Broken quickly returned to the town and headed straight to the inn where the Shadow Wolves were staying. Inside, several people were already waiting, including Marlene, Subaru, and a few others. He approached them and joined the group, ready to hear the plan Subaru had hinted at in his private message.
“Okay, uhm…” Subaru began with a grin. “So, based on our observations, it seems our target isn’t planning to leave the town just yet. We probably have another day or two, maybe even more.”
“That long?” Broken asked, surprised.
“Yes, but… I think we should split the team up to take turns watching and monitoring while others log out to optimize our online time,” Subaru explained, turning to Broken. “That way, when an emergency hits, everyone can be called and must be ready to log back in for whatever battle might come our way.”
Broken nodded, understanding the plan. “I’ll share my phone number so we can stay in touch outside the game.”
“Yeah, that thing,” Subaru said, looking slightly hesitant as he brought up the idea.
Sharing contact information outside the game wasn’t something that was done lightly. It usually only happened when players truly trusted each other, as it meant they’d be communicating both in and out of the game. After exchanging contact details, some members logged out while others stayed behind to begin their monitoring duties.
Since Marlene was the first to keep watch, and Broken had something specific he wanted to discuss with her, he decided to stay until everyone else had left.
Now, it was just the two of them in the room.
“Is there something you want to talk about, Broken?” Marlene asked.
“Yes,” he said as he sat down near her chair.
He continued, “I have a few questions about beast taming, specifically demon beasts.”
“Interesting,” Marlene replied with a slight smile. “I thought you’d lost interest in that after getting your new toy.”
Broken nodded slightly. “Yes, I thought so too, but I figured, while we’re here…”
“Go ahead,” she encouraged, ready to listen.
“So, what’s the difference between building affinity with a demon beast and forming a contract with them? Can’t beast tamers easily tame multiple beasts at once?”
Marlene leaned back, relaxing a bit before answering. “That’s actually common knowledge in beast taming. While forming a contract with a spirit requires building affinity, the same goes for beasts. However, we Beast Tamers have a more efficient method for doing so.”
“You mean you can build affinity with beasts more easily?” Broken asked.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “It would take too much time if we had to build affinity the standard way, like non-beast tamers do.”
She paused for a moment before continuing. “Here’s how it works: anyone can build affinity with certain beasts, you included. When you build affinity with them, you can create a sort of bond, command them, or interact in other ways, but it’s limited to just that.
“On the other hand, when a Beast Tamer forms a contract with these beasts, they gain access to much more-like storing them inside their private dimensional storage, healing them, buffing them, and so on.”
“Understood,” Broken nodded.
She continued, “And to answer your question about making contracts with more than one beast, the answer is yes. That’s why you’ve seen me with those two shadow wolves.”
“You definitely have more than that, right?” Broken asked.
Marlene smiled faintly. “Are you curious about my demon beasts, Broken?”
“No, not really,” he replied.
Marlene chuckled softly before falling silent for a moment. Then she continued, “I’ll add some information you might find useful.”
“I’m interested to hear it,” Broken said.
“Beast Tamers have limitations on how many beasts they can tame or contract with at the same time, based on various factors-their class, their mana, and other things.
“But for me…” Marlene went on, “Yes, I have quite a few slots, and I can share those slots with others.”
“I’m guessing that’s what you offered me back then, right?” Broken asked.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
“So, if you share a slot with someone else, does that mean you lose access to it permanently?” Broken asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No… of course, there are some limitations,” Marlene explained. “For instance, if the beast dies, the slot returns to me. But yes, with this slot, they can have a special pet storage to keep their beast and summon it when needed. However, they also need to maintain the beast, like providing monster cores and healing it if it gets injured in battle-just like taking care of a pet in the real world.”
Broken nodded slowly, absorbing everything Marlene had explained about Beast Taming. “And what about the beast that will come out of the egg?” he continued.
Marlene responded, “That’s a unique case because a beast hatched from an egg you hatch yourself will usually have specific and unique features tied to its rightful owner. Normally, the affinity between you and the beast will already be stronger, so using beast tamer skills on those hatched creatures can be a bit redundant.”
“Okay,” he nodded. “So, you’re saying I won’t need that kind of slot for the creature that hatches from the egg?”
“Yes, kind of, but it really varies. It depends on many factors like rarity, affinity, the quality of Mana, and everything else. So, that’s about as much as I can tell you for now,” she explained.
Broken tried to conclude that he wouldn’t need the slot for the demon egg, but he would definitely need it if he wanted to form a contract with that skeleton fire horse. And honestly, he was pretty interested in bringing that horse back to Yunatea. The reason? Because the horse was just damn cool!
“So…” Marlene continued, “are you interested in making a trade with me?”
“Please tell me the deal,” Broken replied.
Marlene smiled and nodded. “Initially, I offered you a slot for beast taming, but since you chose something else-more time to spend here, which, as I’m sure you realize, is incredibly valuable—I’m willing to trade differently. You understand how precious time in this place is,
right?”
“That’s for our friendship, right?” he asked with a slight smile.
“Yes… I value our friendship that highly,” Marlene confirmed.
Broken nodded in acknowledgment.
She continued, “But you should also know that a beast slot for a Beast Tamer is extremely
valuable.”
“I understand that,” Broken replied. “If those slots are limited, sharing one with someone else would greatly reduce your own potential.”
Marlene smiled and nodded. “Do you know who the highest-ranking Beast Tamer in
Immortal Legacy is, Broken?”
Broken didn’t keep track of the leaderboard often, so he quickly checked the leaderboard, specifically the Beast Tamer category, and saw the name Jovina on the first ranking. Jovina was an Enchanter and Beast Tamer from the Ass Guild, who also teamed up with Goldrich. “That’s a bit frustrating,” Marlene said, “when a Divine Champion has to settle for second place while someone with an Epic-grade class takes first.”
“You’re competing with Jovina over this?”
“Yes, of course. I need to be number one.”
Broken had been part of a raid boss hunt with Jovina before, and he remembered how she had summoned several massive beasts that were incredibly versatile, covering many roles within the team. He hadn’t realized she was ranked first among Beast Tamers, which only reinforced how extraordinary the members of the Ass Guild were especially if an Epic-grade class user could rival a Gluttony Champion.
“But…” Marlene continued, “I’m still interested in offering this slot to you.”
“It seems like I might have to pay a price I can’t afford for something that valuable, right?”
Marlene chuckled softly. “Not really. The fact that I’m offering it means you have something
worth trading.”
“What do you want in exchange for this?” Broken asked, then quickly added, “But please remember, I won’t join your side because of this, or break any decisions I’ve already made.” Marlene chuckled again, her expression unreadable. “You’re still suspicious of me, huh? Even after all the goodwill I’ve shown you? Do you really see me that badly, Broken?” “Can’t help it, I guess, considering what you and your group have done-going against the laws of the Dissidia Kingdom with your human hunting and everything.” Marlene nodded slowly. “So… all I want is for you to grant me one request.”
“And what would that be?” Broken asked cautiously.