Mist clung to the forest floor, drifting between thick, gnarled trees. Every crack of a branch, every rustle of leaves, felt like the whisper of predators watching him.
Renji tried to stand. His legs shook. His fur was matted, his claws small and soft. Hunger gnawed at him, sharp and urgent. He sniffed the air instinctively. Rabbits, insects… even the distant scent of a small wolf.
Then the first thing appeared in his vision:
[Omni-System Core Detected]
[Host Compatibility: ABSOLUTE]
[Evolution: INACTIVE – Trigger: Near-Death]
[XP: 0 | Multiplier: ×1.00]
[Subspace Inventory: Empty]
[Abilities: None]
[Tameable Creatures Nearby: Detected]
Renji froze. His heart raced. What is this…?
A small rabbit hopped near him. Instinct screamed hunt. He leapt. Missed. The rabbit scattered.
[Hunt Failed – Partial XP: 1]
[Multiplier Increased: ×1.01]
Renji blinked. Numbers… floating in his mind… whispering. He tried again, crouched low, tail stiff, eyes glowing faint gold.
Leap. Success.
[Hunt Successful – XP Gained: 5]
[Multiplier Increased: ×1.03]
[Ability Unlocked: Claw Strike Tier 1 – Damage: Weak | Risk: Low]
He staggered back, exhausted but alive. Weak—but alive.
The First PredatorA larger wolf emerged from the shadows, teeth bared, eyes glinting. Instinct screamed flee. Another part of him—the system's subtle whisper—spoke:
[Danger Level: HIGH]
[Potential XP Gain: 10]
Renji's golden eyes flickered. The wolf circled. He barely stood. His small claws flexed.
Leap. He grazed the wolf's flank. The predator snarled and fled.
[Hunt Successful – XP Gained: 10]
[Multiplier Increased: ×1.05]
Renji collapsed, shaking. He had survived. He had grown—if only slightly.
Taming Instincts AwakenA small fox appeared, trembling. His eyes flickered again:
[Tameable Creature Detected | Compatibility: LOW | Potential XP: 3]
Renji hesitated. He could attack—but he tried something new. He crouched, stayed small, offered a pulse of energy—the first bond attempt.
[Taming Attempt – Partial Success]
[XP Gained: 1]
[Multiplier Increased: ×1.06]
[Ability Unlocked: Beast Awareness Tier 1]
The fox didn't run. It circled, wary—but curious. A tiny whisper of connection stirred inside Renji.
Foreshadowing LyraFar in the forest, a presence shimmered—calm, observing. Familiar.
[Hidden XP Bonus Detected | Source: UNKNOWN | Potential Bond Growth]
Renji felt something stir deep in him. Not fear. Comfort. Hope.
The Weakest Beast StandsHis first day ended. Exhausted, trembling, weak—but alive. He flexed claws, sniffed the air, muscles aching.
[XP: 16 | Multiplier: ×1.06 | Evolution Progress: 1.2%]
[Subspace Inventory: Empty]
[Abilities: Claw Strike Tier 1, Beast Awareness Tier 1]
The forest was vast. Dangerous. Full of monsters, rogue dungeons, and portals he could not yet see.
But he would survive. One hunt at a time. One bond at a time.
The weakest beast had awakened