +1 Active Skill - Energy Share (Allows you to share Soul Energy or Natural Energy you possess)."
Description:
(Soul Energy is a purer form of Natural Energy. It enhances mental strength, spiritual power, and energy sensitivity.)
Seeing the new additions to his virtual panel, Aaron was both thrilled and confused.
"Another active skill? Hah! I'm more convinced than everwe're on the right path! This is how we build a better life." His voice was filled with excitement, hope burning bright in his chest. His goals and dreams felt closer than ever.
But then a strange unease crept in.
How could a King-ranked monster be killed... that easily?