Right after the beast submitted and acknowledged Axel as its master, both Axel and the beast felt a connection to each other. At the same time, the mysterious sphere in his ring popped out and began shining a bright light.
"Ugh, again? This better be—ARH! SHIT!" Axel's words were cut short as a searing pain shot through his left wrist, as if he'd plunged it into boiling water. He tried to mitigate the pain by pouring water on his hand, but it proved ineffective.
After what felt like an eternity of searing pain, changes began to occur on his wrist. Slowly, the outline of a bracelet appeared. Soon, incomprehensible words followed, looking like random gibberish. Finally, the image of a beast's head surfaced at the center of the bracelet.
"Haaaah, haaaaah, fuck, could've at least given a fuckin' warning..." After the procedure ended, Axel gasped as the mysterious orb dimmed, returning to its dormant form. Sweat-soaked and gasping for air, he looked down at his wrist, now adorned with the strange new tattoo. Sylva had returned to her base form and stood beside him, looking worried and standing guard for him in case any harm comes to him when he's vulnerable.
The mother beast watched the scene unfold with curiosity and astonishment. She didn't fully understand what had happened—only that she had submitted, they had formed a connection, and Axel had started shouting in pain. And then she saw the dagger turning into a slime, she could feel the pressure from the small creature near Axel, which dawned on her that she was the culprit for the dread and despair she felt earlier. She was baffled at how a slime could emit such a menacing aura, as she has seen plenty of other slimes before, all basically at the bottom of the food chain being one of the weakest monster there is.
"Whew, haaaaah. Let's see what the damn glitch throws at me this time. System, any idea what this thing does? Though i've got to say, it looks pretty cool," Axel muttered after recovering for a bit, examining the bracelet-like tattoo.
"Analyzing... The new power granted to you through the sphere is called Ethereal Beast Sanctuary. This ability creates a personal pocket dimension that can house any beast that has submitted to you. Within this space, the beasts can recover faster, train without external danger, and evolve beyond their natural limits."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Ethereal Beast Sanctuary, huh? Sounds quite fancy. So it's like a safe haven for the beasts?"
"Correct. The sanctuary adapts to each beast's natural habitat, ensuring their comfort and optimal growth. They can heal, train, and even undergo unique evolutions that may not be possible in the outside world."
"So no crazy side effects or glitches this time?" Axel asked, still wary of the glitch's unpredictability.
"None detected at the moment. The sanctuary is stable and fully under your control. However, the number of beasts you can house may be limited by your current power level, and expanding it will require further growth in your abilities."
Axel flexed his left hand, observing the intricate details of the bracelet-like tattoo. "This could be a game-changer."
He turned to the mother beast and her cubs. "Looks like you guys are about to test this thing out first-hand." As he approached, the mother beast hesitated for a moment but soon felt the sense of safety emanating from Axel's wrist, along with a calling.
When her nose touched the bracelet, a soft glow enveloped her and her cubs. In a flash, they vanished.
"Whoa! That was sudden. So, I guess they're in this sanctuary now?" Axel asked, noting the tattoo on his wrist becoming slightly more vibrant.
"Correct, Master Axel. They have been transferred to the Ethereal Beast Sanctuary. You can access this sanctuary at will to check on the beasts or summon them back to the real world. They will remain in peak condition, thriving in their new environment."
Axel closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he felt through the bracelet. In his mind, he saw a vast, lush forest—an exact replica of the panther's habitat, but more vibrant and idealized. The panther family was already exploring with excitement, leaving marks all around this safe haven.
"Well, that's... fucking amazing," Axel muttered. "Looks like we've got ourselves a useful new tool, and I won't need to worry about relocating or hiding them from others. Or about taming new monsters in the future."
When he reopened his eyes, the glowing bracelet dimmed slightly, leaving behind a faint hum. "Hmm, a glowing tattoo is gonna be weird... Oh? Well, guess it listened to my request." Axel was relieved to see he could will the tattoo to stop glowing, avoiding unnecessary attention.
He then glanced at Sylva, who chimed cheerfully for his new power. "Speaking of which, do you want to try going into the sanctuary?" Axel remembered that Sylva, being a beast, could enter the sanctuary too.
'Siiil? siiil!' Sylva touched his wrist and was teleported into the sanctuary. Axel checked the sanctuary again and was surprised to find Sylva's and the panthers' spaces separated, with portals connecting them. Sylva's habitat was entirely covered in red, with minimal features, reflecting her chaotic nature. She seemed relaxed but soon called for Axel to let her out.
"Hmm? What's the matter, little blob? Don't like the sanctuary?" Sylva shook her head and perched herself on Axel's shoulder, snuggling against his face. Despite the sanctuary's comfort, she felt most at ease near Axel.
"Haha, well, aren't you a clingy little blob. Alright then, it's time to continue our journey. There should be a civilization somewhere near..." As Sylva morphed back into a dagger and sheathed herself at Axel's waist, Axel continued walking onward after the eventful encounter, having gained a tamed beast, two cubs, and an unexpected new power.