Before I tamed the deer Merlin
"Is he really coming to save us?" the deer whispered.
"Look!" said the raven.
"He's charging at me," said the deer, astonished.
"Go with him, Deer," the ram urged.
"What about you guys?" the deer asked.
"He needs to save you first," said the bat.
"Go! Just go already!" shouted the fish.
The five spectral beasts—deer, raven, ram, bat, and fish—spoke to one another through telepathy. They watched as I charged into the Death Chamber, striking the massive deer before me. Yet the beast stood still, as if waiting.
Then I spoke.
"You've waited long enough, Merlin. Now let's go home."
I cast Tame.
"What is this feeling...? Is he truly saving me?" Merlin whispered.
"Welcome to the family, Merlin," I smiled.
"Master... thank you," she said softly.
A status window appeared before me:
> Merlin
Race: Moosetaur (Silent Deathorns)
Class: Necromancer
Magic: Necroflames, Souls
Level: 350
Ability: Endless Undead — every cast summons hordes of undead to fight alongside her.
---
At Ion's Dungeon
Inside the spiral cavern, Ion murmured obsessively as he approached Hilda and Reshia.
> "I have them... I can have them..."
Suddenly, a spectral silhouette darted past and slammed its tail into Ion, knocking him down. The spiral structure cracked. Water began rushing in.
"Allow me to barge in!" I shouted as Merlin crashed through the wall. We arrived in time.
Water surged. As I unmounted Merlin, I rushed to Hilda and Reshia, wrapping them in a tight embrace.
"Master!" Reshia smiled.
"I'm so glad you're safe..." I sobbed.
"Husband?" Hilda asked gently, noticing my tears.
"Don't leave me again... please," I wept on her shoulder.
"We're not going anywhere," Reshia said, squeezing my hand.
I wiped my tears, then turned to Ion, who lay unconscious. I healed him and broke the spell. He blinked awake, dazed, and looked around. His gaze locked on Merlin.
"Who is that...?" he asked.
"That's Merlin. I just tamed her."
Then I noticed something.
"Oh crap! She's still naked! Aisha, cover her!"
Aisha sprinted to Merlin and threw a blanket over her. Merlin, initially oblivious, turned crimson with embarrassment. Hilda handed her a set of armor to cover up.
Ion, thankfully still dazed, hadn't noticed a thing.
Suddenly, Ion pointed upwards.
"Look... what is that?"
We turned to see it—a stunning, ethereal koi fish gliding through the broken spiral structure.
> Rank-S Dungeon Boss: Alluring Aqualight
The koi swirled overhead in dazzling grace. Water poured in rapidly, submerging us. We swam up, gasping.
"Where's Merlin!?" I shouted.
"She's sinking!" Reshia screamed.
Without hesitation, I dove. Monsters closed in, but I dodged their attacks. Reshia followed me, her Shield of Genbu glowing.
The Spirit Bone Turtle and Spirit Terra Snake emerged, shielding Merlin.
Reshia pushed me upward. Her eyes told me: The others need you more.
I surfaced, gasping for air.
"Darling! Another one! You have to tame this one too!" Aisha shouted.
Hilda heard that and faltered. She had begun comparing herself to Merlin earlier—her own insecurities stirred.
Earlier, before the boss arrived...
Hilda stared at Merlin's tall, graceful figure.
Why is her body so perfect? she wondered. I had to train just to feel worthy...
Merlin noticed and approached gently.
"What's wrong, Sister Hilda?"
"Why is your body... better than mine?"
"Better? What do you mean?"
"You're the tallest now... and your form is flawless. I had to change myself to be accepted."
"That means nothing to me," Merlin said softly. "You are Ares' fifth tame."
"Fifth wife actually..." Hilda whispered, blushing.
"Wife!? Did he...? You...?!" Merlin blushed furiously.
Back to the present—
I struggled to think. I couldn't use Magma Magic underwater. I had to protect everyone.
"ARES!! FOCUS!!" Ion snapped me back.
Merlin's a Necromancer. That meant... a Summoner.
I began casting: Bone, Blood, and Soul Magic coalesced before me. A ball of raw death magic formed.
Monsters surged toward me—Ion dashed in, slicing them down with his Clones of Light.
I summoned a Colossal Skeletal Beast. Its massive hands rose from the depths, lifting Merlin and Reshia to the surface. Aisha and Hilda perched on its bony shoulders. Ion clung to its ribcage.
Now, we had the high ground.
"Hit it!" I shouted.
The beast punched the koi boss. Aisha sprinted down its arm and slashed. Hilda and Reshia followed.
Ion unleashed his clone barrage.
---
At the Dungeon Maker Room
"Why is this happening!?" Cynthia screamed.
"I DON'T KNOW!" Gaive shouted.
"Look at that kid!" Dengka pointed at the screen. "Is he even just a Tamer anymore?!"
---
Back to the battle
The boss weakened.
I lunged—but I couldn't reach.
Then, a whisper...
> "Oi... can you just do it already?" said the raven.
I cast Spectral Hands with my Soul Magic, extending my reach.
I lunged again—this time, I touched her.
> Tame.
The structure cracked. The koi boss shrank, engulfed in light.
"Let's go, Sasha," I whispered. "Let's find the others."
As the light faded, Sasha transformed:
A graceful mermaid with koi-like patterns. Wavy seaweed-like hair. Bioluminescent eyes. And—of course—she was naked.
"AARGH! MASTER IS A PERVERT!" she shrieked, covering herself.
I stared at her blankly.
We fell back into the water. I wrapped my arms around her waist to protect her. We both fell into the waters below. Then, I handed her armor and turned away. She wore it underwater and blushed.
Then, monsters swarmed again.
Ion pointed downward—a crack in the ground.
"That's our path!" I shouted.
I gripped the Daggers of Byakko and mustered my strength.
Aisha activated Blood Sense. Merlin used Soul Sense. Tracing the others. We dove together, prying open the crack to the next dungeon.
---
At Yuki's Dungeon
She stood atop the tallest tree, guarding the unconscious Desmond and Kana. She watched the miasma-spewing mushrooms below, slashing those who climbed too high.
Suddenly—the canopy above her broke.
A burst of water and light.
I looked down and saw her.
"Sorry for the wait, Yuki!" I smiled.
She teared up, hand to her lips.
"Ares~ I'm so glad you're safe."
I grinned.
"Allow me to barge in... again."