The Phantom Stalker crouched beside Leon, its ethereal form still shifting, but no longer hostile. The glowing runes from the Binding Tag had fully faded, yet the creature remained still—restrained not by force, but by something far greater.
Dominance.
Leon could feel it. The unspoken bond between a tamer and his beast. It wasn't absolute control—not yet—but it was enough to keep the creature from turning on him.
He exhaled slowly, relaxing his stance.
Behind him, Harwin still stood frozen, gripping the barn door as if it was the only thing keeping him from collapsing.
"You… tamed it," Harwin breathed, eyes darting between Leon and the strange beast at his feet.
Leon gave a small nod. "For now."
Harwin swallowed hard. "What is that thing? Ain't never seen anything like it."
"A Phantom Stalker," Leon said. "Rare. Definitely not something that should be in these parts."
Harwin paled. "So it ain't just some normal critter?"
"No," Leon confirmed. "And if it's here, that means something brought it."
Silence stretched between them.
Harwin licked his lips, his weathered face tense. "You mean… someone's behind this?"
Leon didn't answer immediately. He glanced down at the Phantom Stalker, watching its body flicker in and out of focus. Normally, these creatures roamed high-level ruins or deep dungeons, lurking in forgotten places filled with death and magic.
Yet this one had appeared here.
In a simple village.
Why?
Was it an accident? A lone beast that wandered too far?
Or was something else at play?
His instincts told him it was the latter.
But without proof, he wouldn't jump to conclusions.
"I don't know yet," Leon finally said. "But I intend to find out."
Harwin exhaled shakily. "Gods above… What do we do with it?" He gestured at the Phantom Stalker warily, as if expecting it to suddenly lash out again.
Leon crouched, meeting the creature's glowing eyes. "For now? I'll keep it."
Harwin's face twisted in disbelief. "You're keepin' it?! Are you mad?"
Leon smirked. "I am a Beast Tamer."
The Phantom Stalker followed closely as Leon moved through the farmlands, its form flickering in and out of sight. Leon paid close attention to its behavior. Tamed or not, a beast's instincts didn't disappear overnight. And Phantom Stalkers were born hunters. Would it resist? Try to break free? Would it obey?
The answer came sooner than expected. A faint rustling in the grass—too small to be another stalker, but enough to trigger the creature's attention. Leon saw it tense, muscles coiling, ready to attack. A test. If it broke away, he'd have to suppress it again. If it followed his lead…
Leon raised a hand. "Stay."
The stalker froze.
Tension lingered in its form, but it didn't move. It resisted its instincts. Leon felt a flicker of satisfaction. Good. This bond wasn't absolute yet. But it was forming. The rustling stopped—just a stray rabbit fleeing into the underbrush. Leon lowered his hand. The Phantom Stalker remained by his side, waiting. Loyalty wasn't built in a day. But this?
This was a start.
By the time Leon returned to the village, the sun had begun to rise, casting soft golden hues over the wooden cottages and dirt roads. Harwin had already spread the news. Whispers followed Leon as he walked through the village center. Farmers, merchants, even children peered at him from behind doors and windows. Their eyes darted toward the shifting form of the Phantom Stalker at his heels—fear, awe, and confusion mixing in their expressions.
He ignored them.
This reaction was expected. Beast Tamers weren't common. And one who could subdue a creature like this?
Unheard of.
As he neared the chief's house, the door swung open. Elric stepped out, his sharp eyes locking onto Leon and the beast beside him. His gaze was unreadable, but his tone was calm.
"I heard you found our culprit."
Leon nodded. "More than that. I tamed it."
Elric's eyes flickered with something—interest? Caution? It was hard to tell.
"You're full of surprises, Leon," the chief murmured.
Leon smirked slightly. "You've seen nothing yet."
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