The next morning, Rin stood at the East Gate before sunrise.
His limbs moved more freely, steps more confident. The unofficial E-rank Beast Space didn't just offer more storage — it enhanced him, physically and mentally. Still, to the world, he was just another F-rank beast tamer.
And that worked in his favor.
A familiar voice barked out, "Well, if it isn't Rat Boy."
Rin looked up as Iron Guts approached with his squad, the same party that took him to the Goblin Dungeon days ago.
"I said I'd be back," Rin replied simply.
Iron Guts chuckled. "You've got nerve. Good. Get in the van."
The ride was smoother this time. One of the men tossed him a half-drunk energy bottle; another offered a spare shoulder pad.
Someone nudged him from the front seat. "F-rank, huh? Guess you're one of the rare ones with enough guts to keep showing up."
Rin just gave a faint smile, saying nothing. They didn't know. No one knew. That his "rank" had already changed, not officially, but within a private system only he could access.
And he planned to keep it that way — for now.
The dungeon this time was once again a Goblin-type — small and manageable, but good enough for beast cores and muscle memory. The stale air and cracked walls were becoming familiar.
Rin moved silently behind the party, dissecting goblins with practiced hands. His old, worn dagger glided more efficiently now — his strength had noticeably improved.
As the others moved ahead toward the boss chamber, Iron Guts called over his shoulder, "Stay back here, rookie. Clean up the last few. We'll handle the big guy."
"Got it," Rin said.
He turned back to the last fallen goblin when something caught his eye — a glimmer of red, low to the ground, peering from behind a stone pile.
Not a goblin.
He stepped closer, cautiously.
A small bat, wing injured, bleeding, shivering from pain. Its glowing red eyes fixated on him.
Rin crouched and whispered, "Scan."
[Beast Identified]Species: Scout BatRank: FStatus: Injured | Wild | PassiveSkill: Enemy Detection (Short-range), Silent GlideBondable: Yes
"Detection?" Rin murmured. "That's… perfect."
Without hesitation, he pricked his finger with the dagger and let a drop of blood fall to the floor.
"Alright, come with me."
The bat slowly fluttered toward his hand, and the moment it made contact—
[Taming Successful – Scout Bat Added to Beast Space][Capacity Used: 2/3][Beast Evolution Activated – New Entry Registered]
He grinned as he summoned his status window privately.
Beast Space [Rank: E – Private System]
Capacity: 3
Environment: Basic Cave
Beast 1: Rakka – Scavenger Rat [Progress: 1/7 Days]
Beast 2: Scout Bat – Detection Type [Progress: 0/7 Days]
[Synergy Detected: Rakka + Scout Bat – Dungeon Awareness Boost Unlocked]
Rin stared at the system prompt, smirking.
"Two low-rank beasts… but with this system, they're already forming combos?"
He gently stored the bat inside the small cave environment, where Rakka was curled up.
"Rest up," he whispered. "You're part of this now."
A distant shout echoed through the dungeon. "Rin! Boss is down — we're heading out!"
"Coming," he replied.
As he walked toward them, his expression was calm.
But deep inside, he was smiling.
The world still thought he was nothing.
But Rin knew.
He had just taken his second real step toward the top.