I am Just an Average Tamer

Whoosh!

Kai reappeared near the makeshift camp.

The fire still crackled softly.

The sound of snoring echoed from inside the tent.

'Well, somebody having a sleep of their life.'

Vael glanced down at him from the branch above, then again began scanning the surroundings.

Kai walked over to the log, slumped down, and exhaled.

Then he raised his hand. A faint pulse of blue shimmered in front of his eyes as the storage ring reacted.

Kai's eyes scanned through the items, and his brow arched slightly.

A blue panel hovered in the air.

[<Well damn... made quite a fortune.>]

Inside the ring, neatly arranged, were:

Six mid-grade healing potions, two bottles of mana restoratives, twelve Essence Stones

And at the bottom…something wrapped in an aged cloth, bound by runic thread.

Kai pulled it out. Peeled the cloth back, revealing a silver talisman etched with deep azure veins, pulsing softly.

He narrowed his eyes. "What kind of artifact is it?"

Then the text on the panels changed.

[<Item: Warding Sigil>]

[<Grants temporary shield when health drops below one-fourth.

Cooldown: 12 hours

It bound to the wearer>]

Kai whistled low. "Now that's something else."

He leaned back against the log, slipping the talisman into his storage bracelet.

Then he stood up, brushing the dust off his cloak.

And dropped flat to the ground.

His hands pressed against the cool earth.

'One... two... three...'

His body moved with mechanical precision—smooth, controlled.

Each pushup was silent.

The firelight flickered, casting long shadows across his back as he powered through dozens.

No groaning. No complaining. Just the steady sound of breath and discipline.

After finishing, he exhaled softly and...

------

"Haaa!"

He exhaled deeply, sitting against the log, while his gaze fixed on the blue panel in front of him.

{Daily Task}

Push-ups: 120 ✅

Pull-ups: 120 ✅

Running: 12 km ✅

Crunches: 120 ✅

Plank: 12 min ✅

[<Ding!>]

[<You've completed your daily task.>]

[<Here are your rewards: 3 pts>]

{Current Gacha Points: 35/100}

'Status!'

[Status]

{Basic Information}

Name: Kai

Race: Human

Age: 16

Class: Beast Tamer

Sub-Class: Rogue

Rank: Peak-Intermediate Core

Affinity: Dark, Poison

{Attributes}

Strength: E+ —> D-

Agility: B —> B+

Endurance: D- —> D

Charm: C+

Intelligence: C

Mana Capacity: C —> C+

Soul Essence Capacity: C

{Skills}

Active: Ghost Steps, Phantom Slash, Stealth, Beast Synchronisation, Falcon's Sight, Warding Veil, Beast Merging.

Passive: Mana Regeneration

{Tamed Beasts}

-Dual-Heart Kitsune—Luna (Evolution stage) Mystic

Rank: Peak-Intermediate Core

Skills: Fireball, Ice spear, Icicle barrage, Illusionary Viel, Foxfire

-Phantom Lynx—Vex (Juvenile) Rare

Rank: Peak-Intermediate Core

Skills: Phantom slash, Ghost Steps, Stealth

-Windsight Falcon—Vael (Juvenile) Uncommon

Rank: Early-Intermediate Core

Skills: Sonic Dive, Falcon's Sight

-Thunder Drakelet—(Unnamed) (Juvenile) Rare

Rank: Early-Intermediate Core

Skills: Thunder Roar, Groundbreaker Slam

'Oh, my stats increased.'

His eyes lit up.

[<Don't get cocky, you're still a fly that can be swatted by even a toddler.>]

'Oh, then how can a toddler swat a fly if he can't even catch it?'

Kai grinned while looking at his 'B+' Agility stat, which was considered high even for his own rank.

Then he closed the panel.

And without wasting a second, he folded his legs and closed his eyes.

His breathing slowed. Heart rate dropped. His presence faded as if he vanished into the very air.

A faint glow pulsed around him, the energy in his core circulating gently.

Essence flowed like a quiet river.

He began meditating—eyes closed, posture firm, focus locked.

The forest fell silent, around him.

------

The morning came.

Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, bathing the forest floor in gold.

Kai opened his eyes.

Elina stirred beside Lina in the tent, while Vex stretched and yawned, scratching her head with her paws.

Vael had returned from his night watch, perching over Kai's head, his usual resting spot.

They packed up and moved, after having a light breakfast.

Their boots crunched over dried leaves as they resumed their journey through the forest.

The air was crisp, and the path ahead quiet.

Hours passed, and finally, the treeline broke.

Stone walls emerged in the distance.

A town.

"That's Everstead," Lina said, a hint of relief in her tone.

Kai didn't reply, but his pace didn't slow.

The town gates were open.

A few bored guards lounged by the entrance. They barely even glanced at the trio as they walked in.

Inside, it was a modest settlement—cobblestone streets, wooden houses, blacksmith clangs echoing from the far end, and the air was filled with faint aroma of baked bread.

Kai's eyes scanned everything out of habit, memorizing alleys, rooftops, and exits.

"We'll rest here," he finally said.

Elina looked visibly tired, walking for hours. Lina stretched with a satisfied grin.

They headed straight to the nearest inn.

Simple. Quiet. Cheap.

Just the way Kai liked it.

They slipped inside and settled at a corner table.

Kai leaned back in his chair and waved the innkeeper over.

"Something strong," he said. The man nodded and walked off.

Lina ordered her usual—herbal tea, faintly scented with dried mint and rosemary.

Elina, meanwhile, peeked at the mugs others were sipping.

The innkeeper raised a brow, and Lina chuckled softly, "Mulled berry water for the little one. Warm."

He gave a nod and walked off.

Elina's eyes sparkled when the clay cup was placed before her.

The faint sweetness of crushed berries and a hint of spice wafted up—simple, safe, and just enough to make her feel included.

Lina took a sip and sighed, glancing outside the foggy window.

"It's... peaceful here. And quiet," she murmured.

Kai followed her gaze, then nodded without a word.

An hour passed in stillness—drinks finished, bodies resting.

Then they left the inn, stepping into the sunlight.

Just after walking a few steps, a clamor rose ahead.

A noise came from near a beast pen across the road.

People were gathered, murmuring, backs turned, and necks craned.

Kai's eyes sharpened.

Lina's brows furrowed.

"What's going on?" Elina asked, nudging Kai's arm, and Vex—perched on her head, purred too, curious to know.

"Only one way to know," Kai said and stepped forward.