Then suddenly a voice echoed inside Haruto's mind.
[Beast Tamer Activated]
[Now you can tame her]
Haruto immediately looked at Miyuki. She was trembling with fear beside him.
I can't do that, he thought. She saved my life.
[If you don't tame her, then you will die with her.]
Haruto froze.
Shock flashed across his face. How can the system talk? he wondered. He had never heard or known that the system could speak on its own. But this was not the time to question it.
Haruto spoke in his mind.
"Tell me… if I make a contract with her, what will I get? How can I survive?"
The system's voice answered immediately.
[For now, you don't have any time to waste.]
[Your life is in danger now. I will explain it to you later.]
He looked at the bandits standing in front of them.
If I don't do something… they will kill us both.
His jaw tightened.
I can't let her die again.
Taking a long breath, Haruto turned to Miyuki and looked directly into her eyes.
"I know what I'm about to say won't make any sense," he said slowly. "But if I don't do this… we're both going to die."
Miyuki looked at him. Fear filled her voice as she spoke.
"If you can save us… then please."
Haruto looked back at the bandits.
I don't have any other chance.
"Then let's make a contract," he said quietly. "I will tame you."
For a moment, Miyuki froze.
Haruto understood what that meant. No one would want to be tamed.
But after a second, Miyuki slowly nodded her head.
That meant yes.
Haruto began the taming process. But suddenly he hesitated.
Before, he had only tamed animals or small beasts. Miyuki was a demi-human. He didn't know how to tame her.
So he asked the system.
[To tame her, you must put your hand on her chest.]
Haruto's face instantly turned red.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked in disbelief.
[It means you must place your hand on her chest. Then I will continue the taming process.]
Haruto clenched his teeth.
"We don't have any other option right now."
[Correct. There is no other option.]
Haruto's hand trembled.
But this time, it was not hesitation.
This was life or death.
Haruto took a long breath.
"I'm sorry, Miyuki," he said quietly.
Before he could hesitate any longer, he placed his hand on her chest.
Miyuki's face instantly turned red. Her ears shot straight up, and even her tail stiffened behind her. Her body trembled slightly, but she did not push his hand away.
Haruto looked at her with guilt in his eyes.
"Please forgive me," he said softly. "After this, whatever you say, I will do. Please don't stop me. I won't do anything wrong to you… believe me."
At that moment, the system's voice echoed again inside his mind.
[Now the contract is going to start.]
Not far away, the bandits watched the scene unfold.
For a moment they stared in confusion.
Then they burst into loud laughter.
One of them pointed toward Haruto and Miyuki.
"Boss, look at them!" he shouted.
The bandit leader grinned mockingly.
"That demi-human can't even wait for the night," he said with a sneer. "That's why she's doing it here."
He looked at Haruto and laughed even louder.
"And look at that fool. He's doing it right in front of us."
Another bandit stepped forward, laughing with the others.
"Boss, I think before dying, he just wanted to do it once," he said.
The group of bandits roared with laughter, mocking the scene in front of them, completely unaware of what was truly happening.
Haruto's hand slowly began to glow with a faint blue color. The light was soft at first, but it gradually grew brighter.
A few seconds later, a strange symbol began to form on Miyuki's chest. The glowing mark slowly appeared, shining faintly against her skin.
At that moment, the system's voice echoed inside Haruto's mind.
Now your contact with the Demi-human is almost complete.
[There are two options you have]
[First, ask her if she wants it or not.]
[Second, you can proceed directly without asking.]
[That is your choice.]
Haruto looked at her again, his eyes searching hers.
"You want to contract with me?" he asked softly.
"I want," Miyuki whispered, nodding slightly.
[You tame a Demi-human girl.]
At the same moment, the same symbol appeared on Haruto's right hand, glowing brightly, marking the beginning of the contract.
[Level up]
[You level up]
[Level up]x3
Haruto felt a surge of strength coursing through him, stronger than ever before. It wasn't just his body—it was as if his mind had sharpened too. A soothing warmth spread through him, and he realized he had gained something new, something powerful.
Then the system's voice echoed clearly in his mind.
[You have gained new skills.]
[Taming Bond]
[Demi-human Detection]
[Shared Vitality]
[Summon Ally]
Haruto's eyes widened. Each skill pulsed with potential, hinting at how much more he could do now. The world around him suddenly felt more alive, more dangerous—and yet, he felt ready to face it.