Tang Shaoyang returned to the Gigante Forest with the Dark Predator. Selena and Ashley were staying behind, and he was not going to force them to follow him to fight the Gator Tribe. He was going to fight alone any way to reach level 1000, one Myth Rank Beastmen and Five Ancient Rank Beastmen. He was level 908 now, and if he killed the Chief and the five Elders also the Gator Tribe's force. It should be enough for him to advance to Epic Rank.

Tang Shaoyang returned to the camp. He just left the camp for three hours at most but the rat beastmen looked so concerned, "You are back, My Lord," Aki greeted Tang Shaoyang. The rat beastmen was surprised that his Lord came back with the Dragon Transformation. There was only one reason for that, he just fought a battle.

"Mnn," Tang Shaoyang nodded and sent his order to his butler, "Get them ready, we will be entering the swamp now,"

Aki opened his mouth but no words came out. He wanted to say something, no, many things. Like how could they win against a big force such as the Gator Tribe with their ten thousand tribesmen? Like where were the two women who had been following me? Why did they not return with him?

'Does Lord Tang hide them because he is unsure we will win against the Gator Tribe so he puts them into a safe place?' So many things ran through in Aki's mind but he did not have the guts to speak it out to his Lord. Because all his thoughts were doubting his lord's capability. If he said that out, he might offend his Lord. Getting on his Lord's bad side was the last thing he wanted.

In the end, he did not dare to question his Lord and followed the order. He bowed his hand and arranged their forces to advance to the swamp, toward the Gator Tribe's territory.

Tang Shaoyang went inside the house. There was nothing he could do for now but wait for Aki's report. He could actually go alone into the Gator Tribe territory without his force as he did not plan to deploy them to fight against the Gator Tribe. However, he needed them to watch him battling the Gator Tribe. That was necessary for them to witness how strong their Lord was. He used a force on them to follow him, that was not a solid foundation but when they found out their Lord's true power. He hoped that those tribesmen would follow him with their hearts.

With nothing to do he looked over the cat who hopped on the bed and tried to sleep. While they were fighting against the knights, the cat joined the fight as well. He saw this cat dragging a corpse into the corner where no one could see it before it feasted them. The Dark Predator ate four knights.

'Does that mean I have less sacrifices because of this guy?' Tang Shaoyang realized that the number of the sacrifices might be lower than he thought. Of course, four to five knights would not change the result of the summoning. He squinted his eyes and cast [Basic Detection] on the black cat. He wanted to know this cat's progress as well.

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[Beast - The Dark Predator]

Tribe:-

Evolution: Adolescent Dark Predator

Level: 598

Skill: [Natural Invisible] [Mana Manipulation] [Shadow Ruler] ???

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He was surprised that the cat was still in his adolescent stage despite the level. However, he was even more surprised with the level. The little guy had been with him for four days, and it leaped to level 598 from level 178. That was a huge leap, over four hundred levels.

The little guy sensed his gaze, and it opened its closed eyes to meet with his gaze. The dark eyes met with the purple eyes. The cat did not flinch even though it was facing him in his Dragon Transformation. They exchanged glances quietly then magic circled formed above the Dark Predator's forehead.

This was similar to the magical circle for contracting the spirit. The black-furred cat meowed at him and jumped down from the bed. It walked around him before it rubbed the head to his feet, acting intimately with him which this little never did before unless it asked for food.

[The Adolescent Dark Predator is willing to form a lifetime Companion Pact with you!]

"Huh!?" Tang Shaoyang gasped in surprise when he heard the new term. Companion Pact? A lifetime at that? 'What does that even mean?' he was clueless about what happened between him and the little cat.

—I don't know the details about the Companion Pact but I have heard about the contract between a master and his or her pet. This Companion Pact might be the same as that. As for the lifetime, I think it means the cat will share its life and death with you, Master. So when you die, it will die as well.

Zaneos was helpful as always. But there was something suspicious with the last part, 'So if I die, it will die as well? Then if it dies, I will die as well?' Tang Shaoyang questioned the last part. If that happened, he would kick this cat out.

—I don't think so, Master. It does not work that way. If it dies you will not suffer any setback. It is so rare for a beast to offer a lifetime contract unless it trusts you. So even if it dies, you will be fine.

Tang Shaoyang looked down at the cat who was still rubbing against his feet affectionately. He thought about it and a frown formed on his forehead, 'Now I think about it, this cat is actually quite smart. It's willing to be my lifetime Companion because it knows how strong I am. This little guy is looking for protection from me,'

—I have to agree with that too. This cat has witnessed your power and also saw us. It made a wise decision by willingly offering the Companion Pact.

Tang Shaoyang shook his head and picked up the cat. He did not care what this little guy thought by offering the lifetime Companion Pact. He then placed his right hand on the magic circle.

[You have formed a Companion Pact with The Adolescent Dark Predator!]

[Please name your companion]