Kai had barely begun to catch his breath when the system pinged:
[Nearby Human Detected: Tamer Signature Level 1 — Approaching.]
[Warning: Unknown intentions. Proceed with caution.]
Kai froze.
"A tamer… someone else?"
Before he could react, a figure appeared at the edge of the clearing: a tall young man, wearing a leather harness and carrying a long spear. At his side, a tiny armored dinosaur—a baby Triceratops—stood ready.
"Who… who are you?" Kai asked, stepping protectively in front of his Allosaurus.
The stranger smirked.
"Name's Rylan. And it looks like you've already claimed the rookie's prize—the Allosaurus. Not bad… but you shouldn't get too comfortable."
Kai's grip tightened on his knife.
"I'm not looking for trouble. Just trying to survive."
Rylan laughed, twirling his spear.
"Survival? That's the fun part. Let's see how your little friend handles a real challenge."
With a whistle, Raptor Pack Detected — Level 5. Three sleek Velociraptors emerged from the underbrush, eyes glinting predatory red.
The Allosaurus growled low in its throat. Kai felt its instincts screaming through the Beast Bond Link: They're fast… strike together… watch my left side.
Kai swallowed, then pointed.
"Allo! Lead them toward the slope over there. I'll flank!"
The Allosaurus obeyed instantly, bolting toward the uneven terrain. The raptors gave chase. Kai sprinted around the hill, swinging a branch at the lead raptor just as it lunged.
[Battle Experience Gained: +50]
[Bond Link Level Up: 3 → 4]
[Skill Unlocked: Pack Coordination (F) — synchronize multiple tamed dinosaurs' actions.]
Kai's grin widened. "Okay… this is actually working better than I thought."
As the battle raged, he realized the raptors weren't just random predators—they were being controlled by Rylan.
Kai's system pinged urgently:
[Rival Tamer Detected: High Probability of Attempted Theft of Tamed Beasts.]
[Recommended Action: Initiate counter-taming and system evolution.]
Kai made a decision.
"Alright, Allo… let's show him what teamwork really means."
He extended his hand and focused his energy:
"Beast Bond Link: Pack Command!"
The Allosaurus let out a deep roar. Instantly, the Velociraptors hesitated mid-charge, confused by the surge of overlapping instincts.
Kai seized the opportunity.
[Special System Option Detected: Hybridization Experiment — Combine tamed dinosaur instincts to temporarily dominate wild predators.]
A thought flashed through his mind: If I can link my bond and transfer Allosaurus instincts into them… maybe I can control the pack…
He muttered the command, and the sensation of the Velociraptors' instincts flowed into him through the link. His mind raced. He could feel every heartbeat, every twitch of muscle, every split-second decision they would make.
The raptors stopped attacking. Instead, they crouched, awaiting his next instruction.
Kai gasped in disbelief.
"I… I tamed all three of them… just like that?!"
Rylan's smirk vanished. His eyes widened.
"Impossible… that's… no human should be able to—"
Kai cut him off.
"Looks like you're about to find out."
The system chimed:
[Hybridization Experiment Success — Temporary Pack Control Achieved]
[Bond Link Level Up: 4 → 5]
[New Skill Available: Hybrid Instinct Synchronization (F)]
The Velociraptors crouched beside him, obeying every instinct Kai transmitted. Even Rylan's Triceratops sidekick seemed wary, unsure of its master's commands.
Kai laughed, adrenaline pumping.
"This… this is just the beginning. And Rylan? You're going to have to try a lot harder than that."
Rylan's face twisted in anger.
"You haven't seen the last of me, rookie!"
He vanished into the jungle with a whistle, leaving Kai with a Velociraptor pack at his command.
Kai patted the Allosaurus.
"Looks like we've officially leveled up… buddy. Time to start building an army."
[Quest Updated: Begin Dinosaur Army Recruitment — Gather and Tame Diverse Species.]
The system whispered almost teasingly:
[Warning: Apex predators in the north are reacting to your growing tamer signature. Survival will require constant evolution.]
Kai smiled.
"This is going to be fun."