Myles was making a habit of making bad decisions today.

First his bad decisions was underestimating the rabbits.

Then he followed that up nicely by ignoring the obviously dangerous slime.

After that, he ignored past experiences and shoved his fist into said slime.

As if to top his previous experiences today, Myles didn’t even hesitate to think of the consequences before bursting out of the foliage against not one, but two humans and screaming, “Stop!”

They stopped their advance on…

On…

Someone?

Something?

Whatever it was, the creature was humanoid. If by humanoid, someone made a rabbit Beastkin more beastly than human and probably twice as deadly if the regular rabbits were anything to go by.

What threw him the most was that she sounded exactly like a human. Most beastkin sounded more primal, more ferocious when they were in pain. However, she was slumped against a tree defiant but whimpering, with her long lapin ears nicked in several places and bleeding freely against the bark. Her arms were injured too and bleeding rather prodigiously. Worse, her left leg was bent the wrong way. Her blood was an unnatural purple or deep blue as it matted into the pure white fur.

All three looked at him now, the two humans almost dumbstruck as another ability triggered.

—

Monster Lore Unlocked!

Rare Monster encountered!

Ashra, Ambush Rabbit Princess information obtained!

Ashra, Ambush Rabbit Princess

Dungeon Creature - Humanoid (Rare)

Rand C Threat level

Best trait - Unknown

Preferred Method of Attack - Unknown

Known Drops: Unknown

Enter combat with or defeat Ashra to more information.

—

“Is… everyone okay?” Myles asked, breaking the awkward silence punctuated by the monster’s scrambling against the tree roots when her good leg.

The two smiled at him, the larger of the two giving him a smile and laughed. It was pained, but there was no malice for Myles within it.

“We’ve got this,” the first, a warrior by his look and his mace, said, talking over the whimpering monster. His left arm was bent like her leg was, broken and useless as it was. “Thanks for looking out though.”

“Yeah, no worries,” the second said, a rogue by appearance, and because Myles didn’t know any other class that wielded two daggers so easily as he was.

“I am not done! Fight me with honor!”

“Oh, just shut up already.”

The mace came down again, crippling the other leg as she split the air with her scream.

Myles nearly wretched the gruesome sight as the bones under the mace gave way and pierced flesh. Part of him felt sick at how much damage a creature could take without dying — both her legs were shattered, her arms were useless, her armor was cut and tattered, an ear was barely hanging on as it was, and she was still breathing, still fighting.

Another other part just wanted to help end her suffering.

Still another part had other ideas.

“Don’t kill her!” that part blurted out, taking their attention again from their kill. “I need her.”

The two warriors looked at him in annoyance, but it was the rogue that spoke first. “So do we! Killing her will drop some amazing loot and more than enough vouchers to get us a good place. Maybe even a good healing potion or two for my friend here.”

“I’m a [Monster Tamer],” Myles explained. “I need strong monsters to fight with me, and she’s the strongest I’ve seen. I want to tame her.”

Neither of them seemed to know how to respond to that, but she grew quieter, scrambling with her hands to try and do something as they wafted in the empty air in front of her, seemingly grasping for something that clearly wasn’t there. From the amount of blood she’d already lost, Myles knew there wasn’t much time left to make a deal and stem the bleeding, so his mind began working, trying to sweeten the deal.

“I have vouchers I could trade you if that’s what you need.”

That got their attention.

“How many?” the rogue asked, producing an unsettling smile.

“Fifteen.”

The rogue scoffed as he twirled the still drawn daggers. “She’s worth at least twice that. Anything else?”

“Some armor, leather gloves,” Myles offered next. “An antidote? It’s masterwork.”

Again, they shook their heads. “She might drop some higher tier equipment or potions than that.”

“Sorry, bud,” the warrior said, finishing an impressively quick split on his arm. “You’ll just have to find another…”

“I accept!” All three froze, looking at the fallen Ashra as she screamed again. “I accept your terms!”

In that moment, Myles fell to his knees as he felt the unexpected draw on his soul as energy leeched away. For a moment, he had no idea what had happened, but it didn’t take long for that to clear itself up.

A skill had triggered, and information began to populate the world at the side of his vision.

—

Soul Link Accepted!

Terms: Basic - Combat Oriented/Universal

Ashra, Ambush Rabbit Princess is now your minion.

New information has been added to your Interface.

—

You have bonded with a rare, humanoid creature!

Title earned: Monsterkin Bonder

Class Complexity Increased!

[Monster Tamer] Class increased to Neophyte!

Stasis Gem Creation learned!

—

How had he… she…?

Myles didn’t have time to process as he was dragged back to his feet and beyond as the warrior lifted him with a single hand. Daggers bled from his eyes as he made a simple demand of the [Monster Tamer].

“What. Did. You. Do?”

The words were blunt and dangerous, and Myles didn’t know how to answer. How could he? He’d only been a [Monster Tamer] for a few days. He hadn’t even triggered his skill…

Had he?

For her part, Ashra was histerical, laughing the laugh of someone who escaped death as the rogue screamed.

“Why won’t you die!”

Again and again, the nameless rogue stabbed at Ashra’s chest, her arms, her ears, anything that would bleed, but blades wouldn’t connect with her exposed flesh.

Again and again, he struck, but the blows never landed.

The blades never cut her, nor would they, as he tried again.

When Myles wouldn’t answer, the warrior dropped him and swung his mace with his good arm, only for the blow to fall too short on the first strike and too far of Ashra’s body on the second.

The two turned on him a moment later, and he understood what he’d done as he checked his new Soul Linked status.

—

Status Effect - Soul Linked: A creature under the effect of Soul Linked shares in your growth and benefits from your individual trait bonuses as if they were naturally part of its own. For all intents and purposes, the creature is considered an extension of the tamer. The death of a Soul Linked creature invokes the Soul Shivered attribute for X hours, where X was the number of days the creature was bonded to you.

—

They couldn’t kill other Runners, and she was an extension of his soul. If they hurt her, in essence they were hurting him… which was impossible on the first floor.

He’d stolen their kill and earned himself a new minion in the process.

Oh, sket. Myles thought to himself, unable to piece anything else together for the moment as the two loomed over him.

The rogue’s spit didn’t count as an attack, however. It landed just fine on his face.

Their faces were red, their weapons drawn, but there was nothing they could do. “Your vouchers,” the rogue said, barely concealing his anger. “And the armor, and anything else you have on you.”

There was nothing they could do now, but if he met them on a lower floor…

He hoped Ashra was worth it.

He emptied as much of his inventory as he dared, keeping only his rations, the journal and ink, and the slime cores as they demanded everything else. It hurt him to lose so much, but they seemed happy with the emberstone and cookware and left him without further harassment.

The rogue did spit on him one last time for good measure as they left.

“Enjoy your broken toy,” he laughed as he slipped on the gloves.

The warrior gave him a nod and left without another word, seemingly satisfied with their haul.

That left Myles in a rather uncomfortable place. The clearing was empty save for him, the laughing monsterkin, a lot of purple blood, and questions he didn’t really feel like asking. Soon, the laughing stopped, and he realized he preferred that to the silence as she slumped down against the tree and finally took him in.

“I owe you my life,” she said, her voice strained and weak.

Myles shrugged, unsure of what else to do. “I couldn’t just let you die when you asked for help.” Though he’d thought he was going to find something a bit different when he arrived, not a monster? “I would like to know how you managed to force the link though.”

“Force?” Her ears and nose twitched in unison, and she winced as blood dribbled from her nose. “You made the terms of the offer. I examined you and accepted them.”

Offer? Was naming his intent really all it took for a monster to be offered, let alone accept his link? He’d have to be more careful next time.

Being examined didn’t sound much better, but as it was, she was weak, injured, and probably on death’s door. Honestly, he didn’t think she couldn’t have fought back if she wanted to. Still, there was nothing he could do about things now. She was his responsibility now. If she died, he wouldn’t last the night when the Soul Shivered effect took hold. If the monsters didn’t get him, he’d never get enough vouchers for shelter.

What could he do though?

There was the new skill…

—

Stasis Gem Creation

Skill Type: Active - Monster Tamer

Cost: 30 SE

Distance: Self

Casting Time: 30 Seconds

Success Determination: Once per day - Uninterrupted.

Effect: Forge a stasis gem from the ambient aether around you.

Stasis Gem

Value: N/A

Monster Tamer Class Item

Description: A gemstone created from stasis magic.

Use: This gemstone, when attuned to a willing creature, will hold the physical body of the attuned creature in an extra planar space, freezing them in time and condition while allowing their mind to sustain an empathic link to their tamer, imparting the Stasis effect. This effect can be ended with a mental command and the creature resummoned. Stasis gems must be formed specially for each creature and cannot be made before a bond is established.

Only four stasis gems may be in existence for any [Monster Tamer] at any given time.

Status Effect - Stasis: All bodily functions of the affected creature stop and are no longer required. Time, injury, poison, and other similar effects will not progress until the effect has ended.

—

Well, that changed things.

Looking around, he focused on his new skill. He knew he had enough energy left to do what he needed, but he’d be pushing it.

“If you see something about to attack, warn me,” Myles explained. “I’m going to use a skill.”

Ashra nodded, her eyes and ears flicking from side to side as Myles tapped into the new knowledge his class granted. It felt simple enough at least.

Holding his hands in front of him, Myles focused on condensing the aether of the world into a solid form. In his mind, the pattern of, ironically, a princess cut, square gemstone took shape. He fed his soul into the stone and felt the pressure between his hands build.

There, a light grew and he felt his soul feed into it like wood to an oven.

The gentle, white light lingered only a moment longer than the drain on his soul did, and then the deed was done. Lingering between his hands hovered the fist sized stone of opaque white, nearly matching the fur of his new minion.

As he touched the stone, he began to feel a growing pain in his arms and legs and looked to Ashra. She was trying to move closer.

Myles closed the gap and held out the stone to her, explaining its purpose the best way he could.

He didn’t do as well as he’d like to, but time was of the essence.

For her part, Ashra looked unsure, but with no other options, she held the stone to her chest and vanished in a flash of white light. A moment later, the stone fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Myles blinked and walked to the stone. It didn’t move, and it didn’t glow. Nothing about it was different. With a slight hum, he picked it up. At least the pain was gone.

This is… much better…

Myles blinked again and looked around.

Stasis. It is like I am no longer attached to my body. Nothing hurts, but I know I am still hurt. Thank you for taking the pain away.

“You’re welcomed, and I’m glad,” Myles offered his minion.

As am I. He could feel her gratitude radiate from all around him, and it made him smile. I am Ashra, Second Princess of the Ambush Rabbit Warrens, and I will serve you from now till the day I die or the day comes when you release me from my obligation, Master Myles.

His first instinct was to tell her not to call him master, but he hesitated. It was his position right now, and if he tamed more monsters, they’d need to think about him properly.

It still didn’t feel right though.

“Call me tamer,” he corrected, feeling it was a good compromise.

She didn’t answer back for a moment as Myles stood in the middle of the clearing. As long as you refer to me by my title as well.

“I am not calling you princess.”

Then I shall continue to call you master.

Myles sighed, but he got the feeling she was just being difficult. He couldn’t place it though. Maybe it was the Empathic Link? As he thought about it, his Monster Lore ability triggered again.

—

Monster Lore Updated!

Ashra Snowpelt, Ambush Rabbit Princess information obtained!

Ashra Snowpelt, Ambush Rabbit Princess

Title: Princess - Second in Line for the Lapin Throne

Dungeon Creature - Monsterkin (Rare)

Rank C Threat level (Elite)

Best trait - Agility, Strength

Preferred Method of Attack - Hand to hand combat

Special Attack: Force Kick

Known Drops: Dexterity Enhancement Gemstone (Low Tier)

Ashra is one of four heirs of the Lapin Kingdom of the Kessivan Dungeon. She specializes in hit and run tactics like the rest of her kin, preferring to disable foes by breaking bones before finishing them off. With the element of surprise, Ashra is a force to be reckoned with.

Improve your Soul Link with Ashra for more information.

—

How much could he learn from the link updates? It was just another question he meant to write down in his journal when he had a chance.

Tamer, you can access my interface and take what you need from my inventory. I will not be a hindrance, even as I am.

Feeling somewhat safe for the moment, Myles did as she suggested. “Interface”

Name: Myles Chase

Age: 18

Sex: Male

Race: Human

Patron:

Primary Class:

Monster Tamer

Neophyte

Secondary Class:

Baker

Proficient

Brawn - 11

Dexterity - 16

Will - 13

Influence - 15

Soul Energy: 12/50

Elemental Alignment:

Titles Available: 2

Active Title: Runner (Kess)

Skills:

Bait

Soul Link

Monster Lore - Expanded

Neophyte’s Item Lore

Stasis Gem Creation

Keen Eye

Traits:

Taste Test

Deft Hands

Resourceful

Mind over Matter

Toss of a Coin

Empathic Link

Minion interfaces Available: Ashra Snowpelt

He didn’t know why he was surprised at what he saw. Maybe it was the increases to his base since the day started? He had increased his Class Complexity, but the changes usually wasn’t so drastic. At the bottom of his Interface, he saw the option to open hers. So, he raised a finger and pressed it.

Next to his own interface, a window for Ashra’s opened.

Name: Ashra Snowpelt

Age: Adolescence

Sex: Female

Race: Ambush Rabbitkin

Patron: Rani, Goddess of the Moon

Primary Class:

Ambush Rabbit

Skilled

Secondary Class:

Pugilist

Skilled

Brawn - 18

Dexterity - 21 (19+2)

Will - 11 (10+1)

Influence - 14 (12+2)

Soul Energy: 80/80

Elemental Alignment:

Air

Title: Princess

Skills:

Lesser Force Kick

Stealth

High Jump

Traits:

Soul Link (Myles Chase)

Warrior’s Resolve

Perfect Balance

Quick Feet

Condition:

Broken Leg (Left)

Broken Leg (Right - Compound Fracture)

Dislocated Shoulder (Left)

Lacerations (Severe)

Concussion

Inventory:

36 - Building Vouchers (Wood Supply)

9 - Building Vouchers (Stone Supply)

1 - Steel Knuckles (Equipped)

1 - Pugilist Robes (Equipped)

1 - Belt Pouch of Holding (Equipped)

4 - Healing Potions (Average)

Myles was dumbfounded.

Forty-five vouchers! Forty-five, god and goddess given vouchers! Sure, it was only wood for the most part, but by the pantheon! He was already more than halfway to what he needed for a luxury home for the run!

Myles transferred those eagerly, and the potions as well. He thought about bringing her back to use them, but there was a reason she hadn’t. Weak and average potions wouldn’t help broken limbs and dislocation move back into place. They’d heal them, sure, but as they were. He’d heard horror stories about the misuse of healing potions before and was in no hurry to test the legends. No, Myles wanted to heal Ashra, he’d need to find a healer class for that, a [Life Mage] preferably.

He was interrupted in his glee by an odd sensation. It felt in his mind like Ashra clearing her throat. It was enough to snap him out of his glee and make him remember where he was and what he was supposed to be doing.

I hope you will find my wealth useful, tamer.

And there was the odd feeling across their link again. Guilt, maybe? He did his best to ignore it and answered honestly.

“I will, but we need to survive until morning first.”

I would prefer not to die as well, so I will warn you. My kind have been thinned greatly in this area, so I suggest you move out before the sun begins to set.

“Why?”

Because the wolven packs will have no one holding them at bay without me to organize the defense of the forest region.

The idea that removing one rare monster could turn the tide that much in an ecosystem worried him, but Myles just nodded. Eventually, the wolven would be dealt with too.

They will not survive us.

The pleasure he felt at that thought was almost enough to make him worry about what he’d gotten himself into.