Standing somewhere around in the center of the Forsaken Island, Raven and the little black fox before him stared at each other, none of them talking or moving.
'The hell am I even doing here? Kill that thing!'
Knowing his mistake Raven's eyes turned cold and pushed his feet forward, ready to strike. However, weirdly enough, just as he was about to swing his hand and weapon, suddenly his body froze and his face became a little complicated.
'No, this is not right...'
As if realizing something, Raven lowered his hands scarcely and looked at the beast, which at the moment stared at him with narrowed eyes.
"Human, I have just told you I mean no harm to neither of you yet you still wish to claim my life? Are you perhaps don't understand the words I say?"
Then, with a helpless sigh, the fox shook its head, as if helpless, and added, "Well, whatever... If you really do wish to kill me that much I won't stop you. Nevertheless, I would like to still warn you that be prepared to lose a limb or two."
Astra, the little black fox stared at Raven with a bloodthirsty look, and to show she was not joking she raised her paw and began to lick her sharp claws that seemed to be able to cut through even steel.
Such an act would have definitely made several change their minds right then and there, perhaps even causing a few with a weaker will to start running, however, surprisingly it did not affect Raven.
Instead, it was the complete opposite of it...
"Kill? Who said I want to kill you? Although I admit I have wished to strike just now, I happened to change my mind... After all, killing you would be such a huge waste."
And with those words, Raven showed a confident smile and pointed at Astra.
"Rather, I will tame you."
"Tame me?" both Astra and Luna looked at Raven with shock, but soon the latter began to giggle coldly as if mocking Raven.
"Human, although I have said I mean no harm, I don't advise you to look down on me, or else I will have no choice but to change my mind and teach you a little lesson."
As Astra spoke those words her crimson eyes glinted with a hint of murderous intent. Even her claws seemed to glow up with darkness, seemingly one of her abilities ready to be activated.
Looking into those eyes and at those claws, Luna's face paled slightly, and couldn't help but took a step backward while also raising her guard.
For some reason, even though she had already surpassed Rank 50 she felt a great threat coming from the beast before her.
As for Raven, seeing her little sister getting pressured turned serious and his grip around the hilt of his weapon tightened even more than before.
Just as he thought! That little fox before him really was dangerous!
'However... This also means my decision is right.'
With those words in mind, Raven straightened his back even more and shook his head scarcely, "Don't misunderstand me, I don't wish to look down on you or anyone, I just simply want to become stronger."
"You wish to become stronger by taming me? How does that even make sense?" Astra asked, a quiet and cold snort escaping her mouth.
"It's simple. Because you are strong, strong to the point where you pose a threat not only to me but also to my little sister who had already surpassed Rank 50! With you beside me, my strength would definitely increase by leaps and bounds!"
"Yeah, I have already figured that part out even without you telling me. What I don't understand, however, is why you need to tame me for that?" Astra asked, her killing intent no longer being as suffocating as before.
It had already vanished to the point where not even its trace could be felt!
A frown appeared on Raven's face when he heard Astra's question, giving a sideways glance at Luna beside him who seemed to be just as confused as him.
"Well... because..."
To be completely honest, Raven had no idea at all why he wished to tame Astra. After all, while it was true she was a beast, she also had intelligence that no other beasts had, meaning she could behave.
However, different from other beasts, this also meant she could go on a rampage at any moment she wished, which would be akin to keeping a ticking bomb next to him if he decided to bring her outside of this Realm Domain.
After all, beasts and creatures from Realm Domains could only leave if they were either dead or Rankers brought them outside! And if a Ranker decided on the latter, it was necessary to tame the beast to avoid chaos breaking out in the outside world.
Hence why Raven thought he should tame the fox before him.
As if understanding what he was thinking about, Astra lay down on the soft grass and began to speak;
"Human boy, I hope you realize that taming is only necessary on those inferior souls. As for me, such a thing is not only needless but also useless."
"Useless?" Raven raised a brow, but soon enough he understood Astra's words.
Indeed, as he had already figured it out, Astra was someone with intelligence, hence taming her the way others would normal beasts was really useless.
'But then how can I make her listen to my words? I can't just take her with me outside or else she will go on a rampage.'
A faint scowl appeared on Raven's face when he realized this.
On the other hand, Astra's flickered with amusement and asked, "You really do wish to make me yours, don't you? I can see on your face."
And after saying those words Astra swayed her fluffy tail before her face in a way where only her ears and now closed eyes were visible, and sighed;
"Unfortunately for you, however, I don't plan on leaving this place. So sorry to break it to you, but I won't go anywhere, much less with you."
Raven remained silent and began to ponder.
Damn it!
If he couldn't force nor tame the little bastard before him, then how should he make her follow him willingly?
'Wait... If I can make her willingly follow me then I will change her mind!'
That's right!
If he cannot tame her because she was no ordinary beast but one with intelligence on par with a human then she will change her mind if he makes a deal with her!
Thinking about this, Raven although feeling excited remained calm and after taking a deep breath he asked;
"What do you want then?"
"Hm?" Astra opened her right eye a little and looked at Raven for a few seconds in silence before she closed it again and hummed quietly.
"Nothing."
"That is a lie." Raven immidieatly refuted Astra and with a faint smile he said, "I'm pretty sure that there is something that you want and is precious enough for you to make you willingly follow me."
"Perhaps there is something, however, you are just a mortal. Even if I tell you what that us I am more than confident you don't have it."
'Mortal?' Raven almost laughed but resisted the urge.
Instead, he showed a somewhat arrogant smile and stated, "You are more than confident, huh? Why don't try me then?"
This time, Astra opened both her eyes and as if examining Raven up and down she giggled with mockery and stood up.
"Very well. However, simply saying what I want is boring. Why don't we make this a little exciting and make a little bet?"
"Bet?" Raven raised a brow and suddenly felt the urge to swallow more than usual.
Wait... This feeling.
Raven's eyes suddenly widened and clenched his teeth.
'Damnation!'
Raven believed his cursed gambling addiction had been gone for good ever since he broke his seal, but it seemed he was wrong. And now it made him accept the little beast's proposal without a second thought!
"Sure. I'm in."
"Good." Astra showed a grin and said, "Then how about this? If you don't have what I want, you will have to do as I say and bring me something from the outside world."
"Something from the outside world? What exactly do you have in mind?" Raven asked, both puzzled and curious.
"You don't have to know it yet, you will know it sure enough." Astros smiled, almost as if she had already won the bet.
"Sure, whatever. I accept it." Raven shrugged and asked, "And what if I win?"
Sitting down and licking her paw a few times, Astra laughed softly and said, "If you through some miracle do have what I want, then I will not only do whatever you want in the future but I'm also willing to make a Blood Oath with you!"
'...'
"...A what?"
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