Chapter 9: Cat
Ding!
*****
[ Tamed Beast Information ]
Beast: Obsidian Panther Cub
Name: ???
Bond: Chain Bond
Current Rank: Low 1★
Beast Bloodline: Noble Bloodline [Obsidian Panther Line]
Bloodline Potential: ★★★★★★ (Rare chance of 7★)
Current Status: Weakened, undernourished.
Specialities:
1. Obsidian Hide: Natural resistance to physical damage and enhanced durability. Its body is far tougher than other beasts of similar star rank. At higher evolutions, its hide can deflect blades, resist elemental attacks, and even endure direct strikes from stronger opponents.
2. Feline Agility: Blessed with extreme flexibility, speed, and reflexes. Even as a cub, its balance and reaction time outclass most Low-star beasts.
3. Explosive Power: Panthers strike by sudden bursts of strength. This cub's lineage allows it to unleash immense force in short intervals, making its attacks deceptively lethal despite its small frame.
4. Silent Predator: Natural stealth combined with fluid movement. In the wild, it is capable of approaching prey without being noticed and striking precisely at their weak points.
Skills:
Stealth - 30% Master (Low)
*****
Whoaa… I struck gold!
And that question mark beside its name… it seems I can name it.
Ding!
*****
Stats:
Vitality: 1.1
Strength: 1.1
Agility: 1.2
Stamina: 1.1
Intelligence: 1.1
Magic Power: 88
*****
Looks like this is the work of my Beast Taming Talent.
The Guard then instructed Leo to will his Beast into the summoning space in his mind.
Leo focused and willed, and the cub dissolved into a streak of violet light before shooting into his chest.
He could sense the cub; it was someone within him, resting in some sort of space, but he couldn't figure out what exactly it was.
After that, the guard guided him toward the Beast Hall reception for further procedure.
The receptionist wore a nearly fitting orange uniform with long sleeves and subtle embroidery along its edges. Her chestnut hair was tied into a ponytail, and her caramel-coloured eyes held a calm, professional gaze.
By the looks of it, she seemed to be in her mid-twenties, but Leo knew better than to judge someone's age by appearances, especially not a woman's.
Following the instructions of the guard, he approached the receptionist. Once there, the receptionist handed him a small pouch along with a medallion.
Leo's eyes sparkled at the sight of what lay within the pouch.
Inside the pouch were five gleaming Silver coins, but he quickly hid his expression.
Curious, when he asked about both the medallion and the coins, the receptionist explained, her sweet voice effortlessly drawing his full attention.
"Five Silver is a monthly stipend given to Knights. The higher your rank, the higher the amount you will receive. As for the medallion, it gives you the right to claim a portion of a wild territory for yourself. But this is the lowest-grade medallion, which only allows you to claim a land that's the size of 10 hectares. The higher your rank, the more wild territory you can claim."
She continued smoothly, as if she had given this explanation countless times.
"And the moment you claim a territory, a symbol is automatically inscribed on the medallion, marking that territory as your own. The Beast Hall is also informed through the medallion that you have claimed a territory, and we register that area under your name. You're even free to sell that territory if you wish to."
Leo thought for a moment before asking.
"How does the medallion know exactly which part of the land I have claimed?"
The receptionist just gave a smile, clearly having already expected this question.
"You will have to guide your magic into the medallion and mark your desired area with your thoughts. And for your information, if the medallion senses that beasts or others have overtaken your land, you will be stripped of the rights of that land. Of course, you can even voluntarily give your rights to territory away if you desire."
"What if I claim a territory and leave it unattended?" Leo's brows were furrowed in intense focus, trying to understand the uses.
"Normally, beasts will take over such territories," she replied. "But if they don't, the medallion checks in an interval of every 5 years to see if you have visited the connected territory. And if you haven't, the territory reverts to being a wild one again."
She then added, "By 'connected territory', we mean that any spot in that area is part of the territory. That is, even if you sit in a house, you don't have to visit every corner of your land, as that land falls under the specified area of the medallion. But if you have separate plots in different locations, you will need to visit each once every five years. Also, a medallion is only given once. If you lose it, you won't be able to claim the territories under your name again."
She answered professionally.
"Well, I guess I will have to be careful."
With that, Leo turned around.
Just then the receptionist added.
"And you can get your rank upgraded along with your medallion after you visit the Beast Hall. We will assess you there and assign an appropriate rank."
Leo raised a hand and waved, acknowledging the information, and stepped out.
If he had shown such behaviour while he was a commoner, he might have been beaten to death. But now, he was a noble, albeit of the lowest rank.
Still, he was a noble now, and that automatically gave him some leeway.
_____
Leo stepped out of the building feeling like a rich man.
"Let's. Fucking. Gooo. My first step to achieve my free will is a success!"
"I even got money in hand. And it happens to be 5 Silver! I can't wait to see Lily's reaction. She will be so excited… and probably hug me too. Hehe. I can't wait for it… getting hugged by a beautiful girl… What a dream…"
He paused.
"Wait. Didn't I already achieve that dream last night?"
A faint blush crept onto his cheeks as the memory of last night surfaced.
Then he suddenly slapped himself.
"No! Don't get distracted by worldly pleasures! You have a goal in your mind. You need to get stronger. Much fucking stronger!! Yesss!"
The people passing by shot him strange, puzzled glances before quickly moving away, thinking he was crazy and it was best not to get involved.
"So… what should I do now?" he muttered. "It's noon, and I don't exactly feel hungry. Might as well look for some weapons."
With that, Leo set off in search of a shop that sold decent weapons.