You call this beast taming?

In the world of beast tamers, the attributes of pets are not entirely fixed.

For example, if a pet beast, being a supernatural being, undergoes a metamorphosis, or evolution in the common sense, then it has a certain possibility of changing its own attributes.

Golden-maned dogs are relatively common and ordinary superhuman creatures. Their gentle and intelligent nature is why they are often kept as pets.

If we're really going to categorize them, they belong to the earth-type extraordinary creatures, so theoretically they could master moves like "Crushing Claw".

Among the currently known evolutionary branches of the Golden Mane Dog, there are two directions: "Golden Mane Fire Dog" and "Thick Mane Dog".

Among them, the "Golden Mane Fiery Hound" is a supernatural creature with a fire attribute, while still retaining its original earth attribute, making it a dual-attribute supernatural creature.

Before the Golden Mane Dog was widely regarded as a "pet type" of beast, this was the evolutionary direction pursued by the vast majority of beast tamers.

The other type, the "Thick-Maned Dog," remains a pet with a single earth attribute, but it further emphasizes the characteristics of an extraordinary earth-attribute creature.

This is also the direction many people who keep Golden Mane dogs as pets are choosing.

Because the thick-maned dog's fur becomes denser and softer, and its size increases several times, coupled with its earth-elemental stability, it is often used as a "ride" for some children or even teenagers.

"A direction with the fire element is fine!" Wen Zhixu thought to himself.

Although it's unknown whether the "Fire Stone" used for Pokémon evolution actually works on extraordinary creatures, at least it gives us some hope.

"Huh?"

The golden-maned dog, its paw being held, looked at Wen Zhixu with some confusion, whose expression was constantly changing, wondering what was wrong with him.

Wen Zhixu snapped out of his daze and, without explaining anything, said:

"Let's make a pact!"

The ancient cataclysm of the Styx breaking and then repairing gave birth to many extraordinary creatures in the world.

The vast majority are mutations of the original organisms in the world, but a small number cannot be traced back to their origin.

As the masters of the world at that time, and the truly intelligent beings, how could humans not have changed at all?

The Beast Taming Space, which allows contracting with extraordinary creatures, is the ultimate discovery made by human exploration and is also the most fundamental ability of the Beast Tamer system!

Research has found that human-controlled beast-taming spaces can, to some extent, accelerate the growth and even transformation of extraordinary creatures.

Therefore, in ancient times, the earliest beast tamers formed equal contracts with powerful wild supernatural creatures, or even reverse master-servant contracts.

Those powerful, extraordinary beings realized the role of humanity, which allowed humanity to slowly regain its footing after the great catastrophe, until it regained its status as the "master of the world".

"Woof~" the golden-maned dog whimpered.

Wen Zhixu grasped its paw, closed his eyes, and meditated and whispered in the manner of a beast tamer.

In an instant, he seemed to see a mysterious space existing within his body, a pure white world.

Is this the Beast Taming Space?

Following the methods he had learned, he attempted to activate the power of the Beast Taming Space.

A contract has been signed!

A gentle breeze stirred between him and the golden-maned hound, raising dust as a mysterious power began to emerge centered on them, seemingly outlining an ancient contract pattern.

The twinkling stars and countless unseen forces connected him and the golden-maned dog, as if a bridge was being built between them.

A bridge of contracts!

It is said that the ancient River Styx was dredged again thanks to the bridge.

"Don't struggle," Wen Zhixu instructed with his eyes closed.

"Ugh..."

The golden-maned dog could feel a warm force enveloping it, but the force was not strong and seemed to be able to be dispelled if it resisted even slightly.

But looking at this gentle human in front of it, even though it had been hurt several times, it... was still willing to give it a try!

At the same time, Wen Zhixu gradually became able to sense the Golden Mane Dog's inner world and "see" it.

Fear, worry, hunger...

Like a straw hut in a storm, leaking air from all sides and seemingly about to collapse at any moment, yet still holding fast to its original intention, hoping to bring a last bit of warmth to those in need during the downpour.

hum!

The Bridge of Contracts flickered briefly and then disappeared.

Contract complete!

In an instant, Wen Zhixu seemed to feel a power flowing out from the Beast Taming Space, making his body and mind feel as if they were soaking in a hot spring.

Feedback from the Beast Taming Space!

However, when the contract was completely over, he still felt a deep exhaustion, as if he could fall asleep as soon as he relaxed.

No wonder there are age requirements for beast tamers; each contract is a huge drain on a beast tamer's body and mind.

Once the contract is broken or the pet dies, the damage to the beast tamer, even if not fatal, will be permanent.

The number of pets that each beast tamer can contract is limited.

Therefore, any beast tamer will be very careful in choosing a pet, and once the contract is completed, there is almost no room for regret.

"I didn't have a choice to begin with..." Wen Zhixu thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile, then looked at the golden-maned dog whose eyes had regained their liveliness and smiled slightly.

"But I believe we won't regret it."

"Waaaaah!!"

After the contract was signed, the golden mane dog seemed to have finally recovered a bit, and its bark became more powerful.

The human and the beast grew closer, developing a natural sense of intimacy.

At the same time, with the signing of the contract, Wen Zhixu gained a clearer understanding of the little guy's condition.

Currently... he should be in the mid-stage of the mutation, and the skills he has mastered are... none!

After so many years of development, the Beastmaster and Pet system has become quite complete, and Beastmasters have made a relatively strict strength classification for their pets.

Mutation, extraordinary, lord, king, overlord, immortal, myth, etc.

The Golden Mane Hound's racial rank is "Medium Extraordinary," which represents its potential ceiling, or the highest level of strength it can theoretically reach.

As for the mutation period, it can actually be understood as the growth period, which is a state where the body is not yet fully developed.

Wen Zhixu lifted it out of the cage by the scruff of its neck, its four short feet flapping incessantly in the air.

"You're so light, you don't have much meat on your bones, how about we call you... Two Ounces!"

"Huh?" The golden-maned dog tilted its head, not understanding what "two ounces" meant, but it subconsciously clenched its hind legs, feeling... a chill.

Wen Zhixu laughed out loud.

He was just a little curious whether the loan sharks might have made a mistake...

As it turns out, that wasn't the case.

"Two ounces!" Wen Zhixu called softly.

"Woo!" The little guy, who was being held in mid-air, realized that he was being called and responded in a childish voice.

"Two ounces!"

"Ugh!"

"Two ounces!"

"Waaah~~"

...

After successfully signing the contract for two ounces, Wen Zhixu took the little guy home.

Although Jianghuai City is not a first-tier city, it is full of high-rise buildings. Wen Zhixu's home is located on the sixth floor of an old building on the outskirts of the city, a building without even an elevator.

However, my mother cleaned the house very well, spotless. Although there was no expensive furniture, the house was very cozy.

"Luckily, Mom made a plate of dumplings yesterday."

I quickly boiled the dumplings and pulled the rather reserved Erliang to sit down at the table.

"This is your home now, so don't feel awkward."

Wen Zhixu placed a steaming plate of dumplings in front of Erliang and comforted him.

"Ugh..."

Looking at the snow-white dumplings, Erliang swallowed hard, but still didn't take a bite.

It glanced at the clean table, then looked down at its own filthy state...

"Eat!" Wen Zhixu vigorously rubbed its sticky head, and said "fiercely," "How can you help me work if you don't eat your fill? How can you earn money to pay off your debts?"

"You know, nothing tastes better than dumplings..."

Because of the contract, Erliang felt a warm feeling in her heart despite Wen Zhixu's "fierce" appearance.

Correct!

Pay back the debt!

"Awoo!"

The little guy immediately sat down next to the plate and started eating, not even feeling the hot dumplings burning his mouth.

"Little thing..." Wen Zhixu chuckled and scolded, then picked up a dumpling and popped it into his mouth.

"puff--"

I almost burned my lips, so I had to slow down.

"Waaaaah~~" Erliang laughed so hard his eyes crinkled.

He glared at Erliang, but Wen Zhixu was thinking about something else.

Dumplings are fine for filling one's stomach, but for Erliang, who possesses extraordinary abilities and is in the process of transformation, they are too nutritionally deficient.

If it were raised on ordinary human food, let alone reaching the racial limit of "higher transcendent," it would be questionable whether it could even reach "lower transcendent."

But now he's heavily in debt and still needs to earn tuition fees, so where is he going to find food that Erliang needs to grow in such a short time?

At this moment, Wen Zhixu thought of the "fire stone" again.

"Two ounces, look at this stone..."

He planned to try it out first and see if he could feel anything from the two pairs of "fire stones".

"Huh? Huh!"

Who knew that Erliang's eyes widened the moment he saw the "Fire Stone," and the dumplings on his plate lost their appeal.

At the same time, the system unexpectedly popped up another message.

Catching a Pokémon is just the first step to becoming the strongest trainer; there are more important tasks to come!

[Main Quest 2: Evolve one Pokémon! / Catch a second Pokémon!]

[Completing one item will reward you with: TM for Flare Blitz x1]

[Completing both items will reward you with: 1 White Dragon Scale]

Raising Pokémon requires a lot of time and resources, so you need a job that allows you to afford to raise Pokémon.

Side Quest 1: Find a Job!

[Quest Reward: 100 White Fire Energy Cubes!]