First impression

"Whaaaaat?! WTF?! You're already level 23?!" Uncle Shin screamed so loud that birds from three different forests probably relocated. His jaw almost dislocated from the sheer force of his shock.

Lan Tian rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Umm... sorry? It's not my fault. I told you to come with me, but you refused..."

Uncle Shin pointed at him with a trembling finger, his face switching between rage and despair. "But… but how?! How did you reach this level so fast?!"

Lan Tian cleared his throat. "Well... the reason is… I got a profession."

Uncle Shin's eyes bulged like he had just seen a ghost. "WHAT?! You got a profession?! But I clearly remember you REFUSING to select one!"

Lan Tian smirked. "O-okay, okay. Maybe you should check for yourself."

Uncle Shin, still shaking, quickly pulled up Lan Tian's status screen. The next second, his face twisted into something indescribable. It was a mix of shock, admiration, and the deep pain of someone who had just realized they bet on the wrong horse.

"YOU GOT A SUPER HIDDEN PROFESSION? BEAST MASTER?!"

Lan Tian leaned back, stretching his arms lazily. "Okay, okay. Next time, you'll probably level up to 20, Uncle Shin. I think."

Uncle Shin scoffed. "Hmph! You think? I—"

Ding dong!

The sudden chime of the doorbell cut Uncle Shin off. His ears perked up, and his expression softened. "Ah, that must be my daughter." He quickly turned and walked toward the door.

As Uncle Shin left, Lan Tian took a moment to glance around. So this is Uncle Shin's house… It wasn't extravagant, but it wasn't shabby either—just a simple, cozy home.

His thoughts drifted. Damn, I should've brought something for his daughter. It's my first time visiting, after all… But it's too late now. I'm already here.

Lan Tian sighed, mentally preparing himself. I just hope she's not as hot-tempered as her dad…

Lan Tian sat on the couch, still contemplating his life choices, when he suddenly heard a voice from the doorway.

"So, Yunha, you're back," Uncle Shin said, his tone uncharacteristically soft.

"Yes, Dad, I'm back," Yunha replied cheerfully. But then she paused. "Wait… whose shoes are these outside?"

Uncle Shin stiffened. In the lowest voice possible, he muttered, "It's… Lan Tian. He—"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Yunha bolted into the room like a gust of wind. She grabbed Lan Tian's hand with sparkling eyes.

"So you're Lan Tian?! Wow! I can't believe you're actually in our house!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement. "Big Brother! I've always wanted to meet you!"

Lan Tian froze, his brain short-circuiting. What in the—

"You know," Yunha continued, her face glowing with admiration, "my father always talks about you! He says you're an incredible person, super strong, and—"

Before she could spill any more secrets, Uncle Shin sprinted into the room, grabbed her, and clamped a hand over her mouth.

"L-Lan Tian, don't listen to her! She's just a kid! She's talking nonsense!" Uncle Shin stammered, his face turning beet red with embarrassment.

Lan Tian smirked. "Oh? Just nonsense, huh?"

Lan Tian leaned back, watching Uncle Shin desperately trying to regain his composure. I knew it. Uncle Shin acts all tough, but deep down, he's just a big softie. This must be absolute torture for him.

But before he could enjoy Uncle Shin's misery any further, something unexpected happened—

Poof!

Out of nowhere, Sneaky burst out of Lan Tian's Beast Master inventory, flipping through the air dramatically.

Lan Tian's eyes widened. "Oi, get back in there!"

But Sneaky ignored him completely. His eyes were locked onto Yunha like a predator spotting prey.

"Ahem." Lan Tian crossed his arms. "You better not—"

Before he could finish, Sneaky launched himself at Yunha, landing straight into her arms.

Yunha gasped in excitement. "KYAAA! What is this adorable little thing?!"

She instantly hugged Sneaky, rubbing her cheek against his smooth scales. Sneaky let out a blissful sigh, his tail wagging like an overexcited puppy.

Lan Tian's eyebrow twitched. This little traitor...

"He's my contract beast," Lan Tian grumbled.

Yunha's eyes sparkled. "Really? He's sooo cute!" She started playing with Sneaky, twirling him in the air.

Sneaky giggled. Yes, yes, shower me with love, human!

Lan Tian pinched his forehead. "You're supposed to be a terrifying monster, you know that?"

Sneaky stuck out his tongue. "I fear no man, but I do fear a pretty girl."

Lan Tian let out a deep sigh. This idiot…

Meanwhile, Uncle Shin cleared his throat loudly. "Ahem, uh… Lan Tian, you were asking something?"

"Oh yeah," Lan Tian said. "What's her name?"

Before Uncle Shin could answer, Yunha proudly puffed out her chest. "Yunha! Yunha Baek!"

Then, without skipping a beat, she went back to playing with Sneaky, making him 'fly' like an airplane.

Lan Tian watched for a moment, rubbing his chin. Yeah… she's really just a kid.

As the night settled, Lan Tian sat at the dining table with Uncle Shin, finishing up his meal. It was a simple but hearty dinner, the kind that made him feel like he was back home.

Sneaky, on the other hand, was lounging on Yunha's lap, getting belly rubs like some spoiled house cat. His tail wagged lazily as Yunha giggled, scratching under his chin.

Lan Tian put down his chopsticks and stretched. "Alright, Sneaky. It's time to go home."

Sneaky's tail stopped wagging.

Then, in one swift motion, he jumped onto Yunha, wrapping around her like some oversized scarf. "Nope! I'm not going with you!"

Yunha's eyes widened. "Wait, he can talk?!"

Uncle Shin nearly spat out his tea.

Lan Tian sighed. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that."

Yunha's face lit up. "That's so cute! Now he seems even more adorable!" She hugged Sneaky tighter.

Sneaky, looking smug, shot a glance at Lan Tian. Hah, I win.

Lan Tian rubbed his temples. "Alright, enough of this."

Before Sneaky could react, Lan Tian grabbed his tail and yanked him off Yunha.

"NOOOO!" Sneaky wailed, flailing his tiny arms. "Unhand me, you brute! I belong here!"

Lan Tian carried him toward the exit like a misbehaving cat. "Shut up. You're coming with me."

Sneaky clawed at the air dramatically. "YUNHA, SAVE MEEEE!"

Yunha waved cheerfully. "Bye-bye, Sneaky! Come play again!"

Sneaky sniffled, wiping imaginary tears. "Goodbye… my one true happiness…"

Lan Tian scoffed. "You were with her for one evening."

As he dragged Sneaky out of the house, Uncle Shin and Yunha just stood there, watching the scene unfold.

Yunha tilted her head. "Dad, are you sure they're not a comedy duo?"

Uncle Shin sighed. "I wish I could say yes."

Back at Lan Tian's house, he pushed open the door and stretched. "Gramps, did you eat anything?"

From the kitchen, an elderly voice responded, "Oh, Lan Tian, you're back… I was just waiting for you."

Lan Tian blinked. "Waiting? Why?"

Gramps chuckled. "I made your favorite dish."

Lan Tian froze. Crap.

He awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Umm… Gramps… I, uh, already ate with Uncle Shin earlier."

Silence.

Gramps gave him a long, unreadable look before sighing dramatically. "Oh… I see… My grandson is spending time with his friends now, huh?" He wiped an imaginary tear. "It's fine, don't worry about me. I'll just… eat alone…"

Lan Tian felt a wave of guilt. "Gramps, don't be so dramatic!"

Gramps sighed again, making it extra loud for effect.

Lan Tian quickly changed the subject. "Ahem! Anyway, I have someone for you to meet!"

Before Gramps could react, Lan Tian reached into his Beast Master inventory, grabbed Sneaky by the tail, and chucked him toward the old man.

THUD!

Sneaky crashed onto the floor, bounced once, then landed face-first on the dining table.

"Ugh… you damn brat…" Sneaky groaned, his eyes spinning.

Lan Tian grinned. "Gramps, meet Sneaky! My new friend!"

Gramps stared at the dazed white serpent on his table. His face twisted in horror.

Then, to Lan Tian's surprise, Gramps jumped back.

"EW! WHAT KIND OF WEIRD CREATURE IS THAT?!"

Sneaky, still dizzy, lifted his head. "Huh?"

Gramps dramatically pointed at him. "Get it away from me! It looks like a mutant eel!"

Lan Tian was speechless. "Gramps… that's rude."

Sneaky puffed up his chest. "How dare you! I am a majestic serpent! A king!"

Gramps waved him off. "King, my foot! You look like something fished out of a sewer!"

Sneaky gasped. "WHAT?!"

Lan Tian laughed so hard he nearly fell over. "Gramps, you're so different from other people! Everyone else thinks he's cute!"

Gramps scoffed. "CUTE?! This thing looks like it crawled out of a trash can!"

Sneaky clutched his heart. "My pride… my dignity…"

Lan Tian wiped tears from his eyes. "Alright, alright, Gramps, I'll keep him with me."

Gramps crossed his arms. "Good. Just don't let him touch my food. I don't want mutant eel germs in my house."

Sneaky pouted. "I hate it here."