《MMORPG : The Legend of the Divine Beast Tamer》 Chapter 1: The End and the Beginning Leon stood amidst a battlefield of ruin. The once-vast plains of Devia had been reduced to a wasteland of shattered earth and smoldering corpses. The sky above crackled with unstable energy, remnants of a battle so great it had torn through the very fabric of the world. His breathing was ragged, his vision blurring. His black-and-gold Beast Tamer robes, once a symbol of his hard-earned status, were now tattered rags barely clinging to his frame. Around him, the bodies of warriors, monsters, and legendary creatures lay still, their lifeless eyes staring at nothing. His beasts¡ªhis greatest companions, his ultimate strength¡ªwere dead. Leon let out a hollow chuckle. So this is how it ends? Twenty years. Two decades of struggle, victories, betrayals, and pain. He had started as nothing¡ªa Beast Tamer, the weakest class, mocked and dismissed. But through sheer will and knowledge, he had clawed his way to the top. He had found hidden legacies, mastered lost techniques, and raised creatures so powerful they had once ruled entire continents. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Yet, in the end, even he had not been enough. A cold, emotionless voice echoed in his mind. [You have reached the end.] Gaia. The being that governed Devia. Not just a system, but the will of the world itself. Leon had always known of its existence, though it had never acknowledged him before. His knees buckled. The battlefield spun around him, darkness creeping into his vision. And then¡ªnothing. --- Silence. For a time, there was only emptiness. Then¡ª Gasp! Leon''s eyes snapped open, his body jerking upright. He sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the rush of cold air in his lungs. His hands clutched at the grass beneath him¡ªsoft, real. The scent of fresh earth and wind filled his nose. He wasn''t dead. Slowly, he sat up, glancing around. The battlefield was gone. Instead, he found himself in a vast, open field, the sky above clear and blue. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of a nearby tree. Then, a familiar message appeared before his eyes. [Welcome to Devia. One year before the official launch.] Leon''s breath caught. He knew these words. He had seen them before¡ªtwenty years ago. But this wasn''t a game login. His body was real. The world around h im was real. And he had gone back in time. --- Chapter 2: Awakening in a New Life Leon lay on the soft grass, staring at the clear blue sky. The warmth of the sun bathed his skin, a stark contrast to the freezing darkness of death he had just experienced. His fingers curled, feeling the earth beneath him¡ªsolid, real. He took a slow, measured breath, letting the fresh scent of grass and soil fill his lungs. This wasn''t a dream. Sitting up, he examined his body. His tattered armor was gone, replaced with simple leather gear. His hands, once calloused and scarred from endless battles, were smooth and unmarked. His body felt lighter, younger. A familiar sensation tugged at his mind, and then¡ª [Welcome to Devia. One year before the official launch.] If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The glowing text hovered before him, and for a long moment, he simply stared at it. Then, realization struck. He had gone back. The memories flooded in all at once. Twenty years of struggle, victories, losses¡ªhis rise to power, his eventual fall. And now, he was here, at the very beginning. His pulse quickened. This was an opportunity. A chance to change everything. He exhaled slowly, steadying himself. No need to rush. He had a full year before the players arrived. For the first time in a long time, he had the luxury of patience. And this time, he would do things right. --- Leon remained seated, taking in his surroundings. He was in an open field, the rolling green hills stretching far into the distance. A dirt path curved gently through the landscape, leading toward a small cluster of wooden houses. A village. His eyes narrowed as recognition dawned. Green Pine Village. A place so minor that most players overlooked it. But Leon knew better. He stood up, stretching his limbs. His movements felt smooth, unburdened by exhaustion or injury. He wasn''t just reborn¡ªhis body had reverted to its prime. The realization sent a shiver down his spine. He wasn''t just reliving the past. He was stronger than before, even at level one. The thought made his lips curl into a small, knowing smile. Let''s see what this world has in store for me this time. --- Chapter 3: The First Step into a Familiar World The dirt path beneath Leon''s feet felt oddly nostalgic. Each step stirred up small puffs of dust, the dry earth giving way beneath his boots. The road itself wasn''t well-maintained¡ªcracks ran along its surface, patches of overgrown grass creeping in at the edges. It was the kind of road that had seen years of use but little care. The world was quiet, almost too quiet. A gentle breeze rolled over the hills, rustling the tall grass like waves in a golden sea. The scent of earth and distant woodsmoke carried on the wind, mixing with the faint sweetness of wildflowers growing along the roadside. Leon took it all in. It was strange. In his past life, he had passed through this area countless times. But back then, he had always been in a rush¡ªdriven by quests, objectives, and the constant pressure to grow stronger. He had never stopped to notice the way the sky stretched endlessly above or how the land breathed with quiet life. Now, everything felt¡­ real. He exhaled slowly, his breath steady. This wasn''t just a second chance¡ªit was a world he could truly live in. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. And this time, he wasn''t going to waste it. --- The dirt path led toward a village in the distance, its wooden structures barely visible over a small hill. Green Pine Village. It was a humble settlement, nothing more than a handful of houses, a marketplace, and a village square. To most players, it had been just another beginner village¡ªone of the hundreds scattered across Devia. But Leon knew better. The villagers here weren''t just background characters. They had names, families, and their own lives. The blacksmith who crafted weapons for travelers had once been a soldier. The village chief had a daughter who dreamed of leaving to see the world. Even the old farmer near the entrance had a tragic past, one that most players had never bothered to uncover. In the grand scheme of Devia, this place was insignificant. But for Leon, it was an important first step. He adjusted the simple leather vest he wore and ran a hand through his dark hair. His body felt young¡ªstrong, unburdened by the years of hardship he had endured in his previous life. It was an odd sensation. He wasn''t used to moving without the weight of exhaustion dragging him down. His mind, however, was sharper than ever. He had knowledge no one else in this timeline possessed. Hidden legacies, forgotten ruins, and, most importantly, the key to unlocking the true potential of the Beast Tamer class. But first, he needed to see where he stood in this world. He called forth his status window. A faint shimmer rippled through the air as translucent text materialized before him. [Name: Leon] [Race: Human] [Class: Beast Tamer] [Level: 1] [Title: None] Leon stared at the familiar sight. Level 1. No beasts. No titles. No reputation. It was an empty slate. A fresh start. He smirked. That''s fine. I don''t need a strong start. I just need to make sure I don''t waste this head start. A gust of wind rolled across the plains, rustling his clothes as he took his first step toward Green Pine Village. The game hadn''t started yet. But his journey already had. --- Chapter 4: A World Untouched by Players The village drew closer with each step, its wooden fences and thatched rooftops now fully visible beyond the gentle slopes of the land. Leon slowed his pace. His instincts, sharpened by two decades of surviving in Devia, urged him to take in every detail. Even in a peaceful place like this, knowledge was power. The dirt road leading into Green Pine Village wasn''t well-worn. That was the first thing he noticed. Unlike the bustling player hubs he had grown used to in his past life, this place had not yet been flooded with travelers. The ground showed only light foot traffic¡ªwagon wheels had left shallow imprints, and the occasional boot mark was pressed into the soil, but the path was far from overused. It made sense. The game had yet to launch. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Right now, this was just an ordinary village in an unspoiled world. Leon let out a slow breath. He had a full year before everything changed. A year before this quiet place would be overrun by new players, before its peaceful villagers became quest-givers, and before the balance of power in Devia would be completely rewritten. But even now, the world wasn''t truly empty. It was alive. And he needed to treat it that way. --- As he approached the village entrance, Leon''s sharp eyes picked up small details that others might have missed. A farmer stood near the fence, inspecting a wooden post that had begun to rot at the base. A young boy, no older than ten, chased a chicken through the grass, laughing as it flapped its wings in protest. An elderly woman sat by the roadside, peeling vegetables with practiced ease, her weathered hands moving with a rhythm that spoke of years of repetition. None of them spared Leon more than a passing glance. To them, he was just another traveler. And that was exactly what he wanted¡ªfor now. He adjusted the simple leather straps of his gear and kept walking. The village gate had no guards¡ªonly a wooden archway with a faded sign hanging above it. The words Green Pine Village were etched into the worn wood, barely legible from years of exposure to the elements. Leon reached out, running his fingers across the rough surface. This place hadn''t changed at all. But soon, it would. He stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the village. His journey had officially begun. --- Chapter 5: The Weight of the Past, the Freedom of the Present Leon''s first steps into Green Pine Village were met with the scent of fresh earth, burning wood, and the distant aroma of something being cooked over an open fire. It was small, even by beginner village standards. A handful of wooden homes lined the main dirt path, their structures worn but sturdy. In the distance, the faint clang of a hammer against metal echoed from what he knew was the village blacksmith''s forge. A few villagers milled about, going about their daily lives, entirely unaware of what this world would soon become. He exhaled slowly, taking it all in. Everything was just as he remembered. And yet, it wasn''t. The world felt more vivid¡ªmore alive. NPCs weren''t standing in one place endlessly repeating the same scripted lines. They had routines, emotions, and subtle imperfections that made them feel¡­ real. It was both fascinating and unnerving. Devia had always been praised for its realism, but back then, he had dismissed it as just advanced AI programming. Now, standing among them, he couldn''t deny it. This wasn''t just a game world. It was a living world. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. And he was now a part of it. --- Leon moved further into the village, keeping his presence low-key. Right now, he had no reason to draw attention to himself. His first priority was simple: information. He needed to confirm the state of the world before players arrived. Was everything exactly as he remembered? Were there changes due to his reincarnation? Even the smallest deviations could mean the difference between success and disaster. And there was no better way to gather information than through the village chief. He turned down a familiar path, making his way toward a modest wooden house near the village square. A small garden was neatly arranged outside, growing a mix of herbs and vegetables. It wasn''t extravagant, but it was well-kept, a sign of care rather than wealth. Leon took a deep breath and knocked. A few moments later, the door creaked open. A man in his late fifties stood before him, his graying hair pulled back into a simple ponytail. His face was lined with age, but his sharp brown eyes held a quiet wisdom. He wore a plain tunic and trousers, his posture relaxed yet firm. It was a face Leon hadn''t seen in decades. Elric, the Village Chief. --- Elric studied him for a moment before speaking. "You''re not from around here," he said, his voice steady but not unfriendly. Leon nodded. "I''m a traveler passing through." Elric''s eyes narrowed slightly. "We don''t get many of those. Not this far from the main roads." Leon had expected that response. Green Pine Village wasn''t an important location. Players often ignored it in favor of larger towns with better resources. Right now, only merchants, adventurers, or the occasional wanderer would have any reason to stop by. "I''m a Beast Tamer," Leon said simply. "Looking to make a living." Elric raised an eyebrow. "A Beast Tamer?" There was no mockery in his tone¡ªjust curiosity. Unlike players, NPCs didn''t judge classes based on game mechanics. To them, a Beast Tamer was just another profession. Some were weak, some were strong. What mattered was the individual. "Do you have a beast?" Elric asked. Leon shook his head. "Not yet." Elric hummed, seemingly considering something. "Then you''re either inexperienced or ambitious." Leon smiled faintly. "A bit of both." The older man let out a short chuckle. "Fair enough. Come inside. If you''re looking for work, I might have something for you." Leon followed him inside, stepping into a room filled with the scent of aged wood and dried herbs. This was the first step¡ªnot just into the village, but into his new life. And he had every intention of making the most of it. --- Chapter 6: A Simple Job, An Important Start The inside of Elric''s home was modest but well-kept. Wooden shelves lined the walls, stacked with books, dried herbs, and small trinkets. A sturdy wooden table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by chairs that had clearly seen years of use. The faint scent of parchment and aged wood lingered in the air. Leon''s eyes swept across the space, noting its familiarity. He had been here before¡ªmany times, in his past life. Back then, it had been nothing more than a stop in his journey. A minor location on his way to greater things. But now, it was different. Now, it was the beginning. Elric motioned for him to sit, and Leon did so, settling into the worn chair as the older man took a seat across from him. The village chief leaned back slightly, studying him with a calm yet calculating gaze. "You say you''re a Beast Tamer," Elric said. "That''s not common around here. Most who deal with animals are farmers or hunters. We don''t see many who claim to tame them." Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Leon nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "That''s why I''m here. I need to start somewhere." Elric stroked his beard, considering. Then he sighed. "Well, we could use an extra pair of hands. A few of our farmers have been having trouble lately. Some of their livestock have gone missing." Leon raised an eyebrow. "Missing?" "Vanishing overnight," Elric explained. "No signs of struggle, no blood, no tracks leading away. Just gone." Leon frowned slightly. That was odd. In his past life, Green Pine Village had been peaceful¡ªnothing more than a quiet beginner area. He didn''t recall any incidents like this. Could this be something that had always happened but never been discovered? Or was this a change brought on by his return? Either way, it was worth looking into. "I''ll check it out," Leon said simply. Elric raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?" Leon smiled slightly. "You need help, and I need a place to start. Seems fair." The village chief chuckled. "Fair enough. I won''t turn down an extra set of eyes. The farmers live on the east side of the village. You should start there." Leon nodded, standing up. "I''ll handle it." As he turned to leave, Elric''s voice stopped him. "One more thing," the older man said. "Be careful. We don''t know what''s causing this, but¡­ something feels off." Leon paused for a moment, then gave a small nod before stepping outside. The evening sun cast long shadows over the village as he made his way toward the farms. A simple job. But simple jobs often led to unexpected discoveries. And Leon had a feeling this was just the beginning. --- Chapter 7: Whispers in the Fields The dirt path leading to the eastern farmland was uneven, lined with wild grass that swayed gently in the evening breeze. The sun had begun its descent, casting an orange glow over the land, stretching the shadows long across the ground. Leon walked with steady steps, his mind already shifting into analysis mode. Livestock disappearing without a trace. No tracks. No signs of struggle. That wasn''t normal. There were a few possibilities. A predator? Unlikely¡ªwolves or other beasts would leave clear evidence. Claw marks, blood, trails leading away. A thief? More plausible, but stealing multiple animals in a single night without leaving tracks? That required skill, magic, or something else entirely. What am I dealing with here? His thoughts were interrupted as he approached the farmlands. Wooden fences stretched along the perimeter, enclosing large grazing fields. A few simple barns stood nearby, their doors slightly ajar, revealing stacks of hay and farm tools within. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Leon spotted a middle-aged man leaning against a post, chewing on a stalk of wheat. His clothes were dusty, his face lined with years of hard labor. The farmer noticed him and straightened up. "You must be the one Elric sent," he said, his voice carrying a slight drawl. "Name''s Harwin." Leon nodded. "Leon. I heard you''ve been losing livestock." Harwin let out a tired sigh. "Aye. First, it was just one or two. Figured maybe they wandered off. But last night? Three of my best goats, gone without a trace." Leon glanced at the fenced-in field. "You check for tracks?" "''Course I did," Harwin grunted. "Nothing. Not a damn thing. Just¡­ gone." Leon''s eyes narrowed. He stepped forward, scanning the area with trained precision. The fence was intact. No signs of breakage. No claw marks, no dragged dirt. The ground was firm¡ªnot soft enough to completely erase footprints, yet nothing stood out. Something doesn''t add up. "Did you hear anything last night?" Leon asked. Harwin shook his head. "Not a sound. That''s the strangest part. Usually, if a wolf or a thief comes sniffing around, the animals make a fuss. But last night? Dead silent." Leon frowned. Silence wasn''t normal. He crouched down, running his fingers along the ground near the fence. It was dry, compact. If something heavy had moved here, it would have left an impression. But there was nothing. No tracks. No signs of entry or exit. Just an empty field. A chill crept up Leon''s spine. This wasn''t natural. He stood up. "I''ll need to stay here tonight," he said. Harwin raised an eyebrow. "You think whatever''s doing this will come back?" Leon met his gaze. "If it''s taken this many already, it won''t stop now." Harwin hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But if you see anything, don''t be a hero. We don''t know what we''re dealing with." Leon allowed himself a small smile. "I''ll be careful," he said. But in truth, he wasn''t worried. He had faced far worse in his past life. And whatever was lurking in these fields¡ªhe was going to find out. --- Chapter 8: A Predator Without a Trace Night fell over Green Pine Village, draping the farmlands in darkness. A lantern flickered weakly near Harwin''s barn, its glow casting long, shifting shadows across the fenced-in field. Leon stood by the wooden posts, arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the land. The cool night breeze carried the scent of damp soil and hay, but beyond that¡ªsilence. Too much silence. Animals were supposed to make noise. Crickets should be chirping, the wind rustling the leaves, distant howls of wolves calling to each other in the forest. But there was nothing. Not even the faintest bleat from the remaining goats. Leon exhaled slowly. This wasn''t normal. --- Harwin had long since gone inside, though he had left a pitchfork by the barn door¡ªjust in case. Leon didn''t need it. Instead, he crouched near the fence, brushing his fingers lightly against the wooden post. A small notch caught his attention¡ªdeep, thin, almost like a claw mark, but unnatural. Too precise, too clean. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Magic? His experience told him this wasn''t the work of a beast. At least, not an ordinary one. A skill? A dungeon anomaly? Or something¡­ worse? His mind ran through the possibilities when¡ª Rustle. Leon''s body tensed. The grass swayed unnaturally, as if something had disturbed it¡ªbut there was no wind. He moved carefully, adjusting his stance, senses on full alert. The wooden fence creaked faintly. Not from weight¡ªbut from pressure, as if something had brushed against it. Leon narrowed his eyes. He saw nothing. And that was the problem. Something was here. But it wasn''t visible. --- Stealth-type creature? Leon''s heartbeat remained steady as he reached into his belt pouch, pulling out a handful of crushed Moon Ash Leaves¡ªa common alchemical ingredient that created a faint shimmer when thrown into the air. With a flick of his wrist, he scattered the dust. For a moment, nothing happened. Then¡ª A shape emerged. A vague, shifting silhouette outlined against the dust¡ªits body long and slender, its limbs unnaturally curved. Not quite human. Not quite beast. Leon''s eyes sharpened. A Phantom Stalker. A rare creature, one that didn''t normally appear in low-level zones like this. In his past life, he had only encountered them in high-level ruins, preying on players who didn''t know how to fight something they couldn''t see. But what was it doing here? The creature hesitated, as if realizing it had been exposed. Then¡ª It moved. Fast. Leon reacted instantly, shifting his weight as the air around him bent. A blur shot toward him, an unseen force slashing at his side¡ª He twisted, dodging by inches. A razor-sharp claw struck the wooden fencepost where he had been standing. The wood splintered, cracking under the force. Leon''s lips curled into a smirk. So, it''s aggressive. Fine. He was done waiting. His hand shot out, fingers closing around a small, metal object in his pouch. A Beast Tamer''s Whistle. It wasn''t for taming¡ªnot yet. It was for control. And tonight, he would show this phantom predator that he was the true hunter. --- Chapter 9: The Hunter’s Instinct The Phantom Stalker shifted, its near-invisible form outlined by the remnants of Moon Ash dust still lingering in the air. It moved with unnatural grace¡ªdarting between shadows, its limbs stretching and twisting like liquid darkness. Leon didn''t flinch. He had fought creatures like this before¡ªbeings that preyed on confusion, that thrived on fear. They were nightmares given form, but they all had one fatal weakness. They weren''t used to prey that fought back. The creature lunged. Leon reacted instantly. His foot dug into the dirt as he spun sideways, barely avoiding the attack. A chilling gust followed in its wake, the air twisting unnaturally as the stalker''s claws slashed past him. Instead of retreating, Leon advanced. Close the gap. These creatures relied on deception and distance. The closer he got, the harder it was for them to maneuver. His grip tightened around the Beast Tamer''s Whistle. --- If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The Phantom Stalker realized too late¡ªLeon wasn''t running. He was attacking. Just as the creature moved to retreat, Leon blew into the whistle. A sharp, piercing note cut through the night air. The stalker froze. A Beast Tamer''s Whistle wasn''t just a tool for commanding tamed beasts. At its core, it was a dominance tool¡ªa method of asserting control over creatures with beast-like instincts. And Phantom Stalkers, despite their spectral nature, were still hunters. For the first time, it hesitated. Its unnatural body twitched, as if trying to resist an instinctive urge to submit. Leon smirked. Got you. He lunged forward, his fist striking out. He wasn''t strong enough to kill it outright¡ªnot yet¡ªbut the blow landed, sending a shock through the stalker''s ethereal form. It let out a distorted shriek and stumbled backward. Leon didn''t let up. He pressed the attack, forcing the creature toward the fence. It lashed out in desperation, its claws raking the air just inches from his face, but it was losing control. This is what happens when a predator faces something it doesn''t understand. Leon reached into his pouch again. He didn''t have a full Taming Contract yet, but he had something just as useful¡ª A Binding Tag. A temporary subjugation tool, usually used to calm aggressive animals. Against normal beasts, it worked instantly. Against something as dangerous as this? He''d have to overpower it. Leon slammed the tag against the stalker''s chest. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then¡ªa burst of light. The creature shrieked as glowing symbols spread across its body, locking it in place. Its form flickered violently, struggling, resisting¡ª But Leon leaned in, his voice calm, controlled. "You belong to me now." The struggle slowed. The Phantom Stalker''s body twitched¡ªonce, twice¡ªbefore finally stilling. The symbols burned brightly, then faded into its flesh. Leon released a slow breath. It was done. The stalker didn''t disappear, didn''t lash out again. It stayed. Tamed. --- A sharp inhale came from behind him. Leon turned to see Harwin standing by the barn, eyes wide with shock. "You¡­" The farmer''s voice wavered. "You caught it?" Leon glanced at the Phantom Stalker, now crouched beside him, its ghostly form still shifting but no longer hostile. He looked back at Harwin, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I told you," Leon said simply. "I''m a Beast Tamer." And this? This was only the beginning. --- Chapter 10: A Tamer’s First Catch The Phantom Stalker crouched beside Leon, its ethereal form still shifting, but no longer hostile. The glowing runes from the Binding Tag had fully faded, yet the creature remained still¡ªrestrained not by force, but by something far greater. Dominance. Leon could feel it. The unspoken bond between a tamer and his beast. It wasn''t absolute control¡ªnot yet¡ªbut it was enough to keep the creature from turning on him. He exhaled slowly, relaxing his stance. Behind him, Harwin still stood frozen, gripping the barn door as if it was the only thing keeping him from collapsing. "You¡­ tamed it," Harwin breathed, eyes darting between Leon and the strange beast at his feet. Leon gave a small nod. "For now." Harwin swallowed hard. "What is that thing? Ain''t never seen anything like it." "A Phantom Stalker," Leon said. "Rare. Definitely not something that should be in these parts." Harwin paled. "So it ain''t just some normal critter?" "No," Leon confirmed. "And if it''s here, that means something brought it." Silence stretched between them. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Harwin licked his lips, his weathered face tense. "You mean¡­ someone''s behind this?" Leon didn''t answer immediately. He glanced down at the Phantom Stalker, watching its body flicker in and out of focus. Normally, these creatures roamed high-level ruins or deep dungeons, lurking in forgotten places filled with death and magic. Yet this one had appeared here. In a simple village. Why? Was it an accident? A lone beast that wandered too far? Or was something else at play? His instincts told him it was the latter. But without proof, he wouldn''t jump to conclusions. "I don''t know yet," Leon finally said. "But I intend to find out." Harwin exhaled shakily. "Gods above¡­ What do we do with it?" He gestured at the Phantom Stalker warily, as if expecting it to suddenly lash out again. Leon crouched, meeting the creature''s glowing eyes. "For now? I''ll keep it." Harwin''s face twisted in disbelief. "You''re keepin'' it?! Are you mad?" Leon smirked. "I am a Beast Tamer." The Phantom Stalker followed closely as Leon moved through the farmlands, its form flickering in and out of sight. Leon paid close attention to its behavior. Tamed or not, a beast''s instincts didn''t disappear overnight. And Phantom Stalkers were born hunters. Would it resist? Try to break free? Would it obey? The answer came sooner than expected. A faint rustling in the grass¡ªtoo small to be another stalker, but enough to trigger the creature''s attention. Leon saw it tense, muscles coiling, ready to attack. A test. If it broke away, he''d have to suppress it again. If it followed his lead¡­ Leon raised a hand. "Stay." The stalker froze. Tension lingered in its form, but it didn''t move. It resisted its instincts. Leon felt a flicker of satisfaction. Good. This bond wasn''t absolute yet. But it was forming. The rustling stopped¡ªjust a stray rabbit fleeing into the underbrush. Leon lowered his hand. The Phantom Stalker remained by his side, waiting. Loyalty wasn''t built in a day. But this? This was a start. By the time Leon returned to the village, the sun had begun to rise, casting soft golden hues over the wooden cottages and dirt roads. Harwin had already spread the news. Whispers followed Leon as he walked through the village center. Farmers, merchants, even children peered at him from behind doors and windows. Their eyes darted toward the shifting form of the Phantom Stalker at his heels¡ªfear, awe, and confusion mixing in their expressions. He ignored them. This reaction was expected. Beast Tamers weren''t common. And one who could subdue a creature like this? Unheard of. As he neared the chief''s house, the door swung open. Elric stepped out, his sharp eyes locking onto Leon and the beast beside him. His gaze was unreadable, but his tone was calm. "I heard you found our culprit." Leon nodded. "More than that. I tamed it." Elric''s eyes flickered with something¡ªinterest? Caution? It was hard to tell. "You''re full of surprises, Leon," the chief murmured. Leon smirked slightly. "You''ve seen nothing yet." --- Chapter 11: The Weight of a Name Leon stood before Elric, the morning sun casting long shadows across the village square. The chief''s gaze lingered on the Phantom Stalker at Leon''s side, its shifting form barely solid, flickering in and out of visibility. The villagers had gathered nearby, keeping a cautious distance. Some whispered among themselves, eyes darting between Leon and the creature. Others simply stared, unsure of what to make of the young man who had tamed the beast that had haunted their nights. Elric folded his arms. "A Phantom Stalker." His voice carried neither fear nor doubt, only calculation. "You realize what this means?" Leon nodded. "It didn''t appear here by chance." The chief''s brow furrowed. "And yet you tamed it instead of killing it. Why?" "Because it''s useful," Leon said simply. A flicker of something passed through Elric''s expression¡ªapproval, perhaps. Or curiosity. "That''s a dangerous mindset," the chief mused. "One that could get you killed." Leon smirked. "Only if I don''t know what I''m doing." Elric let out a low hum, his sharp gaze appraising him. Then, he turned his attention to the crowd. "You all saw what happened last night," the chief said, his voice carrying over the murmurs. "Leon risked his life to protect this village. Not only did he stop the beast that''s been terrorizing us¡ªhe tamed it." This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. A wave of hushed murmuring spread through the villagers. Some looked skeptical. Others impressed. A few still wary. Elric continued, his tone firm. "A Beast Tamer is not something we see often. And one skilled enough to subdue a creature like this?" His eyes flickered toward Leon. "It''s rare. Very rare." Leon remained silent, letting the words sink in. Then, the chief turned to him. "What do you intend to do now?" Leon met his gaze without hesitation. "Train. Grow stronger. And find out why this creature was here in the first place." A heavy silence followed. Then¡ªElric nodded. "Good." Leon arched a brow. He had expected resistance. Caution, at the very least. The chief must have noticed his expression because he smirked. "This village isn''t blind, Leon. You''ve already proven yourself capable. We won''t stand in your way." Leon inclined his head. That was as much approval as he could ask for. Elric turned back to the villagers. "That settles it. The matter of the beast is resolved. Everyone, return to your work." Slowly, the crowd began to disperse, though not without a few lingering glances in Leon''s direction. Some muttered among themselves. Others gave small nods of respect. Leon took it all in stride. He hadn''t come here for recognition. He had come to prepare. And now? The real work began. --- A Tamer''s Growth Leon made his way back to his small house on the village outskirts, the Phantom Stalker trailing behind him. Its form still flickered, but it no longer moved with hostility. It stayed close, almost cautious¡ªtesting the invisible bond between them. Leon understood its hesitance. Beasts like this didn''t submit easily. Even tamed, they retained their instincts. Their own will. And that meant it could still turn on him if he wasn''t careful. Good. Leon had no interest in mindless subservience. A strong beast was only useful if it chose to follow him. As he stepped inside, he turned to face the Phantom Stalker. Its glowing eyes met his, unreadable. "You''re not truly mine yet," Leon said quietly. "You''re waiting. Watching." The creature didn''t respond. But it didn''t need to. Leon smirked. "That''s fine. I''ll earn it." With that, he shut the door behind him. The path of a Beast Tamer wasn''t an easy one. But Leon wouldn''t have it any other way. --- Elsewhere¡­ Far beyond the village, deep in the forests where no human dared tread, something stirred. A figure knelt in the darkness, a hood pulled low over their face. In front of them, strange symbols pulsed across the forest floor¡ªetched in a language long forgotten. A flicker of energy danced through the air. A whisper. A presence unseen. The figure exhaled. "So¡­ it failed." They lifted a small, jagged stone¡ªa Beast Mark. Its glow had faded. Its connection severed. The figure''s fingers tightened around it. "Interesting." Then, with a soft chuckle, they crushed the stone in their palm. "Let''s see how far you''ll go, Beast Tamer." ---