The next morning, just as the first rays of sunlight kissed the rooftops of Rivor City, Leon quietly left the house.
With his hands tucked into his pockets and a determined look in his eyes, he made his way through the slowly awakening streets. The scent of fresh bread from bakeries and the chatter of early vendors filled the air—but none of it distracted him.
He had one goal today: earn money.
The Beastmaster Association loomed ahead. It was a familiar place, but this time Leon wasn't there for beast eggs. He stepped through the doors with a quiet resolve.
Inside the Beastmaster Association, the atmosphere was quiet but gradually picking up pace.
A few early risers milled about—some checking notices, others chatting in low voices. The wide hall, usually bustling by midday, was still mostly empty. Sunlight streamed in through the tall glass windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor.
Leon stepped forward, his boots echoing softly as he approached the large task board mounted on the wall.
His eyes scanned the rows of parchment notices tacked to the board. Courier jobs, gathering requests, beast subjugation tasks, and escort missions—there were dozens of options, each with its own reward and danger level.
"The tasks were graded from one to five stars, each rating reflecting a different level of difficulty.
Leon cast a glance at the one-star task list. The more difficult ones didn't even cross his mind.
Task: Slay 10 Fluffy Bunnies and return with their pelts.
Reward: 100 Copper Coins
Task: Slay 20 Forest Vipers and return with their venomous galls.
Reward: 400 Copper Coins
Task: Gather Moonlight Grass, a common herb used in basic healing ointments.
Reward: 10 Copper Coins per plant
Task: Collect Fine Iron Ore, a basic material used in forging quality weapons and armor.
Reward: 5 Copper Coins per ore
----------
----------
Task: Miss Nyla of House Wolvenhart seeks a skilled sparring partner to match her prowess.
Reward: Negotiable
A heavy sigh escaped Leon's lips as his gaze lingered over the list. The tasks promised little reward for the time they demanded — a meager price for endless effort.
As Leon pondered which task to choose, a brisk-footed worker from the association approached, unfurling a fresh parchment and pinning a new task onto the three-star board.
Leon's eyes briefly scanned the notice.
Task: Spirit Beast Treatment
Objective: Cure the ailment afflicting Mr. Dennis's Thunder Lion.
Requirements: Skilled Beast Doctor
Reward: Negotiable
Leon instinctively moved to shake his head, already feeling the dull ache of frustration building.
But then, a thought flickered across his mind like a spark catching dry kindling.
Wait… the Beast Codex.
If the Codex can see their strengths… could it also see their weaknesses? Their illnesses?
His heart began to race. Healing and diagnosing ailments—those were services beastmasters paid handsomely for. Most healers couldn't even understand contracted beasts without a special bond or years of study. If he could offer that?
That was money. Respect. Maybe even advancement.
"I need to test this," he muttered under his breath, a determined glint lighting his eyes.
Without wasting a second, Leon turned on his heel and dashed out of the task hall. His boots thudded against the stone path, drawing glances from a few early risers as he weaved through the streets. His thoughts raced faster than his feet.
If this works... if I can really do it…
The Beast Clinic wasn't far—just a few blocks away, nestled between an apothecary and a forge that always smelled of hot metal. Its wooden sign, marked with a pawprint and leaf, creaked as it swung in the morning breeze.
Leon didn't enter the clinic. Instead, he positioned himself casually near the stone bench just outside the entrance, pretending to examine the nearby notice board. His eyes, however, flicked toward the wooden doors every few seconds.
If I can really see disease details like I see beast stats… then I just need a sick beast to test it on.
Minutes passed. A few beastmasters walked by, some with their companions trotting at their side, healthy and full of spirit. Leon's gaze remained fixed.
Then—finally—he saw it.
A middle-aged man walked toward the clinic, his brows furrowed in worry. Beside him padded a pale-furred spirit wolf, its posture low and movements sluggish, as if each step drained its strength.
Leon focused.
The Codex stirred to life in his mind, golden text shimmering into view only he could see.
Name: Barkhide Lizard
Level: Advanced Silver
Status: Parasitic Infestation – Stage III
Cause: Long-term exposure to tainted swamp essence; infestation by spirit-draining leeches
Symptoms: Sluggish movements, dulling of spiritual aura, periodic violent spasms
Recommended Treatment:
Moonshade Purge Elixir – A rare alchemical tonic that expels spiritual parasites from the meridian pathways.
Azureleaf Brew – A concentrated herbal decoction to restore vitality and cleanse blood impurities.
Essence-Infused Spirit Water – Replenishes lost spiritual energy and accelerates internal healing.
Seven-Point Meridian Acupuncture – A precise needle technique to flush out remaining parasite essence and restore beast's energy flow.
Leon's eyes widened as he stared at the Beast Codex's treatment list.
"What are these?" he muttered under his breath. "I've only heard about Azureleaf Brew and Spirit Water…"
His gaze moved back to the unfamiliar terms.
Moonshade Purge Elixir. Seven-Point Meridian Acupuncture.
"Elixir? Isn't that just a fancy potion or something?" he frowned. "And acupuncture… sounds painful already."
He rubbed his chin, curiosity growing.
"Wait, I've never even seen these in normal clinics. Are they even real?" He paused, then chuckled softly. "Guess the Beast Codex isn't holding back anymore. I should probably find someone who knows what all this means."
Leon narrowed his eyes, focusing on the unfamiliar name: Moonshade Purge Elixir.
"Let's see what this thing is made of..." he murmured, concentrating on the name in his thoughts.
Suddenly, the Beast Codex reacted.
A soft glow shimmered from the pages, and new lines of text began to etch themselves into view—like ink being drawn by an invisible hand.
Moonshade Purge Elixir
Grade: Advanced
Effect: Cleanses internal parasites, purifies blood, and strengthens vitality.
Ingredients:
– Moonshade Flower Petals (x3)
– Crushed Iceheart Berry (x1)
– Ground Flame Basilisk Scale (x1)
– Spirit Dew (x2 drops)
– Base: Refined Spirit Water
Preparation Method:
Brew petals and berries under a low spirit flame for half an hour. Add scale powder, then infuse Spirit Dew at the final stage. Must be consumed within three hours of preparation.
Leon blinked in amazement. "It even gives the recipe?"
He clenched his fists in excitement.
"If I can get these ingredients… maybe I really can become a healer too."
After studying the elixir recipe, Leon shifted his focus to the next treatment—Acupuncture Therapy. Concentrating hard, he called up the details in his mind.
The Codex responded once again, projecting a delicate, glowing diagram of a beast's muscular and meridian system. Tiny points along the limbs and torso pulsed softly, highlighting where needles should be carefully inserted.
Seven-Point Meridian Acupuncture:
Effect: Stimulates healing by unblocking spiritual energy flow, relieves pain, and accelerates recovery from injuries and ailments.
Required Tools: Fine spirit needles forged from silver and infused with calming herbs.
Procedure:
Locate and pierce the precise meridian points. Must be performed with steady hands and calm mind. Incorrect insertion may cause pain or worsen condition.
Leon ran his fingers through the air, imagining the steady hands required to perform such delicate work.
"It's like... precision magic," he muttered. "I'm going to need practice for this."
He felt a strange thrill—the idea of healing not just by potions but by touch, by skill, was something new, something powerful.
Leon stood near the clinic entrance, the glowing Codex image of acupuncture points still vivid in his mind. The knowledge was tantalizing—power to heal, to mend not just wounds but spirit and flesh alike. But the stern warning echoed louder than the allure: Only certified Beast Healers with a doctor's certificate may practice.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No shortcuts," he muttered. "If I want to heal, I'll have to do it the right way."
Looking around, he spotted the notice board beside the clinic's door, cluttered with various announcements and certifications. He strode over, eyes scanning the papers until a freshly printed flyer caught his attention.
"Beast Healer Certification Exam – Next Date: Two Weeks from Today – Apply at the Beastmaster Association Office."
Leon's heart quickened. Two weeks. It wasn't much time, but it was something.
He folded the flyer carefully and headed straight for the Beastmaster Association office, weaving through the growing crowd.
Inside, the receptionist looked up, giving him a curious smile.
"I'm here to apply for the Beast Healer Certification Exam," Leon said confidently, placing the flyer on the counter.
The receptionist nodded, pulling out a form. "You'll need to pass both a theory test on beast anatomy and healing methods, plus a practical evaluation with a certified healer. The fees are..."
Leon waved away the details. "I'll manage. Where do I start?"
She handed him the application form along with a thick manual titled Advanced Beast Healing and Therapeutics.
Leon's eyes flicked over the thick manual in his hands, and a groan escaped him. Aah... Do I really have to study all this? he thought, the weight of the pages pressing down like a mountain. I've got the Beast Codex to guide me. Why bother with these dusty old books?
But deep down, he knew it wasn't that simple. The Codex showed the how, but these books held the why—the deeper understanding that could make the difference between a healer and a mere fixer.
Still, the thought of diving into all that made him hesitate.
Leon sighed, then shook his head with a reluctant smile.
"Let it be. Guess I've got no choice—time to buckle down and study."