Chapter 30: A Beast Without a Tamer

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: A Beast Without a Tamer ???? Previously: After confronting the ghost of his first love and reconciling with his past, Jemil unlocked the seventh bond slot—but before he can choose a new beast, the Tower presents him with a mystery: A beast without a master. And she’s not just alone—she’s feral. ???? Enter: The Garden’s Wild Bloom The party steps through the exit from the Garden of Forgotten Bonds and into a strange expanse—a glade ringed by thorns and vines glowing with raw system energy. In the center of it all stands a lone figure. Barefoot. Wearing tattered silk. Long ivory horns curled delicately behind her pointed ears. Eyes that shift like broken glass. "She’s not... normal," Mira mutters. "She’s not bonded," Aerialra adds. "That’s a raw-core beast. Untethered." Lyra flinches. "She shouldn’t even be alive." [Floor 5 Trial: Integrate the Untamed] [Beast Detected: System Rejection Class – ’Elara’] [Bond Status: Never-Tamed | Danger Level: Fatal] [Taming Option: Forbidden] [Alternative: Earn Willing Submission] ???? Who Is Elara? "She’s beautiful," Ursa whispers. Nyx huffs. "She’s dangerous." "She’s both," Jemil mutters. "Like most of you." He takes a cautious step forward, raising his hands. "Elara," he says, somehow knowing her name. "We’re not here to hurt you." The beast girl tilts her head. Her voice is almost too quiet to hear. "No... You’re here to make me choose." ???? The Wild One’s Past Flashbacks flicker unbidden through the system—visions Jemil doesn’t ask for but is shown anyway. Elara, in chains. Offered to dozens of tamers who tried to force a bond. Her core refused every time. She broke every chain. She never said a word. Until now. "I will never be owned," she hisses, eyes blazing. "Never again." ???? The Trial Begins Suddenly, vines whip out from the thorned edges of the glade, dragging the girls away from Jemil—separating him from his bonded beasts. "Hey! Let go of them!" he shouts. But the system speaks: [Trial Locked: Jemil Must Prove Worth Without Beast Support] [Objective: Win Elara’s Trust—Or Perish By Her Hand] ⚔️ Duel: Soul vs Wild Elara launches at him—graceful and terrifying. He dodges, narrowly avoiding claws that could rend steel. "You want me to submit to your ’system’? Your ’love’?" she spits. "Then earn it. Not with power. With understanding." Jemil breathes hard. "I don’t want to tame you. I want to know you." She hesitates. "That’s what the last one said." "I don’t want your body. Not unless you offer it. Not unless your heart’s in it too." She growls, charging again. He doesn’t fight. He just opens his arms. And lets her hit him. ???? Blood, But No Fear Her claws slash his shoulder. He doesn’t flinch. "You’re allowed to be angry," he says, voice shaking. "I’d be too. But maybe... just maybe... you’re not meant to be alone." Elara’s form shakes. She bares her teeth. But tears mix with the blood on her cheeks. And then, she whispers: "Don’t promise me forever." "I won’t," Jemil says. "I want now." "I’ll give you everything I have." ???? The Unbonded Bond [Beast Submission: Willingly Given] [Class: Wild-Bonded] [Trait Gained: Untethered Rage – Elara cannot be controlled by outside forces, charms, or systems] [Fusion Skill: Thornveil – Summons a shield of living vines and blood thorns around Jemil] [New Beast Acquired: Elara – Feral Type | Hybrid Class] [Harem Slot: 7/7 Filled] The vines release the other girls. Elara walks forward slowly. And for the first time, kneels. Not because she must. But because she chose to. ???? Harem Dynamics: Disrupted The others gather around. Ursa eyes Elara carefully. "So... are you gonna bite me, or...?" Elara raises an eyebrow. "Only if you ask nicely." Nyx coughs. "We already have one edgy loner. I’m not splitting my corner of the bed." Mira steps forward and places a hand on Elara’s shoulder. "Welcome to the team." Lyra just sighs. "We’re full now, aren’t we?" Jemil nods. "Seven beast girls. One tamer. And we’re only halfway through the Tower." "Gods help us," Lyra mutters. "I think he already did," Sylfa whispers. ✅ CTA – The Feral Joins the Family Elara’s arrival signals more than just a new teammate. She represents a new challenge: one that can’t be solved with commands or chemistry. She must be trusted. ???? What do you think of Elara? Is she your new favorite, or is she going to break hearts? ???? Add to Library, tap a Power Stone, and get ready for the floor that breaks minds... Next: Chapter 31 – "The Mirror of Intent" ????