Ascension Gates: Rise of the Beast Monarch-Chapter 109 - 108: Among the Chosen Few

The moment Aether stepped fully onto the third floor of the Beast House, he immediately understood that this place operated under an entirely different set of rules.

It was not simply a matter of structure or design, nor was it just about the rarity of the beasts contained within. The difference ran far deeper than that—it was something that could be felt rather than seen, something that lingered in the air like an unspoken truth.

This floor was fundamentally different.

Unlike the lower levels, where noise and movement blended into a constant, restless hum, the third floor was enveloped in silence. It was not the absence of sound that made it unusual, but rather the nature of the silence itself. It was heavy, deliberate, and controlled, as though every element within this space had been carefully restrained.

There were no beasts growling in agitation, no energy surging uncontrollably, and no chaotic movements within their enclosures. Everything was still.

Perfectly still.

The Fallen Succubus spoke softly within Aether’s mind, her tone carrying a hint of quiet intrigue. "There are only twenty-five," she said, as if confirming something she had already sensed.

Aether nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the floor. "Yes," he replied calmly. "Only twenty-five."

The contrast with the floors below was striking.

On the first and second levels, beasts had been displayed in large numbers, their enclosures placed close together in a way that emphasized quantity over individuality. They had been presented like commodities—valuable, certainly, but still part of a larger collection meant for selection and trade.

Here, however, the situation was entirely different.

Each beast was given space.

Each enclosure was positioned with deliberate care, separated from the others as though to ensure that no presence interfered with another. The spacing alone conveyed a sense of respect, as if each creature was being acknowledged as something significant rather than simply an item to be acquired.

The enclosures themselves were also more advanced.

Layers of intricate formations were embedded into the barriers, their faint glow indicating complex protective and stabilizing functions. These were not simple containment measures; they were carefully constructed systems designed to regulate energy, suppress instability, and ensure that each beast remained under control without being harmed.

Because the creatures contained within these enclosures were not ordinary.

Aether began to walk forward, his steps slow and measured as his gaze moved from one enclosure to the next. He did not rush, nor did he allow himself to be distracted. Each beast was observed with precision, its energy analyzed, its potential evaluated.

The first creature that caught his attention stood within a reinforced enclosure just a short distance away.

It was large, its body covered in metallic scales that reflected faint traces of light. Its breathing was steady, its posture composed, and its presence—though contained—carried a quiet weight that hinted at significant power.

Aether stopped in front of it, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied its structure and energy flow.

"Fourth realm potential," he murmured under his breath.

The Fallen Succubus responded immediately, her tone thoughtful. "At least level six if properly developed," she added. "Perhaps higher if its evolution is optimized."

Aether did not disagree.

This beast, like the others on this floor, possessed a clear path toward strength. It was not stagnant or limited in the way that lower-tier creatures were. It had a future—a defined trajectory that could lead it toward commander-level power.

But even as he observed it, Aether’s expression remained unchanged.

"Only through evolution," he said after a brief pause.

The Fallen Succubus understood immediately. "Not naturally," she replied.

Aether nodded.

Even these high-tier beasts, despite their potential, were not perfect. Their current forms were merely the starting point. Without proper evolution, they would eventually reach a plateau—a limit beyond which they could not grow.

That was the truth of this world.

Strength was not static. It had to be cultivated, guided, and refined.

His thoughts shifted briefly to his own beasts.

The Flame Sovereign Pup came to mind first, its controlled flames and steadily growing power reflecting the result of careful evolution.

"It has already completed one evolution," Aether said quietly.

The Fallen Succubus responded with a faint note of approval. "And that single evolution pushed it into royal-class potential," she said. "That alone places it far above most creatures here."

Aether’s gaze remained steady as he continued to analyze the beasts around him.

"There are four total evolution paths available to it," he continued. "One has been completed. Three remain."

The Fallen Succubus let out a soft, amused breath. "And what about me?" she asked lightly.

Aether’s attention shifted inward for a moment, as though examining something beyond the visible world.

"You have not undergone evolution yet," he said.

There was a brief pause before he added, "But your base form already exceeds standard classifications."

Her laughter echoed softly in his mind, though there was something deeper beneath it.

"Which means," she said slowly, "that my evolution will not follow any conventional path."

"Correct," Aether replied.

And that meant one thing.

Her future evolution would not only be powerful—it would be unpredictable.

Potentially dangerous.

Aether resumed his movement, continuing his search.

He passed one enclosure after another, observing each beast with the same level of scrutiny. Most of them were impressive by any reasonable standard. They possessed strength, rare traits, and promising growth paths.

But for Aether—

That was not enough.

He was not searching for something that was merely strong.

He was searching for something that could grow without limits.

Something that could keep up with him.

Something that could evolve beyond expectation.

Eventually, he stopped again.

This time, his attention was drawn to a darker enclosure.

The lighting around it was dimmer, and the interior seemed almost obscured, as though shadows themselves were part of the containment.

At first, there was no movement.

Then—

A pair of eyes opened.

Golden.

Cold.

Focused.

From within the darkness, a massive wolf stepped forward.

Its body appeared partially merged with shadow, its edges blurred as though it did not fully belong to the physical world. Its form shifted subtly, yet remained controlled, giving it an unsettling presence that immediately set it apart from the others.

"Shadow Wolf," Aether said quietly.

The attendant, who had been following at a respectful distance, stepped forward slightly and spoke with a professional tone. "It is a rare variant," he explained. "This creature originates from environments saturated with shadow energy. It specializes in stealth, assassination, and limited dimensional movement."

Aether observed the beast carefully, noting the way its presence fluctuated between visibility and obscurity.

"High adaptability," he said. "Strong combat instincts."

The Fallen Succubus added her own assessment. "But its evolution path is linear," she pointed out.

Aether nodded.

"It can reach commander level," he said. "But only through a fixed route."

There was a brief pause before he concluded, "Predictable. Limited."

Without hesitation, he turned away.

The attendant seemed slightly surprised, but he did not question the decision.

Aether moved on to the next enclosure.

This one was vastly different.

Instead of shadows, it was filled with life.

Roots spread across the ground, vines climbed the walls, and the entire space seemed to pulse with natural energy. At the center stood a towering figure, its form resembling that of a massive humanoid tree.

"Wood Treant," Aether said.

The attendant nodded. "A defensive-type beast," he explained. "It possesses exceptional durability and can control surrounding plant life. In forest environments, it becomes extremely difficult to defeat."

Aether studied it for a moment, analyzing its structure and energy.

"Excellent endurance," he said. "Strong territorial control."

The Fallen Succubus, however, was less impressed. "Too slow," she said bluntly. "Too rigid."

Aether agreed.

"It can evolve," he acknowledged. "It can grow stronger."

Then he paused briefly before adding, "But it will not keep up."

And just like that, he rejected it.

Both of these beasts were exceptional.

They were rare, powerful, and highly desirable.

For most beast tamers, acquiring even one of them would be considered a great achievement.

But Aether—

Was not most people.

"You’re rejecting all of them," the Fallen Succubus said, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Yes," Aether replied without hesitation.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because they do not match me," he said.

There was no arrogance in his voice—only certainty.

"They can grow," he continued. "But not in the way I need."

His path was not simple.

It was not linear.

It was not predictable.

And anything that could not keep up with that path—

Was not worth choosing.

As he continued forward, a subtle sensation returned.

It was faint at first, almost imperceptible, like a distant echo that barely touched his awareness.

But it was real.

"...There," the Fallen Succubus whispered.

Aether’s gaze shifted slightly, focusing not on the visible enclosures, but beyond them.

"...This floor is incomplete," he said quietly.

The attendant frowned, clearly confused. "I do not understand," he replied.

Aether did not answer.

Because now—

He understood.

The beasts displayed here, the carefully selected twenty-five, were not the true focus of this floor.

They were only the surface.

The real presence—

Was hidden.

And it was not meant to be seen.

Without another word, Aether turned and began walking toward the far end of the floor.

Toward a section that appeared ordinary at first glance.

Toward a place that no one had paid attention to.

Behind the refined displays, beyond the controlled selections—

Something else existed.

Something hidden.

Something waiting.

And Aether—

Had already found it.