《Ring Nexus》 other worldly guide Volume 1: chapter 1 {Would you give up on this reality for a greater one, despite the risks?} ---Seth¡¯s p.o.v¡ª [ I¡¯m finally here again] I think this as I stare blankly at the blank blue sky through the evergreen shading of the tree I rest under. My worries about the old reality I¡¯ve just abandoned are whisked away like the verdant grass that engulfs me, stirring wildly away only to return again. I rise, clothed in a grey sweat pant and shirt that clings and contrasts with my chocolate skin. Looking around on the lush hill, I can tell that I¡¯m on top of my usual spawning point with the same lethargic feeling that accompanied me ever since I could come here welling up in me. If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s time to exercise--- ¡®ugh, fuck, I¡¯m gonna die¡¯ ¡®Ah¡¯ I suddenly remember I didn¡¯t come here for a casual drop into another world as I turn to the chubby Caucasian dark haired customer of name, Carrion. ¡®so sorry¡¯ I apologize while helping him up. ¡®fuck your Indian ass- ugh, I feel like I¡¯m gonna hurl any minute¡¯ he curses, steadily rising to his feet. He¡¯s clothed in a grey attire similar to mine that¡¯s already been dampened with sweat. I¡¯m only part Indian by the way but, oh well. 10 hours more, I¡¯m already tired of this job. ¡®is this what happens to you every time you come to this world or is for first timers like me¡¯ ¡®happens every time but I¡¯ve learnt to deal with it¡¯ I guide him till we¡¯re standing squarely on our feet (but he still looks like he¡¯ll collapse any minute now) ¡®I usually exercise to throw it off¡¯ I say with a passion that seems to irritate him¡¯ ¡®is that the main reason you¡¯re fit¡¯ he scoffs at my response. Someone¡¯s insecure. But then, we all have our own insecurities boiling under. Hopefully, for the sake of my wallet, his displeasure won¡¯t affect my pay. Otherwise¡­ ¡®no, no, I¡¯ve been training even before I found the ring. For the sake of my hemophilia and other reasons¡¯ ¡®Bleeders disease¡¯ his gaze on me has softened as he remembers I had once mentioned it before coming to this world. But it still remains skeptical. ¡®well, I used to have a bullies that didn¡¯t help my case so I trained but never even got to use it since I transferred schools.¡¯ I laugh at myself gently for that, it seems it¡¯s working. Yes, my pity game has yet to be defeated. ¡®oh, just to remind you. I also have intense myopia so if there are any troubling matters in the distance, I¡¯ll leave it to you¡¯ ¡®what! How are you going to be a proper guide if so, I¡¯m too young to die¡¯ carrion laments (with a silly expression while he still looks like he¡¯ll collapse any second) but it¡¯s already too late. We can¡¯t go back until the time limit has been reached, at least with my control over the ring, that¡¯s an undeniable fact. ¡®don¡¯t worry, I learnt the basics of martial arts¡¯ ¡®that¡¯s not strong enough grounds for safety!¡¯ carrion barks. It seems my joke didn¡¯t work. ¡®it¡¯s alright, I know the place like the back of my hand. We¡¯re safe¡¯ not completely (not at all in actuality) but a little lie never hurt anyone. With that, we exercise till our bodies are up to date. Now, heavily breathing and in need of water, we finally embark, on a journey through this other world. It¡¯s time to do my duty as a guide and hopefully score a ten over ten and earn above 5k. It¡¯s sight-seeing time. I take carrion down the hill which centers in a meadow that would easily beat any national park in beauty just when the wind picks up. Carrion stalls as he watches the mystically hypnotic swaying of the multicolored herbs and flowers that toss precious petals in the air.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The grass is to green to be real and the fluttering insects look like jewels shimmering like the crystalline lake that circles it. At least that¡¯s what I see in my immediate vision. Everything past is the most wonderful m¨¦lange of colors I will ever witness in my life. I¡¯ll definitely have to bring Veronica here one day. Definitely. As I think this, I look at a dumbfounded carrion who¡¯s probably going through the sublime effect I always feel gazing at this. A tear suddenly flows down his cheek and he greedily wipes it away. I suppose that happened to me before, or something. This world is after all¡­in every sense of the word¡­beautiful. I suddenly shiver. But it is even more dangerous. Something is resting close to us, and it¡¯s stirring. How did I not sense it before? ¡®um¡­we need to head off¡¯ ¡®uh-okay¡¯ We head away after satiating our thirsts. Oof, safe for now. I wonder how long that¡¯ll last, sigh. More sight-seeing time. On the bare path surrounded by planes of blade like grass (which might actually be as sharp) and darl leaved trees, we bird watch. You¡¯d be a fool to think that in another world, there aren¡¯t weird or augmented wild life and animal life is the same as yours. And yes, I was a fool. Wide eyed, carrion gazes incredulously at the blue feathered bird of prehistoric origin that settles in its nest among said trees. ¡®that¡¯s a ----¡®oh, he¡¯s a nerd, I wonder to myself. I need to pick up on my biology when I head back to school. However, for the sake of my wallet- I mean my customer, I share his enthusiasm and puff up my chest in a nerdy pride. If only I had my glasses to complete the look. ¡®yes, as I said earlier. This world has pre historic and mythical organisms and such¡¯ ¡®well I guess seeing is believing but if that is the case¡­¡¯ ¡®yes, we have velociraptors, griffons and dragons here¡¯ ¡®no¡­¡¯ he seems awestruck. Understandable, my experience is comforting and bewildering. ¡®it¡¯s all possible in this world¡¯ Carrion gulps as the risk of my before mentioned beasts of all nature which are definitely carnivorous sinks in but I who have already witnessed this in dozens of customers, have sufficiently encouraged him. We resume. ¡®so- instead of magic, these people tame beasts with the help of a natural internal energy, what was its name again?¡¯ ¡®Ure¡¯ ¡®okay, and is it possible to use it¡¯ he sounds interested but generally calm and fearful that he¡¯s only a bit giddy and sweaty. Or is that from the large pterodactyl that has been tracing us since a short while ago, Oh- he hasn¡¯t noticed yet. Let¡¯s not alarm him then. Right, I have to answer his question before he gets too spooked by my silence. ¡®yeah¡¯ of course I can use it. Any sane person who went to another world would at least put their hands on some magical aspect or another. ¡®seriously!¡¯ yes you dummy. How do you think I¡¯m keeping the anaconda that¡¯s also been following us at bay? Ah, my heart races just thinking about the number of eyes on us. Hopefully, this isn¡¯t going to be a repeat of the last time¡­ It¡¯s a good thing he hasn¡¯t noticed yet. That we could die any moment from now. ¡®you can use it too you know¡¯ ¡®ahh, how does it feel using it¡¯ hmm, it¡¯s time for a slightly in depth explanation on the power system and quotations from my master who is hopefully close. I stroke my stubble from shaving a few days earlier before speaking¡¯ ¡®Ure, thinking of it like life force, something similar and different to mana, it¡¯s more or less like the soul. Animals and humans use it subconsciously when they perform any action. To tame beasts, one¡¯s Ure must be substantially greater than said beasts.¡¯ ¡®so it¡¯s like spiritual pressure¡¯ he seems to get the gist of it. ¡®so yeah, after you learn to interact your Ure with the external environment, it¡¯s more of less like thinking which thoroughly exhausts you after exertion. In other cases, like in animals, it¡¯s an instinct that requires extremely delicate handling¡¯ Currently, since my Ure is especially dominant after training it, I can successfully ward of the creatures stalking us, all just by thinking¡­ {back away for your own safety} repeatedly. Hopefully, with the special way mine functions, it will be enough till we get to the border of the village. ¡®so can you use it on me or even use it to stimulate your physical potential¡¯ ahh! more nerd talk. But I need to answer anyways. ¡®ahh, no and---¡®every hair on my body stands on its ends as my focus is directed elsewhere. I turn behind us sharply. A disturbance is sourcing from that direction. ¡®what-what is it¡¯ carrion asks but I ignore it as I remember some traumatic incidents as I step aside. Carrion rushes to my side. ¡®what is it¡¯ ¡®velociraptors-two of them¡¯ ah¡­ hopefully we¡¯re not in too deep a pile of other worldly shit. City of Fendal Part II (the city of Fendal) ¡®t-hen why aren¡¯t we running!¡¯ Carrion steps back after declaring shakily. ¡®because, there¡¯s something else¡­¡¯ I squint ahead, where the land seems to rise in a blurry slope. ¡®h-hey. Are you joking or---¡®Carrion is about to ask but he spots a dust cloud from where I¡¯m watching. I can¡¯t see it too well but I know it¡¯s there, and steadily approaching. Hopefully, we don¡¯t encounter a caravan, slave traders are difficult to deal with. ¡®something¡¯s exerting a presence on the environment. Warding everything¡ªoh, it¡¯s just uncle Jim¡¯ I mumble the last part out just as I recognize the disturbance signature but carrion seemingly only hears the earlier parts as he begins to panic. He backs away as the dust clouds thumps closer. His face is contorted in fear, exhaustion, reluctance and others. Hah, so much for setting up a good atmosphere. ¡®if you can¡¯t handle this. You¡¯ll suffocate in front of the serpent god¡¯ I speak to both of us as I begin waving away. Using my Ure like an unreadable megaphone, I send a message¡­ [UNCLE JIM!] Then I wait, my arms steadily quaking. Each breath slowly becomes a struggle as the dust cloud approaches with mildly frightening speed. Speed that no human at least in the main world, can possibly outrun. Live and Aaron, the twin patterned velociraptors I named appear as blurry dots that pull a heavy wagon. Leading them is a man I identify regardless of sight. Jimonora, my other worldly savior. It¡¯s definitely him--- definitely. And yet, I¡¯m still shivering. It seems that ultimately, I can¡¯t withstand the terror of this world. One cut and I¡¯ll bleed out. Poor vision and a few other unsavory issues to deal with. I could easily¡ªEASILY die here. But I always come here. Alone or with a temporary party member with the aid of a ring from god knows where that grants me access to this other world. Either for the sake of money or experiencing something entirely different. Reinforcement successfully applied. Let¡¯s do this! I exhale slowly just as the heavy wagon comes to a hard stop in front of me. Dust and grime spur from the raging winds generated by somehow I¡¯m swerving past them. Hmm, I wonder how I look right now. With my hair blowing and my protecting frame, the only anchor for the witless Carrion. [Is it cool?] I nearly cringe thinking of how Veronica would laugh at me with such thoughts in my head. [Enough ¡ªwork and life are separate ideals. Don¡¯t get them intermixed.] I remind myself. I walk ahead as steadily and as fearlessly as possible using my enhancement training (looking at a picture of my grandmother¡¯s sinister smile) as back up for my steadily depleting courage. ¡®Yo, uncle Jim¡¯ I greet the burly, middle aged man clad in a cloak that fails to hide his frame. Obviously as friendly and officially as possible. After all, he¡¯s someone not only probably older than my ma (who¡¯s 69 this year), but a regarded figure in this world who could easily sunder my existence where I stand. At least that¡¯s by my perception of it. ¡®ahh, Seth¡ªwith his obnoxious clothing. And you brought a friend¡¯ he glances at Carrion unsurprised but pleased as well. [this pathetic loner] I nearly sigh but I withhold myself for now. I chuckle slightly. ¡®need a lift¡¯ ¡®ah yes¡¯ I turn to the shy customer who wattles forth at my nod. Sigh, I¡¯m somehow still alive. I guide Carrion past the curios raptors. Aaron sniffs his butt and Carrion moan wheezes as he nearly faints. A more aggressive Live wants a head butt but my presence between the two suddenly halts them. They snap their head back and glance at me with in bred hostility before settling into their previous positions. Gosh! For fuck¡¯s sake be less irritating you bipedal worms! ¡®your bad Vibes are as creepy as ever¡¯ I turn to Jim a bit annoyed by his familiar¡¯s actions. ¡®you¡¯re the creepy one¡¯ I retort as I get on the carriage of sorts. Carrion joins, taking a seat in between Jim and I. [OH, I expected him to be wary but I guess curiosity wins in the end¡­] I still don¡¯t understand what¡¯s wrong with me. I¡¯m as normal as the next person and yet¡­treacherously, in a world were familiars are man¡¯s best friend, every creature I¡¯ve ever encountered is beyond warry of me. Sigh¡­ Jim shifts and the velociraptors begin to trot steadily, increasing their pace towards the rising ground while the village looms too far for me to actually see but I can tell. From memory and using my Ure. [one kilometer more, gives me more time¡­] ¡®you mentioned something about the serpent god¡­details¡¯ Carrion initially kept his voice low but I gave him the go ahead to speak normally and Jim over hears us. Not like he couldn¡¯t in the first place. ¡®uh¡­ I don¡¯t remember much but I know that it¡¯s a massive titano boa. The region we¡¯re in, which is a few thousand miles wide¡­is apparently believed to---¡® ¡®it¡¯s not a belief, it¡¯s actual fact¡¯ Jim childishly chimes in. As one of the many worshippers of the serpent god, he¡¯s highly protective of his deity. I simply ignore it, relaxed as now Jim will play the role of exposition master. ¡®that what?¡¯ ¡®Ameruse, the legendary descendant of the omega dragons¡­is indeed circling the Deriual region¡¯If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡®fuck¡¯ Carrion instinctively blurts out. Catching some questioning gazed from the raptors and Jim. [I already told him to watch his language!] I want to face palm so hard right now. An oppressive aura seems to have restrained him but it¡¯s all in his head. The curiosity of the people here can stimulate such a phenomenon and it¡¯s not easy to overcome the first time. [Direct contact with Ure] ¡®ahh, is that also something you guys say from where you come from¡¯ ¡®w-what? ¡ªah yes¡¯ Carrion cuts in on himself. The pressure seems to have left him as the sweat clinging to his skin is slowly breezed of. Close call. Carrion, not dissuaded by this, continues on and an eager Jim answers all his questions. The former is wisely not asking as many questions as to make him seem clueless and the latter is on an answer role, portraying himself as an all-knowing saint. This loner¡­ All the while the village city of Fendal looms closer. First, it¡¯s a large zone of surrounded by a fairly large wall made of reinforced earth by the name of gole. It¡¯s looks like normal earth but depending on who funnels Ure into it, it can be as hard as diamond. And the person currently funneling it is sitting with me. It¡¯s also shape changing depending on the instruction giving to it through Ure. All matter is like this but it¡¯s usually more (incredibly) resistant to commands by Ure unlike gole. Only beings by the widely known name of mages come close in using Ure in such a manner. Carrion eyes the city that resembles the stating towns from adventure games with its large size. He gulps. I watch him as we steadily head through the entrance of the gate. All the while Jim and I have been periodically throwing words at each other through the telepathic like skill derived from Ure. [ Jim; your Ure form is expanding Seth: again¡­ seems like¡­ I¡¯m not doing so well too¡­ Jim: control it, otherwise Seth: I know. Misfortune will follow. ] I try and sooth the threatening nausea I hide while we pass through the gate. Recognizing Jim, the loitering guards dressed in leather armor respective of their time arrange themselves accordingly and salute him. Carrion seems to gloss over this fact as the market looms in front of him. It¡¯s huge¡­a mall would never even stand a chance in terms of vibrancy and size. While we pass through on the cobble stone roads that segments the market we receive waves and bows from the common populace---meant for Jim of course. But, compared to Carrions intrigue in all that surrounds him, it is vastly underwhelming sitting with the leader of this city. He stares, then glances away, taking into account the familiars around. One in particular, resembling a salamander but nearly thrice as large fires up the grill of a stall owner as he cooks tender smelling meat that would put earth¡¯s best brood to shame. The aroma nearly kills me and I catch Carrion drooling but he snaps to the side once he sees a crowd of children running playfully after a blue and white feathered eagle that sprinkles snow on the children. ¡®frost eagle¡¯ I cut off carrion and pat him. Control man, control. Jim seems to want to ask a question but a normally taciturn character like him doesn¡¯t even dare. We proceed, seeing all kinds of whacky, strange and awe inspiring creature in the local citadel but this is just the beginning. Of this doomed city. All the while, celebrations for a festival to be celebrated later today are reaching their climax. I finish explaining this to the curious Carrion just as I suddenly want to hurl but I restrain it. Jim sends a wary look to me. [control it, we¡¯ll be there soon] [sure¡­easier said than done] I send back, sighing. All the while something within me is trying to breach out. A curse¡­ The city of Fendal is more or less modernly designed. Past the market places which permeates through the border district (otherwise referred to as the slum by those of higher standing), the houses are usually one-story made of wood in such a way to remind one of a cottage. Around these lands as well are greeneries and small pastures where familiars graze through. These are owned by mostly the pure natives or guards and such. Going through, the wealthier section has two or more story buildings which are well painted and adorned, also bearing a large park and lake where familiars spend their time. The dressing of the people is frankly similar regardless of status but you¡¯ll occasionally meet a warrior with a leather coat with an insignia of the guard branded on them. These are the high ranking ¡®officials¡¯ of sorts. What we would term as nobles reside in this space but don¡¯t fumble your mind with the trope of the wealthy. I¡¯ve met them before at besides their mildly warped thinking that they are to protect the weak, they¡¯re actually chill. I even sparred with one, I tell an excited Carrion but I obviously lost. At this point he already knows Ure can be used to give superhuman like qualities as he¡¯s seen some already. His gaze is still unsteady as he saw a ten-year-old break and carry a tree. It wasn¡¯t so big but it wasn¡¯t so small either. He eyes the obscenely fit men and deadly curly women who could probably kill him bare handed for his ogling but he¡¯s unknowingly seated by the chief. I sigh for the umpteenth time. ¡®and what¡¯s wrong with you¡¯ Carrion finally asks but I shake my head. Every time my limit is reached, I sigh. It helps. even if only slightly. Otherwise that demon from somewhere and that tailed beast would come and kill me. Or worse. The serpent god will¡­ My vision is suddenly blurrier than usual as my arm begins to shake. Crap it--- Jim taps me, I calm down and take a deep breath of the purest air I will ever take in. Carrion looks at me, puzzled. But as I rub my head, I can only wonder when we¡¯ll finally get there. ¡®so¡­um. Where are we headed¡¯ ¡®that¡­um¡­there¡¯ now that we¡¯ve rounded a corner I point straight ahead. towards the green landscape that marks the region of stay for the city head. ''What?!'' somehow he manages not to use the f word. In the great distance ahead lies the lush planes that mark the center of the city. Surrounding it is a gate that sets its own demarcation from the space the common folk and other wise are supposed to live. ¡®it¡¯s big¡­we¡¯re really heading there?¡¯ Carrion turns to me and I simply nod. He looks a little anxious probably seeing my worn out expression but currently, there¡¯s nothing in particular I can do about it. ¡®it looks so but it¡¯s not that far, we¡¯ll be there shortly¡¯ Jimonora declares as he orders the velociraptors forth. In no time, they cross the barely guarded border and we¡¯re soon on the path towards the mansion. The route is surrounded past a lush garden that hold several familiars which move toward Jim as we pass through. As if greeting him, those familiars that can, blow their trunks or caw majestically. It¡¯s a good thing the tailed beast and demon are restrained, for now¡­ Carrion is left in wonder while I¡¯m left in pain. The mansion, which is more modern than anything else in this world was specifically raised for familiars. Boasting its own grand collection of books and records that make up part of the mansion and even below it. It¡¯s also for aesthetic just to give it the look of where the head of a city would live. Or at least someone as capable as himself, Jim is that kind of person. Jimonora¡¯s habit, is collection and breeding of unique familiars around the region, something someone of his standing shouldn¡¯t do but he does it anyway. Due to that, he takes fairly long trips and leaves most of the work to the vice mayor, at least that was the case. However, soon after I arrived, I ended up changing all that. Flashbacks and Return A certain flashback takes me back to when I originally and accidentally stumbled upon this world through the ring: A few months Prior... I woke up in the field of flowers I could only think of as Eden at the time with no recollection as to how exactly I got there. [am I dead? what is this place?] Navigating my way through the enchanting fields, I had, with my presence here, nearly signed my doom... With a slowly enveloping tightness in my chest overwhelming me and a eerie feeling down in my gut, I found the road that led to no where I knew. {run} I begun shivering as the night thickened and the chilly air licked the sky. and suddenly I froze... All I could do was turn my neck from where I had started. Nothing--- A demon...from thin air stared back at me with four eyes ablaze with a red rage that shook my soul. A jaw capable of swallowing me whole slowly expanded while dripping saliva that seared the ground in black smoke. Its four legged serpentine like black furry and scaled body was illuminated by purple flames jutting out from its tail. [run!] On instinct, I pulled away with speed that would have shocked me if I was not desperate to survive. Yet it was futile. My war with a raging panic attack threatening to burst by chest wide open caused me to trip on the ground with speed that would have knocked my out but didn''t. I wanted, tried, begged to scream but the air in my lungs had shut themselves in, my breath nearly ceased I turned to the demon that never slowly approached with an expression that made it look as if it were...laughing. The scraggly sound akin to a jackal that came out only intensified that feeling as it begun to hop. My legs had quit, already perceiving the futility of struggling. Death was inevitable. but why was this happening to me? why? why? WHY? WHY!! I''ll die! I don''t want to die! The creature skipped around me in a steady, slowly reducing circle, seemingly playing with its helpless prey--- then stopped. Stopped laughing or moving as the purple flame around its tail reduced in intensity while my energy and hope had shriveled up to void. It was going to strike. That was my helpless conclusion as it got it position. With stinging, burning tears streaming from my eyes and regret mixed with distaste for my current state, I tried to get ready to die. [Veronica...sorry] that was all I could think of as my life flashed before my eyes, no, it''s eyes. The red haired girl that would forever be the most precious thing to me... ''Abis!'' a command pierced the air, freezing the creature still as it turned to its left. I remained frozen, the bleeding gashes on my knee, elbow and forehead from falling aching with a rising intensity with the sound of feet crunching against the ground. With a low growl it approached the source of the sound while my breathing slowly became less haggard. I looked towards the figure, a cloaked figure that stood unafraid of the devil that would have had me for--- [Wai---what!] The beast had been replaced by a dark bunny like creature than hopped onto the figure''s shoulder. With my poor vision and the obscene darkness, it was like the moon that slowly appeared from the clouds. My savior, yet I could only shiver back at his presence. ''and here I was thinking you were a Calamity Spirit Devil or something worse. you''re a lucky one. If I hadn''t been here your soul might have been devoured. but I guess you could say that it was also my fault'' [soul!] A drowsiness took hold of me at that moment and I fainted not even seconds after.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Later I woke up in the mansion we now approach on foot, experiencing the new world after nearly losing my life and part of my soul. having to deal with check ups that soon afterward that consumed both of our time. ---Carrion''s P.O.V--- Slightly lagging behind Jim and Seth, I take in the wonders of this world. It feels like only yesterday when my friend made me aware of this chance to go to another world. At first, I thought he had been doing drugs. And I don''t mean regular pot or weed...LSD! He claimed to have been guided through a mystical city by a hot blonde chick who''s number and image he''d failed to collect. And so how was I supposed to believe this?... ''well then go see for yourself'' at that moment, I was still thinking as to whether the blonde chick was that hot or not. She had to be to get his mouth running like this...hmm. ''but seriously, are you sure they didn''t drug you!'' ''come on dude! I''m really trying here. they said I should only tell one person about this and I chose you'' ''hmm...'' this made me re think the whole thing, we had been friends for quite a while. Meeting in the first year of high school and going all the way to university together as Otaku brothers. All though we weren''t in the same University even... I myself had heard rumors online and so about a strange phenomenon associated with a ring after that incident occurred in Osaka Japan. Literally shaking the whole world. So I was inclined to believe such a thing was true. I was hopeful even, but I tried not to show it. ''besides, out of my friends, you''re the only one rich enough to pay for it'' ''tsk! if you''re scamming me...!'' But now, I was truly here. witnessing what would be described as plainly fiction with my bare, naked eyes. For an obscene price of 7K and that was with the beginners discount which was 25% So I''ll have to pay that much again if I''m to come back here, sigh. I can only hope I myself will encounter a trans dimensional ring to regularly bring me to this place. Nearly stumbling on a rock tile, I''m back to reality just as we arrive at the fence gate. just then I notice Seth glaring at a location on our right. [what is he---?] Turning to my left, I spot a figure leap from behind the mansion into the sky... Trying to look at it with the sun almost at its zenith would be irritation but for some reason I didn''t notice before, even though the sun is bright, it''s not scorching or that intense. So I can perfectly see it... ''A KYUBI!!'' ''tch! it''s here'' I glance at a scowling Seth. but how can you give such an expression to a creature as beautiful and mystical as this! The white furred, fox like creature stumbles on the ground just for a bit before turning to us. I pay special detail to the deep blue tips on its tails that extend into flames-- ''aren''t there to be nine tails'' I spurt out noticing the thing only has three tails. ''not yet, it hasn''t reached maturity. it''s only 45---a bratty kid...'' Seth explains or complains as he slides into the house with the speedily approaching beast. it seems he''s cowering now...or is he? The bull dog sized beast suddenly leaps onto Jim and snuggles up to him. [I want that too...] ''calm down, I''ve only been gone for half a day'' Jim shifts the eager creature that I soooo desperately want to pet. Jim looks at me as I continuously stare at him. ''want to hold him'' ''yes I would---I mean yes'' I try to control my excitement as I am about to have contact my first familiar (let''s exclude those damn reptiles nd anything else before!) Its more adorable than what I imagined. Jim plants it on me, relieved of his duties. ''don''t worry, when calm the flames won''t hurt you'' ''ah okay'' ''18 more years...'' I hear him murmur with a prolonged sigh as he turns around. What does he mean? The curios creature licks me, sending me sprawling with passion and pleasure. [my dream for so long has finally come to reality. I shall name you Kurama!] While I play with it, the question I''ve forever been asking at the back of my head since we came here becomes more pronounced. [Who is he that he seemingly own several acres of lands and hundreds of familiars and above all, a fabled tailed beast!] I feel like I should know the answer but I''ve been ignoring it...or something. Jim walks to the door and I follow after, ecstatic to wonders I will behold. Does he something else, like a mythical Dragon wonderous slime monster that is the main star in almost all Isekai I''ve read? Or are there other tailed beasts... This is beyond a dream. ''by the way, this thing can grow more than nine tails'' Jim tells me. ''huh!'' it shouldn''t be. that isn''t...or is it? ''I heard you discussing and you maid mention of what Seth has informed me as the belief that it can only grow 9 tails. It can go all the way to 108, having lived over a thousand years by then.'' ''ahh'' he has opened my eyes. So is this thing more powerful then? And with the lapse of creatures which is mythical in one world but alive in another...hmm. I wonder if Seth has thought of this yet. I suddenly notice that Kurama has begun glaring at Seth as we walk towards him. why? I can only wonder for now. anyway, my feet are beyond tired and once we enter the mansion, which is designed in such a way it isn''t different at all from your regular villa (which is really surprising even though I''ve seen similar stuff in books) I''m officially welcomed by Jim into his home. ''by the way Seth. who is this person, some royal something'' ''uh,'' he looks back at me as he takes a rushed seat on a cushion and fetches himself a glass of water from the jar and exhales deeply. All the while, I maintain my distance as it appears Kurama is rather warry with him. I don''t want to get scorched. ''you didn''t notice. he''s the city head'' ''oh...'' I turn to look at Jim who has already disappeared somewhere... interesting... ''he''ll be back soon'' Seth seems to croak out that last part. The city head, I had a sneaking suspicion.