I never asked to be an adventurer. But in this world, if you don't learn to fight, you don't survive.
That's how I ended up partied with them.
A knight, a mage, and a cleric. Sounds like a balanced squad, right? A strong tank, a damage dealer, a healer, and me—the "support." I wasn't just any support either. I was a Beast Tamer, one of the rarest classes in the world. My ability to form contracts with monsters should have made me invaluable. It should have made me respected.
Instead, it made me a joke.
The knight—Sir Hadrick—was supposed to be our noble leader. In reality, he was a drunk with a short fuse, constantly barking orders at me while slurring through the stench of cheap ale. He'd swing his sword recklessly, then call it "strategy" after nearly cutting me in half.
The mage—Serena—was worse. She was talented, sure, but arrogant. Every town we stopped in, she spent her time in brothels or flaunting herself in taverns, while sneering down at me like I was dirt clinging to her boots. "Why don't you go tame a slime, Max? That's about all you're good for," she'd laugh, while the others joined in.
And then there was Liliana, our cleric. Pious by day, venomous by night. She'd "heal" me when forced to, but always with a sharp tongue about how much of the goddess's mana I wasted. If I so much as stumbled, she'd use it as proof that I was the burden dragging them down.
I endured it all. Every insult. Every strike. Every sneer. Because I thought… if I kept my head down, maybe one day I'd prove them wrong.
That day never came.
We were deep in the cavernous maw of the Obsidian Howl Dungeon when it happened.
The walls were jagged and wet, dripping black water that stank of sulfur. Our torches cast weak halos in the endless dark. Monsters had been growing restless lately, packs of them swarming with unnatural hunger. It should have been a routine clear. But a pack of shadow wolves came at us in numbers too great.
"Hold the line!" Hadrick bellowed, raising his shield. His voice cracked with panic. Serena cursed as she blasted fireballs into the swarm, while Liliana muttered desperate prayers.
I tried to help—ordering my half-tamed stonefang lizard to intercept one of the wolves. But then I heard it—Hadrick's voice.
"Fall back!"
I looked up in shock. "What? We can't just—"
But they were already moving. Hadrick shoved Serena and Liliana toward a crack in the wall—an escape route only big enough for them.
"What about me?!" I shouted, scrambling after them.
Hadrick glared back, his eyes sharp with that familiar contempt. "You'll slow us down."
Serena sneered, her painted lips twisting into a cruel smile. "Sorry, Max. Guess this is where your little adventure ends."
Liliana didn't even look back. "May the goddess forgive you."
And then they were gone.
The wall of shadow wolves surged forward. My lizard roared, only to be torn apart in seconds. Its death cry echoed in my head as the bond between us snapped. Pain seared my chest like a knife.
Alone. Betrayed. Abandoned.
For a moment, I wanted to give up. Let the wolves take me. End it here. But something inside me refused. Maybe it was anger. Maybe it was spite. Maybe it was the last scrap of dignity I had left.
I forced my shaking legs to run, slipping deeper into the dungeon.
Hours passed—or maybe minutes, time was a blur. I stumbled through winding corridors, bloodied and half-blind from exhaustion. That's when I found her.
At first, I thought she was just another corpse in the endless dungeon. A small figure slumped against the cold stone wall, her body slick with blood. But when her chest rose weakly, I froze.
A kobold.
She was small—barely reaching my chest in height—but curvy in a way that startled me. Her body was humanoid, though fur covered her arms and legs, ending in clawed hands and padded feet. Furry ears twitched atop her head, drooping weakly as her tail lay limp against the ground. Her clothes—if they could even be called that—were tattered leather straps clinging to her frame, torn from battle.
Her golden eyes snapped open when I crouched beside her. She bared her fangs and snarled, a low growl rumbling from her throat.
The moment I reached for her wounds, she lashed out. Sharp claws raked across my forearm, and then her teeth sank into my other hand. Pain shot through me, but I didn't pull away.
"I'm trying to help you, damn it!" I hissed.
She didn't stop. She scratched, bit, kicked—feral, desperate. But I held firm, fumbling with the herbs and bandages I had left. I cleaned the gashes on her side, tied a strip of cloth around her thigh where blood poured out. Every time I touched her, she glared with wild hatred, like she couldn't understand why I wasn't killing her.
Her breathing slowed as the bleeding stopped. She still trembled, her claws weakly pawing at my chest. "Why…?" her voice was hoarse, almost childlike. "Why help… kobold?"
I forced a bitter smile. "Because… someone has to."
No one had ever done that for me. So maybe I knew exactly how she felt.
When I finished, I staggered to She is now wearing a sleeveless, black halter-neck dress made of a soft, velvety material. The dress features a plunging neckline and two high side slits that reveal most of her legs. She pairs it with black lace-up ankle boots. A chain accessory is draped around her neck, hanging down the front. Her tattoos remain visible on both arms and her left thigh.
She is wearing a long, off-the-shoulder black dress with loose, flowing sleeves. The dress features a fitted bodice with lace-up detailing at the waist, giving it a corset-like look. Her hair is styled in loose curls, black with bright red bangs adding a striking contrast. She wears dark lipstick, complementing the gothic aesthetic.
She is wearing a gothic-inspired outfit featuring a cropped, deep red velvet corset top with black floral embroidery and lace-up detailing at the front. Underneath, she has on a black long-sleeve top with dramatic, flowing lace bell sleeves. She pairs this with a layered, asymmetrical black skirt over sheer black tights, and black boots. Her short, wavy black hair frames her face, and she wears bold red lipstick along with a beaded black necklace for a striking, elegant look.
She is dressed in a gothic-inspired black outfit featuring a fitted crop top with mesh detailing along the neckline, sleeves, and midriff. The top has a strappy halter design with a silver cross pendant attached to a black choker collar. She pairs it with a short, pleated black skirt. Her hair is styled in twin ponytails with straight-cut bangs framing her face, and she wears bold eye makeup with red lipstick, giving her a striking and edgy appearance.
She is wearing a gothic-style outfit with a layered black skirt that has sheer panels and is adorned with silver chain accessories, including rings and dangling ankh charms. The top is a black crop with mesh fishnet long sleeves and neckline, paired with a choker featuring a dangling cross pendant. She has black fishnet stockings to match the sleeves. Her hair is styled in long green twin ponytails with parted bangs framing her face, and her makeup is bold, featuring dramatic eyeliner and dark lipstick, giving her a striking alternative aesthetic.
She is dressed in a layered winter-goth style outfit featuring a sheer black lace-trimmed blouse with bell sleeves, tied at the front over a low-cut top. She wears a short grey skirt paired with semi-sheer black tights and knee-high black boots with white socks peeking out at the top. Her accessories include layered necklaces with a round pendant. She has chin-length black hair with soft waves and bangs, and her makeup is striking with bold eyeliner and a soft blush, standing out against the snowy outdoor backdrop.
She is wearing a flowing black dress with a slightly ruffled neckline and short sleeves, cinched at the waist with a double-belt harness. The skirt drapes asymmetrically, giving it a soft, flowing silhouette. Her long, wavy platinum-blonde hair with bangs frames her face, contrasting with her bold makeup featuring dramatic winged eyeliner and deep pink lipstick. Accessories include a layered choker-and-necklace combination, a black wristband, and visible tattoos on both arms, adding an edgy touch to the elegant, gothic-inspired look.
She is wearing a short black gothic dress with dramatic flared bell sleeves and a ruffled hemline. The dress features sheer mesh cutouts at the waist, a fitted lace-up corset detail in the center, and a keyhole neckline with a tie closure. She pairs the look with knee-high black leather boots, adding a bold edge. Her short, wavy black hair with bangs frames her face, while her striking makeup includes bold red lipstick and softly blushed cheeks, complementing the dark, elegant aesthetic.
She is wearing a sleeveless black dress with thin double shoulder straps and a deep neckline, paired with a sheer mesh waist panel and a black ribbon corset detail. The skirt is short, layered, and ruffled, giving it a playful yet edgy look. She has black knee-high leather boots and sports multiple tattoos on both arms. Her short, wavy black hair with bangs frames her face, while bold red lipstick, winged eyeliner, and layered necklaces complete the gothic-chic aesthetic.
She is dressed in a black and red winter-inspired outfit with a playful, feline theme. She wears a black top with a sweetheart neckline, lace trim, and a corset-style midsection, paired with detached fuzzy black sleeves. Her bottoms are red-and-black plaid shorts trimmed with black lace. Black lace thigh-high stockings connect to tall, black furry boots. She accessorizes with a black choker featuring a silver ring and a pair of large, black cat ears atop her short, tousled black hair.
She is wearing a black zip-up sweater with bold white flame-like patterns, worn off one shoulder to reveal a beige bra underneath. Her accessories include layered black beaded necklaces and a black leather thigh harness on her right leg. She has short, wavy black hair and dark makeup with striking black lipstick. Her footwear consists of knee-high black lace-up boots with contrasting white laces.
She is wearing a cropped, long-sleeve raglan shirt with black sleeves and a cream-colored front featuring a bold graphic of a bat and stylized text. Her outfit includes a short black pleated skirt, a black leather thigh harness on her right leg, and knee-high black lace-up Converse-style sneakers with white laces. She has short, layered black hair with cat ear accessories, dark eye makeup, and black lipstick, giving her a gothic, playful look.
She is wearing a fitted black long-sleeve top with a wide square neckline, paired with a short red-and-black plaid pleated skirt. She has sheer black tights and accessorizes with layered chokers and necklaces featuring black beads and silver accents. Her hair is styled in short, high pigtails with loose bangs framing her face, and her makeup includes bold eyeliner and red lipstick, giving her a striking, edgy schoolgirl-inspired look.
She is dressed in an edgy, gothic-inspired outfit featuring a black crop top with a chest cutout layered over a fishnet underlay, paired with black pants adorned with metal rings and straps. A wide black belt with a silver buckle accentuates her waist. She accessorizes with black cat ears, a spiked choker, and statement earrings. Her makeup includes bold black lipstick and sharp eyeliner, while her black hair is styled with choppy bangs. Brown winter boots complete the look, contrasting with the snowy outdoor backdrop.
She is wearing an oversized black zip-up sweater with bold white flame-like patterns, partially unzipped to reveal a beige bra. Her outfit is accessorized with layered black beaded necklaces and a black thigh harness with silver hardware on her left leg. She pairs the look with tall, lace-up black boots featuring white laces. Her short, wavy black hair frames her face, and her makeup includes bold black lipstick and defined eyeliner. A detailed tattoo is visible on her right shoulder and upper arm.my feet. My vision swam. I'd used the last of my supplies on her. If something attacked us now, I was finished.
"Stay alive, alright?" I muttered, turning to leave.
But when I reached the next tunnel, I heard it—the soft patter of footsteps behind me.
I glanced back.
There she was. The kobold girl. Limping, blood still staining her fur, but following me anyway. Her golden eyes were fixed on me with something unreadable. Suspicion. Curiosity. Maybe something deeper.
I sighed. "Do what you want."
I walked on, pretending not to notice her shadow trailing me.
But deep down, I knew this wasn't the end of our story. It was just the beginning.