SWNOVELXO Chapter 2: Taming the Wild
Walking through the vast green fields, Max couldn't help but talk to himself, his thoughts spilling out into the open. "Alright, Max, you've got a fresh start. A new world, new opportunities… but what the heck do I even do now?" He sighed, kicking a small rock as he trudged along. "Do I find a village? Look for people? Or maybe I should just explore and see where this road takes me."
He glanced around at the endless stretch of grass. The cool breeze brushed past him, carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers. "It's peaceful here. Way too peaceful," he said, chuckling nervously. "Bet there's some crazy stuff lurking around here somewhere. I mean, it can't all be sunshine and rainbows, right?"
As he walked, a dark line on the horizon came into view. "Is that… a forest?" Max squinted. "Yeah, that's definitely a forest. Well, guess that's my next stop."
He reached the edge of the forest and paused, staring at the dense trees that loomed over him. The sunlight barely filtered through the thick canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. "Okay, Max, here we go," he said, stepping inside. "No turning back now."
The air was cooler in the forest, and the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls filled the silence. Max's thoughts turned inward as he navigated the winding paths. "So, what do I even want to do here?" he muttered. "Do I build a house? Tame some beasts? Maybe I'll find some rare treasure or… I don't know, become some kind of legendary adventurer." He grinned at the thought. "Yeah, that's got a nice ring to it: Max Young, legendary Beast Tamer."
He laughed to himself but quickly stopped as he heard a faint noise. His eyes darted around, scanning the trees. "What was that?" he whispered, his body tensing. The noise came again, a soft rustling high above him. Slowly, he tilted his head up and froze.
Perched among the branches were creatures unlike anything he had ever seen. They resembled monkeys but had vibrant green fur that shimmered slightly in the dappled light. Each of them had two long, purple tails that swayed lazily, and their violet eyes seemed to glow with an otherworldly intelligence.
"Holy crap," Max breathed. "What are those things?" He took a cautious step back, his heart racing. "Are they dangerous? Friendly? They look kinda… cool, though. Not like the monkeys back home, that's for sure."
As he stared, one of the creatures tilted its head, its eyes locking onto his. For a moment, they seemed to study each other, and Max couldn't help but smile nervously. "Alright, let's see what you're all about," he said, raising his hand. "Skill: Appraisal."
A glowing screen appeared in front of him, displaying detailed information about the creature:
Name: Forest Tail Monkey
Type: Beast
Level: 3
Health Points (HP): 90
Magic Points (MP): 50
Skills:
Tree Leap: Jumps between trees with incredible speed and agility.
Vine Snare: Uses nearby vines to trap or slow enemies.
Keen Eyesight: Can spot movement from great distances.
Description: A monkey-like beast native to enchanted forests. Known for its intelligence and playful nature, but will defend its territory fiercely if provoked.
Max read the screen carefully, his curiosity growing with each word. "So, you're a Forest Tail Monkey, huh?" he said, glancing back at the creature. "Level 3… not too scary. And those skills sound pretty handy. Vine Snare? That could be trouble." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Man, I wonder if I could tame one of these guys. That would be awesome."
The monkey tilted its head again, as if it understood him. Max couldn't help but laugh. "You're smarter than you look, aren't you?" he said. "Alright, little guy, let's see if we can be friends. Or at least, not enemies."
With a deep breath, Max took a cautious step forward, his excitement bubbling beneath his nerves. "Let's see what this new world has in store," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Max slowly approached the monkey-like beasts, keeping his movements calm and his voice steady. "Hey there, little guys," he said softly, smiling. "I'm not here to hurt you. Just passing through, alright?" His voice was gentle, laced with curiosity and a touch of nervousness.
One of the monkeys, however, suddenly let out a loud screech. Its violet eyes burned with anger as it leaped around erratically, its twin purple tails whipping through the air. "Whoa, whoa, calm down!" Max exclaimed, stepping back. "I didn't mean to—"
Before he could finish, the monkey activated its Vine Snare skill. Vines shot out from the nearby trees, twisting and writhing as they lunged toward Max. His eyes widened in shock. "Oh, crap! What do I do?" he muttered, his heart racing. Then, an idea struck him.
"Skill: Savage Leap!" he shouted.
In an instant, Max propelled himself high into the air, the vines snapping at empty space beneath him. He twisted mid-air, landing a few feet away with a wide grin on his face. "Haha, take that!" he said to himself, brushing off his pants. "Savage Leap for the win! Man, that skill is awesome."
Regaining his composure, Max activated another skill. "Skill: Beast Observation," he said, focusing his gaze on the monkeys. A glowing screen appeared, detailing their stats and abilities.
"Forest Tail Monkey," Max read aloud. "Level 3… vine skills, keen eyesight… yeah, I definitely want one of these guys on my team." He grinned, his excitement growing. "You guys are amazing. Let's see if we can make this work."
But before he could plan his next move, Max decided to take the offensive. "Skill: Tornado Summon!" he shouted, extending his hand.
A swirling vortex of wind materialized in the forest, tearing through trees and vegetation. The monkeys screeched as they were sucked into the tornado, spinning wildly in its powerful currents. "That should keep you busy for a bit," Max said, smirking. But he wasn't done yet.
"Skill: Thunder Clap!" he yelled, clapping his hands together with force. A burst of electricity erupted in all directions, striking several of the monkeys as they were flung out of the tornado. Some of them hit the ground with a thud, their bodies crackling faintly with static.
Max approached one of the monkeys cautiously, its green fur slightly singed and its violet eyes dim with exhaustion. "Alright, buddy," Max said softly, kneeling down. "Let's see if we can… make this right."
He activated Animal Handling, his voice calm and soothing as he spoke to the creature. "Hey there, I'm not going to hurt you," he said gently. "I'm here to help. Let me fix you up, alright?"
Reaching into his bag, Max pulled out a healing potion and uncorked it. "Here, drink this," he said, holding it to the monkey's mouth. The creature hesitated for a moment but then drank the potion. Within seconds, its wounds began to heal, and it slowly got to its feet.
Max stepped back cautiously, his heart pounding. "Easy now," he said, holding up his hands. The monkey stared at him, its violet eyes sharp and calculating. For a moment, Max thought it might attack.
Then, he activated his unique skill. "Skill: Beast Whisperer," he said, focusing on the monkey. A strange connection formed between them, and he heard the creature's thoughts.
"Why did you help me?" the monkey's voice echoed in Max's mind, curious but cautious.
Max smiled. "Because I want us to be friends," he said aloud. "You're strong, smart, and… well, I could really use someone like you on my journey."
The monkey tilted its head, its tails twitching thoughtfully. Then it hopped up and down, nodding enthusiastically. Max couldn't help but laugh. "Alright! I'll take that as a yes."
Extending his hand, Max activated his ultimate skill. "Unique Skill: Beast Taming," he said, his voice steady. "I pledge to care for you, protect you, and fight alongside you. Will you join me on my journey?"
The monkey screeched excitedly, placing one of its paws in Max's hand. A soft glow surrounded them as the taming process completed.
Max grinned. "Welcome to the team, little guy. Let's make this an adventure to remember."
Max crouched down, looking at the monkey beast in front of him. He smiled softly and said, "You know, if you're going to be my partner, you need a proper name. How about it?"
The monkey tilted its head, its vibrant violet eyes sparkling with curiosity. Then, as if understanding, it nodded happily, its twin purple tails swaying behind it.
"Alright then," Max said, leaning back on his heels. "Let's think of something that suits you." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the monkey's green fur and its distinctive tails. "Hmm… what should I call you?"
Talking to himself, Max began listing possibilities. "Violet? Nah, too simple. Greenie? No, way too basic. Thunder… no, that's too intense. Ugh, this is harder than I thought." He sighed, scratching his head.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "Wait a second," he said, snapping his fingers. "You've got those two awesome tails. How about… Tails?" He looked at the monkey expectantly. "What do you think?"
The monkey's response was immediate. It jumped up and down, screeching happily and nodding its head. Max laughed, feeling a sense of relief and pride. "Alright then! Tails it is," he said, reaching out to pat the monkey's head. "Welcome to the team, Tails. My new partner."
Tails nodded again, his tails swishing excitedly behind him. Max couldn't help but grin at the sight.
As the effects of the earlier lightning faded, the other monkey beasts began to stir. Tails turned to look at them, making a series of noises and gestures. The other monkeys seemed to understand, chattering back briefly before climbing up the trees. One by one, they disappeared into the canopy, leaving Tails and Max alone.
Max watched them go, then turned to his new companion. "Looks like it's just you and me now," he said. "You ready to go, Tails?"
Tails nodded, hopping up onto Max's shoulder with ease. Max chuckled. "You're lighter than you look," he said, adjusting to the new weight. "Alright, partner, let's see what else this forest has in store."
As they walked through the wooded path, Max found himself talking aloud again, more to himself than to Tails. "Man, what a day," he said. "I've been here for… what, an hour? And I've already fought monkeys, used magic, and tamed a beast. If this is what the first day looks like, I can't imagine what's next."
Tails let out a small chirp, as if in agreement. Max smiled, patting his shoulder. "You're a good listener, buddy. I think we're gonna make a great team."
The pair continued on, the dense forest slowly giving way to hints of sunlight in the distance. With each step, Max felt a growing excitement for the adventures ahead.