Civilization

A sun over my head blazing down the heat and the earthy scent of grass in the breeze. Back here again and this time with a plan. Looking around, I see Rebecca standing there looking at me, and with a slight smile, the both of us walk out, and I glance around to see Celine nearby the stable. Rubbing the head of a Zivotinja Foal, her angelic smile radiates happiness in the Krepost. Wandering over to her, I gently tap her shoulder.

"Celine, can you tell me if it is possible to keep taming monsters and if taming monsters like the Roc is possible?" - Ian

"There isn't a limit on monsters I can tame, but they are their own I guess 'person'. Taming isn't like a master-servant relationship, instead, it is closer to a friend relationship. I ask them and tell them about the benefits of being with me. If they want to proceed, then the contract is formed between me and the monster, but otherwise, we would have no choice but to kill them.

It is also why taming Zivotinjas, Xabarils, and Crinzannas are a lot easier to tame because they require a lot less. For example, the Zivotinjas' were tamed when I told them they would be able to graze without anything or anyone harming them. That was more than enough for them to accept us and stay with us while also protecting us.

So, taming the other monsters will be harder since there are things they want as well. Trying to tame the Ijagu is difficult due to their tendency to be alone, and they're somewhat cowardly. They prefer dark areas where they can hunt prey without being disturbed by other predators. As for the Roc, I haven't had a chance to meet one where I was trying to tame them, so I have no clue on how they behave." - Celine

"So the monsters are just like us then, they have things they like and dislike, and they know how to prioritize their wants as well as their needs even when negotiating with you. That's amazing…" - Rebecca

"It is amazing, isn't it! There is still so much to learn about each monster and so much to understand. It's like a different world just speaking to them and listening to them." - Celine

"If that is so, then can you try to prioritize taming more monsters?" - Ian

"It will be hard with the limited space I have within the walls of the Krepost. However, if there is a chance to expand it further out, so the monsters have more space to roam around, then yes I can try. Unfortunately, there have been fewer monster sightings due to the monsters at night coming out and either killing or terrifying the monsters." - Celine

"Do what you can do, but leave a good amount in the wild because I also want new soldiers to fight monsters. They will learn and hone their fighting techniques against the monsters in the wild and eventually join other soldiers." - Ian

"I understand. I will try my best to tame other monsters. Also, I found someone else who has the same talent as me, a fox demi-human by the name Kumi. She has been interacting with the monsters and has developed a bond with them and was able to help some monsters breed. While I'm not sure if she can tame monsters, she is definitely able to provide an environment and mood for monsters to breed and create babies." - Celine

"Interesting and somewhat sensual." - Rebecca

"What are you saying babe…?" - Ian

"What? Are you saying that is not interesting?" - Rebecca

"No, never mind. Where is Kumi, Celine?"- Ian

"Over by the pen with the Xabaril piglets." - Celine

Following Celine's finger, I see a young-looking fox demi-human with maple fur. She wore a simple wooden chest plate, wooden leg, and arm guards, and was casually playing with the piglets in the pen. Her simile had the same radiance as Celine's as she comforts the piglets in her arm. Looking at her more closely, I observe her stats.

Name: Kumi

Race: Demi-human (Fox)

Health Points (HP): 40/40

Mana Points (MP):10/10

Strength: 15

Vitality: 20

Intelligence: 20

Dexterity: 18

Agility: 24

Luck: 10

Skill: Caring Touch (Passive), Day Care (Passive)

Caring Touch (Passive) - If the user touches a TAMED monster, then the monster will feel higher affection toward the user. A TAMED monster's stats will temporarily increase by 5% for 10 minutes. If the TAMED monster is a 'baby' then hasten the growth period by 1 day (Cooldown 1 day).

Day Care (Passive) - Within close vicinity of the user (10-meter radius), all TAMED monsters will feel energized, slowly recovering HP (10% missing HP every 10 minutes) and MP (10% missing MP every 10 minutes). TAMED monsters will have a higher chance to mate and reproduce whilst in the Day Care radius. 'Baby' monsters will have a higher chance of gaining part of their parent's stats and skills (10% chance of gaining an additional 10% of all parents' stats. 5% chance of gaining parents' skills.).

"Celine, I want Kumi near any and all tamed monsters as much as possible. Take her out of any fighting from now on and have her be near injured monsters as she nurses them back to health. Any 'baby' monsters must also be near her until they become adults as well." - Ian

"Sure, I can arrange for that, after all, it did seem like she preferred to stay with the monsters than on the front lines." - Celine

"Thank you. I'll be grabbing the rest and leaving right now as well. Both you and Stellar will have to take care of the Krepost whilst I am gone. Try to expand the Krepost's territory slowly and try to tame more monsters." - Ian

"Okay. Thank you, Ian… I do have one request." - Celine

"Tell me. What is it?" - Ian

"Please make sure Kingston comes back. I'm worried about him." - Celine

"... Of course. I'll be back with him soon, don't worry too much." - Ian

"Thank you again, Ian." - Celine

Walking away from Celine, Rebecca nudges my side softly giving me a small smirk as I look at her.

"Kingston has an admirer~" - Rebecca

"Who would have thought he would be putting on the moves over here while I wasn't looking? The only problem is that he isn't here right now to be with her." - Ian

"That's our job, right? Time to play cupid." - Rebecca

"Of course but first we need to get to him." - Ian

Wandering around the Krepost, I eventually find everyone and told them to get ready as I want to leave within the next 10 minutes. Kaede, Gewari, and Howard put on their armor and got ready in minutes while Luna was laying on the ground next to us as we waited at the gate. Following Kaede's lead, we headed toward the tunnel on foot reaching there not too long after we had left.

Eerie silence and darkness were all I could see and hear as I stood in front of the cave entrance. Lighting 2 makeshift torches, I pass them to Rebecca and Kaede to hold as Kaede leads us deeper into the darkness. Luna and Howard were in the front with Kaede right behind them, lighting our way. Then came Rebecca and me as we kept our eyes peeled for any slight movements while Gewari took up our rear.

Rebecca had told me that she would immediately yell out if her Danger Sense activated which meant we had another way of indicating danger was ahead. After all, Luna has an extremely keen sense of smell and hearing while Gewari could see in the darkness. However, there was no danger all the way until the white door.

Almost tripping over the loot that was still on the ground, I slowly observe the surroundings as well as the door. An identical door stood before me, much like the one in the cavern near HavenFall. Nothing was different, but I still look my time looking at every corner and edge of the door.

"They disappeared after I turned away from the door. I don't know what took them and I don't know how it opened, but they were there one second and gone the next." - Kaede

"Was someone touching the door?" - Howard

"Umm… I think Kingston was the last person to touch it." - Celine

"In that case, I think you should touch it babe." - Rebecca

"My thoughts exactly." - Ian

Stepping in front of the group, I reach out my hand to the door and as my fingertips touch the cold stone surface, a couple of system messages appeared in front of me.

[ The Portal to the Glemt (Deactivated) has recognized its new owner, Lord Ian of HavenFall. ]

[ You are now able to freely activate or deactivate this Portal to the Glemt (Deactivated) as the new owner. ]

[ You may rename the Portal to the Glemt (Deactivated). Would you like to rename the Portal? Yes/No ]

"Yes."- Ian

[ What would you like to rename Portal to the Glemt (Deactivated) to? ]

"Reaper Abyss Portal." - Ian

[ Portal to the Glemt (Deactivated) has now been renamed to Reaper Abyss Portal (Deactivated) ]

[ As the owner of Reaper Abyss Portal (Deactivated) you are able to open the Portal both at this location and the exit. Other Players or NPCs are unable to activate the Portal. After activating the Portal, it will stay activated unless the owner Deactivates the Portal. Would you like to activate the Portal? Yes/No ]

Taking my hand away, I look at everyone confirming their stance on the situation.

"Everyone, we can go through the door right now if we are ready."- Ian

"Always ready." - Howard

"Ready whenever you are my lord." - Gewari

"I'm ready as well!" - Kaede

"Open it up, babe." - Rebecca

Nodding my head, I place my hand on the door once again.

"Yes. Activate the Portal." - Ian

[ Activating Reaper Abyss Portal. ]