Chapter 14: Grandpa's Lesson, and the Beast Egg That Chose Him
The morning sun filtered through the leaves, casting golden patterns across the forest floor. Elric sat cross-legged near a still-burning campfire, watching BoomBoom and the Fire Lizard playfully spar. He couldn't stop grinning—his beasts were stronger, his bond with them was deeper, and most of all, his System friend was finally feeling like a real companion.
"You're smiling like a fool," a deep, familiar voice teased from behind.
Elric turned to see his grandfather walking out from between the trees, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Smiling like someone who didn't almost die last night," Elric shot back, only half-joking.
Grandpa chuckled and sat beside him, pulling out a large piece of roasted meat from his pouch and tossing it to BoomBoom. "Then you're learning fast. That pack of Shadow Wolves wasn't weak. And you handled them better than most grown Beast Masters would've."
Elric blinked. "You're praising me? Are you dying?"
Grandpa grunted and smacked the back of his head. "Shut it. Don't ruin the moment."
They sat in silence for a while before Elric glanced sideways. "Grandpa… why do I feel like this System is more than just a tool?"
His grandfather didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned serious. "Because it isn't just a tool."
---
System Notification: Grandpa James has activated Authority Link
System Bond: Temporarily Shared
---
Elric's mind was flooded with fragments of memories—Grandpa's battles, a younger James standing over monstrous beasts, and an image of a similar System interface glowing in front of him.
"You had a System too?" Elric asked, stunned.
"Still do," Grandpa said calmly. "But mine's nearly dormant now. Yours... it's different. It talks to you, doesn't it?"
Elric nodded. "Yeah. It even jokes sometimes. It's like it's watching everything and growing with me."
Grandpa rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Then you got a rare one. Systems like that… they're usually alive. Maybe a piece of a god's will, maybe something stranger."
Elric blinked. "So you're saying my System's like a friend?"
"Exactly," Grandpa said. "And you'd better treat it like one. Because when the dark times come, and they will come… a friend like that can make the difference between survival and death."
---
System Message:
"Wow. I feel appreciated for once. Thanks, Old Man. I guess you're not just a fossil."
---
Elric snorted. "Did you hear that?"
"I did. Rude little brat," Grandpa grumbled, but smiled anyway.
Then something unexpected happened.
---
System Alert:
A Beast Egg has detected your presence.
Compatibility: 97% — Bond Potential: Legendary
Do you wish to accept the egg? Y/N
---
Before Elric could even say yes, a faint glow burst from his System menu, and a beautiful, deep-blue egg materialized in the air in front of him. It floated down into his lap gently, pulsing with warmth.
"Elric…" Grandpa whispered. "That's not an ordinary egg."
Elric's hands trembled as he touched the shell. It was warm, alive, like something inside was breathing. "What is it?"
Grandpa's voice was low and serious. "That… is a Mythic-Class Beast Egg. And it chose you."
---
System Notification: Egg Bond Initiated
Species: ??? (Undiscovered) — Class: Mythic
Estimated Hatch Level: 10
Egg Skill: [Soul Link – Early Bond] Unlocked
Allows you to faintly communicate with the creature inside. Strengthens bond during growth phase.
---
Elric stared in disbelief. "How… how rare is this?"
"Some Beast Masters search their whole lives for an egg like this," Grandpa said softly. "And it just floated into your lap. You're going to be a monster, Elric. A true Shepherd of legends."
Elric was quiet for a moment before looking up with that shameless grin of his. "Or maybe… I'm just naturally amazing. Can't help it."
Grandpa looked like he wanted to hit him again but sighed instead. "I'm too old for this."
---
System Update: Elric's Level – 6
Unlocked Skill: [Beast Instinct Scan] (Lv. 1)
Can detect the nature, threat level, and hidden traits of beasts up to 5 levels above you.
System Points: +300
New Shop Items Available: [Beast Growth Elixir], [Skill Orb – Herd Boost], [Pet Accessory – Ember Feather Cape]
---
Elric opened the Shop and whistled. "Looks like my loot's finally useful…"
He hovered over the Beast Growth Elixir and smirked. "I'll save this for BoomBoom. She's been working hard."
BoomBoom chirped, then promptly fell off a rock trying to pose dramatically. Elric burst out laughing.
Yeah… this life might be full of danger, but with a System that talked back, a grumpy old grandpa, and a mythic egg in his lap?
He was starting to like it here.
---
Next Chapter Preview:
Elric bonds with the Mythic Beast Egg through Soul Link.
The academy sends a scout to the village.
A mysterious beast appears near the borders… and it's hunting
Perfect! Here's Chapter 15 — a long, detailed chapter that expands the world, adds new bonds, game-like skill systems, and kicks off the MC's first real external challenge with emotion, comedy, and plot movement.
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Chapter 15 – The Test of Rynthwood: Bonds, Blades, and Berries
Morning in Rynthwood came with the cries of early beasts, the rustle of wind through half-burnt trees, and the distant giggles of Nina as she pelted Cain and Cane with squirrel poop from atop a tree.
Elric yawned wide, stepped out of the hut with hair like a bird's nest, and stared blankly into the sunrise.
> System Notification – Good Morning, Lazy Host.
You have:
Slept: 9 hrs
Dreamt: About that elf girl again. Yes, I keep logs.
Stat Growth: +2 STR, +1 DEX (Sleep Recovery Bonus)
System Tip: Lvl 5 Reached. Skill [Beast Bond Vision I] unlocked. New shop items available.
"Finally!" Elric shouted, startling a crow. "A skill that lets me cheat in style!"
> Beast Bond Vision I (Passive):
See Beast Levels, Temperaments, Bond Potential, and Loot Odds.
Can trigger "Beast Reaction" in battle against wild monsters 5+ levels higher.
---
The Scout Arrives
Boom.
The village gates nearly split in half as a tall woman in crimson and iron stepped through them.
Her presence alone made Felix flinch, Nina stop mid-tree leap, and even Grandpa James raise an eyebrow.
"Sergeant Elda," the woman barked, throwing a badge to the ground. "Scout of the Outer Beast Academy. Who here has awakened a Shepherd Class?"
Everyone looked at Elric. He was... chewing a roasted nut like an idiot.
"...Wait, me?"
---
Training Begins
"Alright, runts. One week. Survive the jungle, hunt a Class-1 Beast, and come back alive."
"With the beast egg," she added, with a glint in her eye. "Bonus points if it likes you."
Nina laughed. "You want us to seduce an egg?"
Cane whispered, "I can be very charming."
Elda ignored them. "You'll be split into teams. Elric, Lysa, Felix—you're one. Nina, Cain, Cane—you're the other."
Elric opened his mouth.
"No swaps. I don't care if you're secretly soulmates. Move."
---
Night Before the Hunt
That night, as everyone sharpened weapons or practiced with their System menus, Grandpa James sat with Elric near the old well.
The moonlight lit their faces.
"You're growing too fast," the old man grunted, handing over a small dagger. "Not strength-wise. That's fine. But in the eyes. You're starting to look like me."
Elric tilted his head. "Handsome?"
James threw a stick at him. "Reckless."
There was silence for a while.
"Listen, boy. A Shepherd isn't a Beast Master. It's not about control. It's about connection. The kind you'd die to protect. Don't forget that."
> System Notification – Hidden Bond Triggered.
Grandpa James: +5 Hidden Trust
Potential Side Quest: "The Old Bandit's Regret" – Unlocked (LVL 12 Req.)
---
Day of the Test – Into the Wilds
The teams moved out at dawn. The jungle roared with life—and death. Wild vines, low growls, the shimmer of beast eyes between trees.
Elric activated his new skill.
> Beast Bond Vision I Activated
Target Detected: Razorback Howler – Level 9
Bond Potential: 3 Stars
Loot Potential: Moderate
Aggression: HIGH
"Guys…" Elric whispered. "This dog has knives for teeth."
Felix pulled out a smoke trap. Lysa reached for her spirit whistle. Elric…
"I'll talk to it."
"You'll what—?"
---
Fight & Bond
The battle was chaotic.
Felix used his trap to blind the Howler. Lysa tried to distract it with flickering spirit lights.
Elric took a hit to the ribs, rolled, and grinned.
"Hey, ugly mutt. Wanna see something cooler than your face?"
He bit his thumb, smeared blood on his Egg Core, and shouted:
> Skill Activated: Bloodlink Spark
Attempting Beast Link…
The Howler paused, snarled… and then whimpered.
It dropped to the ground, eyes wide, confused but unafraid.
> Bond Initiated
Beast Name: TBD
Species: Razorback Howler (Rare-Class)
Loyalty: 30%
Name it to finalize the contract.
Elric panted. "I'll call you… Fangster."
The System groaned.
> Name accepted. You're the worst.
---
Chapter End Summary – Elric's Status
Level: 5
Exp: 40/100
New Skill: Beast Bond Vision I
New Bond: Razorback Howler (Fangster)
Loot Gained: Beast Core [Wind Element], Razor Claw Shard (x2)
Party Members:
Lysa (Spirit Vision – Support)
Felix (Trap Smith – Frontline)
> System Point Shop Updated
Beast Heal Balm – 50 SP
Mini Storage Crystal – 100 SP
---
Chapter 16 – The Whispering Grove and the Black Egg
"Alright, team," Elric said with a smirk, twirling a twig like a sword. "We've got food, a campfire, and a dog with knives for teeth. What could possibly go wrong?"
Fangster, the Razorback Howler, sneezed in response, sending a spike of wind that accidentally knocked over Felix's trap kit.
"…I liked that trap kit," Felix muttered.
---
The Map and the System
> System Notification – Zone Analysis Complete
Current Region: Outer Rynthwood - Tier II Beast Territory Threat Level: Moderate
Hidden Path Discovered: Whispering Grove (Unexplored)
Estimated Egg Presence: 87%
Elric whistled. "System, you're a damn cheat code."
> "You say that like it's a bad thing."
> System Tip: Area contains high-density mana field. Great place to level up… or die trying.
"See? Motivational and ominous. You're like a terrifying best friend."
> "I accept."
---
Entering the Grove
The team carefully made their way into the Whispering Grove. The air grew thick with mana. Trees bent in unnatural shapes. Petals floated without wind.
Lysa whispered, "This place… it feels like it's watching."
Fangster growled low, ears pinned.
Felix pulled a dagger. "Something's here."
Suddenly, the earth trembled. A massive beast emerged — Thornhide Trollboar – Level 12 — its tusks wrapped in barbed vines, glowing faintly.
> System Warning – Beast is 7 Levels Higher.
Beast Bond Vision Suggests: 1-Star Bond Potential
Recommendation: FIGHT ONLY if INSANE or STRATEGIC.
"…So we fight," Elric grinned. "Obviously."
---
The Fight
Felix threw smoke bombs. Lysa channeled her spirit flare, distracting the beast's vision.
Elric leapt off a branch, landing hard on the creature's back, Fangster howling in unison.
> Skill Activated: Shadow Step (New)
Description: Teleport a short distance in shadows.
Cost: 5 SP
He vanished and reappeared beneath the boar's belly, jamming a claw shard into the soft gut.
BOOM.
The beast roared and toppled.
> Beast Slain!
Exp Gained: +55
Loot Acquired: Trollboar Tusk, Vine Core, Beast Egg [Unstable – Black Grade]
> Level Up!
Elric – Lvl 6
SP Gained: +20
New Skill Tree: [Shepherd's Thread I] – Unlocked
---
The Black Egg
It pulsed. Like it was alive. But not in the normal heartbeat way.
This was something… ancient.
Dark mist curled around it. Even the System paused.
> System Analysis: Unknown Variant Detected
Grade: ???
Attribute: Shadow / ???
Soul Signature: Hostile… yet familiar.
This egg requires a ritual and 1,000 SP to hatch safely. Risk of corruption: High.
Elric's hand trembled. "It's like it's calling me."
> "No. It's challenging you."
---
Campfire Conversations
That night, around the crackling fire, the trio sat—silent for once.
Lysa stared into the egg's glassy surface. "It feels like it's waiting."
Felix looked at Elric. "You really going to hatch that thing?"
Elric nodded slowly. "It chose me."
"And what if it tries to eat your face?" Felix asked.
"I'll punch it with friendship," Elric grinned.
Even Lysa chuckled.
> System Notification – Bond Dialogue Achieved
Party Bond: +7
Party Skill: "Tri-Strike Coordination" unlocked
---
Chapter End – Elric's Status
Level: 6
Exp: 15/120
New Skills:
Shadow Step
Shepherd's Thread I (Basic Bond Management Passive)
Tri-Strike Coordination (Team Combo Attack)
New Items:
Beast Egg [Black Grade – Unknown]
Vine Core (Craftable)
Trollboar Tusk (Sell or Forge)
Current Party:
Lysa (LVL 5) – Spirit Vision
Felix (LVL 5) – Trap Smith
Fangster (LVL 5) – Razorback Howler
System Points: 120 SP
Shop Highlights:
Egg Ritual Kit – 1000 SP
Shadow Cloak – 400 SP
Bond Upgrade Scroll –
---
Chapter 17 – The Forbidden Collar and the Silent Flame
The forest was quiet. Too quiet.
Even Fangster paced nervously, growling low. The black egg pulsed with a heartbeat of its own.
> System Notification – Nightfall Approaching.
Area Status: Whispering Grove – Corrupted Mana Surge Detected.
Egg Instability: 9% and rising.
"Time to make a decision," Elric muttered.
---
The Whispering Ritual
Felix lit the last of the chalk-ash lines in a circle. Lysa held the Egg, her hands glowing faintly with spirit light. Elric knelt inside the circle.
> System Ritual Mode Initiated.
Required SP: 1000
Bonus Achieved: [Spirit-Sync Support – Lysa]
Reduced Cost: 750 SP
Proceed?
Elric glanced at the others. "If this thing kills me, make sure my body looks cool."
"You always look stupid," Felix smirked.
"Thanks, bro."
> Ritual Commencing…
Consuming SP: 750
Bonding… Matching Soul Signature… Mutating Egg Structure…
The world flashed black. Shadows danced. And the egg cracked.
A glowing eye blinked from within.
> Beast Core Bond Successful!
New Companion: [??] – Shadowflame Hatchling (Black Grade)
Personality: Silent / Curious / Dangerous
Skill Unlocked: [Shadow Ember] – Mid-range dark fire pulse, burns mana threads.
Elric stumbled, the hatchling curling up around his neck like a warm, living scarf. It purred… with a low growl like burning coals.
"Okay. This thing is awesome."
> "Of course it is. You're welcome."
---
System Shop – Forbidden Section Unlocked
Elric opened his menu to check his remaining SP.
> SP Remaining: 370
New Shop Section Unlocked: Forbidden Artifacts
Warning: Viewing these items may alter fate progression.
"…Huh?"
He scrolled, eyes scanning past dark robes, unstable potions—and paused.
> Item: Slave Collar (Rare)
Cost: 2500 SP
Description: An artifact forged in ancient wars to subdue powerful beings.
Usage: Binds any creature, monster, or person below user's level.
Effect: Loyalty Enforced.
Risk: Divine Penalty / System Karma Shift
[Purchase not recommended at current morality level]
"…System?"
> "You're not ready. Yet."
Elric stared at the collar's glowing icon. Something about it… tempted him.
---
The Return of the Scout
At dawn, a signal flare appeared in the sky—red, arcing above the trees.
"That's a recruitment flare," Lysa said quietly. "The academy scout is nearby."
Within an hour, a woman in dark green armor emerged from the forest, riding a leaf-runner lizard. Her badge marked her as a high-rank scout.
She saw Elric, his hatchling, and the team—and she smiled.
"A black egg… you're interesting."
"Thanks. I moisturize."
"…Report to Rimefield Academy. You've been scouted."
---
Chapter End – Elric's Status
Level: 6
Exp: 15/120
SP: 370
Companions:
Fangster (LV6 – Razorback Howler)
Shadowflame Hatchling (LV1 – Black Grade)
Lysa & Felix – bonded allies
New Character Introduced: Scout Ayleen (Rimefield Academy Recruiter)
Skills:
Shadow Step
Shadow Ember
Shepherd's Thread I
Tri-Strike Coordination
Shop Unlocks:
Forbidden Artifact: Slave Collar (Rare)
Crafting Scroll: Beast Core Amplifier – 600 SP
Enchantment Box: Basic Bond Evolution – 1200 S
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