Chapter 6: First Choice

Chapter 6: Chapter 6: First Choice

Passing through the massive runic gateway, the distant industrial hum of Riverdale vanished, replaced by the rustle of dense canopy leaves and the sharp, echoing cries of wild fauna.

To Eric, it felt like crossing into an enclosed, self-sustaining ecosystem.

The Level-1 Sanctuary was divided into sweeping natural biomes, lush grassy clearings, rugged stone crags, wetlands, and thick pine groves, separated by low-frequency energy fences. Dozens of creature species roamed within their designated enclosures: hound pups trailing faint sparks from their tails, exotic wading birds with iridescent plumage, scaled reptiles basking along sun-drenched creek banks, and sleek felines napping atop warm boulders.

Eric took a slow, deep breath of the pine-scented air. *Not a bad starting ground.*

Wasting no time, he focused his gaze on a nearby cluster of canine pups tumbling in the grass and activated his innate ability.

*Appraisal.*

A translucent azure panel materialized over the lead pup:

│ Race: Ashfang Hound

│ Rank: E

│ Stage: Mortal

He shifted his focus across the adjacent pens, systematically scanning creature after creature as he walked along the gravel trail:

│ Race: Mossback Tortoise

│ Rank: E

│ Stage: Mortal

│ Race: Dewscale Lizard

│ Rank: F

│ Stage: Mortal

│ Race: Vinewhisker

│ Rank: E

│ Stage: Mortal

*Convenient,* Eric noted inwardly. *At the very least, Appraisal keeps me from walking into a blind trap or wasting my initial contract on absolute bottom-tier fodder.*

Still, nearly everything wandering the outer pens hovered between E and F-rank, beasts with sluggish mana circulation and low physical thresholds. Eric bypassed the crowded enclosures, pushing deeper into the sanctuary where the terrain grew wilder and finally found some higher-potential beasts.

After nearly an hour of persistent searching, three distinct candidates finally surfaced:

│ Race: Emberwhisker

│ Rank: D

│ Stage: Mortal

│ Race: Windrunner Fox

│ Rank: D

│ Stage: Mortal

│ Race: Bonepecker Crow

│ Rank: D

│ Stage: Mortal

*Is there a C-rank tucked away somewhere in this facility?* Eric wondered, checking the municipal clock tower visible over the treeline. *Three hours left until sunset. Let’s make sure.*

For the next two hours, Eric scoured the rocky outcrops, shaded wetlands, and outer thickets, his eyes burning as he scanned every living form. But the readout remained relentlessly uniform, an endless wall of E and F-ranks. The rare C-ranks had either already been secured by wealthy academy students with early-access permits or simply weren’t stocked in a public, municipal-grade facility.

*My realistic choices come down to those three D-ranks,* he thought, weighing each option with cold calculation. *A Fire-type feline, a Wind-type canine, or a Shadow-type avian... which one offers the highest early-game utility?*

After turning the tactical angles over in his head, Eric made his decision.

He retraced his steps toward the rocky northern sector, heading directly for the shadow-element aviary outpost where an Association official in a gray uniform stood cross-referencing records on a clipboard.

"Excuse me, officer," Eric said, pointing up toward the withered ironwood canopy inside the enclosure. "I’ve made my selection. I need a registered witness for the bonding protocol."

The officer glanced up, traced Eric’s outstretched finger toward the dark branches, and let out a bewildered scoff. "Kid... you’re choosing that?"

"Yes, sir. That specific one."

"Look, taming it isn’t the problem, feed it some dried marrow strips and treat it well, and it’ll contract readily enough," the officer warned, shaking his head with genuine exasperation. "But it’s a Shadow-elemental creature. Shadow beasts possess volatile temperaments and are notoriously difficult to discipline. Worse, the Bonepecker Crow’s evolution line is an established dead end in modern beast academia. Even the Imperial Research Academy has only ever managed to evolve it to a capped C-rank variant. You’re throwing away your starting potential."

"I understand the risks, sir," Eric replied evenly. "I’ll take responsibility for the choice."

The official sighed, setting his clipboard down and tossing a small pouch of nutrient-dense dried meat across the counter. "Your call, kid. Step inside and initiate the tether. Holler if it tries to gouge your face."

Eric caught the pouch and stepped through the reinforced aviary turnstile.

His decision was far from an emotional gamble.

First, flight provided indispensable reconnaissance, mobility, and escape capability in untamed wilderness. Second, Shadow-elemental beasts were far rarer than standard Fire, Water, or Wind types, making their attack vectors difficult for low-tier tamers to anticipate. And most importantly, modern academia’s research bottlenecks meant nothing to him, with the Myriad Beast Encyclopedia, locked evolution trees simply did not exist.

Eric walked quietly across the damp soil, stopping beneath a massive ironwood tree. High above, dozens of crows perched among the blackened branches, their dull E and F-rank energy fields sputtering weakly.

Except for one.

Perched at the edge of a thick bough sat a slightly larger crow. Its plumage was pure, matte black, its beak plated with ivory bone, and its dark, bead-like eyes carried a sharp, calculating intelligence.

A natural D-rank variant.

Eric stopped beneath the branch, opened the pouch, and extended his flat palm, letting the scent of seasoned dried meat drift upward.

"Hey," Eric said softly, keeping his stance relaxed and non-threatening. "Looking for a meal?"

Crows were naturally astute creatures. The bird tilted its head, its dark eyes studying the human below. Sensing no hidden aggression, it snapped its wings outward, gliding down in a silent arc to land cleanly across Eric’s forearm.

Its talons gripped his jacket without breaking skin. It pecked at the meat strips, swallowing them cleanly before letting out a low, raspy *caw*.

"Want to travel together?" Eric asked quietly, raising his index finger. "I can guarantee steady rations and a whole lot more."

The crow paused, cocking its head as it weighed the offer. Satisfied with the human’s demeanor, it hopped up onto his wrist, nudging its bone-plated beak lightly against his sleeve.

*PING.*

An azure prompt flared across his vision:

│ [BEAST AFFIRMATION DETECTED]

│ Beast Taming Slots: 0/1

│ Bond Compatibility: High

│

│ Initiate Soul Tether? (YES / NO)

*Yes. Do it.*

A warm, resonant hum stirred deep within Eric’s chest. A gossamer thread of spiritual mana uncoiled from his soul realm, bridging the gap between tamer and beast to weave directly into the crow’s consciousness. A clear mental link snapped into place, aligning their thoughts.

│ Apply one drop of blood to finalize the soul contract.

Eric pressed the edge of his bronze crest against his thumb, drawing a small bead of blood, and gently pressed it against the ivory bone plating above the bird’s beak.

*FLASH.*

A faint silver runic circle flared between them, absorbing the blood before dissolving into the crow’s black feathers.

│ CONTRACT COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

│ CONTRACTED BEAST STATUS

│

│ Name: None

│ Race: Bonepecker Crow

│ Cultivation Stage: Mortal

│ Level: 3 (34%)

│ Rank: D

│ Skills: Flight (Rank E), Scratch (Rank F)

A steady rush of pure spiritual feedback surged through Eric’s veins as the bird’s heartbeat synchronized with his own.

Eric raised his arm, meeting the crow’s sharp gaze with a grin.

"Welcome aboard," he murmured. "From today on, your name is Coal."