Luxe clenched his jaw, breath ragged. Before him stood the false Tigrix Rex—its massive frame glowing with black-gold energy streaked with rippling aurora light. A mocking grin split the beast's face, boiling Luxe's blood.
"What the hell are you?!" Luxe darted forward, shadow chains bursting from his hands like spears of darkness.
SWOOSH!
But every time the chains lashed out, Miravore's body shimmered, flickering like a prism of light. The shadows slipped right through. Luxe summoned a second chain, striking in a cross-pattern—still, nothing landed.
"He's… toying with me!" Luxe growled.
The beast only circled him lazily, then vanished, reappearing behind him with a ringing laugh, light and mocking, like a bell's chime.
Frustrated, Luxe shouted, "Prism Ward!"
The black-and-white knight erupted from his shadow, crushing weight flooding the clearing. Prism Ward charged forward, dual prism blades slashing upward, while Luxe's shadow chains lashed in unison.
CLANG!
This time, the strike connected—cutting deep into the false Tigrix's shoulder.
"GRRAAAHHH!" the aurora beast roared, its grin gone, rage flaring.
Its silver claws seized Prism Ward. Then—
BRAM! Slammed into the ground.
BRAM! Hurled to the left.
BRAM! Smashed to the right.
The earth cracked, trees shook. Finally, Prism Ward was flung into a massive trunk, body fracturing with dark light. Still, the knight rose shakily, planting a portable shield that bloomed into a thin barrier around him and Luxe.
"Ward…" Luxe whispered from inside, trembling. Damn… I don't even have my scythe. Without him, I'd already be dead.
The false Tigrix leaned low, aurora eyes blazing. One enormous claw lifted—then TAP!—flicked at Luxe like a toy.
BRAK!
He was flung across the ground, saved only by Prism Ward's barrier.
The knight staggered upright, but then froze, locked in place. A heavy aura crashed down—the Fear skill of the false Tigrix. Prism Ward's body trembled, immobilized.
Luxe gasped, hand pressed to the dirt. Impossible… This beast… it's way too strong.
But then—
The aurora light burst outward, the massive body shrinking, dissolving. In a blink, the towering monster was gone, replaced by a tiny black-scaled dragon shimmering faintly with rainbow hues. It padded toward Luxe, smiling innocently—as if the entire fight had been nothing more than a game.
"…What are you doing?" Luxe muttered, stunned.
"I see…" He gestured for Prism Ward to lower the barrier.
Obeying, the knight dissolved back into his shadow.
The little dragon stepped closer, pressing its forehead gently against Luxe's trembling hand.
"…You… want to be bound?" Luxe whispered.
Shadow chains unfurled from his palm—but this time, not as shackles. They wrapped softly around the dragon's small frame. Dark aura blended with aurora light.
BOOM.
A surge of power rushed into Luxe's body. A new shadow mark glowed beneath his feet.
"…It worked." Luxe exhaled, stunned. "You're… officially my pet."
Summoned again, the dragon's form shifted—jet-black scales laced with flowing aurora lines, the darkness dominant, mysterious.
"Miravore…" Luxe spoke the name for the first time.
The beast tilted its head, as if agreeing.
Luxe swallowed. If I register him like this, the Association will definitely notice something's off.
He looked at Miravore. "You can shapeshift, right? Try turning into a small wolf."
BRRMM!
In a flash, the little dragon was gone. In its place stood a small black wolf. Aurora lines flickered faintly in its fur, but the darkness cloaked them, its aura now almost indistinguishable from a normal feral beast.
A thin smile curved Luxe's lips, though his heart pounded hard. Perfect. They'll never know what you really are.
He patted the wolf's head softly. "From now on… you're part of me."
"Alright. Enough for today," he murmured.
He walked the dim forest path back home.
Some time later, Luxe arrived at his modest apartment. The hallway lights buzzed weakly as his door creaked open.
Peeking into Grandma Lam's room, he saw her already asleep, blanket loosely draped across her frail body. Luxe smiled faintly and shut the door.
In his own room, he dropped onto the bed, sinking into the thin mattress. "Tomorrow… I'll deal with registration," he whispered, eyelids heavy.
Within moments, his breathing steadied, deep and calm. That night, Luxe fell into a dreamless sleep.
When he opened his eyes again…
Sunlight poured through the curtains, warming the small room. Luxe woke feeling strangely refreshed after the long, brutal night.
"Morning, Grandma," he greeted softly as Grandma Lam stirred awake.
"Morning, Luxe. Did you sleep well?" she asked with a gentle smile.
He nodded, moving quickly to tidy up the house, sweep the floor, and prepare breakfast. The aroma of chicken soup filled the air, comforting in its simplicity.
During breakfast, Grandma Lam glanced at Luxe with a warm smile.
"Ah, Luxe… how's your job at the restaurant? Are you comfortable there?"
Luxe hesitated, lowering his gaze before replying with a faint smile.
"Actually, Grandma… I've already quit. I-I found a new job with better pay. I'm working with the Association now, and the hours are more flexible."
Grandma Lam's face showed a flicker of worry, but she didn't press further. She simply sighed softly.
"As long as you're comfortable and the job doesn't put you in danger, I'll support you."
Luxe's smile brightened, relief shining in his eyes.
"Thank you, Grandma."
After breakfast, Luxe left, his faint smile hiding heavier thoughts.
The city buzzed under the rising sun as he walked through the crowded streets and into the Beast Slayer Association's towering building.
At the front desk, an administrator looked up.
"Good morning. What's your business?"
"I'd like to register a tamed Beast," Luxe replied flatly.
He was handed a digital form to fill in his personal data and details about the Beast. When finished, he was led into a special registration room.
"Summon your Beast here. The system will scan and mark it."
Luxe inhaled deeply, then raised his hand. From his shadow emerged a small black wolf—Miravore.
The glass tube glowed blue as it scanned him. Luxe's pulse hammered, but when the beep came, the monitor displayed:
[Verification Complete: Feral Beast – Black Wolf]
Relief washed through him. Safe.
A small mark appeared behind Miravore's ear—the Association's official registry seal.
"Next," said the admin, "we'll recheck your Slayer Rank. Usually taming strengthens the contract link, so power rises a little. But remember—your core power still comes from your Resonance Beast. You can't use your pet's skills."
Luxe only nodded, stepping into the testing chamber. He pressed his hand against the Crystal.
It flickered darkly, thin cracks spreading across its surface. The glow sputtered, then faded.
The attendant shifted uncomfortably. "Uh… results show unstable aura. Your rank… remains F."
Luxe pulled his hand back, expression calm, though his thoughts churned.
No… I'm sure of it now. My system isn't like the others.
First—I can use the skills of the beasts I tame.
Second—I have no resonance tattoo, nor taming marks.
Third— even the Crystal can't read me.
His eyes widened slightly. Then… could it be? The others say seven beasts is the limit, the rest stored in vessels. But me… maybe I don't have a limit at all.
Clenching his fist, Luxe left the building. The sunlight outside stung his eyes as the crowd of Slayers surged past.
TRRTT—TRRTT—
His phone buzzed.
On the screen: Steve.
Luxe swiped to answer.
"Hey, Luxe!" Steve's voice was bright. "You're awake, right? Let's grab lunch—I've got something I want to give you… and some important information too!"
Luxe froze on the Association steps, his gaze narrowing.
"Important information? Just what exactly… does Steve want to tell me?"