Chapter 31 – The Hunt for the Hidden Treasure

Chapter 31 – The Hunt for the Hidden Treasure

(Alden's POV)

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The Beast Taming classroom buzzed with excitement as students prepared for their first practical exercise. Professor Garrick Faelan, with his rugged appearance and piercing blue eyes, stood at the front, exuding an aura of authority.

"Beast Taming is more than just controlling creatures," he lectured. "It is about understanding, forming bonds, and mutual trust."

I leaned back in my seat, resting my chin on my palm, pretending to listen.

Yeah, yeah. Bonding, loyalty, companionship—great stuff.

But let's be real. Most players in the game didn't care about that.

The only reason anyone took Beast Taming was for the possibility of getting an overpowered pet. A living, breathing cheat code that could turn the tides of battle.

And I was no exception.

Because unlike these clueless nobles, I knew something they didn't.

Hidden deep within the Beast Taming Reserve, buried under layers of security and obscurity, was an egg.

Not just any egg—the Nine-Tailed Fox Egg.

In the game, this thing was an impossible-to-obtain collectible, an Easter egg that the developers had thrown in as a joke. A prize no player had ever managed to get.

The protagonist? Never even knew it existed.

But here, in the real world?

It's mine for the taking.

---

The Escape Plan

Professor Garrick clapped his hands, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Alright, we'll begin with a practical exercise. Each of you will pair up with one of the beasts in front of you and attempt to form a contract. Let's see if any of you have the talent to be true tamers."

The moment he finished speaking, students rushed forward, eager to test their luck. Some struggled with mana control, others were nearly bitten by their chosen creatures.

I, however, remained in my seat.

Absolutely zero interest in this waste of time.

"Not even going to try?"

A familiar voice.

I turned slightly, meeting the sharp golden eyes of Alicia von Rosenheim. She stood beside me, arms crossed, her expression dripping with suspicion.

I smirked. "Just observing."

She scoffed, flipping her red hair over her shoulder. "Right. The infamous disowned noble of House Blackwood, getting into S-Class with no known talent, and now, he doesn't even bother trying?"

I shrugged. "Maybe I just don't like performing for an audience."

"Tch." She clicked her tongue but didn't push further.

That was my cue.

While everyone was distracted with their contract attempts, I slowly backed away, heading for the edge of the training grounds.

Time to make my move.

---

Breaking Into the Beast Taming Reserve

The Beast Taming Reserve was a restricted zone—a massive forested area filled with untamed monsters used for upper-year practical exams.

No first-year had any business being here.

But me? I had a cheat to find.

I checked my smartwatch, pulling up the security patrol routes I had copied earlier.

Two guards near the entrance. Rotating shifts every twenty minutes.

Simple enough.

Activating Voidstep, I slipped into my pocket dimension, phasing past the reinforced fence completely undetected.

When I reappeared inside, I grinned.

"Too easy."

Now, time for the real challenge.

---

The Search Begins

The reserve was dense, filled with towering trees, overgrown bushes, and the constant sounds of growls and howls echoing through the foliage.

I moved quickly but cautiously.

Even though this zone only housed C-rank and below creatures, getting careless could still mean death.

According to my game knowledge, the egg was hidden beneath a massive ancient tree with deep purple leaves—the Twilight Elderwood.

After nearly an hour of searching, I finally found it.

A colossal tree stood before me, its shimmering purple foliage casting an eerie glow in the dim forest. Its thick roots coiled around a mound of earth like a guardian serpent.

I exhaled sharply.

"This is it."

Now, all I had to do was dig it out.

Summoning my katana, I let the blade hum with energy.

[You're acting very suspicious.] Kurenai's voice echoed in my mind.

"Yeah, well, I'm about to do something very illegal."

[I'm aware.]

Rolling my eyes, I began using the flat edge of my blade to carefully clear away the dirt.

Minutes passed. Sweat formed on my brow. But then—

I felt it.

Something solid beneath the soil.

Reaching in, I pulled out a large object—

And there it was.

A crimson egg, large enough to fit in both hands, faintly pulsing with an ominous glow. Even without using Appraisal, I could feel the immense power radiating from within.

I grinned.

"Jackpot."

---

Interrupted

Just as I was about to store the egg in my inventory…

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from behind me.

I froze.

Slowly, I turned my head—

And locked eyes with a massive Shadowfang Wolf.

A peak C-rank predator.

Its crimson eyes glowed menacingly, its jet-black fur rippling as it tensed to strike.

"Well, crap."

The beast lunged.

I barely managed to phase through its attack using Voidstep, reappearing a few feet away. The wolf snarled, already preparing its next assault.

Damn it.

Fighting here would alert the guards.

I needed to finish this fast.

Gripping my katana, I exhaled.

Fine.

Let's do this.

The wolf pounced again.

I sidestepped, slashing at its flank. A clean cut, but not deep enough to kill.

The beast roared, its shadowy aura thickening.

It charged, faster than before. I barely blocked, the force sending me skidding backward.

"Alright… you wanna play rough?"

I activated Eclipse Vision.

The world slowed.

Every twitch of the wolf's muscles became predictable. I could see exactly how it would move before it even decided.

When it lunged again, I dodged effortlessly, my blade already in motion.

—Slash!

My katana sliced cleanly through its throat.

The wolf landed, staggered, then collapsed. Blood pooled beneath it.

I exhaled, my hands slightly trembling from the adrenaline.

"That… was too close."

I quickly sheathed my sword and grabbed the egg.

Time to get the hell out of here.

---

Back in the Dorm

After sneaking back into my dorm, I finally let myself relax.

The Nine-Tailed Fox Egg sat on my desk, its glow softer now, yet still radiating power.

I studied it carefully.

In the game, this event never let players hatch it.

But here?

I had no idea what would happen.

A slow smirk formed on my lips.

"Well… guess we're about to find out."