Awakening : Becoming The World's Strongest Beast Master

Satisfied with this result, Leo couldn't help but wonder how much of a difference it would make in actual combat.

"By the way, what's the purpose of the energy I've accumulated?" Leo asked the system curiously.

The system promptly replied: [ The energy rewarded by the system serves two main functions. The first is to improve the host's own ability level. The second is to act as a consumable resource when activating abilities. However, be aware that this system energy cannot be replenished through external means and is reserved exclusively for the host's use. ]

Hearing this, Leo's heartbeat quickened with excitement.

"How much energy does it take to level up?"

[ You can check for yourself, ] the system answered, as a translucent screen appeared before Leo, displaying his current stats.

___________

Name: Leo

Age: [Unspecified]

Level: 1st-tier Ability User

Abilities: D-level Beast Master, B-level Body Enhancement, B-level Absolute Magnification

Energy: 11,040 (10,000 required to level up)

Beasts: White Jade Cat, Silver Light Fox

___________

Seeing the numbers, Leo fell into thought.

"So, I started with 10,000 energy points when you first bound to me, and the recent fusion rewarded me with another 1,000 points. That means in all these days, I've only earned 40 points through my own efforts?"

The realization made Leo shudder. Without the system, leveling up would have been an excruciatingly slow process.

Despite this, Leo was grateful for the opportunity. He knew just how rare and powerful this kind of system assistance was.

At that moment, the car came to a stop, signaling their arrival. Leo got out, paid the driver, and walked toward Marcus's villa.

His expression hardened as he prepared himself mentally.

"Marcus is a third-tier ability user. While he's not one of the city's strongest, he's a major figure in this area."

"There's a history of friction between us, and it's likely he'll hold a grudge. But I've withdrawn more money than necessary to settle things. Hopefully, this will be enough to smooth things over."

"If not…" Leo thought to himself, "the White Jade Cat and the Silver Light Fox are powerful beasts with A-level bloodlines. They can fight above their level if needed."

Still, Leo reminded himself not to engage unless absolutely necessary. Marcus's position and influence suggested strong allies behind him.

By the time these thoughts settled, Leo had arrived at Marcus's villa.

The front door stood open, and Leo stepped inside. After crossing a well-kept courtyard, he reached the entrance, where an angry voice could be heard from within.

"You idiots! All this trouble for a few measly coins, and you haven't even gotten the money yet!"

"Useless trash!"

The voice belonged to someone other than Marcus. Leo paused, listening further.

"Because of that meddling old man Augustus, the city guards I bribed have cut ties with us! And now Remy is demanding compensation, claiming his entire team got fired because of us. He wants me to pay him damages!"

The voice grew angrier, punctuated by the sound of slaps and cursing.

Leo hesitated. It was clear the chaos inside was tied to him. Deciding it would be unwise to walk into such a volatile situation, he turned to leave—only to find Marcus standing behind him, expressionless.

"You're here," Marcus growled. "No point in running now. Get inside."

Realizing he had no choice, Leo muttered, "I just arrived," and entered the villa with Marcus close behind.

Inside the lavish hall, over thirty men knelt on the floor. Leo recognized some of them as the thugs who had tried to capture him and Mia at the hospital.

Among them stood a young man, around his early twenties, with pale skin, long hair, and sharp, calculating eyes. His presence radiated authority, though his gaze carried a subtle, menacing edge.

Leo froze, recognizing him instantly.

This was the same man Mia had been with the day before her accident.

The young man stared at Leo, his frown deepening as if trying to place him.

Before anyone could speak, one of the kneeling men shouted, "That's him! That's the guy who owes us money and attacked our men!"

Several of them surged toward Leo, anger in their eyes.

Leo's hands twitched, ready to summon his beasts, but Marcus raised a hand, stopping them in their tracks.

"Do you idiots forget whose house this is?" Marcus said coldly.

The group immediately backed down, cowed by Marcus's authority.

The young man, meanwhile, glanced at Marcus and asked, "Who is this?"

Marcus's voice remained calm. "He's here to settle a debt."

Leo seized the moment to speak. "That's right. I came to repay what I owe. Though I didn't expect to stumble into such a lively meeting."

The young man's expression shifted slightly, but he said nothing.

Marcus, however, looked uneasy. He could sense the tension in the room escalating and didn't want it to explode under his roof.

Leo, undeterred, took a step forward.