The darkness in the room was palpable as everyone awaited the lioness's reply. Her next words would decide their future, after all.
However, instead of answering, she posed a question of her own, "Why subordinates instead of leaders?"
Kael shrugged, "You should know better than anyone what happens when an organization has too many leaders."
After a moment of silence, the lioness sighed, "Very well then. I will become your subordinate. I want to see if you can accomplish what you are aiming for."
"You are in for a surprise," Kael smiled and said. "But I'll tell you one thing. You guys hate cowardice and all that, but I'm different. I only care about one thing, and that's winning, no matter what means I have to use."
The lioness let out a self-deprecating laugh, "Pride led to the downfall of my family. So, while I may not engage in these practices, I will not question them."
"Good! That's exactly what I want from my subordinates," Kael got closer to the lioness and asked, "I will name you first."
He thought about it for a moment, considering what name he should give her. It had to be something cool and easy to call…
"I've decided!" Kael smiled and said, this time his voice burning with authority. "From now on, you are Kiona!"
The moment those words left his mouth, his body staggered forward as a burning pain assaulted his head before returning to normal.
He rubbed his forehead and looked forward at the lioness's body, which was glowing brightly in a crimson glow. Mana from his body was directly being transferred to her body, changing her whole being in the process.
[You couldn't handle the pressure of it, so you experienced that small headache. A large amount of mana left your being, which isn't normal.]
Kael nodded and focused on the lioness, noticing that she had lost consciousness. He knew evolution took time, so she would be in that state for a while.
He turned around to look at the two lions and said, "Why don't I name you two too?"
They lowered their heads.
"Good! From now on, you two are Seth and Jon Moxley." Kael declared and once again felt the mana leaving his body, but he handled it better this time.
[Your naming sense...]
He ignored Alpha.
The two lions thanked him before dropping unconscious on the ground. Kael patted their giant heads and headed outside of the cave.
He also decided to call it a day and rest for the night, but he didn't want to spend it in the cave.
'The smell would kill me.'
He didn't go far after leaving the cave and rested on a nearby branch. The day had been hectic, and he just wanted sleep now. Dropping on the hard branch, he closed his eyes.
He was so exhausted that he didn't even realize when he fell asleep. His physical body could go on for longer, but he was mentally tired.
It only felt like a second since he had closed his eyes when bright sunlight invading his eyelids, waking him up from his deep slumber.
"Aghh! I should have slept inside the tree," he groaned, rubbing his eyes in annoyance.
Still, the thought of having his first tamed beast excited him and brought energy to his sleepy mind. He looked down at the cave and realized that there had been no movement since last night.
He decided to check it out and jumped down the branch. Landing on the ground, he shifted aside the boulder and headed inside the cave.
A few seconds later, he reached the deepest layer and found two lions sleeping at the entrance of the room. Their giant figures were blocking the entrance completely.
He couldn't help but smile when he realized they had evolved into the Flameclaw Lion, the third tier in the evolution of lions.
Their size had almost doubled, and their dark orange fur had grown out, along with their dark manes that now added to their mighty appearance.
'Woah!' Kael whistled and patted their backs, but none of them responded, as if they were in a deep sleep that no one could disturb.
"Well, how do I get inside now?" he muttered, wondering if he should make another tunnel to the deep room.
Just then, the wall on his side burst open, sending debris flying as a newly named beautiful woman emerged from the hole.
She was a head shorter than Kael, easily standing close to six feet with a curvy figure that would make men drool at the sight.
Her golden tan skin glowed with every step she took. Her golden eyes caught sight of Kael staring at her and she raised an eyebrow, "You like my body?"
"Who wouldn't?" Kael smiled. "You are gorgeous."
The woman just nodded nonchalantly at his words and turned to look at the two sleeping lions, "They are still going through the last stages of evolution, so I could only use this method to get out."
Only then did Kael notice the fluffy tail rising from behind her and two lion ears twitching on top of her head. Volcanic red hair, braided on the sides, surrounded those fluffy ears.
[Kiona. Fourth Evolution, Sunborn Warmaiden, E-Rank.]
'Damn hot!' Kael gave one last glance at her athletic body, especially those bombastic boobs, and said, "Yes, they will take some time. What about you? Any problems?"
"I have healed completely and my blood is boiling to kill that bastard," Kiona had a vicious grin on her face when she spoke about the other Alpha lion.
Kael nodded and said, "It's good that you're excited, but you can't win against him alone."
"What makes you think I'll fight him alone?" Kiona raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Your pride and anger," Kael shrugged.
Kiona was silent for a moment before she turned to look at her brothers. Her lips tugged upwards as she said, "You are wrong then. The vengeance isn't mine alone."
"Then, it's even better. Let's wait for them to wake up and we'll make a plan afterwards," Kael said. "But before all of that, are you ready for the contract?"
Kiona seemed determined as she nodded. "Let's go outside and do it. I assume the process will be long."
"Nah, not at all. It takes like a second. But let's go out of the cave first. I can't stand the smell."