It was a baby panda!
A tiny cub, barely larger than a human toddler. Its fur was a mix of its parents' dark and light patterns, but its eyes were a bright, almost glowing green. The panda's innocent gaze met Nox's deep eyes for a while before it raised its paws as if wanting to be carried.
Nox and Nyx stared at each other for some time. Looking at the little panda, Nox could tell it was just a baby, still unaware of its parents' deaths.
For Nox, who also never met his parents, this was genuinely touching. He knew firsthand how difficult it was growing up without them. Without its parents, this panda's life would be harsh and dangerous. Worse, before it could learn to protect itself, it might become prey for another predator.
"That will not happen!" Nox screamed in his mind as he picked up the panda and ran back to their hiding spot.
Just before the beast horde arrived, however, a certain fat cat appeared before the mother panda, thrust his claws into her chest, retrieved the blue crystal, and threw it into his mouth.
[Your death has not gone for naught. You're now a part of me... and with this power, I shall protect your offspring!] Fluffington declared solemnly as he fled the scene, thinking no one caught his shameless act.
"Oh, Fluffington," Nox massaged his temple. The cat made it look so righteous that it nearly convinced Nox.
Some time later, the beast horde came and went.
Luckily, it did not see or smell them. When they passed, Nox checked their stats and was shocked. All the beasts were in the Intimidate Tier and above.
If these beasts had found them... Nox didn't even want to think about what would have happened. This made him realize that the Luminary Forest was truly worthy of its reputation.
When they could finally breathe, Nox shifted his attention to the panda, now asleep and snoring lightly.
...
< Panda >
"A very diciplined and hardworking creature who would one day rule the world."
Rating: Level 1 Wildling
Progress: (0/100%)
MP: 100/100
HP: 20HP/20HP
Attribute: Water
Stam: (100/100%)
Str: 9
Agi: 8
Int: 5
Special Skills: Roll with it (Passive), Cute Factor (Passive), Iron Teeth (Active)
Ultimate Evolution Path 1: Legendary Panda Titan.
Requirements: Reach Legendary Tier, kill a hundred Intimidate Tier beasts, obtain a Titan's Heart, and perform a ritual at the Temple of Rufus Bamboozeus.
Legendary Panda Titan: Gains the ability to transform into a gigantic panda, increasing strength and agility exponentially. Summons massive waves of energy to obliterate enemies. Can summon an army of clone pandas with half of the original panda's power. Masters any martial art after witnessing it once.
(Check Authors note for Skill descriptions)
...
'Ah, it seems he and his father had similar evolution paths. But his own seemed even more powerful!' Nox grinned foolishly.
Nyx wanted to berate her brother for his reckless run, but she just sighed. After learning about his class related to 'taming beasts,' she figured he must have seen a powerful beast to join his army, hence his recklessness.
Seeing his stupid smile, she was even more certain of this.
As for Serena, she was just glad that her two friends were safe. When the monster horde passed by, her heart had nearly jumped out of her chest. If possible, she didn't want to hunt anymore and just go home.
***
In the Pantheon of Mythical Beasts.
"If I'm not wrong, Rufus, that's the last of your direct lineage, right?" Terra asked, looking at the massive black-eyed panda clenching his fist, watching the projector displaying the baby panda.
Thousands of years ago, Rufus had wandered the World of Eos like any other beast. In a time where dominant creatures like lions, tigers, and cheetahs ruled the jungle, Rufus's life as a panda had been very tough.
But somehow, he overcame all those odds and became one of the first creatures to reach the Sovereign Tier!
The highest beast tier in the World of Eos!
A tier so strong that even powerful entities like gods had to rally an army to face it.
Finding a Sovereign Tier beast was like finding a single drop of water in the Pacific Ocean! They were that rare!
After becoming a Sovereign, he encountered Terra, the Goddess of Beast Taming. She offered him a place in the Pantheon in the Celestial Realm. At that time, he was constantly targeted by powerful entities, endangering his tribe and family, so he decided to ascend.
During Gustavo's life, his tribe had flourished, but ever since his death, they had been hunted by other beast because of their fragile, lazy nature.
And now there was only one left. The baby panda, sleeping without a care in the world in their vassal's hand.
"He's a good kid," Terra assured. "I'm very certain he and that Whiskarius descendant will keep him safe."
"Yes, he risked his life by running out. That's very commendable. The more I watch, the more I'm glad we made the right choice," the fox woman, Kitsune, said, her seductive eyes looking intently at the black-haired boy.
***
"Hmmmm, they're safe," Nathan said as he looked at the sky where Doombringer was patrolling. Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to let the kids wander off on their own inside this dangerous forest.
He had only agreed because Doombringer would be constantly scanning the surroundings. A few moments ago, it had detected the beast horde, but nothing had happened to the kids, so he focused back on the pesky lowlifes lining up in front of him.
"Now, how would you gentlemen like to die? Explosion? A stab to the chest? Crushing your skulls with my bare hands or feeding you to Doombringer up there?"
"How about you let us go?" The bandit leader shivered. All of the options were so painful that he didn't know which to choose if he had to.
"Did I hear you say explosion?" A wide grin appeared on Nathan's face.
"I didn't say that!" The bandit leader panicked, but it was too late. The next instant, his body exploded into ashes.
"The next person, come to the front! I don't have all day"
'This bastard, why is he making this look so normal?' the bandits cursed in their minds.
***
Nox proceeded to tame the little panda. He didn't know if it was because the panda was sleeping, but the taming process went rather smoothly. After his mark appeared on the panda, he sent it to the Beast Taming space and looked at the others.
"I wonder what was chasing those beasts. Do you guys want to go take a look?"
"I mean, if you want to." Although she wanted to return home, Serena didn't mind.
Because even Nyx was curious, she didn't object.
A few seconds later, they found the cause of the beast tide.
It was a pale, milky portal!
[Ding! New Quest]
Quest Description: [Explore the Portal!]
Rewards:???