Call Of The Tamer - Chapter 5: Encounter With The Bear

"Quiet…." Michael whispered to shivering Mong and rubbed the dog's small ears. The presence of the guards nearby with long spears in hand unsettled both of them. One mistake, and he may end up at the end of that sharp blade. Recalling an age-old tactic, Michael sneakily cut in line and stood beside an older gentleman, keeping close enough in hopes they believed he was with him. It worked for a few people in the school lunch lines years ago by pretending to know someone and cutting right in. But this was no school. And he was facing men with weapons, the sharp gleaming from the spears's tips blinding him for a second.

He held his breath and put on his best smile as the guards' watchful gazes turned to him and the older gentleman. To act natural, he peeked to his left and saw a long line of carriages, riders on horses, and people on foot waiting with groans of annoyance as the guards processed papers and asked a few questions to the ones at the front. The line moved very slowly. Evidently, getting into Meades City was far harder than getting out. The guards gestured for people to hurry, and Michael kept pace with the older gentleman and passed through the enormous gates, the doors of timber and steel thicker than his arms.

He licked his lips and sniffed the sweet scent wafting over. A vast field of flowers swayed and danced to the breeze. It shaved off a few petals from the blooming plants and scattered them all across as if fireworks had been set and blown near the ground, a great spread of colors twirling and swirling. 'Can't I take this road?' Michael complained as he reached the crossroads, his left leading down the flowery fields with well-paved roads of stone and fences lining the edges. The right, however, led into a dense forest, its path thin and full of grooves and bumps.

Mong barked in his arms and jumped off, growling as it bit and tugged on his new pants. It knew better than him and pulled toward the forest road. Michael chuckled and found his stride, heading for the town of Balor. Mong sniffed the road, digging his nose into the dirt, a common behavior in these dogs. Seemingly satisfied, Mong rushed several dozens of feet forward and barked, beckoning Michael to keep up. Where was a leash when he needed one?

"Hang on, Mong. It's a twelve-hour trip, so there's no need to hurry so much." Michael reached Mong's position, and the dog hurried forward another large distance, barking and panting. "Ah, you're one of those dogs…." Some dogs in the shelter loved to wait by the sidewalk corner and bark as if asking for him to hurry, only to run to the next corner and wait again.

Having the time, Michael checked his status. He hadn't bothered with it much before, tossing it away as a feature of his wildish dream. But now, after realizing he wasn't dreaming, he needed more information.

Name: Mikhael
Age: 12
Class: Beast Tamer [FFF]
Strength: FFF
Endurance: FF
Vitality: FFF
Agility: FF
Magic: FF
Active Skills: Tame [FFF]
Passive Skills: Unlimited Evolution [???], March Of The Beasts[???]
Traits: None

"Ha, so I do have a weird cheat, but the restrictions suck…." Michael rechecked his two Passive Skills and lamented the strict limits.

Passive Skill: Unlimited Evolution
Current Rank: ???
Type: Inherited
Description: Your beast can evolve to the highest peak regardless of bloodline or type. Even the smallest maggot can become the strongest apex predator in your hands. You unlock the doors to heights never seen by beasts.
Restrictions: You can only tame basic animals, not Awakened Beasts.

Passive Skill: March Of The Beasts
Current Rank: ???
Type: Inherited
Description: Your powers as a tamer exceed others, breaking the soul limit of one. You can tame up to seven wonderful beasts.
Restrictions: Your current rank only allows you to tame two beasts. Grow stronger and gain the power to tame more!

"How can I get stronger if I have to rely on normal beasts?" Michael complained again. The beast encyclopedia listed a plethora of strange beasts that would be considered mythical or legendary in his world, detailing unique powers and abilities. But his Unlimited Evolution limited him to the normal animals one might find in a household. With that, his March Of The Beasts might never have the chance to shine with all seven if he failed to progress. Gritting his teeth, Michael stomped a few steps, tossing aside the evil thoughts. "No matter what, I must find a way home! Even with these skills."

Reaching another one of Mong's self-made checkpoints, Michael heard the dog barking away as usual to the next spot. Next, he tapped on the stats, and all sorts of information shone over the status window.

Strength represents the physical power of the Awakener.

Endurance represents the capability of an Awakener to withstand damage. Able to lessen the blows and diminish potential injuries.

Vitality represents the recovery speed and overall physical health of an Awakener.

Agility represents the speed and flexibility of the Awakener. It also improves reaction speed and the acceleration/deceleration of the Awakener's movements.

Magic represents the amount of mana an Awakener possesses, the speed at which an Awakener can recover mana, and the potential of the Awakener's spell power.

It seemed quite similar to the base stats of a game. Following that logic, Michael focused on Endurance, Agility, and Magic. They started with a higher rank than his other stats, meaning if it were the start of a new character, these would be his best stats in the future. He felt it was a pity that Everitt's Books didn't have detailed records on Awakeners and the intricacies of stats and skills. But the next best option was his guesses. Finally, he opened up Mong's status.

Name: Mong
Race: Golden Retriever [FFF]
Strength: FF
Endurance: FFF
Vitality: FFF
Agility: FF
Magic: FFF
Active Skills: Bite [FFF], Claw [FFF]
Passive Skills: Sense Danger [FF]
Traits: Enhanced Smell [FFF]

"Mong!" Michael called, crossing his arms. "Use Bite on a tree."

Mong barked and pounced toward a nearby tree off the road. Splinters of bark and trunk burst off with a loud crack as Mong's teeth gnawed and tore off a small chunk the size of Michael's hand. Michael stared in awe at the fresh gap seeping out globs of sap. A dog's normal bite couldn't have possibly done that. But as an Active Skill of a Tamed beast, it shattered his common sense. Michael shakingly pointed at a different tree and said, "Now try Claw."

Michael witnessed Mong leap and slash its small paw along the wide base of the tree. Long, deep streaks like chasms lined across the surface, and upon closer inspection, was found to be a half-inch deep. Gulping, Michael shuddered at the thought of Mong using it on an ordinary person, his face paling by the second as he imagined the seeping sap as blood. He smacked his cheeks to combat the jitters and cursed at himself, "Come on. Come on. Just focus on finding a way back home. The earlier, the better."

Bark! Mong scratched Michael's legs.

"I know. I know." Michael knelt and scratched Mong's neck, inducing a rushed panting. "We have two priorities. First, find a way to contact the Gods. Second, rank up." Though the path to ascension had been cut off, Michael believed there was always a way, and if he couldn't contact the Gods here, he'd have to go to them directly, meaning to reach the highest rank of Awakener. Pulling himself up, he stretched his legs and arms and followed after Mong, chasing the damned dog.

Ten hours later, Michael lurched, clutching his stomach, and leaned on a tree. The sound of his stomach grumbling, screaming for food, worsened the hunger. 'I was supposed to eat at Vinny's yesterday…' Vivid memories of giant chicken parmesans resting on a large bed of penne pasta surfaced. He gulped and drooled, wishing he was back home. 'Damn it. Damn it.' Michael groaned and clenched his teeth, taking slow and heavy steps forward, the icky feeling of his sweat and the hot, humid air dragging his body down. He missed the hot showers, the soft mattress, and the cold comfort of the air conditioner. "I want to go home…."

Sense Danger has picked up a hostile element!

The System shouted in his mind. He looked down at Mong, who growled in a protective stance, his small fur back facing Michael. Mong's Sense Danger flared up again as a roar erupted from the thick of the woods. Cracks and thuds resounded from the darkness between the trees, clearly from something or someone charging without care. For a moment, Michael froze, the shared Sense Danger crawling down his spine, his heart skipping in fear. Screaming, he hit his knees and picked up Mong, sprinting away.

"Shit!" He cried out as a large beast emerged and pounced from the side. A great gaping maw of razor-sharp teeth as long as knives gleamed dangerously under the moonlight, drawing closer. Without thinking, acting on instinct, Michael poured all of his efforts into his legs and kicked off, skidding down the shoddy road. The Agility at rank FF proved its usefulness. He couldn't have reacted and moved so fast in a normal twelve-year-old's body. 'So that's how to make use of the stats.' He felt a strange warmth rushing into his legs, some form of power throbbing along his muscles. He could tell his speed had increased tremendously, able to dodge the ferocious beast's ambush.

Speaking of, Michael scrutinized the beast, its features close to that of a black bear, but its claws were clad in a mineral, like gauntlets for beasts, and its teeth were more akin to a sabertooth tiger's. In a frightening swipe, its single claw severed a tree, the impact imploding a good length of the tree as if that part of it never existed. The bear roared, smashing the rest of the tree into a pile of comically similar toothpicks before turning its ravenous red eyes at him. It growled, leaking a flood of saliva from its fangs, clearly hungry and desiring to eat him.

"Mong!" Michael tossed Mong into the air as the bear trampled forward, his speed barely able to maneuver past the claws. 'Tame!' A swirling mass of scalding heat and power swelled in his chest and burned through his nerves and veins. He gritted his teeth, bearing the pain, veins popping around his eyes. The surroundings distorted once more into an isolated zone between him and the bear; all sounds muted or muffled within.

You are attempting to use Tame…

It failed! Unlimited Evolution prohibits using Tame on an Awakened beast.

"Ah! Come on!" Michael guessed it from the appearance and sheer power of the bear but wanted to try anyway. It confirmed the bear was indeed an Awakened. Mong barked and swiped both claws on the bear's back and bite down, forcing the bear to roll over. Luckily, his companion escaped quickly with the Agility of rank FF. Unlike the tree, the bear suffered no damage, merely a trimming of its thick fur, but its pride seemed wounded as it roared and lashed out, smashing its claws dozens of times in pursuit.

'Its Endurance must be high. Its Strength as well. Can I win with just us two?' Michael struggled to breathe. It was his first time in a fight, and he was afraid. Caught in his thoughts, he widened his eyes in shock as a claw drove into his side, the momentary lapse granting the bear an easy opening. "Oh…." He couldn't speak as the pain worsened, and he heard his voice screaming in pure agony. The bear flung him away a great distance until he hit the road, the cruel bumps and rocks scraping his back. 

'I'm going to die. I'm going to die.' Michael shed tears of regret, cursing this damned world. That damned Endurance didn't reduce any pain. Though, he might have misread its details.

You have gained a new Trait: Pain Resistance [FFF]

Trait: Pain Resistance
Rank: FFF
Type: Earned
Description: Resists parts of the pain from injuries. It is good in coordination with Endurance.
Restrictions: Cannot block the pain of injuries inflicted by a vastly higher skill or power.

You have gained a new Passive Skill: Pain Blocker [FFF]

Passive Skill: Pain Blocker
Rank: FFF
Type: Earned
Description: Activates once damage and injuries reach a dangerous threshold. It blocks off all pain from previous, current, and future injuries for ten minutes.
Restrictions: Once the time is expended, all the pain will flow back at once. Be careful not to die from the shock.

Pain Blocker is automatically activated! Ten minutes of zero pain.

"The hell?" Michael coughed, springing to his feet. The crushing feeling in his chest, the agony of his bleeding wounds, and the stone in his head had been uplifted. His body felt incredibly light as a feather. He couldn't process what had happened because Mong whimpered and plopped to his side, deep gashes splitting apart the golden fur. "Mong!" Michael hugged the dog and ran. The ten minutes of Pain Blocker couldn't help against the bear, merely a futile last stand. So he ran. His legs tensed with power, the trees on the sides rapidly crossing past his sight in a blur.

"Why don't you give up?" Michael shouted hoarsely to the bear chasing from behind. He smiled in relief as the distance slowly widened, but he celebrated too soon. The bear let out a heartstopping roar, literally since Michael felt his body freeze and the blood in his veins run cold. The pounding of his heart from exertion halted. The trees trembled as the earth quaked, forcing Michael off his feet. Tumbling on the road, Michael felt no pain thanks to Pain Blocker, but he couldn't move.

Ferocious Shout is activated! Due to Stat differences, you are frozen for ten seconds.

"Seriously?" Michael struggled but found he couldn't move an inch or a finger. The bear stomped, its steps jolting him like the approach of the reaper. Its jaw opened wide, exposing the dangerous teeth, slick with drool. 'Move! Move! Move!' Michael shed more tears and strained his body, but the effects of Ferocious Shout remained. He looked at the bear, paling and sputtering out pleas while his mind racked itself for a way out. Suddenly, many dark figures flapped around, the moonlight glancing off the black wings. They watched cruelly from the atop the trees.

"You here for a feast or the scraps?" Michael chuckled madly, but then an idea clicked in place. He was frozen for a few more seconds, seconds the bear didn't need to waste to consume him. But he still had his Skill. 'Tame!' Michael grasped his final lifeline and directed his attention onto one of the crows, the one standing closest.

You are attempting to use Tame on the crow.

Awaiting the crow's response…

Success! Congratulations! You have tamed your second beast!

Please choose a name for your new companion.

'Grace!' He chose the first name that came to his mind, his younger step-sister's. It didn't favor him right now to sit and think of a more proper name for a crow.

Ding! Unlimited Evolution's effect has taken place. Grace has evolved into an Awakened Beast.

Grace's stats have been updated.

Name: Grace
Race: Crow [FFF]
Strength: FFF
Endurance: FFF
Vitality: FFF
Agility: F
Magic: FF
Active Skills: Dive[FFF], Stab[FFF]
Passive Skills: Cover Of Dark[FF]
Traits: Treasure Seeker[FF]

Grace cawed and used Dive, spearing downward with its wings pointed back. Her Agility of rank F, surpassing Mong's and his own, made the crow reach the bear's face instantly. Grace moved onward, activating Stab, which gave her beak a dark glint before it plunged deep inside the bear's eye, blood splurting out like a fountain. Grace pulled back, a mess of fluid and blood dangling from her beak, and retreated. The bear roared and clutched its eye, ramming its head into the road in a wild rampage.

Ferocious Roar has ended!

"Finally!" Michael nearly tripped on his way up and ran away, holding Mong's injured body tightly while Grace perched on his head. He didn't look back, afraid seeing the bear again might cause more trouble. Grace lightly rubbed her tiny head on his cheek, and Michael laughed, crying and sobbing. He had almost died just now, nearly a meal for the bear and scraps for the crows.

Pain Blocker has ended!

The pain came immediately. Michael screamed and dropped to his knees, feeling his skin being peeled off inch by inch. The sharp pain in his chest returned and choked his lungs, his heart threatening to burst out of his ribcage. Lying on the dirt road, he sobbed and begged for someone, anyone. "Mom!" He cried for his mother, wishing she were here right now. Whenever he was sick or injured, she was there beside him, but she wasn't here anymore. "Mom…." He hugged Mong and pleaded with whatever Gods existed out there. "Please, let me go home."

"Home? Where is home?" A soft, wheezing voice answered. "Quite lucky, hmm? Small child." 

Was it a God? Michael didn't know, but his eyes wandered off into the darkness, and he blacked out.