Chapter 222: Improved Comprehension [Beastmaster] [Rank: Uncommon] [Proficiency: 0%] [Details: You are able to form contracts with beasts and store them in your beast taming space—a pocket dimension that provides comfort and sustenance. You are only able to contract one beast at a time. Successful contraction depends on power differential and the potential of the beast in question.] Moon activated the skill for the first time. Instantly, he felt a connection trying to form between himself and Mirage. Like an invisible thread reaching out to link their existences together. The sensation was strange and surprisingly intimate. He could feel the skill’s structure: an offered bond, a proposed partnership that required mutual acceptance to solidify. "Accept it, buddy," Moon said softly, rubbing Mirage’s mane gently. Mirage didn’t need to be told twice. The nightmare’s acceptance came immediately. The moment both sides confirmed their consent, the bond was created successfully. Moon gasped slightly as the contract completed. He could suddenly understand Mirage better—not through words or explicit communication, but through some sort of shared sensation and emotion. He could feel what Mirage felt: contentment, happiness, satisfaction from spending time together, affection toward his rider, pleasure from the attention and care he received. It was like gaining a sixth sense dedicated entirely to his companion’s emotional and physical state. And along with that sense came a system notification: [Mirage] [Level: 25] [Rank: A] [Details: A young steed from a common bloodline of horses known for their exceptional beauty, athleticism, and loyalty. Has evolved to possess aquatic adaptations including fin-like tail structure and vestigial gills through a mysterious evolution.] ’Wow... I can see detailed information about Mirage now,’ Moon thought, fascinated by the additional data the contract provided. ’That’s incredibly useful. I can monitor his condition, track his growth, understand his capabilities at a glance.’ The bond went both ways, Moon realized. Mirage could feel his emotions too—his satisfaction, his approval, his care for his companion’s wellbeing. The white horse huffed softly, pressing his head against Moon’s chest in a gesture of affection and trust. Moon smiled, scratching behind Mirage’s ears. "Haha," They’d been companions before, partners through shared struggle and survival. But now they were bonded—connected by a contract that transcended simple rider and mount, creating something deeper. Moon checked his task list: [Kill fifty level 25 creatures classified at S-rank power level alone. 3/50] [Copy and comprehend 5 Uncommon/Rare or higher ranked skills. 5/5] ✓ [Gain a Legendary Rank Skill. 0/1] With his Calmness skill mastered, the requirement was officially completed. One requirement down. Two to go. Moon felt confident now. With his new skills that he had gained in the past day, Moon felt ready. Ready to hunt the remaining forty-seven S-rank creatures. Ready to somehow acquire a Legendary skill—though he still had no clear path to that particular goal. Ready to evolve and discover what class the system would grant him when he finally became an Evolver. Instead of loitering around next to the inn where curious onlookers might observe, Moon led Mirage to the stables—a more private location where only mounts were housed and fewer eyes would be watching their activities. Inside the dim, animal-scented interior of the stables, Moon decided to experiment for the first time with his beast taming space. He focused his will on the concept the [Beastmaster] skill had implanted in his understanding: a pocket dimension designed to house contracted beasts, providing them comfort and sustenance while keeping them safe and accessible. Moon willed for Mirage to enter the space. And just like that... he vanished. One moment, Mirage stood before him. The next moment, nothing. Empty air filling where his companion had been standing. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞 But Mirage hadn’t truly disappeared. Moon could feel him. The bond they’d formed through the contract created a persistent awareness of his companion’s location and state, and now that awareness had changed to an entirely new sensation. The beast taming space somehow existed in his mind—or perhaps more accurately, existed in a dimensional pocket anchored to his consciousness. It was a strange feeling, difficult to describe in conventional terms. Not physical, not quite mental either, but something in between. And Mirage was there, residing comfortably in that space. Through their bond, Moon could sense his companion’s contentment. The pocket dimension wasn’t cramped or uncomfortable—it felt spacious, peaceful, almost like a safe refuge where Mirage could rest without concern. After a few moments of experiencing this novel sensation, Moon willed for Mirage to exit. Reality rippled, and suddenly his horse stood before him again, appearing in the exact spot he’d vanished from as if he’d never left. Mirage shook his mane slightly, adapting to the transition between spaces, but otherwise seemed completely unbothered by the experience. "Nice," Moon muttered with satisfaction. "This will be really useful when the time to evolve comes." The beast taming space solved that problem of entering Second Sanctuary alongside Mirage elegantly. Mirage could remain safely contained during the transition, then be released once Moon had established himself in the new realm. Moon made a mental note: once he returned to Earth, he needed to research exactly how beast tamers handled the evolution process with their bonded companions. There were probably specific protocols or requirements he should know about to ensure a smooth transition even if he had a vague idea about it. For now, though, Moon decided to keep Mirage in the physical stables rather than the taming space. Multiple people had seen him entering the stable with his magnificent white horse. If those same observers saw him exiting without Mirage, also the fact that Mirage wasn’t in the stable, would raise questions. Suspicious questions about where the beast had gone, what kind of ability Moon possessed to make creatures disappear, whether he had spatial storage capabilities beyond a simple storage ring. There was no need to expose his capabilities unnecessarily. Moon knew that a day would eventually come when his "Classless" designation would be revealed—when circumstances forced him to demonstrate abilities that didn’t align with any known class archetype. That revelation was probably inevitable. But for now, he was satisfied keeping that particular card hidden. If his unusual status got exposed at some point, Moon wasn’t going to be afraid or ashamed. He’d deal with the consequences as they arose. But he wasn’t going to reveal his ace cards through his own carelessness, unless doing so served him a greater purpose or provided concrete benefits that outweighed the strategic advantage of secrecy. Information control was power, after all. Moon gave Mirage a final affectionate pat, ensuring his companion was settled comfortably in the stable, then turned to leave. As he walked back toward the inn, he checked his [Beastmaster] skill proficiency out of curiosity: [Beastmaster] [Rank: Uncommon] [Proficiency: 21%] [Details: You are able to form contracts with beasts and store them in your beast taming space—a pocket dimension that provides comfort and sustenance. You are only able to contract one beast at a time. Successful contraction depends on power differential and the potential of the beast in question. +20% Success Rate] Staring at the proficiency percentage, Moon felt the same familiar shock at his accelerated learning rate. Twenty-one percent. Already. Moon had used the skill a few times already, trying to improve its proficiency. Yet, he was already one fifth of the way into mastering the skill. *** Support has been amazing! (Doesn’t affect Chapter price or length) Current Rank: Top 11 Updated Goals: Top 15 GT (Monthly - End of month) = 5 Chapter Mass Release (in progress) Top 10 GT (Monthly - End of Month) = 10 Chapter Mass Release (in progress) Top 10 will be hard since there is many old monsters there, but with current support i’m sure we can hit it if we keep it up. You guys have been amazing, hopefully the Chapters have been to your liking.