The Lazy Hero Who Became a Legendary Beast Tamer

Chapter 10: The First Real Challenge

The Dark Tamer's Challenge

Greg had barely begun to understand the extent of his powers when the first real challenge arrived. He had spent the last few weeks trying to maintain his distance from the people of the nearby village, the creatures he had tamed, and the responsibility that was slowly settling around his shoulders. Though his beasts followed him like loyal companions, Greg still hadn't come to terms with the fact that he was now a part of something much bigger than himself. He wanted to retreat, to escape the world that had dragged him into it, but there was one thing he couldn't escape: the growing power of his own abilities.

One evening, as Greg wandered through the forest with his griffin, fox, and the massive bear, something felt different. There was a shift in the air, an almost palpable tension. It wasn't the usual forest quiet—no, this was something darker. Greg instinctively slowed his pace, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. His beasts seemed to feel it too. The griffin was perched on a nearby rock, its sharp eyes darting back and forth, while the fox darted nervously at his feet, sensing the unseen presence.

That was when the first shadow fell upon them.

From the darkness of the trees, a figure stepped forward. Tall, draped in dark robes that fluttered even without wind, the man's presence seemed to drain the light from the very air around him. His eyes gleamed with malevolent intelligence, and his smile was one of pure, arrogant confidence.

"So, this is the famous beast tamer," the man's voice hissed. "Greg, is it? I've been watching you." He raised one hand, a dark, swirling magic coalescing in his palm. "You've got power, boy. Power you don't fully understand. Let's see if you're worthy of it."

Greg stepped back instinctively, though his body seemed to freeze in place as if the world itself was holding its breath. "Who are you?" Greg's voice shook, even as his mind screamed to flee.

The man's grin grew wider. "I am Narek, the Dark Tamer. And I challenge you, Greg, to a duel."

Greg felt his blood run cold. This wasn't some petty thief or a band of misguided adventurers—it was someone who knew the power of taming, someone who could use it against him. Before Greg could even react, Narek raised his other hand, and the ground trembled beneath them.

A loud, guttural roar split the air, and out from the shadows emerged two massive creatures, each one more terrifying than the next. One was a huge, serpent-like beast with scales as black as the night, its eyes glowing with malevolent light. The other was a monstrous wolf, easily three times the size of a normal one, with fur that seemed to ripple with shadow magic.

Greg's stomach sank as the beasts advanced toward him, their eyes locked onto him with malicious intent. Panic rose in his chest. He wasn't ready for this. He didn't want this. But it was too late to back out now.

"Take them down," Narek sneered, as he effortlessly sent his dark magic to control his creatures. The serpent hissed and struck first, its long, coiling body lunging toward Greg. The wolf followed, its massive paws crashing into the earth as it charged, its fangs bared.

Without thinking, Greg instinctively reached out to his beasts. The griffin squawked and leaped into the air, flapping its wings to take flight, while the fox darted forward, its speed making it almost invisible. In the heat of the moment, Greg felt his power surge through him, but it wasn't directed—it was uncontrolled, accidental. His connection to the beasts had deepened so much that it was becoming second nature to him. But this was something new. Something he hadn't expected.

Suddenly, the griffin screeched and dove toward the serpent, talons extended, slashing at the beast's scales. The fox zipped around the wolf, dodging its snapping jaws and nipping at its exposed legs. And just like that, Greg realized—he wasn't taming these creatures consciously. They were responding to him without words, without commands. They were following their bond with him, and that bond had grown so strong that they could anticipate his will without him even realizing it.

The serpent whipped its tail toward the griffin, but in a flash, Grizzle, the massive bear, moved in front of the griffin, taking the blow instead. The bear growled fiercely, and with a mighty swipe of its paw, it sent the serpent sprawling backward.

Greg's heart raced as he saw his creatures working together, the bond between them flowing freely, but there was still something terrifying about how they were acting—like they were taking the fight to another level. It was almost as if they were being pulled into it by the sheer force of his own will.

Narek laughed from the sidelines. "You think this is a duel?" he mocked. "You've already lost. My creatures are under my control. Yours are just... your toys."

Greg clenched his fists, his teeth gritted in frustration. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't want any of this."

But something in his heart shifted, as he watched his creatures fight so fiercely, so devotedly, for him. This wasn't just about him anymore. This wasn't just about trying to escape. This was about protecting the beings that had come to trust him—who were now his responsibility, no matter how much he wanted to deny it.

His beasts were his, whether he liked it or not.

In that moment, Greg felt a surge of clarity, like a rush of electricity running through his veins. Without thinking, he reached out—his hand outstretched toward the creatures, his mind focused on the bond that tied him to them.

And then, something incredible happened.

A golden light surrounded Greg, pulsing with energy. The creatures—his beasts—seemed to glow as well, their power flowing toward him like an unstoppable wave. The serpent, seeing the sudden surge of strength in its opponents, recoiled for a moment, but the wolf, too, hesitated, sensing the change in the air.

Before Greg could fully comprehend what had just happened, he found himself overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of his power. His mind buzzed with the connection between him and the creatures—it was like he could feel them, their fears, their needs, their desires. He could see their movements in his mind, know what they would do before they even moved. It wasn't control. It was understanding.

The power didn't stop there. Narek's dark magic was being countered, not by force, but by the very essence of Greg's connection to his beasts. His creatures acted with purpose, as if they had gained new insight into the battle itself.

With one final cry, the griffin lunged toward the serpent, and Grizzle smashed into the wolf, sending both dark beasts crashing to the ground. Narek staggered back in shock, his dark magic dissipating as his creatures were overpowered by the unity between Greg and his beasts.

Greg panted, his body trembling from the effort. The golden light around him began to fade, but the realization of what had just happened hit him like a ton of bricks. He had done it—he had tamed the sorcerer's beasts, not through force, but through the bond they shared.

Narek stood, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You... You can't control them," he hissed, fury burning in his voice. "How did you do it? This is impossible!"

Greg could only stare at him, his mind reeling. "I didn't want to," he said quietly, but with a strange conviction. "But you can't force me into being something I'm not."

The dark sorcerer's eyes narrowed. "You will regret this, Greg. You don't understand the true power of taming. But you will."

With a flash of dark energy, Narek vanished into the shadows, his creatures retreating behind him.

Greg stood there, staring at the place where the sorcerer had disappeared. His beasts gathered around him, as if waiting for his next command. Greg looked at them, the weight of the responsibility settling in.

Greg stood still, his chest heaving as he stared at the space where Narek had vanished. The forest around him seemed unnervingly quiet, as if the very trees were holding their breath. His beasts, the griffin, the fox, and the massive bear, were all gathered around him. They were silent too, watching him with those ever-knowing eyes. It was as if they understood the significance of what had just happened—Greg had done something he wasn't sure he was capable of, and now, there was no turning back.

The griffin let out a small, almost affectionate trill, and the fox nuzzled his leg, as if offering silent reassurance. Greg sank to a knee, his legs suddenly feeling weak under the weight of what had just transpired. His heart was still racing, and his mind was spinning. Narek had been a serious threat, and while Greg had managed to overpower him, he couldn't ignore the fact that Narek knew far more about taming beasts than Greg ever would.

"What have I gotten myself into?" Greg thought bitterly, pressing a hand to his forehead.

The massive bear, Grizzle, lumbered closer and sat down beside him, its massive bulk almost comforting. Greg reached up and patted the bear's thick fur, feeling a strange sense of gratitude for the creature's loyalty. He'd tried so hard to avoid this life, yet here he was—with powerful, dangerous beasts by his side—and he couldn't simply walk away now.

Suddenly, the air shifted. There was a movement in the trees. Greg tensed, instinctively standing up and scanning the surroundings. But it wasn't Narek. Instead, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows of the forest.

It was the old tamer—the one who had given Greg that cryptic advice earlier. His face was still weathered, his steps slow but deliberate as he approached. Greg's stomach churned at the sight of the old man. He had been avoiding the mentor's guidance ever since their last encounter. The last thing Greg wanted was more lessons on taming beasts or responsibilities he didn't ask for.

The old tamer eyed the creatures around Greg with a knowing smile. "You did well, boy. You're beginning to understand it now, aren't you?"

Greg sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I don't understand anything. I didn't want this. I still don't want this. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

The old tamer's smile faded slightly, and he stepped closer, his voice soft but firm. "You may not want this, Greg, but the world is changing. You can't escape it. Not anymore." His eyes were intense, almost piercing as he regarded Greg. "You've shown that you can control these beasts, but it's not just control you need. It's trust. You and your creatures are bound together now, whether you like it or not. And as long as you keep running, you'll never be able to truly see it."

Greg clenched his fists in frustration. "I don't want to be anyone's hero, old man. I just want to live in peace. I don't care about changing the world or being some kind of legend."

The old tamer chuckled softly, his weathered hands resting on his staff. "That's the thing, Greg. You don't need to be a hero. You just need to be—and let your creatures show you what that means. Trust them, and they will trust you. That's all there is to it."

Greg's mind was reeling. The weight of everything that had happened so far was overwhelming. He wanted to scream, to tell the old man to leave him alone, but instead, he found himself looking down at the beasts gathered around him. The griffin's bright eyes met his, the fox sat patiently, and even the massive bear seemed to be watching him with an unspoken understanding.

There was something in their eyes—a quiet acceptance, a bond that had grown deeper over time. He'd never asked for this, but in that moment, it was clear that his creatures weren't just following him because of his power. They were loyal to him, not because they had to be, but because they had chosen him.

"What if the old man is right?" Greg wondered, his heart suddenly heavy with the realization. "What if this isn't about being a hero at all? Maybe it's about being the leader they need."

The old tamer seemed to sense the shift in Greg's attitude. He gave a small, approving nod. "You'll figure it out in time. But remember this, Greg—your power isn't just a gift. It's a responsibility. The beasts, the people, the world... they will all come to you sooner or later. And when that happens, you'll have to decide who you want to be."

Greg nodded absently, his thoughts racing. The pressure was mounting, and he couldn't deny it. The creatures had already begun to rely on him in ways he never expected. He could feel the weight of their trust pressing on him, but at the same time, he knew they weren't just following out of obligation. They chose him—every step of the way.

"Just leave me alone for now," Greg muttered, exhaustion creeping into his voice. "I need to think."

The old tamer simply nodded, turning away. "Of course. But remember, Greg... you can run, but you can't hide forever."

As the old man disappeared into the trees, Greg let out a long sigh. His beasts settled around him again, their presence oddly comforting despite the growing sense of responsibility that now hung over him. He felt the pull of the bond growing stronger every day. It was like a thread connecting him to each of them, linking their fates together in ways he couldn't undo.

As much as he wanted to reject it, as much as he wished he could run from this bizarre fate, Greg knew there was no turning back.