Lv.99 Princess of Dark Flames (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 5

The Twelve Divine Beasts.

Twelve divine animals that guard the East. They were the creatures commonly known as the “zodiac signs”—the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

It was said that the Twelve Divine Beasts, possessing mysterious powers, select suitable Awakened individuals to form contracts with, and that these “Contractors” gain special skills or traits in addition to their innate abilities.

Among them, the one chosen as an “Avatar” was said to acquire unimaginable power—either through “Manifestation,” borrowing the form of the Divine Beast, or by receiving the Beast’s power, known as an “Authority.”

However, forming a contract with a Divine Beast was said to be harder than winning the lottery. In truth, among Eun Ha’s acquaintances, only two had succeeded: the training camp director and her assigned instructor.

She had never seen them in actual combat, but it was evident even in daily life that their basic physical abilities—such as stamina and strength—had vastly improved after contracting with a Divine Beast. Especially her instructor, who remained perfectly fine even after staying awake for three full days.

‘If I form a contract with a Divine Beast, combat will definitely become much easier than it is now.’

It wasn’t bad news for Eun Ha. Yet, there was one thing that troubled her.

Eun Ha lifted her head and stared at the yellow message window.

“My understanding of the Twelve Divine Beasts is that they consist of twelve animals. As far as I know, there’s no cat among them.”

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ stiffens abruptly.] [After a brief cough, it trails off vaguely, claiming there’s a deep reason behind it.]

If that wasn’t suspicious, it was a lie.

She couldn’t even fathom what about herself had prompted the cat to propose a contract in the first place. After all, she was nothing more than a rat trapped in a cage.

What could the cat possibly gain from contracting with someone like her? Simple curiosity? Whim?

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ twitches its whiskers, seemingly displeased with your suspicion.] [It puffs up its body proudly and struts about, asking, “Who do you think healed you when you burned your arm?”]

“…You were the one who healed me?”

Her condition had been better than expected. Far too good to attribute solely to a Hunter’s natural healing ability.

Trusting the words of a cat she’d never seen before would be foolish. But in this dire situation, rejecting an opportunity would be equally foolish.

Lost in thought, Eun Ha slowly parted her lips. She needed to ask the most important question.

“…If I accept this contract, can you get me out of here?”

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ purrs, indicating it’s not impossible.]

According to the cat, this gate was a black gate—a mysterious Unknown Gate.

‘So it really wasn’t an ordinary gate after all.’

Her long-held suspicion had just turned into certainty.

‘But…’

When she’d entered this gate with her companions, the rift’s color had clearly been white. At what point had it changed into an Unknown Gate?

She had no idea.

Then again, if anyone could figure it out, it wouldn’t be called “Unknown.”

As Eun Ha pondered, another yellow message window popped up before her.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ explains that to escape this place, you must collect all five items and fulfill the escape condition.]

“Five items?”

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ nods toward the parasol in your left hand.]

“This is one of the five items? Then the other four are—”

Eun Ha suddenly fell silent mid-sentence. After a brief pause, her eyes sharpened, and she spoke again.

“…Don’t tell me the other four Named Monsters drop them?”

[Ding-dong-dang! The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ cheerfully strikes a xylophone.] [Nodding approvingly, it says, “You really are clever. I’ve always had a good eye for people.”]

“…So you’re saying you’ll share your Authority with me so I can defeat the remaining Named Monsters.”

It was an incredibly tempting offer. She wanted to accept it right away, yet for some reason, she hesitated to nod immediately.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ adds belatedly that there are two restrictions to the contract with it.]

Of course. There’s no such thing as a free lunch. In fact, a deal with no conditions or restrictions would be hard to believe.

“What restrictions?”

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ states: First, you must never mention me—the thirteenth Divine Beast—to anyone else. Second, you must give me your name.]

There was no one else here besides Eun Ha, so mentioning the Divine Beast to others wasn’t an issue.

But the second condition troubled her.

‘Give you my name?’

Eun Ha narrowed her eyes.

“What does that mean?”

[It means exactly what it says—your name will become mine, and you’ll no longer be able to use it yourself.]

Perhaps sensing Eun Ha’s hesitation, another message window popped up.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ says, “If you don’t trust me, I’ll prove it to you myself. Will you accept? ▶ Accept / Decline”]

Two buttons appeared before her eyes.

After a moment of hesitation, Eun Ha finally raised her finger and clicked the “Accept” button.

Paaah!

[Golden eyes shine like stars.] [Entity identification. Cha Eun Ha.] [ Loading ]

Brilliant golden light enveloped Eun Ha.

[Entity identification complete.] [Regeneration will begin shortly.]

The golden light surrounding Eun Ha suddenly turned pure white. In an instant, rays of light spread throughout the pitch-black cave.

Perhaps because she hadn’t seen light in so long, her eyes tingled.

When the light finally faded, her vision, once bleached white, returned to normal.

“…!”

Eun Ha abruptly turned her head and dropped the parasol she’d been holding.

“My right arm…”

It was back.

Completely intact.

Was this the power of a Divine Beast? Eun Ha gently touched her restored right arm. It felt less like magic and more like a miracle.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ confidently shrugs its shoulders.]

Whether this cat was a Divine Beast or a demon, one thing was certain—it possessed mysterious and formidable power.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ offers you a contract. Will you accept?]

There was no more reason to hesitate.

‘Even though giving up my name bothers me…’

The gate. The monsters.

If she could get revenge on those who stole her dreams, future, and family, Eun Ha was ready to sell her soul to a demon.

Her deliberation didn’t last long. The moment her fingertip touched the “Accept” button—

Ding,

Ding,

Ding…

Short, cheerful notification sounds followed.

[Contract successful!] [Your soul has been bound to the ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’!] [Agility greatly increased.] [Passive ▶ ‘Reader of Night’ activated. Night vision enhanced. Accuracy in combat within dark spaces greatly increased.]

Several message windows appeared one after another, and finally, an unfamiliar red system window popped up.

[You have obtained the Authority of the Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ ▶ ‘Cat’s Claws’.]

Cat’s Claws? No—more importantly, an Authority?

Unlike regular skills or traits granted through contracts, Authorities were special. Weren’t they only given to the rare few Contractors who earned a Divine Beast’s recognition? She’d heard even the training camp director and her instructor hadn’t received one.

‘Cat’s Claws…’

Eun Ha examined her fingernails. Aside from feeling slightly lighter, there was no visible change.

Ding-ding-ding… After a few more chimes, the cat’s message window suddenly appeared.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ wears a meaningful smile.] [It encourages you, saying, “Now that I’ve granted you this Authority, go ahead and put it to good use.”]

“Put it to good use—”

Before Eun Ha could finish her sentence—

Kwaaang!

A deafening echo shook her to the core, followed by a heavy, crumbling roar. Instinctively, Eun Ha gripped her “Elegant Parasol.”

Crushing the cave wall like dough, a massive forepaw emerged.

Grrrrr…

[Lv.78 Mutant ‘Black Tiger with Red Eyes’ has spotted you!]

It was the second mutant monster.

Boom!

Without warning, it swung its huge paw at Eun Ha, who evaded it lightly, like a butterfly.

‘Fast.’

Not the monster—me.

Surprised by her own movement, Eun Ha checked her limbs. Visually, nothing seemed different.

[Lv.78 Mutant ‘Black Tiger with Red Eyes’ is greatly enraged!] [Status: Enraged Monster’s attack power greatly increased.]

Kwak!

The Named Monster charged at her with teeth reminiscent of a man-eating shark. Had she not blocked it with her parasol, she’d have been riddled with holes like a beehive.

Like gathering tiny seeds to bloom a flower, embers gathered in the center of Eun Ha’s palms.

Pah!

Soon, the embers merged into one large flame and struck the monster with great force.

Grrrrr…

But the monster didn’t fall. This blow had been stronger than her first fight with a Named Monster, yet it still wasn’t enough. Apparently, a ten-level difference was greater than she’d thought.

As she prepared her next attack, a message window popped up before her eyes.

Ding!

[Activate Authority ▶ ‘Cat’s Claws’?]

The die was cast. She intended to use every available advantage. The moment Eun Ha made her decision, the yellow message window sparkled.

[Authority activation successful.] [‘Cat’s Claws’ will remain active until further settings are made.]

However, none of the subsequent pop-up windows explained how to use the Authority. Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Eun Ha quickly closed the unhelpful message.

The Lv.78 mutant monster before her was clearly stronger than the Lv.68 one she’d fought earlier. Even with her right arm restored and her stats boosted by the contract, she couldn’t easily overpower it. So then.

‘I need to draw its attention first.’

But how could she do that in this empty cave?

The monster had smashed the surrounding stalactite pillars and cave walls, leaving no place to hide. And on this open plain, there was only one target for the beast—Cha Eun Ha.

Cold sweat began to gather on her palms.

‘What should I do?’

She clenched her fist tightly, and the remaining embers in her hand went “Tak—” and scattered around.

At that moment.

…!

The red eyes, previously fixed on Eun Ha, suddenly shifted to the embers. The monster’s red gaze followed the embers’ movement back and forth.

[The golden eyes of the Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ sparkle brightly!]

‘…Could it be?’

To test her suspicion, Eun Ha slowly opened her fist once more, then quickly closed it again.

Tak.

The remaining embers scattered with the ash, resembling fireflies. The giant monster’s tail began to sway with a “Boong-boong” sound.

[The Divine Beast ‘Wandering Cat of Darkness’ lowers its body and slowly wiggles its hips.]

‘It’s confirmed.’

The moment her suspicion turned into certainty, Eun Ha no longer hesitated.

Using both hands, she created countless embers. They began darting around the cave as if they had minds of their own.

Yes—just like mice.

Boom!

The Named Monster swung its massive paw toward an ember that drifted close to it, completely ignoring Eun Ha as if she no longer existed.

‘No matter how high it jumps, it’s still just a cat.’

Eun Ha gripped her parasol. Its sharp tip gleamed fiercely.

She’d only get one chance. The monster wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice.

She braced her heels.

And in an instant, seized the opening to charge.

Pook!

Without hesitation, she stabbed the distracted red eye.

Kwaaaaah!

The monster let out an ear-splitting scream and staggered. Its massive body shook violently, causing the surroundings to tremble as if struck by an earthquake.

Eun Ha pulled the parasol from the monster’s eyeball and thrust it into the ground.

She kicked off the floor forcefully, using the recoil to leap high into the air.

Whoosh—

She had to deliver the final blow before it regained its sight.

The moment Eun Ha tightened her grip on the parasol, it acted as a trigger. Whoosh! Embers scattered around the flame-engulfed parasol.

Though the intense heat should have melted it, the parasol instead amplified the flames as if coated in oil.

Eun Ha took a deep breath and swung the parasol like a baseball bat. A sharp, black afterimage traced the parasol’s arc.

Pbaaak!

With a bone-crunching sound, the tiger’s neck twisted 180 degrees. Even Eun Ha herself seemed slightly surprised by the unimaginable power, which far exceeded a mere blunt impact.

The monster, neck twisted, crashed to the ground and lay still.

Eun Ha placed a hand on her heaving chest and silently glared at the beast. After what felt like minutes but was only seconds, a message window appeared.

[Second Named Monster defeated!] [Updating.] [ Loading ]

Only after confirming the message did Eun Ha finally relax her guard and lower her upper body. Scorch marks from the embers were clearly visible on the monster’s hide.

‘With a hide this big, I could’ve skinned it and used it as a blanket.’

But this one’s hide was already riddled with holes—it wouldn’t serve well as a blanket.

As she examined the corpse with a disappointed expression, a familiar chime and cheerful BGM sounded once more. Eun Ha shifted her gaze from the corpse to the message window.

[Congratulations! You have obtained the ‘Black Flame Princess’s’ ‘Jet-Black Silk Dress’!]

“…?”

What’s this now?