The Role of the Reaper

The morning sunlight pierced through the dense forest canopy as Shin and the boy trudged along the beaten path back toward the town. Shin's new pet—a miniature tiger—perched comfortably on his shoulder, its striped fur gleaming faintly in the light. Every so often, the boy cast nervous glances at the tiny creature, still trying to wrap his head around how the terrifying beast from the previous night had been reduced to this small, harmless form.

"That thing won't, you know… grow big again, will it?" the boy asked, his voice tinged with unease.

Shin smirked but didn't turn his head.

"Who knows? If it does, I'll just handle it again."

The boy didn't look reassured, but he didn't press the matter further.

The Town Gates

After hours of walking, the towering gates of the town finally came into view. Guards stood at their posts, spears in hand, scanning the incoming travelers. Shin noted their wary expressions as he approached, the small tiger drawing curious stares.

"Halt," one of the guards said, stepping forward. His eyes darted to the tiger. "What's that on your shoulder?"

"A pet," Shin replied casually.

The guard raised an eyebrow.

"Doesn't look like a normal pet. You sure it's safe?"

"It's safe enough." Shin's tone left no room for argument. The guard hesitated but eventually waved them through.

The Adventurer's Guild

The bustling Adventurer's Guild was a stark contrast to the quiet of the forest. Adventurers of all types crowded the large hall—some boasting about their recent conquests, others gathered in groups discussing upcoming quests.

Shin pushed through the crowd, the boy trailing nervously behind him. He approached the reception desk, where a woman with sharp eyes and tied-back hair was busy sorting through paperwork.

"Welcome back," she said, glancing up. Her gaze flicked to the boy. "I see you found the kid."

"Safe and sound," Shin replied. He reached into his dimensional storage, pulling out a bag filled with wolf fangs and fur. He set it on the counter with a soft thud.

"And I brought some extra spoils."

The receptionist opened the bag, her eyes widening as she examined the contents.

"This… This is quite the haul! Wolf fangs and fur in pristine condition. Did you really take down this many on your own?"

Shin shrugged.

"They weren't much of a challenge."

The boy, still standing nervously beside him, suddenly spoke up.

"He also fought a giant tiger! It was huge, with glowing red eyes! I-I thought I was going to die, but he defeated it like it was nothing!"

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, her attention shifting back to Shin.

"A giant tiger, you say?"

Shin smirked, lifting the tiny tiger off his shoulder and setting it on the counter.

"It wasn't so giant by the end."

The receptionist blinked in disbelief.

"This… is the tiger?!"

"Let's just say it had a little transformation issue."

Guild Rewards

After a lengthy exchange, Shin walked away with a hefty pouch of coins and a few rare potions as additional rewards for his spoils. He also received a special quest completion badge for rescuing the boy.

As he turned to leave, the receptionist called out to him.

"Wait, Shin."

He glanced back.

"There's been talk about unusual beasts appearing in the forests lately. If you're heading back out there, be careful."

"Unusual beasts, huh?" Shin's smirk widened. "Sounds like fun."

Settling In

Back at the inn, Shin sat on the edge of his bed, the pouch of coins clinking softly as he set it down on the table. The tiny tiger curled up at the foot of the bed, its tail flicking lazily.

"You're quite the mystery, aren't you?" Shin mused, scratching the tiger behind its ears. It purred contentedly, a far cry from the ferocious beast it had been the night before.

The system interface popped up in front of him again.

[Mini-Tiger Companion Acquired!]

Name: [Unassigned]Abilities: Stealth, Enhanced Senses, Beast Bond

Shin tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Guess you need a name."

The tiger tilted its head, as if understanding him.

"How about… Kuro?" Shin suggested.

The tiger let out a soft growl, seemingly approving.

"Kuro it is, then."

A Nervous Encounter

The boy, who had also been rewarded by the guild for his safe return, hesitated at the doorway to Shin's room.

"Um… Shin?"

Shin glanced up.

"What is it?"

"I just… wanted to say thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come."

"No need to thank me," Shin said, waving him off. "Just stay out of trouble next time."

The boy nodded, though his expression remained uncertain.

"You're… different, aren't you? From other adventurers."

Shin's smirk returned, his eyes gleaming faintly in the dim light.

"Different? Maybe. But let's just say I'm good at what I do."

The boy left, still looking awed.

Preparations for the Next Step

As the night deepened, Shin leaned back, his thoughts drifting. The forest, the tiger, the wolves—it was just the beginning. The system's mention of unusual beasts piqued his curiosity, and he knew that the path ahead would only grow more challenging.

"Time to see what this world really has in store."

With that, he closed his eyes, Kuro purring softly beside him, as the moonlight streamed through the window.