Let's Call You Lupo

[Pet Notification] Mutated Energy Beast - Cub Stage Affection Level: 20/100 When affection reaches 100, the creature will permanently bond with you and never betray you.

[System Prompt] Current Combat Power: Equivalent to an Exceptionally Strong Human wielding a weapon.

Lucas Kane stared at the small white pup, blinking in disbelief.

"Seriously? You're telling me this little guy is as strong as me—with a weapon?"

He squinted at the fluffy creature, who blinked back innocently.

"You better not be lying, system..."

Whatever. One step at a time. First, gain its trust.

Apparently, feeding it meat increased its affection level. That was easy enough.

Lucas sliced a chunk of beef and tossed it gently toward the pup. The creature sniffed, then gobbled it down with surprising speed. Licking its lips, it looked up expectantly.

[Affection +20 → 40]

"Aha! So you're a little glutton. Alright, let's see how far this goes."

He carved the rest of the beef into bite-sized chunks, arranged them neatly on a plate, and set it beside him. The pup hesitated for a moment, then trotted over, tail wagging, and began devouring the meat without hesitation.

[Affection +20 → 60] [Affection +20 → 80] [Affection +20 → 100]

As the last morsel vanished, the pup paused. A faint glow shimmered across its snowy-white fur, and a system prompt appeared.

[System Alert] Congratulations! You have successfully tamed a Battle Pet. Please name your new companion.

Lucas grinned. The pup looked adorable—soft, snow-colored fur, bright blue eyes. Yet its species? Moonhowl Wolf King. A name with undeniable might.

He chuckled. "Alright then... your name is Lupo."

It reminded him of his old dog back in the pre-apocalypse days—a chubby Labrador with an endless appetite. This one, despite its divine bloodline, was just as greedy.

"Lupo?"

"Woof!"

The pup's ears perked up. It bounced over, wagging its tail wildly and rubbing its fluffy body against Lucas's leg.

"Good boy." Lucas ruffled the creature's head affectionately.

In this cold, ravaged world, having a loyal companion was priceless.

He pulled up the new pet interface.

Name: Lupo

Species: Mutated Energy Beast – Moonhowl Wolf King

Stage: Cub (Will grow stronger and unlock new abilities over time.)

Preferred Foods: Meat, Zombie Remains, Mutated Creatures, Insects...

Skill: Combat Amplification – In battle, size, strength, speed, and mass multiply.

Lucas's eyes widened.

"Wait, it can eat zombies?"

He rushed to his storage and retrieved a lump of [Mutated Fertilizer], placing it into an iron bowl.

"Lupo, try this!"

The pup sniffed the strange meat. Its tail wagged like a turbine. It pounced.

Chomp. Chomp. Chomp.

Lucas beamed. "Perfect. Zombie waste as pet food. Saves my rations."

Considering the pup already ate more than he did, this was a game-changer. With over 200 chunks of [Mutated Fertilizer] in storage, he wouldn't have to worry about feeding Lupo for a long while.

And boy, could Lupo eat. One pound of beef? Gone. A bowlful of fertilizer nearly bigger than him? Vanished into that bottomless belly. His tummy bulged round like a drum.

The pup let out a contented sigh, waddled to Lucas's side, and flopped down. Within seconds, it was snoring gently.

Lucas chuckled.

"What a carefree little thing..."

He finished his own meal and spent some time pan-frying the rest of the frozen meat. Once done, he stored it in his ring, where time stood still. Whenever he retrieved it, it would still be piping hot.

Hot food, ready anytime. In this world? A small miracle.

Then, he turned to the shower setup. Using a purification core, he crafted a Basic Water Purifier—a nozzle-like device with a filter that could be affixed to a faucet.

He installed it on the bathroom showerhead, twisted the valve, and watched the reddish-brown water transform into a clear stream.

"Still not drinkable... but should be fine for a shower."

And shower he did—shampoo, body wash, the works.

That night, he slept like a king.

The next morning, he was awakened by a wet sensation.

Lupo was licking his face.

"Ugh—okay, okay! I'm awake!"

The little guy barked happily, twirling on the bed with his tail wagging like mad.

Lucas opened the blackout curtains. Golden sunlight spilled across the room. For a fleeting second, it felt like peace had returned to the world.

"Hungry again, huh?"

He noticed the pup looked slightly larger than yesterday.

"Still a cub though... Alright, breakfast time."

He placed another chunk of [Mutated Fertilizer] into the iron bowl.

Lupo sat down obediently, tail sweeping the floor like a broom.

"Go on."

Upon his cue, the pup eagerly dug in.

"Smart little guy," Lucas said with a smile.