I am Just an Average Tamer

Muffled cries escaped Elina's throat as a rough cloth was tied over her mouth.

Her tiny frame trembled in the dark, cramped space at the back of a rattling wagon.

She kicked weakly, bound hands useless against the thick rope biting into her wrists.

She had been tossed in like cargo.

In the driver's seat, a group of leathered armor men chuckled among themselves.

"Heh, this little one's gonna fetch a damn good price," one said, flicking the reins lazily.

"Should've grabbed the other girl too," another one replied. "Could've made a fortune with both. Nobles pay extra for the pretty ones."

Their amusement echoed under the canvas tarp. The four of them were seated around the front of the wagon, casually talking with cocky grins stretched across their face.

Then, all their eyes drifted to the one sitting at the far end.

The burly man, wearing full leather armor, dark brown hair with matching eyes, leaned back against the wooden frame, arms crossed, war axe resting beside him.

He cracked one eye open.

"Both girls would've doubled the profit... if we were still thinking with our cocks," he muttered, his voice rough like grinding gravel.

The others laughed, unsure if it was a joke.

He closed his eye again.

'Why did I hesitate?'

His fists clenched.

'Why… when I looked at that girl—did it feel like laying a hand on her would be the last thing I ever did?'

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

'No. I'm just imagining things. Yeah, just imagination, nothing more.'

He exhaled slowly.

Behind him, his crew started talking again, louder this time. Boasting. Plotting.

But he didn't join in.

Tears welled up in Elina's eyes, her vision blurring as the trees outside zipped past in flashes of green and brown.

'Mmph... mmph!'

Her muffled sobs broke through the gag.

'Big brother... please... help.'

She clenched her fists, the ropes biting deeper into her skin.

Then—

A howl.

Distant, but sharp.

Another joined it.

Then a roar.

The wagon lurched slightly as the wind horses whinnied in unease.

"What the hell was that?" one of the men asked, glancing toward the treeline.

Beasts.

They emerged from the undergrowth—three of them.

Not massive, but swift, lethal.

Low-skulking panthers.

"Damn it," one of the men hissed. "Beasts this close to the path?"

But before they could panic further, the burly man exhaled and loosened the pressure of his aura.

Just a bit.

But a heavy wave of killing intent rolled out, pulsing from him like heat from a forge.

The approaching beasts skidded to a stop mid-step, their ears flattened, bodies began trembling.

Then, one by one, they turned and fled, yelping into the shadows like scared pups.

"Hah! That's why he's our boss!"

"Mid-Great Core rank for a reason!"

"Those dumb beasts didn't stand a chance!"

The lackeys broke into loud cheers, thumping the sides of the wagon.

But the burly man didn't smile. His hand hovered near his axe, eyes still scanning the treeline.

----

Lina's sobs came in hiccups as she clutched at Kai's sleeve, trembling.

Explaining what happened when Kai wasn't around with them—how they kidnapped Elina.

Kai's jaw tightened, teeth grinding together.

Rage boiled in his chest—but before he could say anything.

A fimilar blue panel popped up in front of his eyes.

[<Mission Triggered>]

Objective: Save her.

Reward: Random Skill.

He scoffed under his breath. 'Idiot. I was going to do that either way.'

Lina looked up at him, hopeful and desperate. "Then—then let's tell someone! The guards! Or the town watch—they can help, right?"

Kai's eyes darkened and he shook his head.

"No. We don't have anyone to tell."

"But—" she started, voice shaking.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, firm and steady.

"Lina… this world isn't the kind where people come running just because it's right. The guards won't care. To them, Elina's just another orphan."

She looked down, pressing her lips in a thin line.

"We don't have allies. All we have—" he tapped his chest, "—is ourselves."

He bent slightly, meeting her gaze. "I know it's cruel. I hate it too. But if we waste time hoping for help, we'll lose her."

Lina sniffled, trying to steady her breathing.

A pause. Then, his voice softened, just a little.

"I'll get her back."

He rested a hand on her shoulder.

"I promise."

Then—

Whoosh!

He vanished into thin air.

And.

Arrived at the dirt-patched edge of the eastern district—the last place Lina saw Elina.

The market stalls were mostly quiet now, but the overturned basket of apples and signs of struggle painted a grim picture.

He crouched, brushing his fingers over the scuffed ground.

Cart tracks.

With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Vael.

The sleek-winged hawk burst into the air, its feathers catching the light as it circled above.

"Find them," Kai commanded, voice low. "Scan everything."

Vael screeched in acknowledgment and soared higher, turning into silver blur.

Kai stood still for a moment.

Then, slowly, he pulled out a black mask.

The same one he had once worn.

He stared at it in silence.

His hands trembled.

A familiar blue panel hovered in front of him once more.

[<Why are you hesitating now?>]

He didn't answer. Teeth grinding.

The mask felt heavy in his hand.

His grip tightened, as memories surged forward—of the tournament, of being humiliated, broken, crushed by that masked boy called Ghost.

The same mask now sat in his hand.

Kai clenched his jaw.

The shame. The rage.

Crack!

And then, with a sharp, violent motion, he tore the mask in half—then strapped the remains over his face, letting the jagged seam split down the center like a scar.

He pulled up his hood.

The wind went still.

"Time for hunt.," he whispered.

His pupils narrowed, glowing faintly.

[<Falcon's Sight: Activated!>]

(Yo, guys what's up. Thank you, guys, for sticking till now, and know what? I'm gonna mass release on 10th of May.

Anyways, thanks and bye, meet you guys next day. Enjoy.)