Growth Complete
Morning sunlight filtered through the cracks in the window. I opened my eyes to the moist sensation on my face.
“Ugh…?”
The first thing I saw was Psi. She had climbed onto my face and was diligently licking my cheek with her small tongue.
“Psi… morning already?”
I mumbled, and Psi let out a short cry. It was as if she was saying, ‘You’re awake.’
I smiled and hugged Psi tightly. Her small body felt warm.
“Did you sleep well?”
Psi wagged her tail slightly and rubbed her face against my chest. As I sat up, I glanced at the incubator beside me. Inside the transparent device, the egg was glowing faintly.
I placed my hand on it and said, “Did you sleep well too, Dmol?”
The egg inside shook slightly. Tok. Just like it was answering.
I chuckled. “Yeah, you slept well.”
I naturally checked the Status Window. A window popped up before my eyes.
“Wow… already 45%?”
I looked at the incubator with slightly widened eyes. It was definitely faster. Thanks to the affection bonus and the incubator's effect overlapping, Dmol's hatching progress was climbing much quicker than Psi's had.
“She'll hatch sooner than I thought.”
I stroked Psi once more and carefully picked up the incubator. Holding both close, I left the dormitory.
When I arrived at the cafeteria, I saw students eating breakfast. I sat in my usual spot and started my meal. Psi was perched on the chair beside me, munching on salad.
Crunch.Crunch.
She looked adorable, chewing diligently with her tiny mouth.
I smiled and said, “Psi, is it tasty?”
Psi's head snapped up. Her eyes sparkled.
“You're eating like it's the best thing ever.”
Psi wagged her tail and dove back into the salad. Watching her, I chuckled. Somehow, it felt like I could hear her saying, ‘Yes! Dad! It's delicious!’
And so, the morning passed just like any other.
Morning classes ended as usual. Lunchtime.
I was playing with Psi in the open area next to the training ground. She chased the ball excitedly, darting around with glee.
That was when it happened. A status window suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Psittacosaurus Growth Complete - Rewards Granted
◈ Feather Missile (Ability Unlocked)
◈ Sharp Beak (Ability Unlocked)
My eyes widened. “Huh?”
I immediately scooped Psi up. “Psi!”
Startled by the sudden lift, she let out a short cry.
“You've finally grown up completely.”
I grinned and hugged her tight. Her small body wagged its tail in my arms.
“Congratulations.”
Holding Psi, I checked the newly unlocked abilities.
Feather Missile (Active)
• Fires sharp feathers from the tail.
• Feathers have a chance to inflict bleeding on hit.
• Body floats in midair during use and cannot move.
“Whoa…” I was a bit surprised. “That's pretty strong.”
And the next one.
Sharp Beak (Passive)
• Attacks with sharp beak deal additional damage.
• Chance to apply bleeding.
I looked at Psi's tiny beak. “You fight with this?”
Psi, oblivious, lightly pecked my finger. Tok.
I burst out laughing. “Still, it's cool.”
I slowly stroked her head. “Now you're fully battle-ready.”
Psi puffed out her chest proudly, wagging her tail. As if saying, ‘I'm strong now!’
I smiled. “Yeah, our Psi got strong.”
Lunchtime ended, and I carefully picked up the incubator. Psi climbed onto my shoulder. Like that, I headed to the training hall.
Afternoon class was free training. Students were testing or honing their abilities in pairs.
I scanned around and spotted one person. Kang Tae-jun.
I approached him cautiously. “Tae-jun.”
He turned. “Yeah?”
I hesitated, then said, “If you're not busy with training… could you help me out?”
Kang Tae-jun gave a puzzled look. “Help with what?” He eyed my build. “Weren't you doing physical training lately?”
I shook my head. “No, it's not that…” I lightly stroked Psi on my shoulder. “Psi just finished growing.”
His eyes widened slightly. “And?”
“She got new abilities.” I grinned. “I want to test them.”
Honestly, I added, “You seemed like the perfect opponent.”
Kang Tae-jun stared at me for a moment, then chuckled. “Sure.” He rolled his shoulders. “Sounds fun.”
The ability test began. We took a spot on one side of the training hall.
Kang Tae-jun asked, “How do we do this?”
I took a deep breath. “Defend as best you can.”
He nodded. “Got it.”
His body hardened, muscles bulging. He had activated his ability.
I looked at Psi. She was already ready, tail twitching slightly.
“Psi.” I said curtly. “Let's go.”
And commanded, “Feather Missile.”
In an instant, Psi's body floated into the air. Her tail feathers glowed red.
And whoosh!
Dozens of feathers rained down like arrows toward Kang Tae-jun.
Ting.Tang.Ting.
At first, they bounced off his hardened muscles. But the assault didn't stop.
The sharp feathers began grazing the gaps in his muscles.
“Huh…?”
Kang Tae-jun's expression hardened slightly.
Swish. One feather nicked his arm. Thin blood seeped out.
Then another. And another.
Feathers kept grazing, leaving small wounds. Blood trickled steadily.
Psi maintained the ability in midair. But soon, thud. Her body descended to the ground. The ability had ended.
Psi panted, a bit tired.
Kang Tae-jun stood there blankly for a moment. Then he slowly said, “Impressive.”
He looked at the wound on his arm. “Hard to believe this is from a freshly grown dinosaur.”
Honestly, he added, “Frankly… I didn't think I'd get hurt.”
I smiled. “Thanks for helping.”
Psi lifted her head indignantly, as if saying, ‘I can do more.’
I stroked her. “I know.”
Grinning, I said, “We'll get even stronger from now on.”
That's when I remembered the gear I'd gotten last time. The Bond Sword.
I drew it. The sword gleamed faintly.
Kang Tae-jun asked, “What's that?”
I pointed at a sandbag. “Now testing this.”
I looked at Psi. “Ready?”
She wagged her tail. I commanded again.
“Psi.”
“Feather Missile.”
Psi floated up once more. At the same time, the sword in my hand began to glow.
Energy flowed from the blade.
And then something amazing happened.
Feather energy in the same form shot from my sword, alongside the ones from Psi's tail.
Two barrages launched simultaneously.
Whoosh!
Dozens of feathers poured toward the sandbag.
Kwajik!
The sandbag tore apart. Fabric split, stuffing flying everywhere.
The training hall fell silent for a moment.
Kang Tae-jun slowly spoke. “…Dude.”
I looked at him. With a serious face, he said, “If I'd taken that head-on…”
He paused, then chuckled. “Even I would've been in real danger.”
I glanced at the sword. Then at Psi, who wagged her tail proudly.
That was when it happened. The instructor, who had been watching from the side, walked over slowly.
His heavy footsteps made the air feel heavier.
The instructor alternated between the shredded sandbag and the sword in my hand, then spoke.
“That ability…”
He paused, then added, “Use it one more time.”
I was momentarily flustered but nodded.
The instructor asked again, “And one more thing.” His gaze fixed on the sword. “Do you have other weapons besides that sword?”
I thought for a second and answered, “Yes.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “What are they?”
I answered honestly. “Weapons from the last gacha.”
I held up the sword lightly and explained. “The Bond Sword… and the Commander's Flag.”
The instructor listened silently.
I continued. “The Bond Sword lets me borrow some of a dinosaur's abilities the higher my affection with them.”
I glanced at Psi. “That's how I used Feather Missile alongside her just now.”
The instructor's eyes flickered ever so slightly.
I went on. “And the Commander's Flag…” I organized my thoughts. “It boosts stats and command efficiency when issuing orders to multiple targets.”
Silence fell.
The instructor said nothing for a while, just looking back and forth between me and Psi.
Then slowly, “I see.”
His gaze had changed a bit. “Now it makes sense.”
A moment later, he chuckled shortly. “Why the chairman accepted you.”
I couldn't say anything.
Arms crossed, the instructor said, “I was half-doubting until now.”
He nodded at the sandbag. “But not anymore.”
A brief silence.
Then decisively, “Now you finally look like an awakener.”
I was a bit surprised.
He continued. “You can finally pull your weight as one.”
It was ambiguous praise or evaluation, but it didn't feel bad.
The instructor rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then spoke. “Alright.”
His eyes sharpened again. “Next class.”
He stared straight at me. “Come with me into a Gate.”
I was speechless for a moment.
He added, “I can't judge your abilities properly with training hall games.”
Curty. “Test it in real combat.”
Psi wagged her tail on my shoulder. As if saying, ‘Dad… sounds fun.’
I took a deep breath and nodded. “Understood.”
In that moment, I felt like I was truly stepping one foot deeper into the world of real awakeners.