Leon sat in his dimly lit room, fingers tapping against the wooden table. The confrontation in the alley played over and over in his mind.
She was skilled. Too skilled to be a simple informant.
And that smirk…
She hadn't seen him as just another target.
She was testing him.
That meant two things—they weren't sure how dangerous he was yet… but they were interested.
Leon exhaled, leaning back.
Good.
Let them wonder.
Because he was wondering too.
Who exactly was she?
And more importantly—who sent her?
---
A Meeting in the Dark
A few streets away, in a hidden chamber beneath the city, the same cloaked woman knelt before a flickering candle.
Behind her, seated in the shadows, was a man with piercing golden eyes.
"You engaged him?" the man asked, his voice deep and calm.
The woman nodded. "He's skilled. More than expected."
Silence.
Then, a slow exhale.
"Then he is a problem."
The woman hesitated. "He is… interesting."
The golden-eyed man raised a brow. "Interesting?"
She met his gaze. "He's not just a reckless fool who stumbled upon the ruins. He knew what he was doing. And he fought with precision, not desperation."
The man's fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair. "A trained fighter… and a beast tamer."
The woman nodded. "And a regressor."
The room fell silent.
The man's golden eyes flickered.
"So it's true."
The woman said nothing.
Finally, the man leaned forward. "Watch him. Do not engage unless necessary. If he becomes a threat, we will decide how to handle him."
The woman nodded. "Understood."
As she turned to leave, the man's voice stopped her.
"And, Elara."
She paused.
"Don't get too interested."
She smirked before stepping into the darkness.
"No promises."
---
The City Stirs
Morning came, bringing with it the usual bustle of the Beastman capital.
Leon had barely slept, but his mind was clear.
He had work to do.
Step one: Expand his power.
The ruins had been a reminder—he wasn't ready yet. Not for the deeper mysteries. Not for the forces watching him.
He needed stronger beasts.
And there was one place he could find them.
Leon stood, grabbing his gear.
It was time to visit the Colosseum.
---
The Colosseum of Beasts
The Colosseum was one of the grandest structures in the city, towering over the marketplace with massive stone walls.
Inside, it was a place of blood, combat, and contracts.
Beast tamers came here to test their skills, challenge one another, and—most importantly—bid on rare and powerful creatures.
Leon walked through the entrance, the air thick with the scent of sweat, metal, and beast musk.
The crowd roared as a battle raged in the pit below—a massive dire wolf clashed with a twin-headed serpent.
But Leon wasn't here for entertainment.
He was here for an opportunity.
He moved toward the auction hall, where tamed but uncontracted beasts were sold to the highest bidder.
If he wanted to grow, he needed a new companion.
And he had his eyes set on something… rare.
---
A Beast Worth Taming
The auction hall was filled with powerful figures—mercenaries, nobles, even some foreign tamers.
Leon took a seat in the back, scanning the beasts on display.
Most were strong, but none were what he was looking for.
Until—
A massive iron cage was wheeled onto the stage.
The moment Leon saw what was inside, his eyes narrowed.
Perfect.
A beast that even experienced tamers hesitated to claim.
A creature known for its ferocity, intelligence, and raw potential.
The auctioneer stepped forward, voice booming.
"Next, we present a rarity! A Shadowfang Panther, captured from the deepest jungles of the South!"
The crowd murmured.
Leon smirked.
Now things were getting interesting.
---