Renegade's Dominion

Somehow, within days since arriving in this strange new world, Tyberius had managed to become an alpha... or so it seemed. Realistically? He was more of a babysitter, no, a full-time caretaker of four unruly, oversized furballs than any kind of dominant leader.

"Wait, wait! Don't touch that yet! We're saving it for tomorrow!" Ty called out in exasperation, whirling to his left. He barely had time to breathe before turning again. "And you, stop doing... whatever that is, and go hunt something for once!"

Another turn. "Sigh... What in the world do you think you're even doing?"

Annoyed and deeply confused, Ty stormed toward the third wolf, whose bizarre actions defied logic. It was circling him. Not stalking, not sniffing, not preparing to pounce. Just... circling. Running laps around him like a child high on sugar.

This was a perplexing turn of event for every character involved.

"Sigh."

Fed up, Ty reached out and scooped the wolf up, wrapping both arms under its belly and lifting it like a misbehaving toddler. The wolf dangled awkwardly, offering no resistance.

Three days had passed since Ty had somehow tamed the four Blumund wolves. In that time, survival had surprisingly become manageable, thanks to their help. They hunted, and he provided shelter, warmth, and a somewhat functioning brain.

He used his fire-making skills from his childhood scouting days, when he'd earned badges for just about everything from building shelters to starting fires with flint and steel. Those were some rough days of practicing survival out in the woods alongside his other colleagues. Then, they didn't think highly of it, not with how advanced the world had gone, where even tarps could replace shelter, and making fire did not require going out there to gather woods with struggle to make fire from two rocks smacking one another.

Those were indeed difficults moment thought to be irrelevant only to now prove their relevance to Ty in his dire moments.

He was thankful to be among those that took, outdoor survival skills seriously because now, he could survive alone in this forest through the application of the knowledge he acquired from that training.

In three days, Ty had even managed to construct a crude lodge,a shelter of sticks, leaves, and hope. It wasn't glamorous, but it kept the rain out. Mostly.

"Where's your last member?" he asked the wolves. Right on cue, the fourth strolled in, dragging the carcass of a freshly killed animal between its jaws. It moved with pride and purpose, and once it reached Ty, it dropped its prize and lowered its chest to the ground, tongue flopping out like a dog eager for praise.

Ty blinked. The sight was oddly endearing.

"Fine, you deserve it," he murmured with a reluctant smile. How could he say no when the damn thing looked so proud of itself?

He knelt and gently patted the wolf on the forehead. Its tail whipped side to side with unrestrained joy.

"Nope! Don't give me that look," Ty said, pointing at the other three who were all staring at him with glistening puppy eyes. "You three are nothing but stress and drama. He actually earned this."

They didn't stop pouting. Ty groaned.

"Come to think of it," he muttered, "I should name you guys. It'd make things easier."

Strangely, despite their near-identical appearances, Ty never had trouble telling them apart. He always knew who did what, who had misbehaved, and who brought back food. He chalked this uncanny recognition up to his Extra Skill, Form of the Blumund Wolf, assuming it gave him some subconscious bond with them.

"Alright, circle up. It's naming time."

The wolves obeyed, gathering around him like obedient children awaiting their report cards.

He started with the first, a female. "You'll be Rhoda."

The second, a male, was dubbed Braham.

The third, another female, became Bertha.

And finally, the hardworking, praise-worthy one who had brought him food? "You, my friend, are Kaiden," Ty said, placing a hand on the wolf's head. "And from now on, you're the leader of the pack."

[Notice! The individual Kaiden has been influenced by your naming.]

Ty froze.

"Oh, it's the voice again..."

[The individual Kaiden has acquired the qualifications to evolve!]

"Evo...lution?" Ty repeated, stunned.

[Beginning evolution...]

No sooner were the words uttered that Kaiden collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

---

Five days passed. Kaiden remained unmoving. Ty, however, wasn't concerned. The voice had said it was part of the evolution process. So, he waited. Patiently. Sort of.

And then, on the fifth day, Kaiden stirred.

The moment his eyes opened, the voice returned.

[Notice! Individual Kaiden has evolved into a Blumund Alpha.]

At first, Ty panicked. He held a skill that made him the alpha. Would this new rank create a clash between them?

Then came another prompt.

[Notice! Your Extra Skill, Alpha's Howl, has evolved into Elder's Howl.]

[Notice! Your Extra Skill, Form of the Blumund Wolf, has evolved into Form of Elder Blumund.]

Ty blinked. Once. Twice.

"Wait, what? My skills... upgraded? Because he evolved?"

It took a few moments for the information to settle.

He wasn't just influencing the wolves. Their evolution, in turn, influenced him. A reciprocal bond.

"Yup. I'm convinced now," he said, almost laughing. "My Unique Skill, Out of Body Experience, is way more amazing than that short-tempered Goddess ever imagined."

Clearly, she had judged him based solely on appearances. Ty wasn't the stereotypical hero figure, and she hadn't even taken the time to consider the true potential of his ability. She discarded him like defective merchandise.

And now? That hasty decision was working entirely in Ty's favor.

No patron deity. No binding oaths. No duties. Just freedom.

In this world, Tyberius wasn't some miscast summoning accident. He was untethered. Unshackled. Free to survive, grow, and carve his own path.

And oh how much of the freedom he intended to stay true to...

___

Current Status:

Name: Tyberius

Class: Renounced Hero

Unique Skill: Out of Body Experience

Intrinsic Skill: Astral Possession, Astral Projection, Astral Harvest

Extra Skill: Form of Elder Blumund, Elder's Howl