Sam didn't take them far.
Just beyond the worst of the torchlight, where the churned earth gave way to flattened grass and snapped roots. Close enough that guards were nearby. Far enough that no one felt like interrupting. The three men were seated several paces apart, backs to fallen logs.
They weren't going to be tied with just rope.
Sam crouched beside a discarded supply crate and worked quickly, fingers moving with practiced ease. Thick cord, metal clasps, a strip of treated leather. Mana Hands guided the process, not forcing anything, just helping the materials become what she needed them to be.
She finished by pressing her thumb against the bindings. The runes flared once, dull and light-drinking, then sank into the weave.
Mana-Null. Simple. Reliable.
She secured the first man's wrists, then his ankles. The others followed. No struggle. The moment the restraints locked, whatever magic they'd been holding onto went quiet.
Not suppressed.
Unavailable.
Syn lay behind Sam, head on her paws, eyes half-open and watchful. Sam straightened and looked at the three of them.
"You," she said, pointing to the middle man, "are a Beast Tamer."
He scoffed. "You guessing?"
Sam shook her head. "Your hands never stopped moving. Even when you ran. You were giving commands without speaking."
He went still.
She turned to the man on the right. "Healer. You watched injuries, not targets."
The man swallowed and nodded despite himself.
Sam faced the third. "And you're here so neither of them died before the job was done."
The combat escort stared at the ground.
"Good," Sam said calmly. "That means this was planned."
{"Clean roles,"} Jarvis remarked. {"Someone paid for competence."}
Sam crouched in front of the healer.
"You expected trampling injuries," she said. "Fatigue. Maybe broken bones. You did not expect resistance like that."
The healer shook his head. "We were told the village would hold."
"That's not an answer," Sam said mildly.
She waited.
"We were told it wouldn't escalate," he whispered.
Sam stood and paced once.
"You didn't aim to destroy Crossroads," she said. "If that was the goal, you'd have pushed harder. Burned homes. Broken morale."
She stopped in front of the Beast Tamer.
"This was pressure," she continued. "Noise. Chaos. Enough to force a response."
The man's jaw tightened.
"You weren't here to end anything," Sam said. "You were here to attract someone."
Silence.
Then the combat escort muttered, "We weren't told who."
Sam turned instantly.
"You were told someone," she corrected.
He flinched.
{"Compartmentalized,"} Jarvis said. {"They know just enough to do their job."}
Sam nodded slightly.
"Let's clear something up," she said. "You did not hunt the griffon."
All three looked up at once.
"That wasn't us," the Beast Tamer said quickly. "Different group."
"I know," Sam replied. "Different skill set. Different risk tolerance."
She watched their reactions carefully. The healer looked confused. The escort looked relieved. The Beast Tamer looked irritated.
"You knew about the failed hunt," Sam said.
The hesitation was brief, but it was there.
{"Adjacent knowledge,"} Jarvis noted. {"Not participants."}
"You followed after," Sam said. "Frosthaven behind you. Crossroads was the next logical stop."
She crouched again, voice steady.
"You were told that if the person who interfered was still nearby, this would draw them out."
The healer's shoulders slumped. "We didn't know why the griffon mattered."
Sam believed him.
"Who hired you?" she asked.
"Broker," the Beast Tamer said. "Different one than the hunters used."
Sam's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Messages only," the healer added. "Dead drops."
"And you were paid to create a problem," Sam said, "not solve it."
No one argued.
She straightened.
"This wasn't about the griffon," she said quietly.
She let the realization settle.
"It was about me."
None of them denied it.
{"Multiple teams,"} Jarvis said. {"Isolated channels. Someone's being careful."}
Sam exhaled slowly.
"Last question," she said, turning to the combat escort. "If this had worked, how did you expect to leave?"
"Northern ridge trail," he said. "Signal flare. Two hours."
Sam nodded.
"That's all I needed. Who ever was going to pick you up will be waiting a awhile."
She stood and raised her voice.
"Captain!," she called. "I've secured them. You can take custody now."
As they were hauled to their feet, the Beast Tamer looked back at her.
"You're already in deeper than you think," he said hoarsely.
Sam met his gaze calmly.
"Maybe," she replied. "But now I know someone's watching from a distance instead of standing in front of me."
She turned away, Syn rising smoothly beside her.
"And that tells me a lot."
{"Very tidy,"} Jarvis said. {"No skills, no drama, and you scared them anyway."}
Sam allowed herself a small, tired smile.
"That's the idea."
{Ding! Quest complete!
Survive Your First Beast Wave
Objective: Assist with the beast wave coming towards Crossroads Village and discover it's true origin.
Rewards One: +500xp
Reward Two: Ring of Assistance - When activated, a 3d representation of your AI will appear. No more looking crazy talking to yourself.}
"Nice! Okay girls and boys! Let's head back to the inn. We can go over everything in the morning Jarvis. I just want a shower and a bed."
The next morning Sam woke just as the sun was rising. She checked her messages in the community tab. A few routine messages. Nothing on fire. Good sign.
She sent a short note off to Fiona.
[Made it through the night. Heading back today. Don't sell the shop.]
"Jarvis?" Sam said "Let's start with this ring." She pulled the ring from her inventory, rolling it between her fingers. Settling in her pinky, she slipped the ring on. It adjusted to the perfect size when…
A notification popped up
{Ring of Assistance Interface
This is a soul bound item! Twist the ring clockwise until you hear the ding.}
"The ding… ok." Sam twisted the ring, rotating it around her finger a few times.
Ding
Sam stopped as a rush of energy traveled up her arm and filled her body. The feeling lasted for just a moment. She looked at the new information on the screen.
{Item has been successfully bound}
{Would you like to calibrate your ring now?"}
Sam hit yes and what can only be described as a character creator like in video games popped up in a new notification window.
Sam had the option to use pre made bodies or like she did with his voice, to visualize what Jarvis looked like. Or. Sam supposed, technically, what Vision looked like.
Shaking her head "Is there an image that you prefer Jarvis?"
{"I do not have a preference. Whatever makes you comfortable… an anthropomorphic squirrel would be hilarious in my opinion."} He said completely deadpan.
Slapping her hands against the top of the bed, Sam huffed out "Uggh, never going to live that down."
Sam stared at the character creator interface for several long seconds.
Her eyes drifted past the humanoid presets. The faces. The bodies. The sliders for expressions she did not have the energy to think about.
"…Nope," she decided.
She flicked her finger and minimized the entire section.
A smaller submenu unfolded beneath it.
Alternative Projection Types Available
Sam's shoulders relaxed a fraction.
She selected one at random and skimmed the description before nodding to herself.
"Let's keep this simple," she said.
The interface dissolved, replaced by something far more restrained.
A small construct formed in the air above her palm.
It wasn't a body.
It was a floating geometric shape, composed of softly glowing lines and shifting planes, rotating slowly as if thinking. Light pulsed through it in gentle rhythms, patterns adjusting in response to her gaze.
It felt… present. Intelligent. Alert.
But not human.
Sam tilted her head, studying it.
"That feels more accurate," she said. "You're not a person. No offense."
The construct's lines shifted, tightening briefly before settling into a new configuration.
{"Agreed," Jarvis replied. "I would not know what to do with elbows."}
That earned a small, tired smile.
The projection hovered closer, the glow brightening just a touch.
{"This form minimizes distraction while allowing visual confirmation of my active status.
It is… efficient."}
"Good," Sam said, leaning back against the headboard. "Because I don't have the bandwidth to design a personality and a face right now."
The construct rotated once, as if acknowledging the point.
{"Understood. Should you wish to alter my projection in the future, recalibration remains available."}
"Let's survive the week first," Sam murmured.
She reached out, not quite touching the construct, and let her hand fall back to the bed.
The projection dimmed slightly, settling into a passive hover near her shoulder. A quiet presence. Watching. Waiting.
For the first time since the beast wave, the room felt… steady.
Sam exhaled, slow and deep.
"Alright, Jarvis," she said softly. "Welcome to the team…well physically anyway."
The construct pulsed once, warm and deliberate.
The room was small but clean, the kind of inn space meant for travelers who didn't intend to stay long.
Her body felt heavy in that way that came after adrenaline finally gave up. Muscles loose. Thoughts slower. The kind of tiredness that didn't hurt, just… lingered.
She rolled onto her back, stared at the ceiling for a long moment, then sighed.
"Alright," she murmured to the empty room. "Let's see what I broke today."
The S.I.S.T.E.M. responded immediately.
Blue panes unfurled above her, hovering quietly so as not to glare. She blinked them into focus, eyes skimming automatically.
{Beast Tamer — Skill Progression
Beast Command Lv. 5 → 6
Shared Senses Activation Lv. 1 → 2
Beast Bond Boost Lv. 2 → 3
Beast Tamer — Passive Skills
Enhanced Bond Lv. 4 → 5
Night Vision Lv. 1 → 2
Natural Camouflage Lv. 2 → 3}
Sam let out a quiet breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"That's… actually solid," she said softly.
She flicked her fingers and scrolled.
{Master Crafter
Crafting Repair Lv. 3 → 4}
"Of course," she added dryly. "Fix things better. Very on brand."
Loot notifications followed, scrolling past in a blur of meat, animal parts, and coins. She barely registered most of it until two items highlighted themselves, the system giving them a little extra glow.
Sam focused.
{Item Acquired: Verdant Conduit Staff (Beast Tamer Tool)
A slender staff of pale wood, grown rather than carved, its surface threaded with faint emerald veins.
Level Requirement: Beast Tamer Class Upgrade
Future Effect (Preview): Enables ranged taming initiation within 10–15 ft under specific conditions.
Note: Cannot override resistance or boss-tier immunity.}
Sam stilled.
"…Oooh."
She rotated the staff slowly in the air, examining it from every angle. It felt unfinished, like a promise waiting for the right moment rather than a tool meant to be used now.
A path forward, tucked away in her inventory.
"Later," she murmured, not unkindly. "Good to know."
Another item floated up beside it.
{Item Acquired: Bondweave Brace (Beast Tamer Accessory)
A flexible band of layered leather and woven mana-thread, warm to the touch.
Effect: While bonded beasts are active in combat, grants:
+10% damage
+15% resistance
Bonus: Effects scale slightly with number of bonded beasts present.}
Sam huffed a quiet laugh, fatigue-soft and real.
"So the S.I.S.T.E.M finally noticed I don't fight alone."
She dismissed the pane and let the room go dim again.
The images came uninvited then. Feathers the color of copper and gold. Too-large wings folded tight. A presence heavy with grief, distant and unreachable.
Sam closed her eyes.
"Tomorrow," she whispered, to herself more than anyone else.
Breakfast came with the smell of bread and the low hum of a village pretending yesterday hadn't happened.
Sam left Crossroads after breakfast, slipping out without ceremony. By the time Dungeon City's gates came into view, the sun was high on the fourth day of her, thankfully, uneventful trip and her exhaustion had dulled into something manageable. More mental then physical.
She headed straight for the shop.
Sam's Creations was open when she arrived, the bell chiming softly as she stepped inside. Fiona stood behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, carefully arranging a display of rings with intense concentration.
She looked up and grinned. "You're back!"
"Define back," Sam said, leaning against the counter. "I haven't slept enough to be considered functional."
Fiona snorted. "You look better than after dungeon diving some weeks."
Sam glanced around the shop. "You've got this handled?"
"Mostly," Fiona said. "A couple people asked about pendants. I told them you'd be restocking today."
"Good answer." Sam reached up and flipped the sign on the door.
CLOSED — RESTOCKING
Fiona tilted her head. "Restocking or escaping?"
"Yes." Sam said smirking at her.
They locked up together.
The Merchant Guild was as polished as ever, all smooth stone and quiet authority. Vonnar Blackhall was already waiting when Sam arrived, hands folded behind his back, eyes bright with the restrained excitement of a man who genuinely loved a good contract.
"Miss Foreman," he said warmly. "I hear you have results."
"I do," Sam replied. "But they involve cardio."
That earned her a rare grin.
The test was simple in theory. Sam and a guild member rode Sunblaze together across the city, weaving through streets and markets until they reached the far end of the district. Long enough, far enough, visible enough.
Sam dismounted first, adjusted the pendant at her throat, and met the guild members gaze.
"Watch closely," she said.
Mana folded.
One moment she stood beside Sunblaze.
The next, she was back inside the Merchant Guild office.
Vonnar blinked at her sudden appearance.
Then he laughed, a quiet, delighted sound. "Remarkable."
Moments later, Sunblaze returned the conventional way, the guild member clinging on with the wide-eyed expression of someone who had just learned several new truths about the world.
Vonnar didn't waste time.
"We'll proceed with the arrangement," he said, already reaching for documents. "This changes things."
Sam nodded. "That's usually when things get complicated."
Having signed all the paperwork she was off to fill out more. On her way to the AHA headquarters the notification for her quest sounded.
{Ding! Quest Complete:
Panic Pendants & Merchant-Grade Expectations: Collaboration Engaged Completed.
Reward One: +600xp
Reward Two: 20% Discount with the Merchant Guild
Reward Three: Blueprint Unlocked: Portable Anchor Node}
The A.H.A. headquarters felt heavier than the guild halls. Less polish, more purpose.
Registration took time.
Sam stood at the designated counter, filling out familiar forms, when the clerk finally gestured toward the open space beyond the desks.
"Summon your bonded beasts, one at a time."
She did.
Four Peakwing Eagles emerged in sequence, wings folding neatly as they settled, drawing attention without causing alarm. People slowed. Watched. Murmured.
Then Sam took a breath and summoned Mercy.
The griffon appeared in a wash of light, massive and luminous, copper-gold feathers catching the overhead glow like embers frozen mid-fall. She stood tall, wings tucked close, eyes sharp and distant all at once.
The space went silent.
Not fear.
Awe.
People stared without stepping closer, as if approaching might shatter something sacred. Even seasoned adventurers hesitated, eyes wide, voices hushed. A Mythical Gold Beast, alive, breathing, real.
Sam kept her posture steady, respectful. Mercy did not move.
Eventually, the clerk cleared his throat.
"Registered," he said faintly.
As Sam turned away, Christoff Macintosh appeared at her side, hands clasped, expression carefully neutral and very interested.
"Well," he said lightly. "That explains the reports."
Sam glanced at him, exhausted humor flickering back into place.
"Yes, how can I help you, Mr…?" Sam asks
"Ah yes, pardon my rudeness. My name is Christoff Macintosh, I am a representative of the AHA. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time."
"I'm not in trouble am I." She jokes
"Heaven's no, just a quick inquiry."
She follows him to his office.
"I've heard reports on you Miss Foreman." He said with a smile. "All good things, I assure you. Firstly, we received notice that you preformed a mercy killing on a griffon. Do you happen to have the scroll with you?" She removed the scroll from her inventory and handed it over. Christoff scanned the document. It was legitimate.
"Such a tragedy. They are beautiful creatures." Shaking his head he handed the scroll back.
"If you wouldn't mind, could you recount what has happened over the last week or so."
"Well… you see," she said tiringly. "I needed some resources…"