Chapter 61: This Is Something Worth Celebrating!

As Reon watched, the faintest signs of life continued to flicker back into the little white cat's eyes—a delicate glimmer of warmth and wonder replacing the vacant, pain-filled stare it had held before.

The creature's small, labored breaths began to slow, evening out as its sides rose and fell with a new steadiness.

Slowly, the matted fur along its back began to regain a sleek, healthy softness, each wound shrinking under the effect of the healing pill.

It wasn't an immediate transformation—he knew Grade-1 Healing Pills worked at a gentle pace, coaxing the body's natural strength to restore itself over time. But to Reon, the sight was nothing short of miraculous.

A soft warmth stirred in him as he watched the tiny life recover, an echo of feelings he'd long since buried.

Here, in this fragile creature, he found a part of himself he thought was gone forever—a glimmer of hope and tenderness, memories of caring for his first cat, and a reminder of his own will to protect and nurture life, even in its smallest forms.

The cat's eyes opened fully now, wide and curious, meeting his gaze with a look that held gratitude and a hint of innocence.

Reon couldn't help but smile, reaching out to gently pat her head. The cat responded, pressing its head into his hand and shaking slightly under his touch, as if accepting his comfort with its own small gesture of trust.

Nearby, Cloudia had approached, watching the scene with an almost scrutinizing gaze. For a moment, she seemed taken aback, her usually composed expression betraying a hint of jealousy as she eyed the newcomer.

But Reon sensed no malice in her—just an unspoken protectiveness, a feeling of loyalty that ran deep.

Reon turned back to the little cat, feeling an urge to make sure she would never be alone again. "Little one," he murmured, stroking her fur with care. "Do you want to become my Contracted Beast?"

The cat tilted her head, as if considering the question, and then, with a small nod, she met his gaze.

There was an unexpected intelligence in those eyes, as if she understood his words, his offer, and everything it meant. Her nod was delicate but certain.

Excitement and anticipation surged through him as he murmured to himself, "Wait, how is the ritual for contracting a beast done again…?"

However, He remembered from his readings—a Contracted Beast ritual required the owner to give a drop of their Blood Essence, placed on the beast's forehead.

If the beast accepted the contract, it would absorb the essence willingly, but if it rejected, the blood would remain untouched, a silent refusal.

With a careful gentleness, he placed the little cat back down on the ground, his hands steady but his heart pounding.

Taking a deep breath, he bit down on his thumb, feeling the sharp sting as he extracted a single drop of Blood Essence.

The moment the drop left his body, a wave of weakness washed over him. He felt drained, as though he'd given away a part of his core.

He hadn't realized until now just how precious Blood Essence was—each drop vital to a cultivator's strength and vitality, something to be given only in the most important of moments. Yet, he was prepared, for this bond was worth the sacrifice.

He held the shimmering droplet carefully, marveling at its deep crimson hue, its faint luminescence hinting at the life force contained within. This was his offering, his commitment to the creature before him.

Slowly, he placed the drop onto the cat's forehead, right between her ears. The blood glistened for a moment, then seemed to pulse softly, as if testing the bond.

The cat closed her eyes, her small form seeming to draw in the essence, a soft glow emanating from the spot where the blood touched her fur.

As Reon held his breath, he felt a slight pull, a faint connection stretching between them, growing stronger as the cat accepted his offering.

In that instant, he sensed her thoughts—impressions of gratitude, relief, and trust. He realized that they were bound, not just by a ritual, but by a shared understanding, a loyalty he knew he could rely on.

Finally, the glow faded, and the little cat opened her eyes, looking up at him with a renewed sense of strength. The bond between them was complete.

Reon felt it, an unbreakable connection that tied their fates together, a promise to protect, to care for each other.

Suddenly, a familiar chime echoed in Reon's mind as a system notification appeared.

[Ding! The Host has successfully contracted two beasts and awakened the profession "Miraculous Beast Tamer."]

"Miraculous Beast Tamer?" Reon murmured under his breath, his mind racing. "What is this? I've heard of Beast Tamers in the novel, but 'Miraculous Beast Tamer'... this is new to me."

He frowned, trying to recall any mention of such a title. In the world he knew, Beast Tamers were rare cultivators who could form deep bonds with beasts, harnessing their power or commanding them as loyal allies.

But this "Miraculous" title—it sounded different. Almost as if it held a deeper, more profound connection with the beasts, something beyond mere taming.

"Whatever, I've awakened my profession—and it's a rare one at that. This is definitely something worth celebrating."