I crouched low, scanning the tree line, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. In a small clearing, I spotted a group of fifteen beast tamers, unmistakably members of the Dionysus faction. They were gathered around a massive bonfire, drinking and reveling, with a few local women tied to a tree's base. The night was dark, and it could have been serene if not for this raucous gang disturbing the peace. The sky was clear, dotted with stars, a stark contrast to the chaos below. I had been hired by a nearby village known for cultivating exquisite Flora Phantom familiars—a tranquil place that cherished beauty and harmony. This farming community, aligned with the Demeter faction, usually kept to themselves. But now, they were under siege by a band of marauding thieves, celebrating with stolen goods. Desperate to protect their women and restore peace, the villagers pooled their resources to bring me in for the rescue.
I resolved to hold off my attack until they were thoroughly intoxicated. The women they had captured looked to be mostly okay, just shaken up, so I could afford to wait a little longer. I was comfortably positioned to wait as long as necessary when I caught a flicker of movement from the trees. My heart dropped as I turned, recognizing that silhouette. No way! She snuck out again for this? Can't Megan just stay put for once? She's the daughter of the assistant chief, the child of the man who stood as my father's dearest friend—the one who welcomed me into his home and trained me to wield a weapon after my father was taken by a brutal monster attack. I'm indebted to Leon for everything, and I swore to keep his daughter safe, but she's making that promise a real challenge.
I made an effort to grab her attention, but she didn't even glance my way. Why does she always dive headfirst into danger? I observed her as she crept toward the tree, realizing I wouldn't make it to her before she reached the clearing. If I weren't cautious, it would only alert them and likely lead to both our captures. My best option now was to inch closer, ready to spring into action if she found herself in a tight spot. She had to be this stunning, curvy strawberry blonde with a gorgeous face and striking emerald eyes. Her looks were a stark contrast to her wild, tomboyish spirit. It felt almost criminal that she was such a knockout with a personality that could rival any guy. She strolled around with her hair in a ponytail, wearing long tees, a ballcap, and a utility belt. Quick and usually silent, she had a knack for biting off more than she could chew. I was holding out hope that after the choosing ceremony, a powerful deity would choose her for their faction, and she'd bond with a Phantom that had immense potential during her starter summoning. Ideally, something that would require extensive training, keeping her too busy to land herself in trouble for a while.
I crouched low, moving stealthily through the underbrush, my eyes locked on a group of ten men. They were outfitted in a ragtag assortment of gear scavenged from the remnants of a forgotten city—pieces of battered metal and tarnished armor, along with crude weapons that looked like they were thrown together in a hurry. There was no trace of modern technology, but the shadows they cast were anything but empty, suggesting that each of them had at least one or two Phantom familiars at their side. The ruins loomed around us, many already stripped clean, claimed by others, or overrun by Phantoms—once-harmless creatures that had morphed into terrifying monsters capable of slipping through darkness and emerging from the shadows of their beast tamers.
One of the guys rose from the log by the fire and staggered toward me. I pulled out a small Techie weapon, a relic from my father's past, which Victor had salvaged from his remains after he passed away. Alongside it I received his Fui wristband, a tool that could identify any Phantom registered in their database, and a trove of his gear: camping supplies, a space storage bag, an anti-weight net, his Phantom tamer gloves, metal traps, a utility knife, his monster manual filled with evolving techniques, climbing gear, his Techie underwater mask, his rugged brown leather jacket, and his long, slightly frayed red scarf that always brought back memories of him. I wore it all the time, only taking it off for washing. Unfortunately, none of his Phantom beasts were around; they had disappeared without a trace. All that gear had either been on him or in his space storage bag, but aside from one notebook, everything else was missing.
His beasts were gone, and his shop had been looted. He had been a well-known beast evolver, and the news of his death had attracted a swarm of bandits. It was incredible that I managed to salvage as much as I did, but most of it was gone, including his considerable wealth, as his leveling supplies had been stolen and the shop left in ruins, windows shattered, items taken, and most of the equipment either stolen or wrecked. No one dared to challenge him while he was alive because his monsters were too formidable. I inherited the broken shop and the small two-room home where my dad and I had stayed during his rare moments at home. To be honest, not much changed after my dad's passing since I often stayed with Leon or Victor when he was away. I had planned to travel with him as soon as I turned eighteen and could join a faction. He had been the person I'd looked up to most and was my only family left.
I gripped my Techie weapon, a sleek metal cylinder with a soft black grip, a button on top, and a chamber at the bottom for core gems. This is how most Techie Gear operates; it needs to be powered by core gems, those mana-infused stones either crafted in labs or extracted from the remains of Phantom beasts. I opened the chamber to check the fuel and found a small yellow gem left over from a monster that had tried to ambush me on my last adventure. I slid the chamber back into place—this would definitely give me enough power to take down this crew.
I twisted the dial on the top of the weapon from safety to stun and pressed the button to activate it. A bright yellow light burst forth from the top, signaling that it was ready. The burly man, just about to relieve himself, turned his head at the sudden glow. He barely had time to react as I held the button down and flicked my wrist, unleashing a whip of yellow light that snaked around the bandit. In a heartbeat, he crumpled to the ground, staring up at me with a look of sheer disbelief.
"You're not going to be stuck like this forever; I've just been assigned to bring you in," I said quietly before moving on. I'd round him up with the others once I finished my task. I shifted a bit to ensure I was hidden from the fallen man, ready to pounce if anyone came searching for him.
I kept a close watch on Megan as she neared the tree, stepping in closer when another bandit staggered toward the tied-up women, a sleazy look on his face. His sunburned skin was flushed, and his eyes squinted as he stumbled over a dirt clump, spilling some of his drink from his large stone mug. This guy was a giant, with thick, tangled hair and a beard that looked like it had seen better days, littered with leaves and greasy food remnants. His bloodshot eyes and the foul stench wafting from him were almost unbearable. I was too far to make a move, hoping Megan stayed under the radar; I didn't want to reveal myself and put the men on high alert.
I forged ahead, defying my original plan as I crept closer. The situation appeared to be in my favor; he seemed unaware of Megan hiding just beyond the tree. But then, to my horror, a dark silhouette began to break free from his shadow—a striking crimson wolf, large and agile, with formidable fangs and claws, its long ears alert and slightly gaunt. Those ruby eyes glinted with intensity. It took a deep breath, letting out a low rumble, a familiar sound indicating it was talking with its human companion.
I pushed a button on the Techie Fui wristband and a small projector screen popped up.
~~~~~~~~~~
Species: Crimson Fenrir
Male
Level: 10
Size: Capable of growing up to ten cubes long (Each cube being the equivalent size of one foot or 30.48 centimeters)
Category: Canine
Type: Fire, Wind
Weakness: Water, Rock
Region: Undisclosed
Abilities: Undisclosed
Evolutions: Undisclosed
Habits: Undisclosed
~~~~~~~~~~
Thankfully, level ten was still under control. I was almost upon them when the Crimson Fenrir raised its head and released a bone-chilling howl, warning the entire party that intruders had arrived.
Coming Next Time: Berserk Bandits