On the street, Jason clutched the black card, his heart pounding. He glanced down at the card in his hand, feeling a rush of numbness and then heat sweep over him.
This can't be real… but then again, maybe it could be.
He remembered the strange powers he'd discovered in himself and thought, 'This world might be more complicated than it seems.' The idea of becoming a "Beastmaster" intrigued him. It seemed similar to his experience as an insect battler but felt far more intense.
Given his parents' background in animal research and paleontology, he'd always had an interest in working with animals, from bug battling to studying ancient wildlife.
"Could this black card have something to do with my own abilities?" he muttered. Judging from that forum post, it wasn't just him who received this mysterious card. "Looks like I'm not the only one, after all."
Immediately, he thought of his recurring dream—the one where his city was overrun by monstrous creatures, with himself among the fallen. If that dream were truly prophetic, then… well, there might be real danger ahead.
Jason shook himself out of his thoughts and focused on the task at hand: 'Better take a closer look at this card.'
He read the small print that appeared before his eyes: [If the novice Contract Card isn't used within 24 hours, it will vanish, and the holder will lose the chance to become a Beastmaster.]
"Well, there's no chance I'm giving this up," he muttered. Jason put the card away, quickly deciding to look up more information. He clicked back on the forum, hoping to contact the original poster and learn more. But to his shock, the post was gone.
"Where's the post?!" Jason kept refreshing the page in disbelief. "Did someone delete it? Maybe Lily reported it as fake… no way."
He stood on the street, feeling the cold bite of doubt. 'I have 24 hours, so I'd better complete this mission fast,' he thought, checking the forums on his phone just in case anything else popped up. The little he knew was already daunting. From what he gathered, anyone who completed a contract would be transported to some kind of danger zone. And though there was a way back, the experience wasn't without risk.
"If I'm going to face something dangerous, I'll need a strong partner," he reasoned. "I can't end up like that guy from the forum…"
Unfortunately, finding a fierce animal in a small town like this within a day was a tall order. Even though he had telepathic abilities, not every animal was easy to connect with. More than once, he'd been chased off by a stray dog when he tried to communicate.
After some quick analysis, Jason made a decision. "Better go with the reliable choice."
He turned and headed home, where he had just the companion in mind.
Jason's house wasn't far from the park; a quick ten-minute bike ride brought him to his place in the nearby upscale neighborhood. Once inside, he used his fingerprint to unlock the door.
As soon as he stepped inside, his loyal pet came bounding toward him—a sleek, wolf-like husky. The dog had thick, glossy fur, upright ears, a bushy tail, and piercing blue eyes with three white markings on its forehead, almost like flames. This was Duke, his pet of many years.
"Alright, Duke. Stand still a moment, will you?" Jason instructed.
"Woof??" Duke tilted his head, bewildered.
He might be obedient, but Duke wasn't one to be still for long. He whined a little, but he did as instructed, taking his spot in the corner, though he made sure Jason knew he wasn't too happy about it.
Jason stared at Duke thoughtfully. He'd found Duke as a stray years ago when he was still discovering his telepathic abilities. The husky had been just a puppy back then, looking lost and a little worse for wear. Jason had tried to connect with him using his powers, but Duke's mind had been a jumble, unlike any animal he'd ever met. He couldn't tell if Duke had been abandoned or had escaped on his own, but he knew he couldn't leave him out there alone.
Adopting Duke had changed Jason's life. The husky had a wild side, and Jason spent years training him. Though Duke could be a handful, he had a fighting spirit that reminded Jason of something out of legend.
Jason sighed. Duke had the loyalty of a trusted companion and the wild nature of a beast—qualities he'd need for whatever lay ahead. The black card's description said that making a contract with an animal would grant both of them new abilities. It was a pathway to evolve together.
"Alright, Duke," Jason said, now resolute. "Let's make this official."
Duke tilted his head, his blue eyes watching Jason with a mix of curiosity and excitement.
Jason reached for the black card, which started to glow as he held it out. The card floated toward Duke, surrounded by a soft white light. Duke froze in place, and then, as the light grew stronger, he turned to run—but it was too late. The brilliant light enveloped him completely.