The Beast Tamer Clan's Monster Overlord

Millie rushed through the narrow path between broken stalls and fallen carts. Up ahead, two young adventurers were locked in a losing fight with a huge orc. They swung their swords again and again, but the blades barely scratched the monster's thick green skin.

The orc growled, annoyed, then lifted its heavy club, ready to end the fight in one blow.

With one smooth motion, she jumped, using a nearby crate to launch herself into the air.

Millie landed right on its broad shoulder, her feet firm despite its wild movement. Before the orc could shake her off, she drove her sword straight into the top of its head.

SHK!

The blade pierced through its skull, her mana glowing along the steel. The orc let out a strangled cry and then dropped, falling forward like a chopped tree.

Millie landed lightly beside the body just as a group of knights rushed in from behind. Their cloaks carried the symbol of the town's high-ranking defense force.

One of the soldiers gasped, seeing the scene. "Did she… just pierce the orc's head?"

Another one nodded, eyes wide. "It's not the sword—it's her mana. That level of reinforcement... she's strong."

"Enough talking!" barked their captain, a tall knight with silver armor and a red cape. "Move in and support the others! Go!"

The knights nodded and spread out quickly. The captain strode toward Millie, impressed. He was about to say something—maybe a thank you or ask her name—but she ran.

"Wait—Miss!" the captain called out, reaching out his hand, but she was already gone.

He paused, then let out a low breath. "...Who is she?"

One of the knights beside him said quietly, "She's not wearing guild colors or noble armor."

The captain smiled slightly. "Then let's just call her what she is right now."

The knight tilted his head. "What, sir?"

"The Orc Slayer."

***************

Axelius stood still, his golden eyes narrowing as three orcs stomped into view, each one towering. Each held a jagged weapon—one with a massive axe and two with a rusty club.

Behind Axelius, a portal of swirling smoke appeared with a light hum, and from it stepped Gob, his summoned goblin warrior, armored in simple leather and metal plates. She looked up at the massive enemies without fear, eyes glowing with loyalty and fire.

"Master, let us protect you!" she said, pounding her small fists together.

A flap of wings came as Crow landed on a half-broken signpost, tilting his head and letting out a sharp caw! as if giving a war cry of his own.

Nyx let out a bark beside Axelius, tail already wagging with excitement, his fur bristling and shadow curling under his paws.

Axelius grinned, watching them, then stepped back casually and leaned against a nearby broken wall. "Alright," he said, raising a brow, "Make it fast."

"Thank you, Master!" Gob cheered, eyes shining with energy.

Crow cawed in agreement, wings flaring as if ready to dive and Nyx barked again, jumping slightly.

"Nope. Not you, Nyx," Axelius said, glancing down at the shadow beast. "You'll just eat their shadow, and it'll be over too fast."

Nyx let out a whimper, lowering his head.

Axelius sighed and sat down on a broken bench beside the wall, then pulled Nyx closer and started petting. Nyx immediately perked up, tail wagging again, happily accepting the attention.

Meanwhile, Gob reached into her belt and pulled out a pair of metal knuckles with small red gems embedded at the base. She slipped them on and rolled her shoulders.

"Alright you big piggies," she said, "Let's dance!"

The three orcs roared, charging forward at once.

The first swung its axe sideways, aiming to cut her in one swipe—but Gob ducked under, her speed sharp and tight. She twisted her body, then uppercut the orc right in the jaw. A crack rang out, and the orc's head jerked back with a loud snort, teeth flying.

Meanwhile, Crow dove down from above, aiming for the orc's face. His beak hit thunk! against its hard skin and bounced off. Crow let out a sharp caw and circled again, trying to find an opening.

Gob was moving quickly between the three giants, landing punches on their joints, elbows, knees, and even stomping on their toes. They roared and swung wildly, but her speed was too much.

Crow swooped again, and this time aimed for the orc's eye.

Thud! Another failed attempt. The skin was too thick.

He rose into the air, circled once more, and dove with full force, his beak glowing faintly. This time, he struck right into the corner of the orc's eye.

The orc screamed in pain, now blinded on one side. Crow pulled back with a squawk, feathers ruffling proudly.

Gob took the chance. She jumped on a broken cart and leaped from it to the orc's chest, using both fists to slam into its throat. The orc choked, stumbled back—and Gob flipped off just before it crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.

One down.

Then the second orc came with its club—but Gob spun and slammed both fists into its knee, bringing the large monster crashing to one leg, groaning in pain.

But managed to grab Gob midair—but Crow suddenly dove down from above, talons glowing with mana. He scratched the orc's face, making it roar in pain and loosen its grip. Gob slipped out, landed on its shoulder, and started punching it repeatedly in the head until it lost balance.

Thud!

Another orc fell, its face smashed and groaning on the ground.

Crow flapped back to the sky, circling as backup.

The last orc, the axe wielder, came again, angry now. Gob faced it with a wide grin and suddenly jumped, twisting midair and landed a spinning kick to its face, cracking its nose. It swung again wildly, but Gob slid between its legs, turned, and slammed both fists into its back.

Boom!

It stumbled forward, right as Crow dove again, pecking its head.

"Finish it, Gob," Axelius said lazily from the bench, still petting Nyx.

"Yes, Master!" Gob shouted.

She ran up its back as it tried to swing blindly and then, from the top of its shoulder, punched down with both knuckles, mana bursting through the orc's skull. It crashed to the ground, twitching once, then lay still.

Silence.

Axelius stood up, brushing his coat. "Hmph. Three's not enough."

Gob jogged back to him, a proud smile on her small face. "Did I do good, Master?"

"You did fine." Axelius gave a short nod. "Clean, fast, and messy enough to scare the rest."