First Step
Elior woke to the soft rays of dawn filtering through the broken shutters of their house. The Shadow Wolf lay curled up at the corner of the room, its sleek black fur shimmering faintly in the morning light. Mina was still asleep, her small frame bundled under a tattered blanket.
He sat up, stretching his sore limbs. The events of the previous day replayed in his mind—the awakening, the ridicule, and the capture of his first beast. For the first time in years, he felt a glimmer of purpose.
Turning to the glowing interface that only he could see, Elior accessed the Crafting Menu.
[Crafting Menu: Available Recipes]
Capture Card (Materials: Abyssal Fragment x2, Beast Hide x1)
Basic Enhancement Card (Materials: Abyssal Essence x3)
Elior frowned. "Abyssal Fragments? Where am I supposed to find those?"
A notification pinged, drawing his attention.
[Tip: Materials can be harvested from defeated beasts or traded at designated marketplaces.]
He glanced at the Shadow Wolf, now awake and watching him with glowing red eyes. It tilted its head, sensing his intent.
"Looks like we're going hunting," Elior said.
-----
The Abandoned Quarry
The outskirts of Galdoria held many dangerous places, but the abandoned quarry was infamous for being a breeding ground for low-tier beasts. Its jagged cliffs and shadowy crevices made it the perfect hunting ground for a beginner like Elior.
With the Shadow Wolf by his side, he ventured into the quarry. The air was thick with tension, every sound amplified by the silence.
"Stay close," Elior whispered to the wolf. It growled softly in response, its ears twitching as it scanned the area.
A rustling noise caught their attention. From the shadows emerged three small, insect-like creatures with glowing green eyes and serrated legs.
[Abyssal Scuttlers – Low-Tier Beasts]
Elior gripped his dagger tightly, his heart pounding. "Alright, let's see what we can do."
The Shadow Wolf leapt into action, moving faster than Elior could react. With a swipe of its Shadow Claw, it struck one Scuttler, sending it skittering backward. The other two lunged at the wolf, their sharp legs glinting in the dim light.
"Shadow Wolf, dodge left!" Elior called, his voice instinctive.
The wolf obeyed, narrowly avoiding the attack and countering with another swipe, finishing off a second Scuttler.
The remaining beast turned its attention to Elior, charging with surprising speed. Elior sidestepped, slashing with his dagger. The blade connected, but the creature's tough exoskeleton dulled the impact.
"Shadow Wolf, finish it!" he shouted.
The wolf growled, pouncing and tearing the Scuttler apart with a single bite. As the beast disintegrated into dark mist, small shards of glowing material were left behind.
Elior picked them up, examining them closely.
[Loot Acquired: Abyssal Fragment x3, Beast Hide x2]
His lips curled into a smile. "This is it. These are the materials I need."
-----
Back at home, Elior placed the materials on the floor and opened the Crafting Menu.
[Craft Empty Capture Card?]
Materials Required: Abyssal Fragment x2, Beast Hide x1
Proceed?
He confirmed, and the interface glowed brightly. The materials disintegrated, coalescing into a shimmering card that appeared in his hand.
[Crafting Complete: Empty Capture Card x1]
Mina watched in amazement, sitting cross-legged beside him. "Eli, that's amazing! You can make your own cards now?"
He nodded. "With enough materials, I can craft more capture cards and even enhance the ones I already have."
"What's an enhancement card?" she asked, tilting her head.
Elior opened the menu again, showing her the recipe for the Basic Enhancement Card. "It's a card that can make my captured beasts stronger. But I'll need Abyssal Essence for that."
"Where do you get that?"
"Probably from stronger beasts," Elior said. "But I'll need to get stronger first."
-----
Determined to expand his strength, Elior ventured out the next day, returning to the quarry with the Shadow Wolf. This time, he searched for a new beast to capture.
After hours of exploration, he stumbled upon a Firebird, a small phoenix-like creature with glowing feathers.
[Firebird – Low-Tier Beast]
It screeched, releasing a burst of flames that narrowly missed Elior.
"Shadow Wolf, distract it!" he commanded.
The wolf darted forward, snapping at the bird's wings. The Firebird retaliated, sending a wave of fire that singed the ground. Elior circled around, holding the Empty Capture Card tightly.
As the Firebird faltered under the wolf's relentless attacks, Elior raised the card. The same golden light as before erupted, enveloping the creature. The Firebird screeched one last time before being drawn into the card.
Panting, Elior examined his new acquisition.
[Firebird (Level 1)]
Type: Beast
Skills: Flame Burst, Heat Resistance
A grin spread across his face. "Two beasts. This is just the beginning."
-----
That evening, as Mina played with the summoned Firebird and Shadow Wolf, Elior stared at the glowing interface. The road ahead was daunting, but for the first time in years, he felt a sense of control over his destiny.
He clenched his fist. "If this talent is my only chance, then I'll make it count. I'll capture stronger beasts, craft better cards, and carve out a future for us."
As the moonlight bathed their tiny home, Elior vowed to rise above his circumstances. He didn't just want to survive—he wanted to thrive.
And with the power of the Card Maker, he would.
.
.