The world had no idea.
Far away from the collapsing kingdoms and dying skies, in the ruins of an ancient dragon temple, a boy with messy black hair stood with a trembling dragon cub at his side… and a power that should not exist.
Kai stared at the glowing text floating in front of him.
He rubbed his eyes.
No way this is real."
But the numbers didn't lie.
His body felt lighter. His senses sharper. His heartbeat steadier.
Just bonding with the dragonling had strengthened him more than every hero in the kingdom combined.
The dragonling pawed at his leg, demanding his attention.
"You're… my bestie now?" Kai asked.
The tiny dragon puffed out a spark of starlight, proud.
Kai laughed a rare sound for him.
"Alright. Then let's survive this together."
The ruins shook again.
Something massive approached.
The First Trial: Voidbreak Beast
Out of the shadows stepped a monster easily twenty meters tall.
A Voidbreak Beast its body made of darkness, its roar capable of shattering minds.
It should have killed Kai instantly.
Instead
Shared Rage Activated
The moment the beast snarled at the dragon cub, something ancient and violent ignited inside Kai.
His pulse turned into thunder.
His vision bled cosmic light.
His strength surged without limit.
His fist shattered the air as he punched the Voidbreak Beast across the ruins, sending the monster screaming through several stone pillars.
Kai blinked.
Did I just one-shot that thing.
The dragonling chirped, as if saying Yes, obviously. Don't be surprised.
But the system wasn't finished.
BESTIE LINK EXPANDED
Because the user protected a bonded companion
Soul Evolution Stage 1 Unlocked
New Skill Gained: Absolute Synchronization
Absolute Synchronization:
You and your besties can combine strength, instincts, memories, and abilities.
Your power becomes each other's power.
There is no upper limit.
Kai stared at the text.
His voice barely a whisper.
"This… is broken."
But the sky above them cracked again this time with a violent boom that echoed across the continent.
Through the fracture, a colossal serpent covered in cosmic flames slithered into the world. Its presence alone made the ground tremble.
A Celestial Calamity Beast.
A creature even gods struggled to kill.
It gazed down at Kai and the dragonling with ancient intelligence and recognition.
"You carry the mark," it hissed telepathically.
"The mark of the Infinite Tamer."
Kai swallowed.
"I was just trying to survive. What's going on?"
The serpent coiled around him, its cosmic aura burning the very air.
"You," it whispered, "are the final key. The one the world relies on. The one who can bind us not with chains, but with loyalty."
The dragonling growled protectively.
Kai took a deep breath.
And made the choice that would change all of Asterion:
"If the world needs me… then fine.
I'll be your Tamer.
But we're doing this my way besties first."
The serpent stared.
Then bowed.
NEW BESTIE ACQUIRED: CELESTIAL PYRE SERPENT.
Effects:
All magic elements unlocked
Cosmic-tier abilities granted
Planetary aura resistance
Strength multiplied infinitely when protecting besties
Unique skill gained: "Dominion of Loyalty"
All beasts willingly submit to the user unless hostile by nature.
The sky trembled as Kai's aura exploded outward a pillar of light that pierced the heavens.
The age of heroes was over.
The age of Taming had begun.
But deep in the void crack above, a silhouette stirred.
A being with eyes like dying stars whispered:
"So the Infinite Tamer has awakened.
Let's see if he can tame the apocalypse.