The night sky loomed over Leo, casting a silver glow. He'd never set out to be a hero, but tonight, fate had other plans.
Leo was on his way home after picking up some groceries when he saw a mugging unfold. He didn't know the person being attacked—just a stranger on the street. But seeing the scene brought back old memories, and before he knew it, he was stepping in. In the struggle, he got stabbed, and the thief ran off while the woman, panicking, promised to find help.
Lying on the ground, Leo felt his strength slipping away. That's when he saw headlights—an oncoming truck, speeding toward him. Bathed in moonlight, pain surged through him, then everything went black.
When Leo opened his eyes, he found himself in a vast, jungle-like forest. Trees rose over ten stories tall, and bushes grew as high as three or four meters. He looked around, puzzled and wary.
In front of him, a glowing blue screen flickered to life, with text that blinked in and out:
[SURVIVE!!!]
[This world is full of magical beasts, called Madou, each with unique weaknesses. Discovering these can help you survive..
Be alert—Madou come in all shapes and sizes, from towering giants to small but deadly threats. You might meet other players here, but gatherings attract more Madou, so choose allies carefully.
While basic Madou are less aggressive unless they're canivoures, advanced ones are highly dangerous and guard valuable resources. Don't venture into their territory lightly—these creatures are clever and fiercely protective.
You have access to an auction house where you can trade, chat, or share locations. But remember: trust is rare. Hidden treasures are scattered throughout this world for those daring enough to seek them. Stay sharp; more features will unlock as you explore.]
Leo scanned the ground, noticing huge footprints—each five or six meters across. Whatever had made those tracks was beyond anything he could imagine.
"So, it's a survival game with Madou," he muttered, gripping the only weapon he'd found—a simple wooden stick with a purplish grass, picked up nearby. He gave it a light swing. It felt flimsy, but for now, it was all he had.
He looked around and spotted a small, hidden crevice in the ground. It was about two meters deep, the entrance obscured by thick jungle weeds.
Nearby, he spotted a small crevice hidden beneath thick jungle weeds. It was about two meters deep, offering a bit of shelter. Carefully, he cleared away some roots and peered inside. Finding it empty, he climbed down, hoping it would keep him safe for a while.
In his mind, he thought, 'Status.'
_________________
Player: Leo Turner
Species: Human
Level: 0
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Vitality: 1
Health: 10
Mana: 0
Experience: 0/10
Gear: Violet Grass Wooden Stick
Skills: -
_______________________
Violet Grass Wooden Stick
Grade: F
Durability: 1
This flimsy stick has a flowery scent that drives Lunatic Rabbits wild. Hold it tight; you might attract more than you bargained for!
_________________
Leo frowned at the screen, unimpressed by his "weapon" but unwilling to toss it aside. A messanger icon flashed, leading him to a list of chat channels. He clicked on the World Channel and watched frantic messages scroll past.
"Uh… woke up in a desert with a giant camel watching me. Anyone else here??"
"Same here, but I'm on an island surrounded by giant crabs. They're just… watching me. This isn't some twisted dream, is it??"
"Did I seriously just fall off a cliff into another world?! I'm seeing giant bats flying around. Someone, please respond. I'm losing it here!!!"
"I want to help, but I tried fighting something here and… I think I made it mad. It has three heads and smells terrible! SOS! (ง •̀_•́)ง"
"Freezing in some kind of arctic zone, and this creepy ice slug won't stop following me. Can't feel my toes. Is there some trick to staying warm??"
"Uh, anyone else feels like they just got tossed into a fantasy horror game? One second, I was at home… now, there's a dragon-sized worm burrowing around me. Help?" (x_x)
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"So… no one knows where we are or what's going on, huh?"
"No clue, but whatever that cactus thing is, it just spotted me. Guess I'll try running. Wish me luck!"
"We're all so doomed, aren't we? "
Leo checked his message limit—just five. He knew he had to be careful with them. Judging by the chatter, he realized he was lucky to be in a forest compared to deserts or icy zones.
Switching to the Regional Channel, he skimmed messages from players nearby.
"Everyone calm down! Let's meet up first."
"I agree with you, this place is like a survival game; we need to work together."
"Anyone in a forest? I see giant footprints everywhere and a lot of half-human-sized bugs!"
"Anyone can tell me how to craft a weapon?"
"I got swallowed by a giant lizard, and my body hurts! Please, someone, get me out!"
Most messages were frantic calls for help or warnings. Some voices went silent soon after, either hiding or gone for good. There were no clear tips, only desperate pleas.
With a deep sigh, Leo knew he couldn't stay hidden in this pit forever. Tightening his grip on the stick, he prepared to climb out.
Suddenly, a new message appeared in his mind, different from the others. The words felt like they were burned into his consciousness.
A calm night had turned into something far more intense for Leo. After saving someone from a mugging, he'd ended up wounded and then struck by a truck. Now, he was somewhere entirely unfamiliar—a dense jungle with towering trees and thick underbrush, unlike anything he'd ever seen.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind:
[Scanning player with good karmic value…
Host Found.
Scanning compatibility…
Binding process Started….
Processing… 1%,2%,5%,35%….
100%…
Beast Taming System Binding Complete…]
A surge of energy coursed through Leo, filling him with newfound strength.
[Received I can Become Beast Master package
Automatically opening package…
Congratulations!
You received Madou Cube x1, Iron Long Sword x1, and a Novice Scanner (100-mile radius) x1]
"Beast Taming System?" Leo murmured, a flicker of excitement lighting his eyes. He'd read enough novel to know what this meant—he'd been granted a cheat-like ability. Without wasting time, he focused on bringing up more information about the system.
The Beast Taming System allowed him to tame magical creatures, known as "Madous." Every level-up would bring rewards and more opportunities for survival.
He quickly discarded his flimsy stick and equipped the iron long sword.
____________
Iron Long Sword
Grade: E
Attack: 12
Durability: 15
Forged with reliability in mind, this sturdy blade is a perfect match for beginners. It won't let you down when facing the first trials of the Madou.
_________
He swung it once, impressed by how balanced and sharp it felt in his hand. Satisfied, he turned his attention to the Madou Cube—a small, metallic device with a mysterious gleam.
_________
Madou Cube
Grade: D
How to Use: Throw at any part of the Madou's body. Successful activation upon contact.
Success Rate: 100% for Madous up to 10 levels above Leo's current level; 100% for mutated Madous up to 5 levels above.
Ever wish taming a Madou was as easy as a flick of the wrist? With the Madou Cube, that dream's a reality.
Just one hit and it's captured—no fuss, no delay.
How does it work? Some mysteries are best left unanswered, but rest assured, any Madou claimed this way is bound with unwavering loyalty.
___________
'This cube is my key to survival,' he thought. With a strong Madou by his side, he'd have a powerful ally in this dangerous world. But with only one cube, he had to choose his target wisely.
Using the novice scanner, he took stock of his surroundings within a 100-mile radius. It even marked Madou lairs, which helped him steer clear of danger.
Not far from his location, the scanner revealed a "Lunatic Rabbit" nest. These giant blue rabbits, nearly two meters tall, moved in groups and were known for their speed and aggressiveness. They weren't worth the risk.
However, Leo's attention landed on a swamp area northwest of him. According to the scanner, a powerful creature called the Electric Python resided there. It was level 10, just within the cube's range.
________________
Electric Phyton
Size: Up to 30 meters long, weighing around 1,500 kg
Abilities: Electric-charged scales, strong physical attacks, and the power to discharge lightning from its fangs.
Behavior: Solitary; fiercely protective of its 1,000-meter territory.
____________________
'If I can tame this python, I'll be set,' he thought.
With the python's strength, it could fend off most threats, and since it lived alone, there was less risk of facing multiple enemies.
With the long sword in hand and the cube securely stashed, Leo set off toward the swamp.
The map helped him navigate around several Madou territories, avoiding any unnecessary confrontations.
As he approached, the dense jungle thinned out, replaced by swampy ground and a thick, rotting stench in the air. The quiet was unnerving, but he pressed on, staying focused.
Signs of the python's territory became apparent—massive trails through the mud, hinting at its enormous size. Leo took a deep breath, slowing his steps as he scanned for any movement..
Then, a loud roar shattered the stillness, making the ground tremble. Leo's gaze shot up as the massive, thunder-marked python surged from the swamp. Its scales glistened with an electric charge, coiling around trees as if they were mere twigs, snapping trunks as thick as a man's body.
It was coming straight toward him.
Leo gripped his sword tighter, his pulse racing as he weighed his options. This was his one shot, and he couldn't afford a single misstep.