Tame

"Cultivation System?" Aldebaran muttered. He was familiar with the term. Back when he still enjoyed reading novels, this kind of trope was everywhere. "Which type is it?"

[Instead of amplifying your own abilities, you can enhance a follower's skills to benefit you in specific situations.]

"Just give me more reliable skills and be done with it!" he demanded impatiently.

[You are a God. Let your followers handle things for you. Your role is to command, not act. That is the essence of being a God.]

The explanation made sense upon reflection. That was the purpose of having followers and a cultivation system—it was all designed to control others. "Alright, so how does this system work?"

[Cultivate one of her skills to the maximum level in a short time. Your divine blessings can elevate even a Prophet to match the strength of the Goddesses using this system.]

"Ah, so that's its function," Aldebaran murmured in his mind, his gaze shifting back to the front.

"Alissa, Orbivians are considered S-tier Mystical Beasts, right?" he asked, leaning slightly to meet her eyes.

Confused, she tilted her head. "S-tier? What's that? But yes, they're one of the highest classes of Mystical Beast. Even humans could tame one with the combined effort of an entire village!"

"Yeah, that's what I meant."

The swirling dust settled. The Orbivians, undeterred, still seemed intent on crushing them. With frightening speed, the four creatures charged together, creating a nightmarish scene that left anyone frozen in fear.

"Damn it! They're so fast!" Aldebaran cursed, struggling to get up alongside Alissa. "Quick! Hide behind a tree!"

Before retreating, Aldebaran cast White Ember toward the Orbivians. Though it didn't produce optimal results, it was enough to disorient them for a moment.

They broke into the dense forest, with Alissa leading the way. Her sharp eyes spotted massive roots jutting from the ground, forming a small hollow that could barely fit them.

"Here, Master!" she called out, diving into the makeshift shelter. Aldebaran followed close behind.

The vibrations beneath them become stronger, each thunderous impact echoing like a specter chasing them.

"You can still cast that beast-taming skill, right?" Aldebaran asked.

Alissa nodded, though hesitation clouded her face. "Yes, but… against Orbivians, it's useless."

"Not anymore!"

His firm and composed tone startled her. Alissa blinked, utterly confused. "What do you mean, Master?"

[Cultivation System: Alissa the Prophet

Choose one skill to cultivate:

1. Beast Pacifist

2. Light Shield

3. Subtle Heal

Which one?]

"Beast Pacifist!" Aldebaran declared without a moment's hesitation.

[Confirmed. Cultivating Beast Pacifist.]

[Completed. Beast Pacifist is now capable of taming high-level Mystical Beasts for 30 seconds.]

"I bestow my blessings upon you!" Aldebaran said, gripping Alissa's shoulders. "That skill has been upgraded. You can now use it to tame them for 30 seconds."

He locked eyes with her. "I'll draw them, and you handle the rest! Are we clear?"

Alissa was so bewildered that she couldn't form a response. She had witnessed and felt his divine authority—there was no room for doubt in her heart. To be entrusted with executing her skills by the man she followed was an incredible honor, and she couldn't afford to mess it up.

"Understood, Master!" she responded with determination.

The moment the words left her lips, the roots surrounding them began to shift, narrowing inexplicably and retreating back into the earth.

"What the hell?" Aldebaran exclaimed, pulling Alissa with him as they scrambled outside. They both froze, wide-eyed, as the tree began to move on its own.

"Are you kidding me? Is it alive?" Aldebaran muttered in disbelief, watching as the trunk bent and its massive branches twisted, aiming toward them.

With its sheer size, a single blow from one of its branches could send them flying.

"I doubt it. It's more like… the tree is being manipulated," Alissa said, her voice edged with unease.

"Watch out!" Aldebaran yelled, lunging to catch Alissa and dragging her to the floor just in time to avoid the swinging branches.

"We need to move!" Aldebaran urged.

As soon as they got to their feet, they bolted in opposite directions, heading toward the source of the roar. However, to their surprise, one of the Orbivians was lying in wait behind a massive tree trunk, ready to strike.

Aldebaran's eyes widened in shock as the creature lunged at them. He reacted, raising his hand to resist the incoming blow. The force was immense, far beyond what he could fully counter, but he managed to slow it down despite the strain overwhelming him.

"Go, Alissa!" he shouted.

Understanding his command, Alissa moved into action. She extended her hand, a faint green glow radiating from her palm. The light flowed outward, reaching and enveloping the Orbivian.

As the magic wrapped around the beast, its rage seemed to subside. Its attacks are sluggish, allowing Aldebaran to ease his telekinetic hold. He stepped back, his breath heavy, watching as the creature's aggressive thrashing slowed to a halt.

The aura clung entirely to the Orbivian, pacifying it. Its erratic movements ceased, and it lowered its head, bowing before them in submission. Aldebaran stood frozen for a moment, astonished. His wish to see an Orbivian up close had come true.

The creature resembled a monkey in shape but was far more muscular. Its face was lizard-like, framed by a thick mane of fur akin to a lion's. Most striking was the single eye from the center of its head. Its hands, larger than its own head and as hard as stone, were designed for crushing anything in its path.

"Let's do it again," Aldebaran said, brimming with confidence. "But this time, against the boss!"

Alissa, still observing the tamed Orbivian, looked up at the beast. Her gaze softened as she raised her hand, hesitating briefly before stretching it toward the creature's face. The Orbivian lowered its head to meet her touch.

"There. Do you remember me?" she murmured, her voice tender.

The Orbivian suddenly stomped the ground, letting out a thunderous roar that forced both of them to cover their ears. Then, without warning, it turned and sprinted away into the forest.

"Let's go, Master!" Alissa called out, her tone full of excitement.

Aldebaran trailed after the blonde woman, following her toward the area where they had first encountered the beasts. The rain, which had once poured relentlessly, had softened into a gentle drizzle.

In there stood four Orbivians. Towering over them, however, was a much larger Orbivian—the leader. Its immense size left no doubt about its dominance over the others.

When Alissa stopped in front of them, the leader stepped forward. Its deliberate steps set Aldebaran on edge.

"Gorian, King of the Orbivians, it's me, Alissa," she announced. "We used to be friends back then."

The massive beast bent down, bringing its enormous face close to hers. Its single eye scrutinized her from head to toe, its breath ruffling her hair with each exhale. After a moment of silence, it opened its mouth to speak.

"What happened to you? Are you not the Prophet?"