The Ancient Tree Labyrinth
At this time of year, most students were only around Level 10 or so.
Foot traffic was light.
The temple was nearly empty.
There weren’t many staff at the counter either.
Leon walked up to the counter.
He said to a cat-eared girl, "Hello, I’d like to claim the second transition trial."
The girl behind the counter had been playing on her phone.
She looked up at the sound of his voice.
"*Whew,* so handsome." Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Handsome, fill out this form."
"Which school do you go to, handsome?"
"Aurelia No. 1 High."
"Oh, my little brother goes there too! No. 1 High is great—big campus, great facilities."
The cat-eared girl watched Leon fill out the form.
Practically starry-eyed.
*He’s gorgeous,* she thought.
*His black hair.*
*His purple eyes.*
*His strong jaw.*
*And that body...*
*I bet he’s amazing in bed.*
Leon finished quickly and handed it back.
She glanced at the form.
*C-rank beast-soul master?*
*"Too bad he’s only C-rank. If his aptitude were higher, I wouldn’t mind being his second,"* she thought with a pout.
Being a "second" meant being the second beast-girl contracted.
In this world, as long as you had the ability and enough mana supply, you could contract as many beast-girls as you wanted.
*He’s handsome, but with C-rank aptitude...*
*He probably can’t afford to support more than one beast-girl.*
*Still, I wouldn’t have minded being his.*
*Just for the face.*
*And that body.*
"Third room on the left. Take this token and claim your breakthrough quest."
She handed him a badge.
Leon took the badge.
He walked toward where she’d pointed.
Selena followed silently behind him.
Saying nothing.
Watching their retreating figures, the girl behind the counter suddenly realized something.
*Wait—he said he’s a No. 1 High student?*
*Didn’t No. 1 High just have their transition assessment a few days ago?*
*The novice dungeon only opened yesterday, right?*
*And today you’re telling me you’re already Level 20?*
*How is that even possible?*
The cat-eared girl couldn’t help but shiver.
*Someone this strong—and you’re telling me you’re only C-rank aptitude?*
*You’re lying!*
*"Too bad he’s only C-rank. If his aptitude were higher, I wouldn’t mind being his second,"* she thought with a pout.
*"He must be some rich heir—faking C-rank to keep a low profile!"*
*Whoever could reach Level 20 this fast must have spent a fortune, right?*
There were plenty of mercenaries around Aurelia City.
And they didn’t come cheap!
Realizing she had missed out on a top-tier rich second-generation, the cat-eared girl felt a wave of regret.
*Too bad she hadn’t made a connection.*
*Even being a "second wife" would have been fine for her.*
Her standards weren’t so mighty and high.
Demonic Beast Cores were too expensive.
She didn’t expect those.
Just good food and drink every day.
No work.
No chores.
That would be enough.
Preferably no kids either.
She was allergic to children.
Just the sight of them annoyed her.
If she could live that kind of life, it would all be worth it!
*"What a loss!"*
*I could have been his lover.*
*His second.*
*His mistress.*
*Anything.*
*And I let him walk away.*
*Stupid.*
*Stupid.*
*Stupid.*
Leon didn’t hear the girl’s lament behind him.
A C-rank Long-Eared Cat beast-soul.
And no evolution potential.
In terms of beauty, Evelyn and Selena could already outshine 99% of ordinary women.
So it was impossible for Leon to feel even the slightest interest in her.
*She’s pretty,* Leon thought.
*But compared to my tigeress and my spider?*
*Not even close.*
*Not even worth a second glance.*
*She’s just a nobody.*
*And I’m destined for greater things.*
---
Once inside the room, Leon immediately began the transition ritual.
He pinned the badge to Selena’s chest.
He began chanting the incantation.
A screen of light appeared before Leon.
**[Please select breakthrough quest difficulty: 1-Star, 2-Star, 3-Star, 4-Star, 5-Star.]**
Leon chose 5-Star difficulty without hesitation.
The higher the difficulty, the better the breakthrough rewards.
Since he had to break through anyway, he might as well pick the hardest one.
*Why settle for less?* Leon thought.
*My tigeress is SSS-rank.*
*She can handle anything.*
*I want the best rewards.*
*The best stats.*
*The best future.*
**[Your city: Aurelia City. Only 371 people have chosen 5-Star difficulty. 3 have completed the trial. Completion rate: 0.8%]**
**[The difficulty you selected is extremely high. Please choose carefully.]**
**[Confirm selection of 5-Star difficulty?]**
*As if. If a Divine Beast White Tiger couldn’t complete this, then no beast-girl in the world could.*
Leon confirmed without a second thought.
**[5-Star quest claimed.]**
**[Child of the Beast God, proceed to the Ancient Tree Labyrinth. Defeat 500/500 Ancient Tree Guardians. Defeat the final boss—Black Mountain Treant. Time limit: 24 hours.]**
**[Upon completion, your beast-girl will break through her level limit and receive substantial rewards.]**
Leon nodded and confirmed once more.
A streak of light flashed.
Transforming into a silver thread that burrowed into the badge on Selena’s chest.
"Good. The breakthrough trial has been claimed."
Leon cracked his knuckles.
He immediately led Selena out of the temple.
The cat-eared girl had been watching the entrance the entire time.
When she spotted Leon, she tried to approach.
But he was already gone.
"*Hmph.*" She stomped her foot in frustration.
"I was going to give you a chance."
"Forget it, then."
"Oh—what was his name again? Leon, I think?"
Her little brother also attended No. 1 High.
She quickly pulled out her phone and started typing him a message.
*"Hey, do you know a guy named Leon at your school?"*
*"Super handsome. Black hair. Purple eyes."*
*"He came to the temple today."*
*"Is he single? Is he taken?"*
*"I need details. Now."*
---
Leon stepped onto the teleportation array.
With a flash of white light, he appeared near the Black Mountain Range.
The area was fairly crowded.
"Forming party! Level 23 support-type beast-girl, Spirit Power over 40! Join fast!"
"Need one more damage dealer! Level 24 strong-control beast-girl, excellent micro-management! Join now!"
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