I am Just an Average Tamer

The trio slowly made their way back toward the tavern, with Elina happily chatting with Lina.

Kai pushed open the door and motioned for the girls.

"That's enough for today."

Lina yawned dramatically. "Finally," she said, dragging a still-buzzing Elina toward the stairs.

Kai watched them disappear into their room.

He waited until he heard Elina's small giggle echo down the hallway.

Then, quietly, he turned and entered his own room.

Shadows still moved outside.

But for now, he ignored them. The stalkers weren't ready to make their move yet.

After settling in, Kai reached into his pouch and pulled out the supplies he had bought earlier and sat cross-legged.

"Vex. Veal. Drakelet," he called softly.

The three beasts appeared from his soul space with flickers of light—Vex blinking at him with curiosity, while the small electric-scaled Drakelet stretched.

And Vael, just perched on his head.

He handed them the resources—some low-tier cores, nourishing beast food, and a vial of essence potion.

"Here. Feed up. You'll need strength in the days ahead."

Drakelet gave a small approving chirp, sparks crackling briefly from its jaw. Veal and Vex bowed their heads lightly before nibbling at their share with quiet determination.

After ensuring they were fed, Kai stood up and walked toward the girls' room. He lightly knocked, and when Elina opened the door, he handed over both Vael and Drakelet.

"Take care of them for a while," he said. "I need to head out for a bit."

Elina blinked but nodded, gently taking Veal into her arms, while Drakelet stood beside her, nuzzling her legs. "Okay. Be safe, Big brother."

"I always am." He gave a small smirk, then turned to go.

Evening painted the sky in hues of violet and amber as Kai stepped into the city streets.

Vex silently padding beside him.

The crowds had thinned now, making it easier to sense the trailing presences behind him—at least two, maybe three.

He didn't rush.

Instead, he took subtle turns, slipped into narrower alleys, winding deeper through the capital's less-traveled streets.

With Falcon's sight activated, he had a bird's eye view—just enough to keep a clean read on the stalkers' positions.

Finally, after nearly twenty minutes of deliberate detours, he reached a derelict courtyard surrounded by worn stone buildings, long abandoned.

'Perfect.'

He stepped into the center, silent and still.

Vex blended with shadows using Ghost steps.

Kai didn't have to wait long.

The shadows moved.

Three figures stepped into view—faces hidden under hoods, the glint of steel peeking from under their cloaks.

One of them scoffed, "Not bad. Most don't even notice they're being followed."

'One at Peak-Intermediate Core, others at Mid-Intermediate. Hard... but manageable.'

Kai simply tilted his head, voice calm and even. "What do you want?"

The middle figure stepped forward, his cloak fluttering slightly with the movement.

He pointed a gloved finger directly at Kai.

"You."

Kai blinked.

"... And what exactly do you want from me?"

His tone was deadpan.

Bored.

The third one, a woman by her voice, stepped forward and spoke for the first time. "We represent a group. One that's interested in talented tamers… especially ones who are not yet bound by guilds or the capital's tight leash."

The first one pulled something out of his cloak—a crest etched onto a dark coin-like medallion.

It had no royal insignia, no guild mark. Just a stylized beast curled around a black flame.

"We've been watching you," he said. "The control you have over your beasts. The potential you're starting to show."

Kai didn't speak.

'Huh! I know you guys were just trailing us after we had entered the capital.'

He scoffed internally.

[<No, they were trailing you for a long time.>]

'What?'

Kai was flabbergasted but still maintained a stoic composure.

[<And now you could only sense them, because they let you.>]

Before Kai could say anything to the blue panel...

"We're offering you a place," the second figure said. "Join us and you will get what your wildest dreams could desire."

The third one added, "Be it power, resources, freedom, or even women. You just have to name."

They tossed the medallion toward him. Kai caught it with one hand, inspecting it silently.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The first one grinned beneath his hood. "A shadow you'll see again—if you survive long enough."

Kai narrowed his eyes as the medallion spun lightly in his hand.

He wasn't an idiot—vague promises and shadowy offers rarely led to anything good.

"No," he said simply, voice firm. "I'm not interested in shady back-alley clubs or whatever cult you're peddling."

The air thickened slightly. The three figures exchanged a look.

"You should reconsider," the second one warned, his tone sharper. "Refusing us isn't without... consequence."

Kai's fingers twitched. "I figured as much."

He wasn't looking at them anymore.

His senses were reaching outward, scanning the space behind them.

The first figure took a step forward, pulling back his hood just slightly—just enough to show a confident smirk. "You've made your choice, then I suppose we'll just have to insist."

Kai's stance shifted slightly—calm, almost too relaxed.

He gave the mental command.

'Now.'

A silver blur zipped behind the tallest figure, claws raised to end the fight in one swift blow.

But the attack never landed.

Instead—

Vex stopped, mid-slash.

Eyes empty.

Movements stiff.

Kai's breath caught.

"...Don't tell me,"He muttered, stepping back slightly.

A dull ringing filled his mind as the bond between him and Vex flickered.

Distant.

Like she was behind a fogged wall.

The figure turned, smirking.

"You're not the only one with tricks."

Kai's heart sank as Vex—his Vex—whipped around, eyes now a pale, muted silver.

And in the next heartbeat, Vex turned.

With a guttural growl, she launched forward.

Kai barely had a second.

[<Essence Coating activated!>]

He poured Essence through his limbs, coating his arms in a shimmer of defensive aura.

Clang!

He parried her claws with his twin daggers, sparks flying as they clashed.

Kai slid back.

"Vex! It's me!" he yelled, hoping for a flicker of recognition.

But there was nothing. Only a cold, mechanical ferocity.

"Break him," one of the cloaked figures ordered.

Whoosh!