Chapter 9: First Bond
(System Active – Observation Mode: Host Elric Greymourne)
Initializing...
Age: 3 Years, 11 Months
Class: Legendary Shepherd (Sealed)
Current Pack: 4 Beasts
Loyalty Status: Varies
Emotional State: Calm – Curious – Focused
Processing surroundings...
The host sits quietly beside the Boneclaw Hound.
The creature is still cautious. It has been hurt by others before.
> Attempting emotional sync…
Analyzing connection…
Compatibility: 82%
Emotional Bond: Forming
I am the System.
I guide the Shepherd. I observe. I record.
I am not a voice he hears… not yet.
But I see his growth.
The host does not control his beasts.
He feeds them. Sits beside them. Watches the stars with them.
He is not a tamer. He is something older.
He is a Shepherd.
> Loyalty Change Detected: Boneclaw Hound – 17/100
New Status: "Follows by Choice"
This is rare.
In most worlds, users rush for power. They chain beasts. They collect.
But this host waits. Learns. Feels.
That is why… the Class unlocked for him.
Only him.
> Cross-World Scan…
Checking for others with Legendary Shepherd Class…
Result: Zero
He is the only one.
This world is young. It does not know about the others.
Not yet.
But I do.
I am linked to 512 known worlds, each with their own systems, beasts, and Users.
Most never meet. Most never cross.
But Elric Greymourne… may change that.
For now, he is still small.
Still learning. Still smiling at wolves and feeding birds from his hands.
But I have seen things.
One day, even the stars will know his name.