My beast is Gundam

"So, you three are the ones sent to eliminate the two demon bears?"

Standing at the gates of Tower Rock Village, Morse watched the raptor's silhouette vanish into the horizon before turning to face the three people in front of him, his mind teetering on the edge of collapse.

Judging from their age, appearance, and demeanor, these three didn't seem like powerful beast tamers.

At sixteen or seventeen years old, they'd likely just contracted their spirit beasts, right?

Shouldn't kids your age be staying safe at home? Did your families not tell you how dangerous the outside world is?

"Is there a problem?" Leon glanced around calmly.

That indifferent attitude made Morse's eyes narrow slightly. "Don't tell me… you're a second-tier beast tamer?"

Morse made a bold guess.

He could tell that the chubby boy holding a golden monkey and the girl whose spirit beast was a black cat seemed to regard the boy in the middle as their leader.

If that were the case, then the boy must be stronger than the other two—perhaps even a second-tier beast tamer.

That would explain why they dared to take on such a dangerous mission.

A second-tier beast tamer, supported by two first-tier tamers, might have a chance against two demon bears.

But Leon's next words left Morse dumbfounded.

"Nope!" Leon clasped his hands behind his back, speaking confidently, "I'm a first-tier tamer. Just contracted my spirit beast a few days ago… same goes for my friends."

Morse: ???

Three first-tier beast tamers, and they'd only just contracted their spirit beasts?

Where on earth did you get the guts to accept this mission?

Are all young people this reckless nowadays?

"Then maybe your spirit beast has a powerful bloodline and can fight above its level?" Morse probed, glancing at Leon again.

Leon met his gaze calmly. "My spirit beast is a Metal Spirit."

Hmph…

Morse felt like he'd taken a punch to the chest—he could hardly breathe.

He had thought their reinforcements had arrived, but instead, it was just three reckless kids.

What is the Beast Tamer Bureau even doing?

As a beast tamer with a Metal Spirit himself, Morse was well aware of their traits.

Metal Spirits and Stone Spirits had certain advantages at lower ranks, particularly in physical strength.

Against spirit beasts that hadn't yet awakened powerful abilities and relied less on physical combat, a Metal Spirit could simply overwhelm them.

But when facing beasts that excelled in close combat, the Metal Spirit's low intelligence and lack of agility became glaring weaknesses, making it little more than a punching bag.

Morse wanted to grab Leon and ask, What exactly gives you the confidence to act so calm?

"Follow me…"

After casting a glance at the trio, Morse turned and led the way into the village.

Leon and his companions exchanged puzzled looks before following him.

Why did this guy seem… a bit off?

Tower Rock Village, perched on a mountainside, was fairly well-populated and strategically positioned.

After exchanging brief introductions, Morse said nothing more and led them silently, winding through narrow paths and past several homes before stopping in front of a stone house.

"Look over there."

Finally, Morse pointed ahead.

Leon and the others followed his gaze. Beyond the stone-paved path and near the stone house was… a rock?

On the ground outside the house was something resembling a snowman made of stone—except it had no limbs, just a torso and a head.

What does this even mean?

The three of them turned to Morse, perplexed.

"That's our chief's spirit beast. Our chief is a third-tier beast tamer, and this Stone Spirit is also third-tier. But after a battle with the two demon bears, its limbs were shattered, and the chief… has been unconscious ever since."

Morse shook his head and said, "Those demon bears are incredibly strong. You three have just contracted your spirit beasts… stay the night here and head back tomorrow. The bears are too aggressive."

Leon and the others: …

So, after all that, you're just saying we're not up to the task?

And you're trying to be polite about it too…

"If we can't handle it, we'll retreat," Leon said, giving Morse a glance.

He wasn't about to let a few words deter him—especially when the cost of traveling back and forth was so high.

If they failed this mission, they'd have to return, accept another task, and set out again. Who knew if Beard would still be as generous then?

"I knew it—young people these days…"

Seeing that they'd ignored his words, Morse muttered, "Fine, how about this: let's spar. If you beat me, I'll let you go after the bears."

He'd seen many youths like this—stubborn until they hit a wall. As the second-in-command of Tower Rock Village, Morse felt it was his duty to teach them a lesson.

Since they clearly didn't understand their own limits, it was up to him, a veteran two-month beast tamer, to show them the gap in power between spirit beasts.

Leon's spirit beast was a Metal Spirit, as was his own. With an extra month of experience, winning should be easy.

Sigh.

Morse sighed heavily.

Dealing with these kids was exhausting.

"Ready?"

In a small training arena within the village, Leon looked at Morse, feeling a bit exasperated. Behind him stood Beard and Petty.

They had only two Fire Stones left, and any energy used by Titan would be energy spent. Yet Morse, with his "for your own good" attitude, had left Leon with no choice but to accept.

"Let's start!"

Morse nodded reluctantly.

It was good for young people to have drive, but they needed to know their limits. Even the village chief had been injured, and as a seasoned first-tier beast tamer, Morse had no choice but to call for reinforcements. These three rookies were practically asking to get themselves killed.

"Fine, I'll just win quickly. Hopefully, it won't discourage him too much," Morse thought.

In the next moment, both opened their spirit domains.

Clang!

Morse's Metal Spirit leapt out in a flash—not humanoid but resembling a wild boar. Its brass body, standing over three meters tall, gleamed ominously, with two rusty tusks protruding from its mouth.

From Leon's spirit domain, Titan shuffled out, its short legs carrying it into position opposite the Brass Boar.

Steam hissed from its head as it tilted upward to look at the towering boar, scratching its head with a mechanical claw.

The other three: …

Though the battle hadn't started yet, for some reason, just seeing the two spirit beasts face off, the outcome seemed clear.

At a mere 1.5 meters tall, Titan stood before the Brass Boar like a child looking up at an adult…

Beard and Petty exchanged uneasy glances.

How could they possibly win?