: Hunt begins

Kaelan and Kuro walked toward the city gates as the sun rose, painting the sky orange and gold.

Kuro trotted beside him, small wings folded neatly on his back, big white eyes watching everything curiously.

The sight of the towering walls made Kaelan nervous, but he took a deep breath and kept walking.

Kaelan thought to himself, "If Kuro really is a dragon that can destroy everything… we can't let anyone know.

Better to call him a lizard companion. Yeah, that's safest. I don't want to fight a whole city trying to kill a baby dragon."

As they approached, two guards in iron armor stepped forward, blocking the path. One of them pointed at Kuro, eyes narrowing. "What type of monster is that?"

Kaelan forced a calm smile. "We came from far away. It's my… lizard companion."

The guard raised an eyebrow, clearly suspicious. "A lizard companion?

May I know the name of this city?"

Kaelan quickly asked, "Yes, please. We've traveled so far that I'm not even sure where we are."

The guard said, "This city is called Eldoria. Where did you come from?" Kaelan answered, trying to sound casual, "We don't live in any city.

My parents raised me deep in the jungle,

so I don't have a hometown." The other guard leaned in. "Then what brings you here?"

Kaelan replied, "Just traveling. I want to see new places… maybe learn about beast companions."

The first guard hesitated, then finally stepped aside. "Alright. You may pass. But behave yourselves."

Kaelan bowed his head slightly. "Thank you."

They stepped through the tall gates into Eldoria. The streets were lively and crowded.

Stalls lined the roads, selling bread, fruit, fabrics, and strange metal tools.

Children ran past, chasing each other, and travelers from different places walked by with animals by their side.

Kaelan whispered to Kuro, "Stay close to me, buddy. Don't let anyone see your fire or wings too clearly."

Kuro looked up at him and nodded with a small chirp. His white eyes sparkled with excitement.

They moved slowly through the busy streets. Kaelan's eyes darted around, watching how people treated other beast companions.

He saw a man with a small fox-like creature with black fur, horns and 3 tails on his shoulder, and a woman leading a horned rabbit by a thin rope.

No one paid them much attention, which made Kaelan breathe a little easier.

But his heart still raced. "I hope they don't look too closely at you, Kuro," he thought. "You're too special to hide forever… but for now, we have to try."

After walking for a while, Kaelan stopped by a fruit vendor. "Excuse me, do you know if there's someone in this city who understands beast companions?"

The vendor scratched his head. "Hmm. Yes, there's a beastmaster named Orin. His shop is near the center, down the main road and then left at the old well."

Kaelan thanked him and gently patted Kuro's head. "Let's go, buddy. Maybe Orin can help us."

As they walked, Kaelan noticed Kuro's eyes kept wandering, staring at colorful cloth, strange foods, and noisy street performers. Kaelan smiled softly.

"First time in a city, huh? Me too, actually."

They finally reached a quieter part of the city.

An old stone building stood there, with a wooden sign that had the picture of a paw and a feather. Kaelan read the worn letters:

"Orin's Beast Shop."

Kaelan took a deep breath. "Okay, Kuro. Let's be careful. Don't breathe fire, okay?"

Kuro blinked and tilted his head. "Papa!"

Kaelan pushed open the wooden door. Inside, it smelled of old wood, dried herbs, and animals.

Cages lined the walls, holding small creatures: glowing mice, tiny birds with bright feathers, and scaly lizards.

Behind the counter stood an old man with a grey beard and kind eyes. "Welcome," he said. "What can I do for you?"

Kaelan stepped closer. "Sir, this is my companion. I want to know more about him… and maybe how to bond better."

Orin looked at Kuro carefully. "Hmm. Interesting little fellow. Doesn't look like anything I've seen before.

What breed did you say he was?" Kaelan hesitated, then forced a smile. "I don't really know. I found him as an egg."

Orin nodded slowly. "Well, bonding comes from trust, care, and time together. Feeding, training, and even playing help.

You seem close already."

Kaelan felt a small relief. "We do train together. But sometimes, I feel like there's something missing."

Orin looked thoughtful. "Maybe there is.

Some bonds awaken hidden powers… but those only come with deep trust. If you two keep working together, you will surely be able to achieve a lot but I can not guide you more than that?"

Kaelan thanked Orin and left the shop. Outside, he knelt beside Kuro. "Hear that, buddy? We just have to keep trying."

Kuro licked Kaelan's cheek, making him laugh softly.

But before they could walk away, Kaelan noticed a group of men in dark cloaks talking near a fountain.

They spoke in hushed voices, but Kaelan caught a few words: "dragon," "prophecy," "hunt."

Kaelan's blood ran cold. "Kuro… let's go."

They slipped away into a narrow alley.

Kaelan's heart pounded. "They're talking about a dragon… Could they mean you?"

System: "Warning: Multiple hunters in the city have accepted a quest to hunt a calamity-class dragon."

Kaelan clenched his fists. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"

System: "Information was only confirmed now."

Kaelan took a shaky breath so I am your source huh. "Alright. We need to stay hidden, Kuro. And we definitely can't let them see your fire or wings."

Kuro looked up at him, sensing his fear. "

Kaelan forced a smile. "It's okay.

We'll figure something out." They decided to stay in a small inn at the edge of the city. The innkeeper, an older woman, raised an

eyebrow at Kuro but didn't ask questions when Kaelan handed her a few silver coins he had found in the forest ruins earlier.

In the small room, Kaelan sat on the bed, holding Kuro close. "I thought coming here would help us… but now I don't know."

System: "Reminder: Quest 'Power Link' still active. Bond must be strengthened to unlock shared power."

Kaelan muttered, "You keep saying that… but how?"

The system stayed silent, leaving Kaelan feeling more frustrated.

He looked at Kuro. "Tomorrow, we'll keep searching. Maybe there's someone else who knows more… or maybe we'll find something in the city library."

Outside the window, the city lights flickered, and the sound of distant voices drifted in. Somewhere out there, hunters were preparing.

Kaelan whispered, "We'll be careful, buddy. Papa won't let them hurt you."

Kuro curled up in his lap, his small body warm and soft. Kaelan felt his eyes grow heavy, but he forced himself to stay awake a little longer, listening to the quiet sounds of Eldoria.

System: "New quest: Survive in Eldoria and find clues about the Power Link before hunters discover Kuro's identity."

Kaelan stared at the message. "This just keeps getting harder, huh?" The chapter ends as Kaelan hugs Kuro tightly, determined to protect him no matter what happens next and thinking about the next day and the horrors waiting for them in the city.