Chapter 8

"!?"

Her eyes widened, and her body, not even clad in armor, trembled violently. Her gaze then shifted away.

"W-What are you talking about?"

"Aum, look at me. Don't run away."

I won't allow you to run. The first step for a *Monster Tamer* is to face their own slave.

Avoiding my gaze is a sign of guilt. I don't blame Aum.

She is 'malignant.' I had criticized Aum harshly earlier, but in truth, she was better off for not having a criminal record.

I became her Master. It's a short-term, unconventional contract, but from that moment on, I am her supporter, ally, and as her Master, I have the duty to make my slave happy. For that, I will use any means necessary.

I chose this. Meeting Aum was just a coincidence, but to me, the contract is more important than life itself.

I spoke in a serious tone. The true value of a *Monster Tamer* is only realized through trust.

"This is so obvious that I should never have to say it, but this will be the first and last time. Aum Nightmare. Since we have made a contract, we are in this together—no matter what, I will always be on Aum's side. Even though it's an unconventional contract, I won't slack off. The relationship between a *Monster Tamer* and a slave is not that of a master and a servant. I have a goal. But aside from that, I will do my best for Aum's happiness, and—"

—be made happy by Aum.

Aum's eyes widened, and she stood there in shock, listening to my words.

This is the consistent philosophy I've held since becoming a *Monster Tamer*.

Indeed, for me, who once aimed for glory, being a *Monster Tamer* was the only path.

But I didn't become a *Monster Tamer* out of compromise.

"That's why I don't fear my own slave."

The fact that I had to say it out loud is proof of my immaturity.

Ideally, this should be conveyed through my attitude alone. Without hesitation, I grabbed Aum's hand, which had frozen in place.

—It was accompanied by a physical shock.

A darker 'emotion' than I had anticipated surged through my body, and for a moment, my heart seemed to stop.

I almost lost my strength. It was almost a miracle that I didn't collapse on the spot. I felt like I was going to vomit. My life force was being drained. I was being pulled towards a stronger soul. Aum let out a small scream a moment later.

"Ah!"

Aum pulled her hand away. I didn't have the energy to stop her.

Races classified as malignant spirits have two major characteristics.

One is the 'Aura of Fear,' which instills a primal terror in anyone who approaches, and the second is—

"Aum... 'Life Drain' is illegal to use on humans."

"A-Ah, b-because, Fil-san suddenly—s-sorry, sorry."

'Life Drain,' which consumes the souls of others. It's a terrifying power that absorbs the life force of the target without mercy.

The effects vary depending on compatibility and race, but in severe cases, it can drain the life out of someone in a few seconds. There are examples of entire towns being wiped out overnight by a single malignant spirit.

The biggest problem is that this terrifying ability is a fundamental skill for them.

Given that they possess two abilities that can harm others, it's not just a matter of bad reputation that they are shunned in human settlements.

In human living areas, Life Drain must be turned off, and the Aura of Fear must be suppressed as much as possible. While the Aura of Fear can be overlooked due to its minimal practical harm, having Life Drain constantly active is fatal.

I almost died in a second. No, I could have died. It was such a ridiculous cause of death.

She really is a hopeless child. Another challenge to overcome.

Breathing heavily, I extended my arms and grabbed Aum.

"!?"

I pulled her close and hugged her tightly.

There was no shock, which meant she had properly turned off the Life Drain.

Aum's body was slender, slightly cool to the touch, and light. She trembled, but I didn't let her go.

Malignant spirits are either solitary or prone to loneliness. Those who haven't adapted to human settlements often crave physical contact.

The most effective thing to do in such situations is to hug them. Physical contact reassures the slave. That's why, in principle, *Monster Tamers* only take on slaves of the opposite sex.

Aum tentatively wrapped her arms around my back.

I am weak. I have no strength or magic, and I can't give her anything, but I can hug her.

"S-Sorry... s-sorry..."

I could hear Aum's sobs by my ear, and cold droplets fell on my neck.

Dangerous, I almost died. But, have I recovered a bit?

I hugged Aum while narrowing my eyes and giving a look to Safari, who was looking at us with a bemused expression.

§

I waited for her to calm down before letting her go. Aum spoke in a penitent tone.

"Sorry. I lied. Actually, I... I've never taken on a D-rank quest before..."

I know.

"Well... if I'm in good form, I think I can take them down, but I probably can't unless I'm in really good form."

Aum's eyes were red and swollen from lying. I was amazed by the pride of malignant spirits.

They always want to show results, even if it means stretching the truth, and they often cry fake tears. They don't consider the harmony of the group.

—But when it comes to it, they are the first to rush in without a second thought.

Yeah, her eyes are red, but her condition seems much better than before. It was worth almost dying.

I continued to check with Aum.

"How good are you with a sword?"

"Yes... I think I'm probably... above average for a general swordsman."

It's a lie. She has a sword and is registered as a swordsman in the guild, but she hasn't obtained the 'Swordsman' class.

In other words, she's at the beginner explorer level, just registered as a swordsman because she has a sword.

"Can you cut through a Model Ant's armor?"

"Well... maybe one in ten times..."

It's a lie. She has killed much weaker magical machines with her sword.

Being a swordsman is laughable.

"Can you use your racial skills?"

"...One in ten times..."

Aum looked away and mumbled. It's a lie.

Aum Nightmare is a thorough liar and a hopeless child.

"Fil, are you okay?"

Safari asked with a scrutinizing look. I'm probably the only explorer who gets worried by a runner.

"I'm fine, Fil-san. Thanks to Fil-san... I feel full of energy now. I'm in the best condition I've been in recently. I can win."

Through the contract's emblem, I could feel Aum's power flowing to me.

But it was just a slight recovery from the lowest point due to mental stability.

Aum's evaluation in my mind is steadily declining. However, I had considered such situations. Even if a *Monster Tamer* is supposed to trust their slave, it's impossible not to prepare for the first quest.

The rank-up reward I obtained in the kingdom—the 'Ring of the Death King'—sold for a high price.

I had to sell it quickly for funds, so the price dropped, but it still fetched about 100 million kir.

With 100 million kir, I wouldn't have to worry about living expenses, and in terms of equipment, I could get a full set of items used by upper-middle-class explorers.

I used the funds to prepare myself, buy maps and monster information of the area, and develop a strategy against the Model Ants.

I didn't buy Aum a weapon because her poor skills would make even a good sword useless.

Why did Aum choose to use a sword in the first place?

The guild shop had a variety of heavy weapons that could destroy the armor of magical machines.

...Well, it's fine. Preconceptions are not good. I'll understand her fighting style by watching her.

I put aside all my doubts and confirmed the most important thing.

"Aum, can you fight?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Good. Then, draw your sword. We're preparing for battle. Let's go for our first battle."

"! Fil, it's the enemy!"

Safari called out sharply a moment later. Metal carapaces were reflecting in the distance.

The radar I bought from the guild was vibrating slightly in my pocket. It detects the electromagnetic waves emitted by some magical machines in the area and alerts you to the approach of enemies. It's not cheap, but with a clumsy slave, ambush countermeasures are essential. We should be outside their territory, but such things do happen.

Aum hastily drew her sword as if she had been startled. I immediately checked her stance.

Good, her center of gravity is much more stable than before. Her hands aren't shaking. The adjustments are working.

Safari continued to report.

"There are two D-rank Model Ants. They're weak, but if we don't take them down quickly, they'll call for reinforcements!"

"Understood. Aum, show me your strength!"

"Y-Yes! I'm going!"

It's okay, there's no fear. The golden-haired succubus ran towards the Model Ants, which were approaching from a few hundred meters away.

"Sure enough, B-rank. A bit faster than expected. She has the strength of a melee combatant..."

Explorers live in a world of disparity. Disparities in jobs, weapons, and—races.

Aum had high potential. Her low posture as she ran was like a gust of golden wind.

I already had the enemy's information in my head. Model Ants. As the name suggests, they are magical machines modeled after ants. D-rank Model Ants, also known as Pawn Ants, are the weakest of the Model Ants.

They are hard and strong, but if you have the strength, you won't lose to them. The reason Pawn Ants are D-rank is that they are inorganic life forms with advanced social behavior, forming groups and acting together.

When a Pawn Ant is in danger, it emits a special distress signal. If you struggle with one or two, they will call for reinforcements in groups of ten, making them a gateway to higher-level explorers.

"Fil, aren't you going to fight?"

"I'm not a combat class..."

Aum crossed paths with the ant. Her large copper sword clashed with the giant metal mandibles of the ant.

Then—a loud metallic sound echoed, and the sword was deflected.

I slightly lowered Aum's evaluation again. It seems the copper sword isn't enough...

The ant stumbled for a moment from Aum's attack but quickly recovered with its strong six legs and swung its mandibles at the stunned Aum.

It looked like the enemy was unharmed. And it wasn't just because it blocked with its mandibles.

Aum barely rolled to avoid the attack. But there were two ants, not one.

Another ant raised its leg where Aum had rolled.

"Hey, isn't that bad..."

"I know! Aum, 'Transparency'!"

I issued my first 'command.'

The contract worked perfectly. Aum's body obeyed my instructions and faded in an instant. The ant's leg swung down where she had been... but it missed. Aum's body was now in a state where it couldn't be physically interfered with.

Aum rolled quickly out of the attack range and stood up. The four compound eyes followed her.

This is one of the powers of a *Monster Tamer*.

*Monster Tamers* can issue commands to their slaves through the emblem. Since slaves are generally stronger than their masters, this ability is rarely used, but it can be helpful for assisting an inexperienced slave.

The 'Transparency' I commanded is a power that malignant spirits, collectively known as spirits, can use to block physical interference with themselves and their possessions.

Aum, who seemed to be in a daze from the sudden activation of her ability, was hit by relentless attacks. Her sharp claws dug into the ground, sending dirt flying.

But the Pawn Ants had no way to attack a transparent spirit. It was a futile effort.

"Aum, attack!"

"! Yes!"

Aum, snapping out of her daze, hastily dodged the attack and readied her sword.

"Safari, are they sending a distress signal?"

"No, they're not. They're probably considered weaklings."

"...Right."

A hollow sound echoed.

She said it would work one in ten times... but it seems she's not in good form today.

Having only a copper sword as equipment is a bit odd when you think about it. She should at least have a shield with a one-handed sword!