Fenrir's gaze moved back to the small hamster-like creatures, now huddled together, trembling slightly. Despite their strange aura, they looked terrified.
He lowered the crowbar and spoke softly.
"I'm not here to hurt you."
He gently pulled the box's flaps open wider to let in more air and light.
The creatures didn't move at first, but then one of the small ones chirped, almost as if testing him. When he didn't react violently, the others relaxed slightly.
He could feel their energy. They were low-level monsters, but sensitive to mana.
They could detect his aura—his control. They weren't attacking because they recognized he wasn't a threat.
'They're intelligent enough to feel fear. That makes this even worse.'
Fenrir stepped back, eyes cold.
These people were exploiting creatures that belonged to another ecosystem, ripping them from dungeons, from their homes, and caging them like animals.
That kind of disruption had long-term consequences. A single missing predator in a dungeon could collapse an entire section's mana balance.
He had to report this.
But... not yet.
First, he had to ensure none of this could be traced back to him.
He couldn't afford anyone linking him to "X," not when he'd just started building power.
He moved through the facility, collecting what evidence he could—copies of documents, names from ID cards, shipment manifests—and stored it all in his inventory.
'This… this might be leverage later.'
Then he returned to the creatures.
"I can't leave you here," he muttered.
Opening a few more crates, he used a soft paralysis mist to lull the monsters into a calm, sleeping state.
One by one, he carefully stored them into his expanded inventory space designed for handling mana-sensitive materials.
When he was done, only the unconscious kidnappers remained.
Fenrir took one last look around the facility and muttered under his breath.
"You picked the wrong target."
Fenrir stood silently before the crate, watching as the small hamster-like dungeon creatures scratched and squeaked against the wooden walls of their confinement.
Their movements weren't just erratic—they were frantic, desperate.
One even threw its tiny body against the side again and again, as if trying to break the wood apart by sheer will.
It struck something in him.
He could still remember the faces of his former subordinates—tough, resilient warriors, reduced to empty shells after they were taken and sold like objects.
Some never returned. Others did, but they were never the same.
Trafficking, in any form, disgusted him.
Fenrir knelt beside the crate and ran his hand along the edge, his mana gently probing at the latch.
The creatures froze, clearly sensing the mana, but didn't retaliate. They just stared up at him, wide-eyed and exhausted.
"I'm not here to hurt you."
He said quietly, and broke the lock.
The five small creatures tumbled out, blinking rapidly.
They were all different shades—one soft grey, one dark brown, one almost white, and two mixed in strange patterns that shimmered with mana.
Fenrir inspected them with a practiced eye.
[Low-level, mana-sensitive fauna. Not naturally aggressive. Tameable.]
He knelt and extended his hand, not in command, but in offer.
"I'm giving you a choice. I can return you to your dungeon. You'll be free, though maybe hunted again. Or... you can become my familiars. I'll protect you, feed you, and give you a home."
He said calmly.
The hamsters looked at one another. Then the grey one, clearly the bravest, took a cautious step forward and gently touched Fenrir's hand with its paw.
The rest followed a beat later, forming a line before him.
System text appeared in front of Fenrir:
[You have formed a Familiar Bond
5 creatures have been bonded.
Health and Status indicators enabled.
Communication Link established.
Assigning Identifier Tags: H1, H2, H3, H4, H5]
Above each of the hamster's heads, a tiny number appeared—barely visible to normal eyes but clearly marked within Fenrir's system overlay. It was a quiet sign of ownership… and trust.
A beat later, the five creatures blinked—and then, for the first time, spoke.
"Thank you, Master."
Said H1, its voice high and squeaky but full of earnest emotion.
"We… didn't think anyone would help us."
Added H3.
"You freed us. What would you like us to do?"
Asked H2, already tilting its head like a diligent assistant.
Fenrir gave them a small nod.
"I'll be building a farm in the near future. I'll need help maintaining it. Gathering herbs, sorting materials. Think you're up for it?"
The five hamsters perked up, their ears twitching in sync.
"Yes, Master! We'll do our best!"
They chorused.
He smiled faintly.
'Eager. Loyal. Perfect.'
"Good."
He said, then stood. With a flick of his hand, he opened a portal—a shimmering oval of spatial magic leading directly into his personal dungeon.
The dungeon's entrance was now tethered to his lab, but he had the power to open gates from anywhere.
"Time to take you to your new home."
He said.
The hamsters bounced excitedly at first… until they saw what was on the other side of the portal.
A massive snout, sleek black scales, and golden slit-pupil eyes stared down at them.
Nedrax stood at the gate's edge, sniffing curiously at the new arrivals. Compared to the hamsters, he was a mountain.
The moment they locked eyes, the hamsters froze in place like tiny statues.
"That's… a DRAGON."
Whispered H4 in horror.
"We're going to die."
Muttered H5.
Fenrir sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Nedrax, stop looming."
He called out.
The dragon snorted.
"I wasn't looming. I was observing."
"Same thing. Be nice. They're our new friends. Farmhands, technically."
Nedrax blinked, then lowered his massive head. With a gentle tilt of his scaled jaw, he spoke in a deep, regal voice.
"Welcome… small ones."
The hamsters trembled but managed to inch forward as Fenrir gave them a light push.
The moment they crossed the portal and entered the dungeon, they all flattened to the ground, bellies against the stone floor.
"We won't be a bother!"
H2 squeaked.
"We swear allegiance!"
H3 shouted.
"We'll never cross the master's will!"
H5 declared, practically shaking.
Fenrir stepped in behind them, arms crossed.
"Relax. Nedrax won't hurt you."
"I don't eat coworkers."
Nedrax added with a dramatic tone.
H1 finally stood upright again and looked up at Fenrir with something like awe.
"We'll work hard, Master. We promise."
Fenrir gave them a nod.
"Good. There's a storage chamber near the south wall. Make yourselves a den there. I'll assign duties later."
With a flick of his fingers, he sent a message through the system to catalog them as
[Support-Class: Field and Farm Aides.]
Nedrax watched the hamsters scramble toward the chamber, their earlier fear gradually turning into determination.
Once they disappeared from view, the dragon leaned down to Fenrir.
"They're small, loud, and scared of everything. But they're loyal. I like them. I'll train them well to be the perfect helping hands."
Nedrax said.
Fenrir nodded.
"You do that."
He glanced back at the portal, then closed it with a wave.
'Another step forward. Another piece in place.'
Now… it was time to prepare for what came next. For now, he needed to take care of the traffickers who thought they could take him hostage.