Chapter 5: The Voice of the Shepherd
It began with a pulse.
Deep inside Elric's chest, as he slept beneath the open sky, something stirred. Fangshade lay curled beside him, breathing slow, his fur gently rippling like shadows in the wind.
And then—
> System Notification: Core Sync Activated
Legendary Shepherd Class – Awakening Stage Complete
Welcome, Reincarnated One. Your true path begins now.
Elric's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly gold for just a second before fading.
"What... was that?"
The air around him shimmered like dew under moonlight. And then—he felt it.
A thrum.
No words. Just presence.
> You are the Shepherd. Not of sheep… but of beasts, monsters, titans, and even legends.
Your soul, reborn from another world, carries the Authority of the Forgotten Arc.
> Class: Legendary Shepherd (Unique) – Bound to Soul Core
System Tier: Transcendent Origin (Unranked)
Beast Limit: None
Bonded Species: All (Living, Undead, Construct, Mythic)
Summon Range: Local to Interdimensional (Locked)
Growth Path: Determined by Will, Compassion, and Command
Next Unlock: Shepherd's Domain – Level 1 (Reach 3 Loyal Companions)
Elric sat up slowly, heart racing. "Wait… no limit? I can bond with anything?"
He looked at Fangshade, still asleep. His first, but not his last.
His grin was greedy.
"Ohhh... I am going to be so overpowered."
> New Title Gained: First Shepherd of the 500 Worlds
This title grants passive aura: Presence of the Wild.
Lesser creatures will feel drawn to you. Hostile beasts may hesitate before attacking.
Elric stood, barefoot on the damp grass, and spread his arms wide.
The jungle beyond the fence swayed gently.
And somewhere in the distance, something called back.
Not a voice. Not a word.
But a roar. A whisper. A feeling.
The Wild knew him.
And it had been waiting.
---
The next morning, he barely noticed Joran shouting at him for sleeping outside or the twins using Fangshade as a brush holder.
He couldn't stop grinning.
His mother noticed, of course.
"You're up to something," she said, chopping herbs. "What is it?"
"Destiny," Elric replied dramatically. "And possibly interdimensional conquest."
"…You didn't eat those jungle mushrooms again, did you?"
---
Later that day, Elric returned to the edge of the jungle—Fangshade beside him.
He knelt in the grass and touched the earth.
"Come," he whispered, not sure why.
> Beast Detection Passive Activated.
Nearby Entities: 12 Small, 2 Mid-Size, 1 Unknown Class
Unique Reaction Detected: Wildhorn Fawn – Unbonded, Curious
A small deer-like creature peeked through the brush. Soft antlers still budding. Eyes wide and innocent.
Elric reached out slowly.
The fawn hesitated… then stepped forward.
Fangshade tilted his head but remained still.
Elric placed his hand on the fawn's forehead.
> Would you like to attempt a bond with Wildhorn Fawn?
Warning: This creature is not combat-fit. But emotional connections matter too.
[Yes] [No]
He smiled.
"Everyone starts somewhere."
He chose Yes.
The fawn blinked, then nudged his hand softly.
> Beast Bonded: Wildhorn Fawn – Loyalty 5/100
Total Bonds: 2 / Unlimited
Class Progress: 2/3 Companions for Domain Unlock
Elric sat back, stunned—and grinning.
Two companions. One beast of shadow. One fawn of light.
No limits.
He was just getting started.