So I'm a Bat, Big Deal

The young girl shot a wary glance at the orc, then turned her gaze to me, suspicion etched on her face. Uncertain of my identity and intentions, she bolted for the door, escaping the room in a flash. I could only hope she made it out unscathed, avoiding any further danger. As a bat, my options were limited, and I couldn't really stop her. I focused on healing myself once more, swiftly extracting the core from the orc before applying another healing spell. The foul stench of the zombie orc dissipated, leaving me refreshed. I soared up to the cage containing the adorable three-tailed blue and white fox, and as I opened the door, the little creature greeted me with a joyful lick on my face.

 I stood there, weighing my options, debating whether I could snatch up the fox that had just leaped from its cage. It soared through the air, twice my height, landing gracefully on a shimmering platform suspended in the air. My eyes widened in disbelief as I realized the fox was perched on what looked like a round sheet of glass, floating effortlessly. With each leap, another platform materialized beneath its paws. What a bizarre creature! It would have been incredibly useful if I couldn't already fly, but I was eager to dive into the other attacks this creature had up its sleeve.

What a stunning and gentle creature, and yet that foolish orc was ready to turn it into a meal. I charged toward the ethereal platform, my hand reaching out to touch it. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered—definitely not glass. It felt as if the very air had solidified beneath me, a bizarre yet fascinating phenomenon. The little fox leaned down, giving me a playful lick, and I couldn't help but stroke the soft fur atop its head. What an adorable little beast.

[Look who wants to be your familiar—it's the Blast Fox! What a charming offer. Will you take the plunge and contract with this mischievous creature? Yes or no?]

"Yes!"

[A level one Beast Tamer? Really? That's like trying to tame a dragon with a rubber band. Nice try, but the contract is a hard pass.]

The Blast Fox darted closer, its nose quivering as it caught my scent. In a flash, it nicked its little paw on a fang and shoved the bleeding paw into my mouth. I was shocked, my mouth abruptly filled with the warmth of blood and fur, and I swallowed instinctively.

[Look at Blast Fox, all about that contract life, ignoring level restrictions like they're just suggestions. Familiar contract? Sure, why not! Meanwhile, my being is experiencing heat waves that could probably power a small city. What a delightful experience.]

[Oh wow, look at you! You've crammed your way through the Beast Tamer ranks like a raccoon in a dumpster. Beast Tamer +10, +15, +5, +20, +15, +30, +5—what a thrilling rollercoaster of mediocrity! Congratulations, you've finally hit the big 100! Now taming beasts will be as easy as stealing candy from a baby. Enjoy your newfound "skill."]

The tiny creature let out a soft "Meew" as it nuzzled against me. Then, with a swift motion, it crouched low and pointed to its back with its nose, inviting me to take a closer look.

 "You're asking me to climb on your back? Just a heads up, I've got wings!"

[You're my new master, and I'm eager to serve you. How about you take a ride on my back for now? I'm curious, what do you have in mind during your time here? It's important for me to understand your goals so we can collaborate effectively, and I certainly wouldn't want to overlook my new master's desires.]

"Why pick me as your master? You could have gone in a different direction."

[I truly appreciate your bravery in saving me. My kind never forgets a life saved; it's all about honor for us. Sure, we might have a playful side, but our commitment to honor is what defines us.]

"Right now, my priority is to track down my missing ally, Biter. She was snatched away by a creature that resembled a zombie squirrel—at least, that's what it looked like when it happened. I'm still wrapping my head around the idea of zombie squirrels, but I've also encountered what I believe was a zombie orc, so anything's possible in this twisted place. Once I locate Biter, I'll finish clearing this floor and see where it leads me. My ultimate goal is to conquer this dungeon and claim the title of boss for reasons I'll reveal later. But enough about me—what are your ambitions, and what brought you here? By the way, what's your name?"

[Lyra, my name is Lyra.]

"Lyra, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm pumped to team up and get things done together."

[A pleasure.]

I leaped onto her back, and she emitted a delightful sound, reminiscent of a purring cat. With a sudden burst of energy, she sprang to her feet, dancing through the air like a whirlwind. "Can you make your way to the counter? I need to scout for any useful gear."

She halted by the counter, and I soared over, snatching up some glimmering jewelry, orcish knives, fur, horns, and a handful of mana gems, stashing them all in my storage bracelet. After gathering everything I deemed valuable, I splashed some poison over the remains of a human bodies. Burying them wasn't an option, and I wasn't about to keep them in my bracelet. The only solution was to dissolve the bodies, ensuring they wouldn't be devoured by lurking monsters.

I spat out enough corrosive poison to do the job, and that was that. Wishing them peace, I hopped back onto Lyra's back, and we set off toward the next door, drawn by the sounds echoing from behind it. As I approached another door further down the hallway, the loud clanging intensified. I paused, trying to glean what was happening inside without stepping in, but it was futile. With a resigned sigh, I pushed the door open, and my eyes widened in disbelief at the scene that unfolded before me.

Coming Next Time: Creation 

I'd never imagined that I would find something like this!