The Role of the Reaper

Shin stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, the forest eerily quiet around him. The mighty tiger lay defeated at his feet, its once-glowing red eyes now lifeless. He took a deep breath, the adrenaline of the fight still coursing through his veins.

As he relaxed, the transformation of his Abyss Reaper identity began to fade. His dark and gold armor shimmered briefly before dissolving into a cascade of faint black particles.

His scythe, once menacingly slung over his shoulder, vanished back into his dimensional storage with a subtle "WHOOSH."

The Transformation

Shin's appearance shifted once more. His black and silver hair remained, a striking reminder of his Reaper persona. His pale skin, almost ghostly under the moonlight, stayed the same, but his outfit transitioned back into a simple dark ensemble—a long black coat, dark pants, and sturdy boots, a far cry from the ominous, regal presence of the Abyss Reaper.

He glanced at his reflection in a nearby pool of water, tilting his head slightly.

"Guess this look is permanent now. Not bad."

System Rewards

A familiar sound echoed in his mind—a faint "DING"—followed by the glowing blue interface of his game system materializing before his eyes.

[CONGRATULATIONS! You have acquired new skills:]

Tiger Claws: Summon ethereal claws to strike with ferocious power.Quick Dash: A burst of speed to evade or close the gap between enemies.Shadow Walk: Blend into the shadows, becoming nearly invisible in darkness.Night Eye: Enhanced vision in the dark, allowing you to see as clearly as if it were daylight.

Shin smirked, his eyes scanning the list.

"Not bad. I'll definitely be using these."

The system chimed again.

[Spoils acquired:]

Wolf Fangs ×12Wolf Fur ×8Beast Core (Common) ×1

"Perfect. These will fetch a good price at the guild." Shin bent down, gathering the remains of the wolves into his dimensional storage. Each fang and tuft of fur disappeared with a soft glow as he stored them away.

A Curious Transformation

Shin turned his attention back to the tiger's lifeless form. Its massive body lay still, the once-terrifying beast now just a shadow of its former self. As he reached down to harvest its claws and pelt, something strange happened.

The tiger's body began to shimmer, its massive frame glowing faintly with a warm golden light. Shin stepped back, his eyes narrowing.

"What now?"

Before his eyes, the tiger began to shrink. Its enormous muscles faded, its claws retracting, its fearsome aura vanishing completely. In moments, the terrifying predator was gone, replaced by a small, kitten-sized version of itself.

The tiny tiger blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes, its fur still striped and faintly glowing.

Shin crouched down, staring at the miniature creature.

"A transformation, huh? Guess you weren't the king of the forest for nothing."

The mini tiger tilted its head, letting out a tiny growl that sounded more like a squeak. Shin couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're not so scary now, are you?" He reached out, scooping the little tiger into his hands. Its fur was surprisingly soft, and it made no attempt to resist.

As he held it, the tiger curled up, letting out a contented purr.

"Guess I'll keep you as a pet. You might come in handy." Shin smirked, tucking the little tiger into the crook of his arm.

The Return Journey

With his spoils gathered and his new companion in tow, Shin began making his way back through the forest. The darkness pressed in around him, but his newly acquired Night Eye skill allowed him to see clearly.

Every rustle of leaves and distant howl echoed through the night, but Shin remained calm, his daggers sheathed and ready.

As he approached the clearing where he'd left the boy, Shin could see the faint glow of the firelight. The kid sat huddled next to the dying flames, his eyes wide with fear as the sounds of the forest seemed to close in around him.

A distant "HOWL" sent the boy scrambling to his feet, his face pale. He clutched a small stick, his hands trembling.

"He looks like he's about to pass out," Shin thought with a smirk as he stepped into the light.

"You're back!" The boy's voice cracked with relief, though his eyes widened at the sight of Shin's silver and black hair.

"Yeah, I'm back," Shin said, his tone casual. He set the mini tiger down, and it padded around curiously, earning a startled yelp from the boy.

"W-what's that?!"

"This? Just a little souvenir," Shin said, picking the tiger up again. The small creature let out a soft growl, nuzzling into Shin's arm.

"Looks like it's staying with me."

The boy stared, his fear momentarily forgotten.

"You… you beat it, didn't you? That huge tiger?"

Shin shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Let's just say it won't be bothering anyone anymore."

The boy's shoulders sagged with relief, and he sank back down by the fire.

"Thank you… I thought for sure I was done for."

Shin didn't respond immediately. He sat down across from the boy, his eyes scanning the dark forest around them.

"Get some rest," he said finally. "We've got a long walk back to the guild tomorrow."

The boy nodded, exhaustion finally overtaking his fear. As the night deepened, Shin leaned back against a tree, the mini tiger curled up on his lap.

The forest was still alive with sounds, but none of it bothered him. For now, he allowed himself a moment of calm, his mind already turning to what awaited them in town.

"Let's see what kind of rewards I can get for all this trouble."