I am Just an Average Tamer

As the mutant's hulking corpse fell still, the air hung heavy with silence—broken only by the rustle of leaves and the distant caws of startled birds.

Kai exhaled slowly, his muscles loosening.

Then-

A translucent blue panel hovered in front of his eyes.

[<You're lucky that kitten was already injured.>]

Kai snorted and rolled his eyes. "Well, not all have a kind of luck like that."

[<Tch.>]

Kai turned from the corpse, crouching by its side.

His dagger pierced through thick hide with a squelch, and after some resistance, he pulled out a core—larger and more jagged than the others, glowing with a darker hue.

'A mutant core.'

He smirked, flipping it once in his hand before dropping it into the leather pouch on his belt.

It clinked against the weight of the other cores, now nearly filled to the brim.

With a flick of his wrist, the pouch shimmered out of existence—slipped into his storage bracelet.

He dusted off his hands and walked to the fallen bodies of the beasts.

One by one, he grabbed each saber-tooth corpse and dragged it into his storage bracelet.

The bodies vanished into it without a trace.

Just as he finished pulling in the last body, a rustling came from the treeline.

Kai didn't even turn around. "Took you long enough."

From behind a thick tree trunk, two figures stepped out.

They were hooded, cloaked in travel-worn robes with their faces obscured.

Both dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.

"Thank you… thank you for saving our lives," one of them said, voice feminine, low and respectful.

"We had no hope against those beasts," added the second, younger and male.

Kai looked over his shoulder, expression unreadable. "You were being hunted by saber-tooths and thought running toward the growls and explosions was a smart move?"

The girl hesitated. "We sensed strong fluctuations… figured something stronger than the beasts might be there. So… a gamble."

Kai narrowed his eyes for a second, then just clicked his tongue and turned away. "Idiots."

But there was no heat in his words—just tired amusement.

He stretched his arms with a small groan, then gave a short nod toward Vex and Vael.

Vex, still licking blood from her paw, purred. Vael circled once overhead before perching back on his shoulder.

"So," Kai said, looking back at the two cloaked travelers, "You just gonna kneel there, or…?"

They jolted and stood quickly.

The girl stepped forward hesitantly. "We're headed to the outer regions of Andaros. We were being chased since last night."

Kai didn't respond immediately.

He just stared at the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip—casting long shadows over the forest.

Kai smirked as he adjusted the straps on his bracers, his eyes glinting under the fading light.

"It'll be dark soon," he said, almost casually, stretching his arms as if preparing for a nap rather than issuing a warning.

"And once the sun dips, this whole forest will turn into a dinner plate for hungry beasts."

The wind rustled the trees as if echoing his words.

He tilted his head, glancing back at the two figures.

"Good luck fending them off."

Their faces paled instantly.

The girl's lips parted, but no sound came out.

The boy swallowed hard, gripping the edge of his cloak.

Kai clicked his tongue and swung a leg over Vex's back.

The Phantom Lynx let out a low purr.

He gently patted Vex's head. "Let's go."

But before she could take her first step, both cloaked figures dropped to their knees again, heads low.

"Please—help us," the girl said, voice tight with desperation.

"We've lost everything already. If we go into that night alone, we'll die."

Kai blinked once, his smirk slowly widening.

"And why..." he said, his voice cool and amused, "why would I risk my neck for two strangers who couldn't even outrun a couple of cats?"

The silence stretched.

"You've got no leverage, no money, no name—nothing to offer."

Vex shifted slightly, picking up the tension, her ears flicking.

Kai leaned forward just a bit, eyes glinting with cold amusement.

"So, unless you've got a death wish or some miraculous bribe up your sleeve, I suggest you start running before the next pack catches your scent."

He waited.

No reply.

Just two trembling figures under the vast canopy of fading light.

Kai sighed, not out of pity, but out of mild irritation.

"…Well?"

"Are you going to keep kneeling there like decorative rocks or actually say something worth my time?"

Kai patted Vex's sleek head, ready to leave the two strangers behind. "Try not to die," he muttered dryly, shifting his weight as Vex prepared to leap.

"Wait," the girl called out—soft, but desperate.

Kai didn't stop right away.

He clicked his tongue, annoyed. Not at her—but at himself. He hated getting involved. Hated hesitating.

But something about their aura... it was off. Not fear. Not weakness. Something else.

He sighed and turned his head just enough to glance at them.

The girl looked unsure for a moment, then reached up and slowly pushed her hood back.

The orange light streamed through the treetops and fell on her face.

Pale, porcelain-like skin with a strange luster. Not sweaty, not grimy from the run—too smooth, too perfect.

Faint traces of scales ran from behind her ear to her neck, catching the light like silver-threaded armor.

But it was her eyes that made Kai narrow his gaze—bright gold with vertical slits. Not human.

She held his stare, silent.

Kai straightened slightly on Vex's back, lips parting as he scanned her again.

"…Huh."

The boy beside her didn't wait this time. He pulled his own hood back, revealing similar features—scaled skin at the collar, silver hair tied behind his head, and sharp eyes that scanned Kai with equal caution.

Kai didn't say anything for a while.

His gaze flicked between them. His hand subconsciously rested near his dagger's hilt, not out of threat—but habit.

He finally spoke. "You're not from around here."

"No," the boy said. "We're dragon-kin."

Kai's eyes narrowed, but only slightly. "That's not possible. Dragon-kin are—"

"Dead?" the girl finished for him. "So we've heard."

A soft breeze moved through the clearing, rustling leaves and stirring silence.

[<They're not extinct boy. Many of them survived the massacre.>]

Kai nodded.

He exhaled through his nose. "How'd you end up here?"

The boy hesitated.

Then, voice low and guarded, he said, "We fled. Our clan… was burned. Wiped out. We barely made it off the continent. We've been moving ever since."

"Where were you headed?" Kai asked, almost like he didn't care—but he was still here, wasn't he?

The girl spoke this time. "Anywhere the ground doesn't burn beneath our feet."

Kai didn't reply. He looked up at the sky. It was already darkening, stars peeking out one by one.

"Tch…"

That click of the tongue again—not annoyance, this time it was resignation.

He didn't like this. He didn't want to like this. But part of him had already decided.

"…Night's almost here," he muttered. "The beasts get bolder after dusk."

He leaned forward and patted Vex gently. She growled low, sensing his mood shift.

The two dragon-kin watched him, unsure. Silent.

Kai tilted his head toward them. "You two can follow. But I don't play bodyguard for free."

They exchanged a glance.

"I'm Raven," the girl said finally, her voice steadier than before, though a flicker of uncertainty remained in her golden eyes.

"Theron," the boy followed, glancing once at his sister, then back at Kai.

Raven shifted on her feet. "We… don't have much money, but—"

Kai cut her off with a bored wave of his hand. "I'm not interested in coin."

Her mouth parted slightly, unsure, when Kai's eyes narrowed. "What are your affinities."

Theron tilted his head.

But replied reluctantly "Fire."

Raven hesitated, then answered, "Lightning."

Kai's expression sharpened. "Well, well."

He stepped back, dismounting, giving them a once-over.

"Alright. You can come with me."

Both of them looked surprised, especially Raven.

But before she could speak, Kai added, "But the girl has to do something for me."

Raven's brow furrowed. "What… kind of something?"

Kai gave a cryptic smile. "You'll find out when the time's right."

They exchanged a glance—Raven's grip tightening on her cloak, Theron watching Kai with fresh wariness.

But neither argued. Whatever dangers lay in the forest, this stranger was their best option.

"…Fine," Theron said, eyes narrowing. "But we want to know—who are you?"

Kai clicked his tongue and shrugged. "Just an adventurer."

"Just call me Kai."

"Adventurer? What rank?" Theron asked.

Kai turned halfway, looking at him with mild amusement.

"A-rank."

Theron's eyes widened slightly, and even Raven's breath caught.

Kai's smirk returned, sharp and cold. "Still wanna follow me?"

Raven gave a cautious nod. "Yes."

Kai turned fully, hands sliding into his pockets. "Then try to keep up."

Kai then mounted back on Vex.

Vael cawed and shot up in the sky, scouting ahead.

And they moved, Kai few steps ahead, both dragon kin moving behind with cautious steps.