"Because I'm a BeastTamer." Nox saw no reason to hide his class and told her the truth right away. However, Zara was confused, and seeing this, Nox quickly added:
"I know you won't know about it, but my class lies in taming beasts, forging bonds with them, and growing stronger together."
"So how does that..." Zara was about to continue, but her eyes narrowed, an icy gleam dancing in them. Nox felt the temperature plummet.
No, this wasn't his imagination. All the raindrops surrounding them froze at that moment.
"Y-you want me to become your slave!" she growled, her voice evolving into something that sounded like that of a dragon.
However, despite the chill crawling out of her body, there was no sign of discomfort on Nox's features. Instead, he facepalmed and sighed heavily:
"Dammit, why do all of you instinctively think you'll become my slave?"
Even the Ant Queen had said the same thing!
But he couldn't really blame them. If someone showed up at his door wanting to turn him into a pet, he'd be pissed off as well.
However, Nox didn't know any nicer way to go about this. There was another method that required him to beat her into a weakened state and force her to submit, but Nox wasn't that heartless. It would be a big dent in his self-esteem.
So he decided to be straightforward.
Now, he would have to convince her.
Nox dropped his hand from his face, his golden eyes meeting Zara's icy gaze without flinching. The air between them crackled with tension, the frozen raindrops shimmering like suspended diamonds.
"Listen, Zara," he said evenly, his voice calm but firm. "I don't see taming as slavery. I see it as a partnership—an alliance where both sides grow stronger together. I don't force anyone into submission. Beasts who follow me do so willingly."
Zara's frosty aura flared, and the frozen rain began to crack and fall as shards of ice.
"Willingly? You think I'd willingly let myself be leashed like some mindless beast?"
"I don't leash anyone," Nox retorted in a sharp tone. "I offer power, growth, and a chance to surpass your limits. Do you think I'd waste my time on a simple-minded brute? No, Zara. I'm interested in you because of your strength, your potential, and your will. You're no ordinary beast."
'Ah, will I have to bullshit all pets ?'
Her eyes narrowed further, but she didn't interrupt him.
"You misunderstand my intentions," Nox continued. "I don't want to dominate you—I want to fight alongside you. I want to help you complete your evolution requirement and evolve even further. I want you to become the best version of yourself."
Nox paused, then added, "After all, if you'll fight alongside me, I want you to be as strong as you can."
Zara crossed her arms, her gaze softening slightly. She didn't know if he was bluffing or not, but his words... why were they so sincere?
"What would you gain from this?"
"An army..." Nox said as if it was very obvious. "To go against a group of people. But for your own sanity, it's better you don't know."
How was he supposed to tell her that he wanted to gather an army of beasts and go against the patron gods of all classes? She would probably think he was mentally ill.
Zara's expression faltered, her icy aura flickering. She didn't speak, but Nox could see the conflict in her eyes. He pressed on, seizing the opportunity.
"Now back to my question: Why are you here, Zara?" he asked, his voice softening but losing none of its intensity. "What brought you to the human domain? You're far from home, and I doubt it's by choice."
She hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line as she debated whether to reveal the truth.
After a moment, she sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.
"Fine. You want to know why I'm here? My kingdom is in danger."
Nox's expression didn't change, but she could sense his interest deepen.
"Scourge Beasts," Zara continued in a heavy voice. "Creatures of pure chaos that corrupt and devour everything in their path. They've invaded my homeland, and now, a Legendary-tier Scourge Alpha has appeared. Our defenses are failing, and if I don't evolve, my kingdom will fall."
For a moment, silence filled the air.
Nox studied her carefully, his golden eyes unreadable.
A wistful expression appeared on Zara's face as she added, "I'm here to complete my evolution. To grow stronger and return to help my people."
Her gaze became even sharper as she growled, "And I won't allow anyone to sto—"
"How about we make a wager?" Nox suddenly spoke, interrupting Zara's emotional moment.
"A wager?" Zara repeated, confusion flickering in her beautiful eyes.
"Yes," Nox said, his dark eyes gleaming. "If I help you defeat the Scourge Alpha and you succeed in your evolution, you'll let me challenge you. And if I win, you'll become my beast."
Zara stared at Nox with a shocked expression as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard. For a moment, the only sound was the soft patter of the rain.
He would help me? Can he really go against the Alpha Scourge Beast? How strong was he? After hearing all these things, Zara was expecting him to chicken out, yet... yet he wanted to help instead? Where was he getting this confidence from?
Zara knew that to come out on top in the entrance exam, Nox had to be pretty powerful, but to what extent? She didn't really know as she had never fought him before. She was genuinely curious about how he would pull this off.
After thinking for a while, she said in a somewhat skeptical voice:
"Okay, if you help me deal with the Scourge Beasts, not only will I become your pet, I'll also convince the rest of my people to join your army."
Nox smiled. He could see the skepticism in Zara's eyes. He could tell she didn't really believe he could pull it off, but...
"Deal, then," Nox said confidently and shook Zara's icy palm. Zara looked at him with even more intensity. Could he really keep this promise?
Why did he look like someone who had a hidden trump card to defeat the powerful Scourge Beasts?
"So, when are we leaving for your kingdom?" Nox asked a moment later.