In this world, every human is born with a sphere-like space that is both real and illusory, known as the Sea of Consciousness.
Invisible, formless spiritual power fills this sea like water. At its highest point lies each person's Talent Sigil, like a sun—once awakened, it shines down and nourishes everything within the sea. Meanwhile, the Contract Sigil formed through one's chosen contract method appears at the bottom, linking to the contracted spirit beast. The two mirror each other like reflections on water—like sun and moon—resonating endlessly across the distance.
Lin Guang was no exception.
However, his talent had long failed to fully awaken. Though his contract meditation technique was highly refined, the "sun" at the top of his Sea of Consciousness remained shrouded in mist, like an unhatched egg. The entire sea lay stagnant and lifeless, unable to resonate—slowing even his cultivation.
But at this very moment, Lin Guang could clearly feel it—
His talent was finally beginning to stir.
The mist surrounding that "sun" showed signs of dispersing.
As if entranced, Lin Guang unconsciously walked in the direction his instincts guided him. Ahead was a door—unlit, swallowed by darkness, as though deliberately hidden from notice.
Something inside… was triggering his talent.
No—this feeling…
It was very likely a spirit beast!
A spirit beast compatible with his Talent—one that could awaken it!
No need for miracle workers, no need to struggle through uncertainty—
No more worrying about the unknown.
Hope… within reach.
Suppressing the surge of excitement in his chest, Lin Guang asked in a low voice, "Can I go in there?"
"..."
After a brief silence, the masked man nodded.
That "item" was indeed sensitive and not exactly presentable—but with Lin Guang's apparent military connection, he likely wouldn't do anything reckless.
Lin Guang pushed the iron door open.
Darkness.
Deep, suffocating darkness.
And at its farthest edge, a faint glow flickered like a firefly.
One step. Two steps.
He quickened his pace, almost breaking into a run toward that light.
Only upon approaching did he realize—it was just a weak incandescent bulb hanging from the ceiling, barely illuminating a small patch of space.
Clink… drag… clink…
The sound of chains scraping against the ground froze his breathing.
From the darkness… stepped out a girl.
She looked about fifteen or sixteen, her figure slender, dressed only in a tattered gray garment. Her hair was a rare silver-gray, fading into black toward the ends—like ink spilled across moonlit snow. It hung loosely over her shoulders, with two long strands falling before her face. From her temples protruded short, horn-like structures, the same vivid blood-red as those strands.
Her wrists and ankles were bound by thick iron chains. Behind her trailed a slender black-and-red tail. Barefoot, her toes pale like porcelain, yet her nails—like her fingers—were crimson, faintly gleaming coldly as they curled nervously against the stone floor.
Step by step, she approached the bars.
Her movements were gentle, cautious—like she feared startling him.
She raised her hands slowly and gripped the railing.
Her crimson eyes shimmered with fear, unease, and helpless innocence. Tears welled at the corners, as if she were a frightened animal.
She seemed to be pleading.
Begging.
Hoping someone would take her out of this cage.
From any angle, she was undeniably a beautiful girl.
Lin Guang stood there, dumbfounded—completely captivated.
But in truth, after the initial shock, his first thought was—
Where the hell am I? Is this still "Spirit Tamer Chronicle"?!
Even the most humanoid spirit beasts in that game—without transformation skills or illusion abilities—barely reached 30% on the anthropomorphism scale!
"Wait… I remember now…"
A painful memory surfaced from the depths of his mind.
According to the setting, five hundred years ago, after the world's upheaval, countless other worlds began drifting toward Blue Star—like moths drawn to flame.
From a game design perspective, it was probably to expand the worldbuilding and allow crossovers.
And speaking of that—
Right before he transmigrated, the game had just announced a massive update: a crossover with another game, Future Ark.
A world called W, inhabited by various "demi-humans"—in simpler terms, beast-eared people.
The reason for his transmigration?
Embarrassingly simple.
While waiting for the update, he'd opened a certain… questionable folder to pass the time. Then he looked up—
—and saw a cockroach the size of two fingers sitting on his 27-inch 4K monitor.
Its brown wings even twitched, like it was about to fly straight at his face.
Startled, Lin Guang threw a punch with all his might—
CRASH!
He shattered the screen in one blow.
Then, in an absurd, movie-like explosion, he lost consciousness.
And now—
The girl before him.
Though younger in appearance, she was unmistakably a character from Future Ark—a Sarkaz mercenary codenamed W , modeled after a demon. Those two red, antenna-like strands of hair had even earned her the nickname "cockroach" among players.
Damn it, the cockroach followed me here!
Are you seriously connected to that one that got me killed?!
After mentally venting all his complaints, Lin Guang finally calmed down.
A blue glow ignited in his eyes.
At this moment, within his Sea of Consciousness, that hazy, egg-like Talent was beating violently—like something inside was desperate to break free, like a heart bursting with life.
No doubt about it.
His talent was absolutely connected to this girl.
"Is she a slave? Or a spirit beast?"
"We don't deal in human trafficking here. This is—"
Before the masked man could finish, Lin Guang cut him off.
"Can I get closer to her?"
"Hm?"
Sensing the certainty in his tone, the masked man frowned. "Let me be clear—whether you approach her or not, this thing is not for sale."
"Why not?"
"Didn't your elders tell you?"
The masked man glanced at the girl, his voice tinged with unease.
"These 'W Demons' barely require compatibility—but anyone who tries to contract them… the best outcome is stagnation. Most end up mentally unstable."
"If we sell her to you and something goes wrong, your family will come knocking. Not worth the trouble."
"Is she… that rare?"
"Yes."
Lin Guang took a deep breath. "I'll take full responsibility. You've been recording this the whole time anyway, haven't you?"
As he spoke, he never once turned around.
His gaze remained fixed on the girl.
She didn't seem seriously injured—just some bruises. Dust clung to her skin and hair, but her amber eyes never left them. Her cross-shaped pupils dilated slightly in the dim light, her expression pitiful and fragile.
"Let me touch her. Just once. Alright?"
"...Oh?!"
The masked man froze, hesitating before finally speaking:
"Are you trying to contact her… or did you just fall in love at first sight?"
"Let me give you some advice—according to higher-ups, these beings supposedly come from a place with an extremely dangerous infectious disease. Even if the risk here is minimal, it's still there."
"You're young. Don't do something reckless like this—you might catch something."
"...Huh??"