While Others Tame Beasts, I Level Up

As the battlefield settled and the goblin bodies were cleared away by magical drones, the announcer's voice once again boomed over the arena.

"An impressive performance by Group 8 in the first wave! But the challenge only intensifies from here. Brace yourselves for the Swarm of Sewer Rats!"

The far gate rumbled open once more, revealing a writhing, chittering mass of rodents spilling onto the battlefield. These were no ordinary rats—they were massive, each the size of a large dog, with gleaming red eyes and mangy fur. Their sharp, yellow teeth glistened with some kind of toxin, and their sheer numbers made the ground seem alive as they surged forward.

[Sewer Rat

Tamed Rank: F+

Lvl: 13

HP: 130/130

Str: 6.8

Agi: 12.5

S.P: 7

Abilities: Frenzied Bite (lvl 3), Swarm Coordination (lvl 5, passive)]

Among them was a larger, grotesque rat leading the swarm. Its bulbous form and the jagged scar across its snout marked it as the alpha.

[Alpha Sewer Rat

Tamed Rank: E

Lvl: 15

HP: 180/180

Str: 9.0

Agi: 10.5

S.P: 12

Abilities: Pack Command (lvl 6, passive), Toxic Claw (lvl 4), Rally (lvl 3)]

The audience erupted in murmurs, and many of my fellow competitors paled at the sight of the chittering horde. Rats weren't inherently intimidating, but their overwhelming numbers and the unsettling intelligence in their movements had even seasoned tamers shifting uncomfortably.

"They're everywhere!" a boy shouted, his Shadow Lynx hissing and baring its fangs.

"Stay calm!" I barked, stepping to the front of the group. "Form a defensive line! Keep them contained and don't let them split us up!"

Kas hissed beside me, his body coiling tightly. "So many. Easy to lose focus."

"Not for us," I replied with a grin, gripping my Mythril-Edged Sword.

The rats hit our line like a tidal wave, their sharp teeth gnashing as they threw themselves at us. I sidestepped one's leap, slicing clean through its body with a downward strike.

[-60 HP]

Kas struck another rat mid-pounce, delivering a precise Venom Bite to its neck. The creature twitched violently before collapsing.

[Poison Effect: -40 HP/sec]

Despite our efforts, the swarm's coordination quickly became apparent. Smaller groups of rats split off, flanking weaker tamers and overwhelming them.

"Get off me!" a girl screamed as three rats pinned her to the ground, her Flame Toad struggling to spit fire.

I dashed toward her, activating Quick Dash to close the distance. "Kas, cover me!"

Kas launched forward, wrapping around one rat's neck with Coiling Dominion and crushing it instantly. I swung my sword in a wide arc, decapitating the other two before helping the girl to her feet.

"Stick with the group!" I snapped. "You'll get picked off alone."

Nearby, the mage from earlier was once again struggling. His Lightning Viper had been forced back, hissing angrily as a cluster of rats swarmed its tail. The boy fumbled with his spellcasting, his bolts of lightning missing wildly.

"Control your familiar!" I shouted, decapitating a rat that lunged at him. "You're making it worse!"

The mage stammered, "I-I'm trying!"

Kas hissed in irritation. "Useless distractions. Focus, George."

"Don't worry. I've got this." I pivoted, slicing through two more rats before assessing the battlefield. We were holding, but just barely.

The alpha rat remained at the back of the swarm, barking out high-pitched commands. Its Pack Command ability seemed to amplify the swarm's coordination, and its presence bolstered the rats' aggression.

"Kas, we need to take out the alpha. It's controlling the swarm."

Kas hissed. "Risky. Must clear a path first."

I nodded. "Then let's make one."

I raised my sword and called out to the group. "Focus fire on the smaller rats! I'm going for the alpha!"

"Are you insane?" someone shouted. "You can't fight that thing alone!"

"I'm not alone," I said with a smirk. Kas coiled tighter around my arm, his black scales glinting ominously.

I activated Double Jump, vaulting over the frontline and landing in the middle of the swarm. Rats immediately turned on me, but I was ready. Activating Animal-Stance: Unity, my senses sharpened, and time seemed to slow. Every movement was clear, every attack predictable.

"Kas, Erosion Spit!"

Kas unleashed a spray of acidic venom, clearing a path through the swarm. Rats screeched as the venom burned through their flesh, leaving them writhing on the ground.

The alpha rat hissed angrily as I approached, its red eyes narrowing. It crouched low, muscles tensing, before leaping at me with surprising speed.

I sidestepped, raising my shield to block its Toxic Claw strike. The impact rattled my arm, but I held firm.

"Kas, flank it!" I ordered.

Kas slithered around the alpha's side, striking with Venom Bite. The rat screeched, twisting to shake him off. I seized the opening, driving my sword into its exposed side.

[Critical Hit!]

[-100 HP]

The alpha spun, swiping at me with its claws. I dodged backward, but its Pack Command ability rallied the remaining rats, sending a fresh wave surging toward us.

"Kas, finish it! Coiling Dominion!"

Kas darted forward, wrapping around the alpha's throat.

The rat thrashed violently, but Kas held on, tightening his grip and sinking his fangs into its neck.

I rushed forward, delivering a final, powerful slash to its head.

[Critical Hit!]

[-150 HP]

[Alpha Sewer Rat defeated!]

With the alpha dead, the swarm lost its coordination. The remaining rats scattered, easy prey for the other tamers and their familiars. Within minutes, the battlefield was clear.

The announcer's voice echoed across the arena.

"An incredible display of strategy and skill! George Carter and his White Eyed Snake took down the alpha, securing victory for Group 8 in the second wave!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, though some murmured with lingering disbelief.

"That first-year again?"

"How is he dominating like this?"

I sheathed my sword, turning to face the stands. My gaze swept over the doubters from earlier, their expressions now a mixture of shock and grudging respect.

Kas slithered back onto my arm, his tongue flicking in satisfaction. "Easy."

[George Carter: Level 23 → Level 24! (4,500/7,000 EXP)

Strength: 18.4

Agility: 19.6

Intelligence: 18.2

S.P: 22

Skills:

Animal-Stance: Unity

Madness (Lvl 10)(Evolve)

Quick Dash (Lvl 4)

Low-Level Swordsmanship (Lvl 6)

Double Jump (Lvl 1)]

[Kas: Level 21 → Level 22!

(3,250/7,500 EXP)

Length:98cm

Width: 6.9cm

Str: 28

Agi: 26.4

Int: 13.5

S.P:20

Skills:

Language Speaking (Lvl 2)

Erosion Spit (Lvl 8)

Coiling Dominion (Lvl 4)

Venom Bite (Lvl 5)

Mana Resonance(Lvl 6)]

"Hmmm, I can evolve a skill?"as I tapped on the screen, the interface changed:

[Skill evolvable, please choose the direction!

Ultimate Resort : all emotions vanish, the user's stats grow x10, user loses rationality until he passes out or death.

Tranquility: User's stats grow x3 for 2 minutes, available every 2 hours

Conqueror(passive): When user defeats multiple enemies , stats grow for a period of time.

(Every enemy defeated in a timeframe of 5 minutes, increases host stats by 1.20x)]

Hmm, I choose....