Kaine was clearly confused. He had indeed met the old man before. Their first encounter happened when Kaine was severely injured after fighting two level 2 monsters at the same time.
The white bearded old man had come and saved him. He killed both monsters as if snapping dry branches from a tree. Effortless.
Kaine turned his head to the side and saw the image of himself lying on a wooden bed. His body was half naked, wrapped in bandages stained red with blood.
"I don't understand what you're saying."
The old man in front of him nodded, his expression showing that he already knew Kaine would be confused. He patted Kaine's shoulder three times, then walked back inside the house.
He and the dragon scaled woman sat together at the dining table, eating.
"I placed all my strength and patience into the talent I inherited to you," he explained, lifting his head to look at Kaine again. "That was the only way to save your life."
Kaine still did not fully understand what the old grandfather was saying. But when he spoke, a flashback appeared before him.
He turned and saw the old man planting something into Kaine's dying body. The young man did not remember that moment. All he remembered was pain.
Kaine stepped closer to the wooden bed. He raised his hand and tried to touch the image of himself, but his hand passed straight through. It was nothing more than a magical holographic projection.
Moments later, golden light radiated from Kaine's body. He watched the old man's necklace enter his chest as if swallowed whole.
The bleeding stopped. His face returned to normal, no longer pale. Yet Kaine remained unconscious on the bed.
"Why?"
"What?" the old grandfather asked from the dining table.
Kaine turned around. "Why did you pass your power to me?"
The old man did not respond immediately. He returned to eating with the woman beside him. He did not answer, which only deepened Kaine's confusion.
"You and I don't know each other. You gave your power to me. You must have a hidden motive!" Kaine said firmly.
"No, Kaine."
The old man set down his food, then turned to face him while standing upright. He walked closer and stood directly before the young man.
"I am old. I cannot control beasts the way I could in my youth."
"I passed this power on so that the beast tamer ability would not vanish with my death," he answered.
The old man raised his hand to chest level and placed it against the center of Kaine's chest. Their eyes locked seriously. The old man had to tilt his head slightly upward to meet Kaine's gaze.
Slowly, the old man's body began to glow. The house faded and crumbled, scattering like dust blown by the wind.
Now only the old man and Kaine stood in the middle of a vast desert under the scorching sun.
"You deserve my power… you are far more worthy."
"There is no one else in this world who has the right to possess this ability besides you."
The old man's hands and body began to fade, transforming into golden light particles that drifted into the sky.
Kaine tried to reach him, but once again, his hand grasped nothing but air. The old man's body was becoming transparent.
"This is my fault for driving your mother away. I should have let her remain in Askaris City."
"Mother?" Kaine asked, even more confused. "What do you mean?"
Moments later, the old man's body disappeared completely, leaving behind his final words.
"You will understand later."
Now Kaine stood alone in the endless desert. His head remained lifted, watching the golden particles vanish into the sky.
Right after the old man was gone, a mysterious panel appeared before him.
[Talent Activated]
[Talent Name: Dominion of Beast Master Overlord]
[Description: Conquer, tame, control, enhance evolution, and absorb the power of beasts]
[Skill 1: Domination of Will]
[Desc: Suppresses the target's will with direct mental pressure.]
[Skill 2: Bloodbound Taming Rite]
[Desc: Forced contract ritual using blood and energy. A weakened target can be bound as a beast with absolute linkage.]
[Skill 3: Absolute Command]
[Desc: Issues an undeniable command to bound beasts. Erases doubt, rebellion, and defiance within control radius.]
[Skill 4: Essence and Skill Assimilation]
[Desc: Absorbs essence, attributes, or skills from dead or sacrificed beasts. Absorbed abilities may strengthen the user or be transferred to another beast.]
[Skill 5: Apex Beast Ascension]
[Desc: Evolves a beast, enhancing all previous skills, unlocking area domination, and suppressing other tamers' connection with their beasts.]
Kaine stood silent. Many panels appeared before him, along with instructions on how to activate each skill.
Six panels in total. Five detailing the skills, their descriptions, and activation methods. One describing the talent itself.
So this is what he meant by inherited power?
All the information flooded into Kaine's mind at once. The overwhelming surge made his head throb painfully, a sharp pulse hammering against both temples.
[Congratulations! Passive Talent Activated]
[Passive: Beast Authority Eyes]
[Desc: Allows viewing of basic beast status and taming percentage]
As the pain struck, Kaine's pupils evolved with a unique pattern, shifting into glowing gold. The change only occurred whenever he activated his passive talent ability.
It did not last long. When the six panels vanished, the pain in his head faded as well.
Strangely, Kaine felt familiar with this talent, even though he had only just obtained it.
He already understood skill combinations, which abilities should not be used recklessly, and which class aligned best with Beast Tamer.
Everything felt as though he had always been an expert in beast taming. He assumed the sense of familiarity came from the old man's power.
It was the most logical explanation.
Suddenly, he awakened again and saw Erin standing before him. Her hand was extended, still gripping Kaine's throat.
Her gaze looked murderous.
"You foolish human!" Erin shouted. "Accept your death!"
Kaine raised his hand. His eyes glowed gold from the activated passive ability.
In front of him, a status panel appeared that only he could see. It displayed Erin's basic status.
[Beast Identified]
[Race: Kitsune]
[Level: 15]
[Bloodline Rank: Noble Rank]
[Condition: Slightly Injured]
[Core Stability: 43%]
[Mental Resistance: Moderate]
[Affinity: Illusion and Flame]
[Master: –]
Kaine read everything calmly, understanding each term. Among them, the most important sections were Core Stability and Mental Resistance.
"Domination of Will activated!"
He spoke the incantation. Mental pressure slammed into Erin's body, forcing her to release her grip on Kaine's throat.
Kaine quickly retreated, watching the fox woman drop to her knees, head lowered to the floor.
"What… did you do?!" Erin shouted.
"You tried to kill me earlier. Now it's my turn!"
"You're going to kill me?!" Erin demanded, still trapped under the pressure.
Kaine shook his head, golden pupils still glowing. He had no intention of killing Erin. Using her would be far more effective for his growth.
He bit the tip of his thumb until it bled, then drew an ancient rune in the air before him. Golden light radiated from his body. His face hardened with focus and seriousness.
"That technique… don't tell me you—"
He cut her off, activating his second skill.
"Bloodbound Taming Rite… activated!"