The creature came into sight. Or rather, it was best to say the two creatures. One of the lizard men I had seen before was riding on the back of a wolf. The wolf was nothing like the wolves from Earth, and it towered over me and Nia as it approached. It looked more like the extinct dire wolf than the average gray wolf, not that size was of any consequence. It was a danger to me regardless, and I found myself shrinking behind Nia as the lizard pulled on the scruff of the wolf, causing it to rise on its hind legs like a horse. Consequently, the lizard breathed fire from its mouth, and the wolf slammed its front paws back on the ground before letting out a menacing snarl.

  I cowered behind Nia. Had I encountered this thing alone, I would have surely died. I was glad to have run into that black market shopkeeper and purchased Nia because outrunning it wasn’t an option.

  “It’s okay, Master,” Nia reassured me as she stepped forward. Nyroc began to glow green as cyclones of wind surrounded him, and Nia gripped the hilt with both hands before bringing Nyroc to her side. She looked like a samurai who was ready to strike a deadly blow. “This is nothing!”

  As if accepting her challenge, the wolf ran at her, reaching her in two enormous strides. Its jaws opened wide, and saliva leaked from its mouth like a starved and ravenous animal. At the same moment, the lizard breathed fire.

  Nia swung Nyroc like a bat, creating a funnel of wind that blew both the wolf and the lizard away. The powerful gust reached even me from behind her, and I watched her in awe as my coat, which she wore, fluttered in the wind.

  Nia didn’t hesitate to follow up, and she ran forward. The cyclone had knocked the lizard off the wolf’s back and sent it into the air, and Nia kicked off the trunk of a tree, flying toward the lizard.

  She spun in the air gracefully like a ballerina as she cleaved the lizard in two. The wolf, recognizing I was easy prey, ran at me, but Nia closed in on it from above.

  “DON’T TOUCH HIM!” She spat as she landed on its broad skull. “HE’S MINE! MINE! MINE!” Ice enveloped Nyroc as she plunged him into the wolf’s skull the moment before it reached me.

  The force of her thrust plunged the wolf to the ground, pinning it down as several pillars of ice protruded from the earth, stabbing the wolf's flank and underbelly. It let out several whimpers and kicks before falling limp.

  I was left in a state of complete shock as Nia walked down the snout of the beast, licking the blood off her hands and wrist.

  Her emerald-green eyes met mine, and the look in them sent a shiver through my entire being. It wasn’t fear; it was something else I failed to comprehend as her purrs sounded in the deathly silence.

  “I-“ I was at a loss for words. Both because of her strength and agility and also because of what she said.

  I’m…hers? My heart raced. Ah, she means I’m her owner. I sighed softly. That makes more sense.

  “I’m impressed,” I finally said.

  That was an understatement. I was ecstatic to have someone as strong as her supporting me. With her, I could grow stronger and achieve the power I sought.

  I will be as strong as her one day. My eyes glowed with determination as I looked up at the starry sky. No. A large grin forced its way across my lips. I’ll be even stronger! I can already see it! My arms spread to either side of me as I closed my eyes and began laughing softly. I will be the strongest!

  “M-Master?” Nia beckoned me with a meow, bringing me back to reality.

  “Er, sorry.” I smiled awkwardly as I scratched my cheek. “I was just daydreaming, is all.”

  “You… looked like the bad guy from the stories I used to read as a kid.” She murmured.

  “D-Did I?” I laughed sheepishly.

  “You did. It was…” her cheeks flushed softly as she looked away. “Hot.”

  “Hm? You seriously have to speak up.”

  “Nyothing!” She exclaimed in embarrassment as her face flushed a bright red. “W-What? Why…are you smiling at me like that?”

  “Am I smiling?” I reached my hand to my mouth to feel that it was, indeed, lifted in a smile. “S-Sorry.” I waved my free hand feebly, doing my best to hide the smile that refused to leave with the other. “You’re just too cute.”

  “Mmph!” Her tail shot straight up, and she quickly did an about-face. “M-Master?” She started nervously. “Tonight…d-do you want to-“

  “What’s this?” I asked as I bent over and grabbed a strange glowing orb. I didn’t mean to cut her off; I just hadn’t heard her, but I did hear her walk up behind me to inspect the orb.

  “Oh!” She placed her hands on my shoulders as she leaned over me. “Master! That’s a Core!”

  “A monster core?”

  “Uh-huh.” She looked at me from where she was leaning over my shoulders. My eyes slowly lurked toward her chest, but they quickly darted back to her. She had a large smile on her face as she continued. “And this one is in perfect condition!” She chirped.

  She talks louder when she gets excited. I smiled softly. I’m glad she’s enjoying herself.

  “Is it?” I asked as I picked it up. I held it up slightly, gazing into the stone as it shone a vibrant red. I saw something swirling within, and a sense of comfort came from its beauty.

  So beautiful. I couldn’t explain it, but it was like I was gazing into a soul, marveling at its beauty and transcendence.

  “….me like that?”

  “Huh?” I was pulled from my thoughts as Nia spoke.

  “Nothing,” she grumbled. “It’s rare to get one in that condition, so it should sell for a good price. We can get a room at an INN for the night.”

  “So it sells pretty good, huh?” I placed a hand over my mouth to hide the smirk that had formed.

  Maybe my luck stat will come in handy here.

  “They do. But… like I said, getting a core in that pristine condition is rare. We should return to-“

  “ONWARDS! TO MONEY!” I stood up abruptly, causing Nia to stagger back.

  “B-But Myaster.”

  KYAAAA! Don’t do that!

  Nia leaned against me and pressed her hand to my chest. “I want to hurry and get a room.”

  “I’m sure you’re tired,” I agreed. For some reason, that made her frown. “But if we can get a few more of these, we could get you some clothes and armor before tackling quests.” I placed the core in my pocket before resting one hand on my hip and the other on my chin. “Plus, it would help us cover a room for me and you so we don’t have to-“

  “No!”

  “Hu-Hey!” I cried out as she grabbed my arm and began to drag me. “N-Nia! Where are you going? We need more! More money! More experience! More levels!”

  “No! We don’t need any more money.” She looked back at me. There was a look in her eyes that turned my blood to ice. It was the look a predator had when it found its prey. “I’m tired. We’re done for tonight. I want to sleep.”

  “But Nia!” I cried as she dragged me through the streets of the town. I was trying to pull away or hinder her advances, but it was all to no avail. She simply overpowered me.

  “No buts!” She hissed.

  “Ni-YA!” I squealed as she reached into my pocket to fish out the core. She quickly slammed it on the counter, and the receptionist for the INN's eyes widened.

  “Just one.”

  “W-Wait!” I tried harder to pull away, using every ounce of strength to break free. “Nia!”

  “Hehe,” she purred as she continued to pull me along. “Me and Master. Me and Master.”

  “WHY ARE YOU JUST STARING? HELP ME!” I begged the receptionist or any of the other adventurers who were in the lobby to help me. They all looked away. “TRAITOR!” I turned my attention to Nia, who chirped happily.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  “Me and Master, nya! Me and Master, nya!”

  Lord, forgive me, for I am about to sin. I happily resigned myself to my fate.

  “Was that a Nekomorian?” Nia froze as the adventurers began to speak.

  “What the hell is a Beastkin doing here, and why was she with that guy?”

  “Didn’t you see the watch? She’s his slave.”

  “Why the hell would he ever want a Beastkin for a slave?” I watched as Nia’s ears drooped, and her tail fell flat to the ground.

  “People….will judge.” The words she spoke when I first met her rang in my ears.

  Was this what she was referring to? Why is it such a big deal? What's the issue with Beastkin? Those questions raced through my mind.

  I was still new to the world, so customs and beliefs were new to me. I hadn’t thought anything of it when she first said it, but it seemed there was an issue with Beastkin. It seemed as though they were hated, but for what reason?

  I wanted to ask Nia, but I saw how deep the words of the others cut into her psyche, so I quickly took the lead.

  “Come on. Let’s go, Nia.” I said as I grabbed the key from her.

  “Master?”

  “I told you before to ignore them,” I grumbled as I unlocked the door to the room. “Didn’t I?”

  “….You did.”

  “Then why are you letting what they say get to you?”

  “…Because they’re right.” She whispered. “I’m a Beastkin, and I shouldn’t be with you.”

  “Nia…” I pat her head. “Don’t say that.” Her eyes met mine, and I quickly averted my gaze. “If anything, I shouldn’t be with you. I’m weak, and you’re not. You deserve someone who can protect you, not someone you need to protect.”

  She had already been captured once. It may have been luck on their part, or maybe she had simply been outnumbered, but the fact still stood that she couldn’t do everything on her own. But I was doing just that. I was leaving everything to her. Having her carry me through quests, protecting me from monsters, I was sure that was a heavy burden to bear.

  “Master…” She abruptly wrapped her arms around me. “Don’t say that! You…you should be with me. I want you to be with me.”

  “If that’s how you feel, then why bother caring about what they said?” My hands held her waist softly. “Why care about others' feelings when you know your own?”

  “Because I’m just a worthless Beastkin, and you’re a Human.” Her hands clasped the back of my shirt tightly. “And I still don’t know if you hate me deep down. Your eyes…they look at me differently than the others. But…what if you aren’t looking at me? What if you’re faking it? What if this is a trick?”

  “Nia…” My heart shattered.

  She was broken and found it hard to trust. I couldn’t blame her after what she told me. Her own family sold her away, so how could she truly trust a stranger who bought her as a slave rather than freed her from it?

  Maybe…I should set her free? I looked at the watch on my wrist. I hated to admit it, but I knew she was only staying with me and acting clingy to conform to what she believed I wanted. She feared upsetting me because I could force her to do what I wanted. So, she did everything she thought she had to do to ensure I never forced her to do anything.

  If I set her free, she would be free to do what she wanted, go where she wanted, and be with who she wanted. She wouldn’t be forced to stay with me by the contract that bound us.

  “Mas…ter?” Her eyes watered as I reached for the watch.

  I removed it from my wrist and gripped it tightly.

  “Do you reckon if I break it, it’ll set you free?” Just as I raised my hand to smash it, Nia, with her feline agility, tackled me to the ground, leaving us in a position I found much too exciting given the circumstances. “Ngh!”

  "Nyo! Please, dyon’t!” Tears streamed down her face as she cried.

  “Nia…I-“

  “What did I do wrong?” She sobbed as she dug her claws into my chest. She was trying to keep me pinned down, fearing I would run away.

  That’s hopeful thinking… If anything, she wants to run away. I looked at the watch in my hand. She just can’t.

  “You didn’t-“

  “I thought you said you’d always be there for me. I don’t want to break the contract.” Her face pressed close to mine, and her scent enveloped me. It wasn’t sweet. She reeked of BO and sweat, but I found that enticing in its own strange way. “I want to stay with you. I don’t want you to leave me.”

  Her words pierced my heart. I had thought breaking the contract would free her, but seeing her pain made me realize that wasn’t the case. Was it because I treated her differently than other Humans? It had to be. She said so herself that I looked at her differently. She had found someone she could speak with without being scorned or looked at with hate. She didn’t want to lose that. I understood her fear and pain.

  In a world that often felt indifferent, making someone feel unwanted was one of the greatest disservices we could offer, so I showed her attention like no one else. I promised her a life of adventure and safety. A life with me. It seemed she was ready to fight tooth and nail to keep that.

  I failed to see why. Why did she want to stay with me so badly? I was a Human, just like she said, so why wouldn’t she just go to her own kind? She could escape whatever suffocating feeling she had being stuck with me in a city of judgmental Humans. I hoped it was love, but I knew it was fear of the unknown.

  Ironic, wasn’t it? People believed they were driven by their desires, but in reality, it was their fears that guided them, and it was Nia’s fear of the unknown that clouded her judgment.

  “Nia, I never meant to hurt you. I just thought… you’d be better off without me.”

  She shook her head fiercely, her tears flying through the air as her ears flattened against her head. “You promised me.” She meowed desperately. “You promised that it would always be me and you. Don’t leave me.”

  My resolve crumbled, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close. “I’m sorry, Nia.” Her purrs vibrated my chest as she nuzzled closer. “I won’t leave you. I promise.” The watch glowed softly in my hand before dying out.

  Notice:

  Nia’s bond with you has deepened. All stats have been increased by 50.

  My eyes widened at the message that appeared in my HUD.

  Bond? Wait, do I…have an affection system?

  Some games had them. It allowed the player to deepen their bond with the other characters in their party, sometimes giving stat increases or bonuses as a result.

  No, that’d be weird. I sighed internally. It probably has to do with the contract between me and her. Regardless of the cause, I was grateful for the stat increase.

  “Come on,” I grunted as I sat up. “Let’s get some sleep. We’re gonna need it for tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Master.”

  With that, we both crawled into bed.

  “Uh…Nia? Wait, you’re right.” What had I been thinking? What kind of man would make the girl sleep on the floor?

  “Master.” She tugged on my sleeve, stopping me from getting off the bed.

  “yEs!”

  DAMNIT!

  “You can…” She lifted the covers over her face. “Sleep on the bed.”

  “No, I can’t.” I sighed as I got up. “It’s weird for a guy and a girl to sleep in the same bed. Especially when they aren’t together.”

  “…ward.”

  “Huh?”

  “Nothing.” She puffed as she turned her back to me. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” I replied.

  I removed my shirt to use it as a pillow before lying down on the cold, hard floor. It wasn’t soon before sleep slowly began to take me, and I prayed that when I woke, I would still be in this world.