[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – GLOBAL EVENT UPDATE]
Ding!
Congratulations! You have successfully annihilated the Third Realm's Eastern Monster Legion.
—
Individual Contributions:
> Samuel Gebb (Harbinger of Destruction):
Total Kills – 6,230
Final Blow on Abyssal Behemoth
Reward: +300,000 EXP | New Skill Fragment Acquired: "Oblivion Chain"
> Owen Yates (Beast King of the Third Realm):
Total Kills – 5,850
Summoned and defeated Twin-Scaled Basilisks
Reward: +280,000 EXP | Stat Boost: +15 Strength, +10 Agility
> Henry Hans (Divine Executioner):
Total Kills – 6,100
Final Blow on Void Hydra Commander
Reward: +310,000 EXP | Skill Evolution Unlocked: "Executioner's Omen"
—
BONUS EVENT – Triad Synchronization Detected!
Due to the simultaneous participation of three transcendent-tier entities from former realms, a hidden synergy has been activated.
> Title Unlocked: "Trinity of Ruin"
Effect: +20% stat boost when Samuel, Owen, and Henry fight in proximity.
Unique Passive: Dominion Pulse – Slows down enemy regeneration and buffs ally resistance in a wide radius.
—
Samuel's POV
I glanced at the blue holographic screen floating in front of me and let out a low whistle. "Damn, the system finally recognized our reunion, huh?"
Owen cracked his knuckles. "Trinity of Ruin... Sounds badass."
Henry smirked as he read through his rewards. "And about damn time. Guess fate's done trying to split us up."
I dismissed the screen and looked ahead. The battlefield we'd torn through was now nothing but ash, cratered earth, and dissolving monster corpses.
"This world really thought it could throw beasts at us?" I muttered, eyes narrowing.
Owen threw an arm over my shoulder. "Let it keep throwing them. We'll just keep breaking the rules."
Henry's voice was sharp and cold behind us. "This realm doesn't know what it just awakened."
I grinned. "Let's show it."
As Owen's voice broke the silence, I turned to look at him. His eyes, usually fierce and wild with that beastly glint, had softened just a little.
"Well," he said, stretching his arms with a low grunt, "there are some quests I left unfinished back in the Human World. And some… unfinished business that the original Owen Yates left behind."
I raised a brow. "You sure you're not just running away because you're scared I'd win the next spar?"
Owen snorted. "In your dreams, Harbinger. When I come back, you better have leveled up. I won't hold back next time."
Henry crossed his arms, smirking. "Try not to level the Human Realm while you're at it. I hear governments don't appreciate cratered cities."
Owen turned, the wind sweeping through his coat as he stepped toward a shimmering gate forming behind him.
"Relax. I'll handle it clean… well, mostly. And when I catch up—" he glanced over his shoulder with a grin, "make sure you two haven't started another world war without me."
I gave him a nod. "We'll keep the throne warm."
"Or break it," Henry added dryly.
Owen laughed, stepping into the portal. "Just don't forget who the Beast King is."
And with a flash of light and swirling mana, he was gone.
I stood there for a moment, the wind carrying the fading echo of his laughter.
"Well," I muttered, cracking my neck, "that leaves just us two for now."
Henry's expression turned serious again. "Good. There's something big coming, Samuel. And we need to be ready."
I looked up at the sky—dark clouds gathering, the horizon rumbling with a new storm.
"Then let's begin."
________________________________________
Owen's POV
As I stepped out of the swirling portal, the chaotic mana behind me faded into silence. The world here felt… slower. Quieter. Human. But the weight in my chest hadn't lessened.
I took a deep breath and walked forward, boots crunching over dried leaves and earth. And then, I saw it—just like the memory buried deep in Original Owen's heart.
"Mother..."
The gravestone stood solemnly under the old maple tree, its branches gently swaying as if trying to reach for something lost long ago. The engraved name, though aged, was still clear. I knelt before it, my hand resting on the cold stone.
"Owen Yates' beloved mother… gone too soon."
I touched the tablet gently, as though it were fragile glass holding the last pieces of her soul. My throat tightened as memories that weren't even mine surged forward—tearful nights, a trembling child hiding from his father's wrath, the quiet comfort of her embrace.
"The most important thing Owen wanted after rebirth... was to save her belongings. To make sure they weren't desecrated by that pathetic excuse of a father."
My voice was low, steady. But my heart? A storm of fire.
I looked at the grave, fingers curling into a fist.
"I'm sorry... for taking so long. For letting him tarnish your memory. But I promise you—" I lowered my head in respect, "I will fulfill what the original Owen couldn't."
A gust of wind swept past, brushing against my face like a whisper.
And in that moment, I knew—
It was time to reclaim everything that was stolen.
"This is your son now… Beast King or not, I'll be the shield you never had."