Leon walked through the bustling streets of the Beastman capital, the Shadowfang Panther padding silently beside him. The crowd parted instinctively, eyes widening at the sight of the beast. Some looked in awe, others in fear.
Tamed creatures in the city were common. But a Shadowfang Panther?
That was different.
Leon ignored the stares. He had more important things to consider.
A name.
Names weren't just labels.
For a beast tamer, naming a companion was a declaration of ownership and connection. It was a bond.
Leon glanced at the panther. "What do you think?"
The panther merely flicked its tail, violet eyes unreadable.
Leon smirked.
"Silent type, huh?"
That was fine.
Because he had already decided.
A name that represented stealth, strength, and absolute dominance in the shadows.
"Nyx."
The moment he said it, a pulse of energy surged between them.
The Shadowfang Panther… no, Nyx, narrowed its eyes, as if testing the name.
Then, with a low, approving growl, it accepted.
A system notification flashed in Leon's mind.
[You have successfully named your beast: Nyx.]
[Bond Strength: +10%]
Leon smirked.
A good start.
---
A Tamer's Growth
As Leon walked, he reviewed the status of his new companion.
[Nyx – Shadowfang Panther]
Level: 32
Rank: Rare
Affinity: Darkness
Skills: Shadow Meld, Razor Claws, Phantom Pounce, Silent Step
Not bad.
Rare-ranked beasts weren't the strongest in the long run, but they were already far above most tamed creatures in the city.
More importantly—Nyx wasn't just any rare-ranked beast.
It was intelligent.
Leon could already tell that Nyx would grow quickly. If nurtured right, it could evolve into something far beyond its current form.
He needed to make the most of that potential.
---
The Eyes That Watched
As Leon made his way through the city, he felt it.
The weight of hidden gazes.
It wasn't just the normal stares of curious citizens.
Someone was watching him.
Carefully.
Analyzing.
Leon didn't react immediately. Instead, he continued walking, his posture relaxed, his movements natural.
If they wanted to watch, he'd let them.
For now.
---
A New Destination
Leon arrived at the entrance to the city's training grounds—a vast open space where tamers and warriors honed their skills.
He needed to test Nyx in combat.
Not against weaklings.
Against real threats.
And there was only one place for that.
The Underground Arena.
A place where rules didn't apply.
Where beasts fought for more than just sport.
It was time to see what Nyx could really do.
---