Tave felt his steps grow lighter as he walked through the open grass. Each stride came easier, smoother. As if his feet weren't touching the earth at all.
Grinning, he picked up speed, shifting into a jog. Then a run.
And it was like he was gliding.
His feet moved with perfect precision, dancing over the uneven ground. It was as if his legs had grown eyes, guiding him effortlessly with every step.
Behind him, the little wolf bounded along, yipping joyfully, its tiny "woof woof" rising with every leap. Clearly enjoying the run just as much.
After a while, Tave slowed and dropped to a seat in the middle of the grassy field, catching his breath.
The pup followed and sat in front of him, watching intently with those sharp, round eyes.
"You really want to come with me?" Tave asked quietly, studying the little creature. "Even after what I did to your mother?"
The pup didn't flinch.
It just stared back. Steady. Silent.
Tave sighed and reached out, turning the pup slightly to check.
"Male," he muttered.
The wolf gave a quick protesting growl as Tave set him down again.
"I guess I'll need a name for you…"
Woof woof.
Tave tilted his head, smiling faintly. He ran his fingers along the pup's fur. Thick, jet-black, like condensed shadows woven into a coat. Then he gently opened its mouth, checking the little fangs. Small… but sharp.
His fingers came back slick with the pup's drool.
He chuckled. "What about Fang? Your name, Fang. Bark if you like it."
Woof woof!
Tave grinned. "Alright then, Fang…"
"You're my partner now, okay? Just… don't ask for anything too expensive, because I'm still broke."
He leaned forward, pressing his forehead lightly to the pup's.
"But if you behave, I'll let you come with me. Deal?"
Fang wagged his tail.
Tave smiled again. Yeah. He could get used to this.
He fell silent for a moment.
He wasn't a beast master, not someone with innate abilities to communicate or command tamed beasts through magical affinity. He didn't have the skills or titles that came with that path.
But that didn't mean he couldn't raise or travel with a monster. There were workarounds.
The most common one?
A Taming Collar.
It was a special item. A magically imbued collar that could be bound to a person through a drop of blood. Once linked, the collar allowed the owner to issue basic commands, and even apply disciplinary effects, like a mild shock, when disobeyed.
No, it wasn't true beast taming. It was more like training through enforced obedience.
But for small, low-tier monsters like this pup, it was legal, as long as it was registered properly with the city and fitted with a standard collar.
Which, of course… meant money.
And he didn't have any.
Tave sighed, then remembered.
The wild boar core.
He'd harvested it during his first kill. That core might fetch a decent price at the market. Enough to get a basic collar and a registration slip.
Problem solved.
Traveling this world with a companion didn't sound so bad.
Especially a companion like this. A creature whose traits already aligned so closely with his own.
If their bond continued to deepen over time, Tave might even awaken a special ability. Something usually exclusive to true beast tamers.
A Beast Storage Space.
It would let him unsummon the beast, pulling it into a pocket dimension where it could rest, heal, and be recalled when needed.
Yeah… this was definitely the right call.
Decision made.
After a short walk, Tave finally approached the city gate once more.
The guard standing at the entrance narrowed his eyes the moment he saw the little wolf in Tave's arms.
"Are you a beast master?"
"No," Tave replied calmly. "But I'm going to register this little monster and file for a proper document. I'll get a collar, too."
The guard eyed him for a moment, then gave a curt nod. "Do it within twenty-four hours. If not, that beast will be seized and exterminated."
"Got it, sir."
With that, he was waved through.
Tave let out a quiet sigh of relief as he passed the gate. The sight of people, carts, noise, and normalcy washed over him like a fresh breeze.
He was back.
After a night spent being hunted by wolves, the city felt like paradise.
Without wasting time, he made his way toward the marketplace, heading for the nearest stall that dealt in monster cores.
He approached a vendor, an older man with a thick apron and narrowed eyes. Tave pulled out the core.
"A Tier 1 Wild Boar," he said.
The man sniffed. "Ah… common core. Not worth much. The market's flooded with 'em. I'll give you two silver."
Tave arched his brow.
In this world, there were three common coins used: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
100 bronze = 1 silver.
100 silver = 1 gold.
For a modern-world comparison, 1 gold coin was roughly equal to 1,000 USD.
So two silver? That was practically pocket change.
He shook his head. "Five silver. That's the minimum I'll take."
The vendor sighed, already looking annoyed. "Four. That's my final offer. Or take your business elsewhere."
Tave stared him down for a moment… then finally gave a small nod. "Fair enough."
He handed over the core, took the four silver coins, and stepped away, tucking them into his pouch.
Not ideal. But it was enough for what he needed.
He made his way to a small shop that specialized in beast tools and creature-related supplies.
After a bit of browsing, and trying not to look too broke. He picked out the cheapest beast collar available. Simple, black, and unadorned. Three silver coins.
He also had to fill out the basic registration documents, confirming ownership, binding rights, and species classification. That added one more silver coin to the total.
Four silver coins gone. All he had. But everything was done.
Outside the shop, he knelt beside the pup and slipped the collar gently around its neck.
Then, without hesitation, he drew a sharp breath and dragged his thumbnail across his thumb. Just deep enough to bleed.
He pressed the blood to the collar's rune-etched center.
It responded instantly, glowing faintly with a soft crimson hue before fading back into stillness.
The bond was sealed.
The black color of the collar blended well with the wolf's dark fur, making it barely visible.
Tave didn't say anything. He simply stood, turned, and began walking.
The wolf followed close behind, quiet and alert.
But to avoid attracting attention on the crowded streets, Tave stopped, picked the pup up, and gently placed it on top of his travel bag.
It didn't resist. Instead, it settled there, its small paw resting on his shoulder for balance. One claw pressed lightly into his skin, just enough to feel, but not enough to hurt.
He exhaled and kept walking, the city slowly rising around him as he made his way back home.
He was planning to change clothes, clean up, get some rest, and prepare himself again. He still had time, and if he managed his recovery well, he could head out for another hunt by evening.
He had to keep pushing. He had to level up fast.
If he could somehow reach Gaia Guardian before the selection, it would change everything.
But just as he was nearing his home, he saw someone standing at the front gate.
A girl.
Short blonde hair, arms crossed, her eyes fixed straight on him.
Lily.
She rushed toward him.
"What were you doing?" she said. "You smell like a corpse."
Tave offered the smallest shrug. "Just went out for a walk… to play a little."
She narrowed her eyes, frowning deeper. "You didn't try to get yourself killed, did you? Hunting alone in the forest? Are you even aware you're still level eleven?"
"Well, yeah… I'm fine," he replied with a flat tone.
Lily didn't look convinced. Her gaze flicked past him, and then she tilted her head.
Behind Tave, the little wolf pup let out a small, proud "Woof."
Lily's eyes widened, her whole expression softening as a sudden lightness filled her face.
"What's that, Tave? What are you carrying?"
Tave reached back, lifted the pup off his bag, and handed it to her.
She held it in silence for a moment, lifting it up and staring into its tiny eyes. Then she smiled.
"Oh my god… this little wolf is so cute."
Tave walked past her without a word, heading toward the door.
Behind him, Lily's voice followed like a steady stream of questions.
"Tave, where did you get him? You already put a collar on? Are you seriously keeping a wolf now? What's his name? Tave… where'd you even…"
The questions faded as he stepped inside and gently closed the door behind him.