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Chapter 10 – The Old Bandit's Lesson
Elric crouched low in the tall grass, eyes narrowed, hand extended slightly. Rook stayed close, tail still, nose twitching. Grom stood at a slight distance, chewing grass like he had no interest in whatever hunt was happening.
"Steady…" Elric whispered, his gaze locked on the small, agile beast nibbling a root nearby. It had stripes like a tiger, a lizard's tail, and ears far too big for its size.
A Level 2 creature. Not dangerous. But wild and unpredictable.
> [Target Identified: Striped Fennek – Beast Rank 1, Level 2]
Possible Bond: 12%
Capture Option: Moderate Risk
Passive Skill Activated: Pack Instinct (Basic)
Elric took a step forward. Rook didn't bark. Grom didn't move.
And then—snap!
A twig beneath his foot.
The striped fennek turned its head—and bolted.
"Elric! What did I say about noise!?" a gruff voice boomed from behind a tree.
Grandpa emerged from the woods like a storm, cloak torn at the edge, his beard tangled with leaves and mischief.
"Don't step on sticks?" Elric said with a grin.
"Exactly, you noisy brat." Grandpa walked over, holding out a roasted meat skewer from his pocket. "Eat this and listen. Lesson time."
Elric sat, taking the warm skewer. His pack joined him, curling close.
"You're too gentle," Grandpa said. "You wanna be strong, you gotta take. Not everything will come running because you're nice."
"But if I take everything by force," Elric said, "what makes me different from the ones who'll invade our world?"
Grandpa smirked. "You feel that, huh? That pull between greed and mercy. That's good. Means you're growing right."
He tossed Elric a thin leather band with silver threads. It shimmered slightly in the light.
"What's this?" Elric asked.
"A gift. Old bandit's tool. Slave collar prototype. Used it back in the day when I was raiding demon camps and rescuing villagers. This one's different—it doesn't hurt, just connects. It lets you bind someone… but you better be ready to take responsibility if you do."
> [Item Obtained: Tether Band (Prototype)]
Allows one forced bind. Only usable on beings equal to or weaker than user's power level.
Note: Relationship post-binding may affect loyalty, stability, and growth.
Elric's eyes lit up with curiosity and caution. "Will it work on animals?"
"Try it and find out. That's the fun part."
They sat in silence for a while. Rook rested his head on Elric's lap. Grom sneezed and knocked over a bush with his head.
"Grandpa," Elric said, "do you think I'll be able to protect our world?"
The old man didn't answer immediately. He just looked up at the sky, as if weighing a hundred regrets and victories in his mind.
"I think," he said slowly, "if anyone can, it'll be the little boy who smiled while holding a sword bigger than him."
Elric smirked. "You gave me that sword."
"Damn right I did."
That evening, Elric tried the Tether Band.
Not to capture. Not yet.
He placed it on Grom's neck gently.
> [Attempting Connection…]
[Compatible Creature: Grom – Mountain Sheep]
[Would you like to designate this creature as a Guardian Beast under Shepherd Protocol?]
Y/N
He clicked Yes.
> [Guardian Beast: Grom]
Special Traits Activated: Natural Fortitude (Passive), Loyal Shield (Passive)
New Ability: Guardian Pulse – Emits a pulse that draws aggro away from weaker pack members. 30s cooldown.
Grom lifted his head and bleated proudly.
Rook barked twice and headbutted Elric's leg.
"Fine, you're next," Elric laughed.
One step at a time, the pack was becoming more than just friends.
It was becoming a force.
The next morning, the village elder paid a visit.
She was a hunched woman with skin like old bark and eyes like storm clouds. She carried no cane, no helper, and no fear.
"Elric," she said, pulling him aside from a game with his sisters. "The winds speak strange warnings. There is movement in the woods beyond the far hills. Keep your beasts close. Keep your heart ready."
He nodded. "I will."
"Also…" she smiled faintly. "Your grandfather once stole my lunch during a festival. If he does it again, I'll poison him."
Elric blinked. "…I'll pass that on."
Later that day, as he walked with Rook and Grom through the field, he spotted something unusual—a single, black feather lying in the grass. It pulsed faintly with magic.
He picked it up.
> [You have obtained: Raven's Memory (Fragment)]
Description: A fragment of knowledge from a fallen scout beast.
Effect: Increases Perception by 1 permanently.
Note: May trigger vision if exposed to similar fragments.
He stored it carefully.
Whatever was coming, whatever war would one day reach their peaceful little village—it was starting to stir.
But Elric was not afraid.
He was growing.
He was building.
And he was not