Chapter 43: Chapter 43: No Risk, No Reward

[I’m in.]

Demos, Gussie, and Lightning don’t look surprised. In fact, Lightning just shakes her head as if I’m crazy, but there’s an affection there too.

[I know it’s foolish, but I can’t stomach the idea of letting Hans take all the risk and deal with his mother. Plus, Lobo needs to be safe, and I owe him. That sounds crazy after the way he attacked me, but I’m convinced a lot of that was Lady Lammermoor. Bad beast, bad tamer.]

[Agreed.] Lightning is openly admiring. [I know Lobo. He can be kind and brave. That woman is always pushing him. And I don’t mean the way people normally train their beasts.]

Demos bares his teeth. [Like he’s her trained circus animal.] This is a sore point for Demos. [Like a sideshow. She seems so nice…]

[That’s all for show.] Lightning’s ears wiggle. [She was all concerned when Lobo bit Blaze, but she didn’t discipline him properly. Just an “I’m sorry” that wasn’t sincere. It wasn’t the first time.]

Demos growls, looking as if he’s trying to spit out something disgusting. [VERY bad tamer.]

Meanwhile, Vedette is trying to persuade Hans. “Our beasts say that they want to help. We can disguise ourselves.”

“But you can’t disguise Blaze or Demos, or even Gussie,” Hans argues. “Don’t be foolish.”

“Blaze thinks he owes Lobo,” Vedette says, not dissuaded in the least. “Lobo saved him because lobo felt badly about what he did. And Lobo was only following your mother’s example in being so mean.”

Hans’ face is dignified. “Trust me, I know all about my mother. And I don’t want any of you near her. I don’t know what she will do.”

“Then you step in and lead your house,” Kaline proposes. “You can. At least until your father gets back. If she’s not acting right, it’s up to you.”

“Listen to her.” Niall is fierce, pumping his fist with vigor. “It’s happened before. House of Van Luewen. The heir, a female, took over because her father was a drunk and a gambler who lost all the tamed beasts in a card game. I believe Scarlette van Luewen was Vedette’s age at the time.”

Vedette gasps. “Our parents said something about that. How do you gamble a tamed beast?”

“Easy, you don’t care about anything but gambling,” Niall comments.

“My mother is not a gambler or drinker,” Hans asserts.

Niall’s eyes are violet steel. “No, but she will do ANYTHING to win. That obsession with winning is as bad as gambling. Because the more she does it, and the more she gets away with it, the more she wants to do it. And she hides behind a mask of perfection.”

Makes sense. I thought Lady Lammermoor was perfect. Like every elf noble in every fantasy story. But she’s not a nice person, after all.

Hans swallows. This has to be horrendous for him. Feeling his feelings through the bond, Lightning lets out a tiny “mrrrp” of anguish. I rub up against her, hating to see her in pain. Also, I need the comfort. I’m sensing Kaline’s sadness for Hans through the bond. I hate to have my Young Miss in pain. Kaline is my best friend, other than Demos, Gussie, and Lightning. Kaline is like a sister.

Hans has to take over. But if we help him, we could be putting Lamant, Minette, and the Riddlehoeven family in danger. Maybe we need some adult help. On the other hand, maybe they’d act all parental and try to handle it themselves, and get other beast tamers involved. Lady Lammermoor would hear about it.

System, can we do this? You gave me the mission.

[A civil war would destroy the beast-taming world. No matter how much everyone dislikes one of the heads of the great beast taming houses, trying to unseat one is usually forbidden.]

So, if Minette and Lamant were involved, what then?

[If Minette and Lamant became involved, they would insist on taking this on themselves, protecting their children. They would enlist allies, namely the heads of other houses. It would become a war. It could destroy the beast taming world.]

Well, we can’t have that. I don’t remember a potential war storyline in the game, but it makes sense that my character would try to solve this problem himself, with the help of my tamer, and a few friends. I mean, my character is the MC. He should always be proactive rather than depending on others to solve the problem.

In my life, I thought that I had all my problems figured out. But I always had someone to turn to. My professors. My parents, even though I would suffer through a stomachache in class rather than admit I was struggling or stressed.

Of course, I have Minette and Lamant, and they are my superiors in this family. I owe respect to them. But I also need to protect them, and our house. It’s a big responsibility for a tiger cub that can’t even talk, but I’m not alone. I have Kaline.

My Young Miss, my best friend, stands tall and proud, with her big brown eyes full of resolve. It’s important to remember that she’s not just a preteen. She’s the daughter of a beast taming house, and that’s why she seems so mature for her age. Duty to something bigger than yourself. Family first. And above all, beasts first. So many people in the human world on Earth talk nonstop about protecting animals, and there are some extraordinary people who walk the walk. But most beast tamers here take it to the next level.

System, does our secret mission have a chance? What is the probability of success?

[No mission is foolproof. There are many unknowns here. You will just have to trust your instincts. That’s what a tamed beast does.]

Huh. That’s a new one from the System.

But hold on, System, beasts have intelligence. Animals are smart.

[Yes, but in a situation like this with two equally dangerous options, you have to trust your instincts. This is not unusual. Even if your mind says it is safer to consult Minette and Lamant.]

Because they’re parental figures. Right now, I do not have parental figures.

[Exactly. Your parents in this game aren’t important to the story. Most beasts in this world accept that their offspring will likely become tamed beasts. It is a badge of honor.]

I’m curious about one thing.

System, how come you never talked to me like this before?

[The System is always here.]

A memory shakes loose.

* * * * *

Damon tells me, with his lopsided grin, “Man, you have to just trust the game.”

“But I’m trying to beat the game.”

“How did I know that?”

His grin is a warm cup of cocoa on a cold day. Somehow, my little bro has become the wise parent. And I listen to him more than I do Mom and Dad sometimes.

“You think you know better than the game,” he continues. “That’s Mom and Dad’s way. Get ahead no matter the cost. Why do you think I’m not in law school?”

“I thought it was because you wanted to be a solopreneur. And Mom and Dad have given us–”

Damon pinches the bridge of his nose. “They’re good people. I’m not putting them down. But seriously, they don’t know you like I do. You put on this Perfect Eldest Son mask. It has to get exhausting. No wonder you like this game. You’re a beast. You can do things you couldn’t get away with in life.”

* * * * *

[BLAZE!]

Demos nudges me, snapping his jaws.

I glare. with no real heat. [Primal Beast, what’s wrong with you?]

{You missed everything!]

I re-focus and see Hans standing tall and powerful, a hero in his homespun clothes. Kaline and Vedette hug him. Niall clasps his hands, and the old halfling is misty-eyed.

“Then it’s settled,” Kaline declares. “We’re doing this.”

“When?” Vedette asks, eager.

“Tonight,” Hans declares. “I have a plan.”

Wait. System, do my friends and I have the stats to do this?

[Name: [Blaze]

[Class: [Novice]

[Race: [Common Tiger]

[Level: 2/10 [XP 54/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 60/100

[Strength: 18

[Defense: 20

[Magic: 19

[Resistance: 12

[Speed: 20

[Charisma: 35

[Luck: 20

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Pounce (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill) [Telepathy(Skill Not Yet Acquired)]

___________

[Name: [Demos]

[Class: [Journeyman]

[Race:

[Common Brown Bear]

[Level: 3/10 [XP 55/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 25

[Defense: 27

[Magic: 24

[Resistance: 18

[Speed: 30

[Charisma: 40

[Luck: 24

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Pounce (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill) [Telepathy(Skill)]

___________

[Name: [Gussie]

[Class: [Novice]

[Race: [Tropical Parrot

[Level: 1/10 [XP 50/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 6

[Defense: 8

[Magic: 6

[Resistance: 5

[Speed: 7

[Charisma: 6

[Luck: 5

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Fly (Attack Skill)] [Speak (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Telepathy(Skill Not Yet Achieved)]

___________

[Name: [Lightning]

[Class: [Journeyman]

[Race: [Common Tiger]

[Level: 3/10 [XP 55/100 STATUS: Full

[HP: 6/6 [MP: 0/0 [Stamina 100/100

[Strength: 26

[Defense: 28

[Magic: 25

[Resistance: 19

[Speed: 31

[Charisma: 42

[Luck: 25

[Skills: [Bite (Attack Skill] [Pounce (Attack Skill)] [Sprint (Skill)] [Camouflage (Skilll) [Escape Power (Skill) [Telepathy(Skill)]

________________

What do you know? My friends and i might have a shot at this. And as long as Kaline and I are together, we can do anything. Unless we get caught!

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