Leon sat cross-legged in his private chamber within the Shadow Hunt Guild, the dim torchlight flickering against the cold stone walls.
In front of him, the beast-taming seal pulsed ominously, the Ebonshade Wraith trapped within, waiting.
Epic-grade beasts weren't meant to be bound by normal means.
And if this ritual failed...
It would kill him.
Nyx lay beside him, its tail flicking restlessly. Even his Shadowfang Panther sensed the danger.
Leon exhaled slowly, gripping the Soul Catalyst vial in his palm.
"I only have one shot at this," he muttered.
He reached into his satchel, pulling out a beast-binding sigil, a rare parchment inscribed with ancient runes.
Unrolling it before him, he placed the beast seal at the center.
Then—he poured the Soul Catalyst over it.
The liquid shimmered as it seeped into the parchment, causing the runes to glow an eerie blue.
Leon felt the shift immediately.
The seal trembled. The wraith was resisting.
His body tensed.
Then—the seal cracked open.
---
A Battle of Wills
Dark mist exploded into the room, swirling violently.
Leon clenched his fists as a deep, hollow whisper filled his mind.
"Foolish mortal... you dare chain me?"
His vision blurred as the wraith's presence invaded his consciousness, trying to break him from within.
Leon gritted his teeth.
"I am your master now."
The wraith's laughter echoed. "Master? You are nothing."
The shadows around him twisted, forming monstrous faces—whispering, taunting.
Leon had faced death before. He had lived through twenty years of Devia before being sent back.
He would not lose here.
With sheer will, he pushed back, focusing his mana through the sigil.
"Submit!"
The binding runes flared to life. The wraith let out a furious screech.
Then—a snap.
The darkness receded, sucked back into the seal. The room fell silent.
Leon panted, sweat dripping from his brow.
Then—
[Ebonshade Wraith (Epic) has been successfully bound.]
He exhaled, smirking.
He had done it.
And now—he wielded one of the most dangerous spectral beasts in existence.
---