***
Another interface screen materialized before Seth, its text glowing softly in the dim chamber.
[Acknowledging Tamer. Synchronization Initiated.]
[Welcome, Bearer of the Sovereign Bond.]
The artifact around Seth's wrist flared with a radiant light, flooding his mind with a torrent of strange sensations. A whirlwind of emotions, fragments of ancient knowledge, and vivid visions of monsters filled his consciousness. It was overwhelming, yet exhilarating, a kaleidoscope of understanding that felt both alien and instinctive.
As the light dimmed, another screen appeared in front of him, displaying clear details about the artifact now bonded to him:
[Sovereign Gauntlet]
Bond Level: 1
Abilities:
Monster Taming: Allows the user to bind monsters to their will.
Monster Evolution: Unlocks latent abilities and transforms monsters into their strongest forms. Shared Perception: Enables the user to experience what their tamed monsters see, hear, and feel.
Seth's eyes darted across the screen, reading and rereading the abilities. His heart raced as the enormity of the artifact's power sank in. "This... This is insane," he muttered, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief. "I can tame monsters? Evolve them? And even share their senses?"
While Seth absorbed the information, Voidshade Umbra stood guard nearby, its form tense and alert. The monster's luminous core pulsed faintly as it scanned the dark chamber, vigilant against potential threats. Its protective stance didn't go unnoticed by Seth.
"So, you're watching my back now, huh?" Seth said with a faint smile, glancing at Voidshade. The shadowy creature growled softly in acknowledgment, its demeanor resolute.
Seth clenched his right hand, the bracelet around his wrist gleaming faintly in response. "Alright then," he said with newfound determination. "If this is the power I've been given, I'll make it count. Let's see what we can do together."
Voidshade growled again, this time as if in agreement.
Seth tried to give commands to Voidshade Umbra, speaking to it as if it were a pet.
"Sit? Roll over? Uh… Attack?" he said, puzzled. However, the creature didn't respond at all.
Confused, Seth noticed the artifact on his wrist begin to glow faintly. Suddenly, he could sense Voidshade Umbra's intentions through their bond. Its thoughts felt childlike, as if it were just learning to speak:
"No threats. Protecting you. Testing me?"
Realization struck Seth. "So, this bond isn't just about controlling monsters. It's more like a partnership," he muttered to himself.
Curious, he observed the glowing artifact and thought aloud, "This thing can even interpret what the monster is thinking? Interesting. Maybe I should try asking Umbra to do something… Wait a second, shouldn't I give it a proper name? It feels awkward to keep calling it Voidshade Umbra or just Umbra."
Seth glanced at the shadowy creature, which wobbled its upper body eagerly, almost as if it were excited to hear what name he would choose.
"Looks like you want me to name you, huh?" Seth chuckled. "Alright, let me think for a moment…"
He scratched his head, brainstorming a fitting name for his first monster. "Hmm, your form is kind of shapeless, like slime… I could name you after the strongest slime from my favorite comic, but that might cause trouble later. What else could work?"
Seth sighed, recalling how he struggled with naming creatures even in games. "Back when I played Pickemon, I was always stuck thinking up names for my Pickemon. But now, I want to make this one special."
As he pondered, his eyes landed on Voidshade Umbra's dark, shadow-like appearance. "Shadows… night… moon... lunar… Ah, that's it! And since your core gives off light, how about adding 'Ray'? Yes! Raynar! A combination of Ray and Lunar. What do you think? Do you like it?"
Voidshade Umbra vibrated with excitement, and its thoughts resonated through their bond again:
"Ray. Nar. Name? Raynar. Like."
Seth smiled broadly. "Alright then, from now on, your name is Raynar."
Immediately, an interface screen appeared in front of Seth:
[Confirmed: Tamed Monster Name Updated]
Name: Raynar (Voidshade Umbra)
Race: Aetherials
Rank: Unique
"Wow, this artifact can even update itself? That's amazing!" Seth exclaimed. It had been a long time since he'd felt this kind of joy.
"Okay, Raynar, here's your first task," Seth said, extending his hand. "Scout the area outside this building and find the safest route to any place with food supplies."
Raynar didn't move at first, seemingly processing the request. "You don't understand, do you?" Seth said, tilting his head in frustration.
Suddenly, Raynar's body quivered, and it darted out of the underground chamber at incredible speed.
"Oh, so you did understand!" Seth said, amazed. "Maybe it just takes some time to process what I mean…"
He stood there, watching the direction Raynar disappeared into, a glimmer of hope flickering in his heart.
After a while, Raynar returned to Seth.
"You're back?" Seth asked, watching Raynar closely.
Raynar let out a low growl, and its meaning resonated in Seth's mind through their bond:
"Come. Food. Go. Safe."
"Alright, lead the way, Raynar."
This time, without hesitation, Raynar guided Seth out of the underground chamber. Throughout their journey, they encountered no monsters at all.
"You really found the safest route, huh? You're amazing, Raynar," Seth said, genuinely impressed.
Raynar growled softly, and Seth could feel through their bond that the creature was pleased with the praise.
After a while, Raynar suddenly stopped.
"Food. Ahead."
"There's food here?" Seth asked as he followed Raynar's gaze. Ahead of them stood a wolf-shaped monster, its sharp eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
"Uh… Raynar, I meant food for me," Seth clarified, scratching his head.
Raynar growled again.
"Building. Inside."
"So, you're saying the food is in that building?" Seth replied, glancing at the structure behind the wolf.
His eyes returned to the monster in front of them. "Can you defeat that wolf monster?" he asked cautiously.
Raynar growled, his response clear and confident through the bond:
"Easy. Can. Command."
"So I have to give the command, huh? But I don't even know what your abilities are," Seth muttered.
As if reacting to his thoughts, the artifact on his wrist began to glow faintly, and an interface appeared before him:
[Name: Raynar (Voidshade Umbra)]
[Level: 20]
[Bond Level: 1]
[Race: Aetherials]
[Rank: Unique]
[Skills:]
Shadowmeld
Type: Utility/Stealth
Effect: Allows Voidshade Umbra to merge with shadows, rendering it invisible to enemies and undetectable by sensory abilities.
Cooldown: 10 seconds after leaving the shadows.
Limitation: Effectiveness is reduced in brightly lit areas.
Umbral Strike
Type: Offensive
Effect: Attacks using shadow tendrils, dealing physical and Aether damage. Can disarm or knock back weaker enemies.
Special Effect: Damage increases if used while emerging from 'Shadowmeld'.
Ethereal Step
Locked. Bond Level too low.
Void Gaze
Locked. Bond Level too low.
Seth scanned the information carefully. "Alright, now I have an idea of what you can do. Let's take down that wolf monster, Raynar!"
Raynar let out a growl of anticipation, ready to strike.
Seth surveyed the area and began strategizing. "Luckily, this place is perfect for Raynar's abilities. But first, I need to test how quickly Raynar can respond to my commands. Do I have to yell them out, or can I just give orders in my mind? Let's find somewhere quiet to test it."
He motioned for Raynar to retreat with him for a moment, then began experimenting with commands.
"Alright, let's start with Shadowmeld."
Seth focused on a shadow in front of them and mentally commanded, 'Shadowmeld.' Instantly, Raynar darted toward the shadow and merged seamlessly with it.
Next, Seth directed his gaze toward a nearby trash can and thought, 'Umbral Strike.' Within moments, Raynar unleashed a whip-like shadow tendril that struck the trash can with a loud clang.
"So I don't have to shout after all," Seth muttered in relief. "That's a good thing, I'd feel so embarrassed yelling commands like that." He couldn't help but recall the comic Pickemon, where the protagonist would loudly call out commands, often in exaggerated poses.
Satisfied, Seth mentally called, 'Come back, Raynar.'
Raynar immediately reappeared at Seth's side, swift and precise.
"Alright, I think it's time to take down that wolf monster," Seth said, steeling himself. "If I'm remembering this body's knowledge correctly, it's called a Frostbite Wolf. From it's name I suggest the monster special ability is ice, ice can slowing the movement, and can froze it's enemy or maybe it's surrounding, I have to be carefull anticipated the movement patterns that's monster will do."
With determination, Seth and Raynar made their way back to where the wolf was waiting.
When they go there Seth studied the wolf-like monster from a distance, contemplating his next move. "I wonder if this artifact can provide me with the abilities and stats of other monsters? Let's give it a try."
He focused his thoughts on the Frostbite Wolf, trying to summon an interface or any information about it. Seth kept staring intently, his concentration unwavering.
However, after several moments, his eyes began to sting and turn red. "Damn, it didn't work. My eyes are burning because I forgot to blink," he muttered, rubbing them in frustration.
Resigning himself, he sighed. "Looks like I'll just have to rely on watching its movements carefully to issue effective commands to Raynar."
With his strategy adjusted, Seth prepared himself for the confrontation ahead.