The Shop and the New Path Ahead

Chapter 2: The Shop and the New Path Ahead

---

Kai stood there, his mind still trying to process everything that had just happened. In a matter of moments, his entire life had shifted from the mundane to something extraordinary. He was no longer just a boy in a strange new world, but now a Beast Tamer, and his first beast—Selene—had transformed into a human form with abilities far beyond anything he could have imagined.

"Selene... So, you're really my first beast now?" Kai muttered, half to himself.

Selene, now in her humanoid form, nodded. Her long purple hair cascaded down her back, and her ethereal beauty only seemed to grow with each passing second. Her eyes, a brilliant shade of purple, looked at Kai with an almost knowing expression, as if she understood him more than he understood himself.

"I am your companion, Master. I exist to serve and support you," Selene replied, her voice calm and melodic. "You awakened me, and I will help you walk this path."

Kai nodded, though part of him still couldn't fully grasp the situation. The beast he had awakened wasn't just any ordinary beast—it was a powerful, ancient creature with a bloodline tied to something beyond his understanding.

"Right," Kai said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. "Now that we're both here... we need to get to work."

As the old man had passed away the year before, Kai was now the sole proprietor of the small beast clinic. It wasn't much—just a humble shop where people brought their injured beasts for treatment or cultivation—but it was his responsibility now.

Selene followed him silently as he began to clean up the shop, gathering herbs, organizing the shelves, and preparing the clinic for another busy day. Kai had always been good at running the clinic, but now he had an added responsibility: he wasn't just looking after beasts anymore—he had his own to care for.

While Kai worked, he couldn't help but notice that Selene seemed to be more than just a normal beast. She was observant, moving around the shop with grace, organizing things in a way that made it seem as though she had always belonged there. Despite her beauty and humanoid form, there was no doubt that she was still powerful.

"Selene, is there anything you can do to help me with the shop?" Kai asked, still working but glancing over at her.

Selene looked at him for a moment before nodding. "I can assist you in ways that will improve both the shop and our future. I have access to my bloodline abilities, and I can also help with healing beasts, cultivating them, and supporting your work here."

"Good. That's exactly what we need right now," Kai said, feeling a bit more reassured.

The next few hours passed quickly. Selene helped him clean up and prepare the clinic for the day's customers. But as the evening drew near, Kai found himself sitting at the counter, staring at the small egg that had been given to him long ago—a gift from his sister, Luna.

He had lied to her, telling her he had awakened, but in truth, it was only now, with Selene's arrival, that his awakening had truly come to life.

"I wonder how Luna is doing," Kai murmured softly.

Selene, noticing his change in demeanor, turned to him. "Your sister is on her own path now, Master. You should be proud of her. She is strong."

Kai smiled softly at her words. "I am proud of her. She's always been strong, even when she thought she wasn't."

Luna's departure for the capital city had been bittersweet. He knew she would excel, and her future was bright, but it left him alone in the city. The thought of her continued training, of her future as a beast tamer, made Kai feel both proud and lonely. He wanted her to succeed, but a part of him wished she could have stayed by his side.

Before Kai could dwell further on his thoughts, a knock on the door interrupted him.

"Welcome!" he called out, brushing his thoughts away as he straightened up.

A young man walked in, leading a small, injured beast behind him. The creature was a lizard-like beast with bright scales, but it was limping, and one of its legs seemed to be broken.

"Hello, I've heard this is the place to bring injured beasts. I was hoping you could help," the young man said, looking at Kai with hope in his eyes.

Kai nodded. "Of course, come right in. We'll take care of your friend."

The man thanked him, and Kai motioned for Selene to help him with the beast. She knelt beside the lizard-like creature and began to assess its injuries. Her eyes glowed softly as she laid her hands on the beast's broken leg, her magical energy flowing into it, slowly healing the damage.

Kai watched, impressed by Selene's skill. He had only just learned about her true capabilities, but the way she effortlessly healed the beast was beyond anything he could have hoped for.

As Selene finished healing the creature, Kai spoke to the young man. "Your beast will be fine now. It will need some rest, but it should heal up quickly. Don't worry."

"Thank you so much!" The young man looked relieved, paying for the treatment with a few gold coins.

As the customer left, Kai found himself smiling. His life was far from perfect, but it was starting to feel like it had a purpose again. With Selene at his side, he could accomplish more than he ever thought possible.

But as the day came to a close, Kai realized that this was just the beginning. He had a shop to run, a sister to support, and a beast with limitless potential.

The world outside was vast, and the journey ahead would be full of challenges, but Kai was ready. He had Selene, and together, they would take on whatever came their way.

---

End of Chapter 2

---

Kai - Status Display

Name: Kai

Rank: C

Race: Human

Age: 17

Spiritual Core: Awakening (Tamer Core)

Status: Healthy

Attributes:

Physical Strength: 100

Vitality: 120

Magic Power: 250

Spiritual Energy: 200

Speed: 120

Endurance: 110

Focus: A+

Wisdom: B+

Taming Skill: S+

Healing Skill: B

Combat Skill: C

Resourcefulness: A

---

Selene - Status Display

Name: Selene

Rank: Ex

Race: Spider (Human Form)

Age: 17 (Appears Human, Actual Age: Unknown)

Spiritual Core: Awakening (Lunar Spider Core)

Status: Healthy

Attributes:

Physical Strength: 150

Vitality: 180

Magic Power: 350

Spiritual Energy: 300

Speed: 150

Endurance: 130

Lunar Webbing (Bloodline Skill): Creates and controls webs infused with moonlight energy.

Healing (Bloodline Skill): Provides healing abilities to both humans and beasts.

Venom Mastery: Ability to create venomous substances used for healing, combat, or immobilizing enemies.

Moonlit Fury: Enhances physical and magical attacks under the moonlight.

Human Transformation: Allows Selene to assume a fully human appearance with no loss in strength or abilities.

---