I Hate Systems

"It's a Claw Wolf! Distract it while I capture it!" Helk shouted as he summoned his Martial Spirit. It was a choker, emanating a mind-numbing fluctuation.

Helk only had a Trash Martial Spirit. His choker was pretty useless. And when he was in the Origin Refinement Stage, just like all Trash Martial Spirit cultivators, he didn't obtain any special attribute to his Origin Essence.

Despairing at his condition, he eventually quit work and formed a mercenary squad to take up odd missions. His goal was to eventually establish a bandit stronghold of his own, kidnap people, make money, etc.

During his days as a mercenary, he took up commissions to kill various merchants, looting their belongings. Eventually, during one such commission, he obtained a rather special material that at the sight of which his head spun.

He immediately decided to use it once he broke through to the Martial Origin Stage. After using up the resources that he had looted to cultivate painstakingly, he finally attained a breakthrough.

Once he reached the Martial Origin Stage, he fused the mysterious material into his Martial Spirit, turning it physical, becoming maniacal with joy once he understood its renewed properties.

He was able to enslave Origin Beasts!

He could also use it on humans. But due to their stronger will and intelligence, the chances of failure were too high. But on the Origin Beasts with inferior intelligence, it was easier.

Even though he was only able to enslave one Origin Beast, Helk was looking for a good enough target in the Martial Origin Stage. That way, it'll pave the way for him to establish his stronghold in the future.

And, since he planned to do that in the Misty Gorge Ruins, the Claw Wolf was a good target. Not only was it in the Martial Origin Stage, but it would also lead a pack of Origin Refinement Stage Claw Wolves.

With just that, he would be able to obtain a lot of subordinates to survive in this place by enslaving only one Origin Beast.

The Claw Wolf was the perfect target as he gazed at a man that was at the Ninth Layer of the Origin Refinement Stage, "Take two men with you and chase after Ranze. Once I enslave this Claw Wolf, I'll come to reinforce you."

"Alright, boss." The man nodded and broke off from the group, chasing after Ranze with two others.

"Don't try to kill it. That'll be hard." Helk said, "Just focus on tiring it out."

All the mercenaries took out the swords sheathed at their hips. They were weapons created using Origin Beast parts, capable of conducting Origin Essence to turn strong and sharp. They were what all Trash Martial Spirit cultivators relied upon to fight.

Those with a higher Tier Martial Spirit had exclusive weapons suitable for the attribute imbued into their Origin Essence by their respective Martial Spirits.

Grrr!

The Claw Wolf growled as it noticed that it had been surrounded by people on all sides. Due to the pepper powder, its nose wasn't working well, preventing it from concentrating as usual. It was still strong enough to take down most of the people though.Â

But, it frowned, noticing the figure of Helk slowly approach it as he unsheathed a blade, "Damn beast, come at me!"

Angry at the taunt, the Claw Wolf leaped at Helk, slamming into the side of the blade that he defended with. He skid on the ground for a few metres from the impact.

It didn't let up, lunging at him as it intended to bite his legs but met his blade instead. The power behind its bite was strong enough to dent the blade, causing teeth marks to form on it.

"Heuk!" Helk gritted his teeth, noticing his blade beginning to deform. But in reality, a cunning smile formed on his face as the Claw Wolf was in his reach and was remaining wholly still.

He quickly condensed his choker and threw it towards the Claw Wolf, causing it to expand in size for a moment before sliding through its neck.

It instantly shrunk as the Claw Wolf howled in response, struggling as something seemed to be overwriting its will.

Right at this time, the rest of the mercenaries threw nets on it, constricting it. The Claw Wolf struggled, beginning to rip through the nets but as time passed, its struggles were getting lower as its eyes glazed over.

A couple of minutes later, Helk sighed in relief, noticing the Claw Wolf escape from the nets. But, it had now fallen under his control, causing him to smile as he slowly patted it, "It's done."

Silver-grey fur and a stature that was a head taller than him. It was a massive Origin Beast. Now that it was under his control, Helk climbed aboard it, laughing, "This'll be my mount from now on."

Through the choker, he commanded the Claw Wolf to howl as soon after, a couple dozen Claw Wolves in the Origin Refinement Stage arrived, bowing to its command.

"Take one each." Helk grinned, "From today onwards, we'll call ourselves the Claw Wolf Bandits."

"Yes, boss!" Everyone was excited at the prospects. With the Claw Wolves under their control, they could obtain a territory for themselves in the Misty Gorge Ruins.

And as long as the Claw Wolf continues to cultivate and grow stronger, the number of Claw Wolves under it would also increase in number. Maybe, in the future, even a few Martial Origin Stage Claw Wolves could fall under its control.

That would only serve to increase their strength. And with this foundation, they could target all merchant caravans that pass by routes closer to the Misty Gorge Ruins, ransack them to the limit and escape back into the Misty Gorge Ruins.

With the Claw Wolves, they would never get lost in the place and could even use other Origin Beasts to hinder any pursuers.

As everyone began to daydream about their future, a jet-black individual wearing the curtain of the night slowly landed before Helk, "The material you fused with. Where did you obtain it?"

"Who are you?" Helk frowned, alarmed as he didn't even manage to notice the other party's approach until he uttered a word. And even now, despite trying to probe through the jet-black figure's strength, he was alarmed.

A mortal!

That was what he was sensing, which was impossible since the other party had an imposing presence.