Chapter 14: Beast Girlsssss
Paws cleared his throat, looking smug.
"You see, the name of this world is Arcadia, nya. And there are five main kingdoms here, or empires, if you wanna get fancy, nya. I'm gonna keep it simple, so listen well, nya."
The Five Kingdoms of Arcadia
West: The Kingdom of Martial Valor (Baekhara)
Paws began, "To the west, there's the Kingdom of Martial Valor, also known as Baekhara, nya. This kingdom is home to martial artists who train their bodies to the limit, nya. They have sects and powerful families—like the famous Mount Hua Sect or the Namgung Family, nya.
"They have their own power system, nya—cultivation stages where they refine their inner energy, ascending through levels like the Qi Condensation Realm or the Foundation Building Realm, nya. They've got unique techniques and family legacies that pass down secret arts, nya. Everyone there lives for combat and honor, nya."
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North: The Kingdom of Mana (Runethel)
"In the north," Paws continued, "there's Runethel, the Kingdom of Mana, nya. This place is all about magic, nya. They've got magic spells, ancient runic languages, and unique grimoires that are passed down through generations, nya.
"They also have their own power system, nya. Magicians progress through levels called Magic Circles, nya. First Circle magic is the weakest, but as they ascend to higher circles, their spells become devastating, nya.
"Runethel is a proper kingdom with a hierarchy of kings, dukes, and marquises, nya. Nobility there hoards rare magic tomes, nya, and the more ancient or unique the magic, the more powerful the caster, nya. But you don't need to worry about all that yet, nya!"
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East: The Kingdom of Beasts (Faunaris)
"To the east, you'll find Faunaris, the Kingdom of Beasts, nya. It's a lush, sprawling land full of forests and wild creatures, nya. The people here bond with beasts, taming them and living alongside them, nya.
"But don't mistake them for some medieval peasants living in treehouses, nya. Faunaris is just as advanced as the other kingdoms, nya. They've developed their own unique power system, nya, called Beast Synchronization. By taming and syncing their souls with beasts, they can draw strength from their companions and share abilities, nya."
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South: The Kingdom of Blades (Astoria)
"To the south is Astoria, the Kingdom of Blades, nya. This is a land of knights, nya—think shining armor, noble houses, and an obsession with swords, nya.
"They use a power system called Aura Manipulation, nya. Knights channel their life force into auras that make them faster, stronger, and deadlier, nya. They can cut through steel or unleash devastating shockwaves, nya.
"And for some reason, they always have bad blood with the mages from Runethel, nya. Don't ask me why, nya. Humans are weird, nya."
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Central: The Kingdom of Balance (Ephimere)
"And finally, in the heart of Arcadia, there's Ephimere, the Kingdom of Balance, nya. This is the political and cultural center of the world, nya, where all the major powers converge.
"They don't have a unique power system of their own, nya. Instead, it's a melting pot, nya. People from all over come to Ephimere to trade, settle disputes, or form alliances, nya. It's a place where anything can happen, nya."
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"Now, do you get it, nya?" Paws asked smugly, tilting his head like a teacher waiting for applause.
I nodded slowly, taking it all in. "...Okay, but one thing."
"What, nya?"
"Can I just… choose all the classes and take over the whole world?"
Paws stared at me for a long moment before floating up and smacking my head. "Greedy humans, nya!" he muttered, flying off.
"Okay, okay, wait!" I called out to Paws as he floated away.
He stopped mid-air, turning to me with an exaggeratedly irritated expression. "What now, nya?" he asked, his tone dripping with frustration.
"It's just… you didn't tell me about the remaining two classes—the Elemental Summoner and the Blood Knight. What about those? And isn't the Blood class more like… a vampire class? You know, like me?" I asked, my face scrunched up in confusion as I tried to piece it all together.
Paws sighed dramatically, rubbing his temple with a paw. "The Elemental Summoner, nya, is a rare class. Not many people in this world have it, nya, so it's not that important for you to know, nya." His voice was flat and bored, like a teacher explaining the same thing for the hundredth time.
"And the Blood Knight?" I pressed.
He floated closer, his disinterest almost palpable. "The Blood Knight wasn't there before, nya. I think the system generated it specifically for you because you're the first vampire in this world, nya."
It's your job. Why do you look so bored? I thought, glaring at his face. Am I forcing you or something? You devilish freeloader.
"Hmm… so what's the best class for me?" I asked, staring at the glowing system windows as if deep in thought. But really, I was just prolonging it to annoy him. The longer it took, the more irritated he got, and honestly, watching him stew was euphoric.
"Will you just CHOOSE ONE, nya?!" he snapped, his voice high-pitched with irritation.
"No, no, I need to think," I said, feigning seriousness. "This is a life-changing decision, Paws. Will you shut up for a second and let me think?"
Paws groaned, floating in circles as his tail twitched in annoyance. Meanwhile, I basked in his frustration, barely suppressing my grin. This is so good.
Alright, time to actually decide.
I looked at the options again: Magic, Martial Arts, Swordsman, Beast Taming, Elemental Summoning, and Blood Knight.
Let's weed out the ones that are too much work, I thought.
First up: Magic and Elemental Summoning.
"Nope," I muttered under my breath. "Too much math, too many circles and experiments. If I wanted to waste my life on calculations, I'd have stayed human."
Next: Swordsmanship and Martial Arts.
"Another big no," I said aloud. "I'm not spending my days swinging swords or breaking my bones practicing martial arts. That's way too proactive. I need something lazier."
That left two: Beast Taming and Blood Knight.
"Well," I mused, scratching my chin. "I'm already a vampire, so Blood's kinda baked in. Why double up on something I already have?"
That left Beast Taming.
As I thought about it, a grin spread across my face. "Yep. Perfecto. Beast Taming it is. You guys probably think this book's title gave it away—'The First Vampire Beast Tamer.' But you forget one beautiful thing…"
Beast Girls.
Oh yeah. Imagine the possibilities. I'll tame fierce creatures, maybe a dragon or two, and definitely some cute catgirls. The world will be mine! From fighting to housework, I'll have my beasts do everything for me. I'll be living the ultimate lazy life, lounging around while my army of creatures takes care of everything. I'm gonna put Han Jue from "Mountain Cultivate Diligently" to shame.
"Hy Paws!" I shouted, my grin widening. "I'm going with Beast Taming. Yep!"
"Beast Taming, huh?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, good luck, nya. Let's see how many creatures don't eat you alive before you try to tame them, nya!"
I just smirked. "Oh, don't worry, Sir Pawsington. I'm sure you'll be the first creature I tame."
His eyes widened. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, NYA?!"
Before he could protest, I clicked the glowing Beast Taming icon.
A bright light enveloped the screen as system windows popped up again.