Beasts of Anomaly

The room was dimly lit, the glow from the embers in the hearth casting faint flickers of light across the walls. Azhaan sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his arm. The mark pulsed faintly, a rhythmic beat that seemed to match his own heartbeat.

The Shadow Stalker was curled up nearby, its dark body blending into the shadows like an extension of the room itself. Its glowing red eyes tracked Azhaan lazily, giving the impression that it was watching but unconcerned.

Azhaan hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Alright," he muttered under his breath. "Let's see what this System can actually do."

He focused on the mark, willing it to respond. A faint warmth spread through his arm, followed by a sharp pulse of energy. A transparent screen appeared before him, hovering in midair.

[Beast Contract Interface]

Azhaan blinked in surprise, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. He leaned closer, his eyes scanning the glowing text.

Contract Information

Nickname: N/A

Species: Shadow Stalker

Description:

An elusive beast that thrives in darkness, the Shadow Stalker is known for its ability to manipulate shadows and strike with deadly precision. Rarely seen, even by experienced tamers, it is considered one of the most difficult creatures to bond with due to its independent nature and resistance to control.

Quality: Silver

Spiritual Power Grade: Violet (415/1000 SP)

Type: Predator (Spirit Beast)

Attribute: Darkness, Stealth

Skills:

A - Shadow Phase: Allows the Shadow Stalker to blend into and move through shadows, making it nearly impossible to detect or hit.

A - Eclipse Slash: A high-speed, shadow-infused attack that deals devastating damage to enemies. Effective against both physical and spiritual defenses.

B - Fear Aura: Emits an aura that induces fear in creatures with lower spiritual power, causing hesitation or flight.

C - Adaptive Strike: Adjusts its attack style based on the opponent's weaknesses, increasing effectiveness over time.

Azhaan's mouth dropped open as he read through the details. "Silver quality? Two A-level skills?" he whispered. "And… Fear Aura? No wonder people keep staring at us like we're walking bad luck."

The System pulsed faintly, as if acknowledging his thoughts. Another notification appeared.

Analysis: The Shadow Stalker is an anomaly in itself, possessing traits and abilities rarely found in its class. This makes it both a powerful ally and a significant threat. Due to the bond mark, its abilities may grow at an accelerated rate.

Azhaan frowned, his fingers brushing the mark on his arm. "Accelerated rate? Is that why the bond feels… different?"

He scrolled through the screen, absorbing every detail. His mind swirled with questions, but one thing was clear—this beast was unlike anything he'd expected.

"Guess you're not just a spooky guard dog, huh?" Azhaan said, glancing at the Shadow Stalker.

The beast let out a low growl, its red eyes narrowing slightly.

Azhaan grinned. "Yeah, yeah. I know. You're too dignified for nicknames. But… what if I gave you one?"

The Shadow Stalker tilted its head, watching him intently.

Azhaan thought for a moment. "You're fast, silent, and always lurking in the dark. How about… Shade?"

The beast didn't respond immediately, but Azhaan felt a faint pulse through the bond—a sense of quiet acceptance.

"Shade it is," Azhaan said with a small smile.

The System flickered again, updating the screen.

Nickname: Shade

Azhaan leaned back, staring at the screen for a few moments longer before closing it with a thought. The glowing text disappeared, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

For the first time since arriving in Aetheris, Azhaan felt a flicker of control over his situation. Shade wasn't just some random beast—he was a partner, a powerful ally with abilities that could change the tide of any battle.

But with that power came questions.

"What's so special about me?" Azhaan murmured, his gaze falling to the mark on his arm. "Why was I chosen for this bond?"

Shade's growl broke the silence, and Azhaan looked over to see the beast watching him closely. There was something in its eyes—something almost reassuring.

Azhaan let out a breath and leaned back against the wall. "Guess we'll figure it out together."

Shade let out a low growl, curling back into the shadows.