Chapter 4: The Heart of a Tamer!
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Work in progress draft of A Beast Tamers Crazy Chicken by Leimrat. Originally posted on Leimrat.blogspot.com. Please do not repost.
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“BATTLE START!”
“GRRAAAAAAAAAWW!!”
“AAAHHHHHH!!!”
It’s at times like this you start thinking about your life—about all the good times, all the bad, and how it all led to this.
My whole life flashes through my head.
Growing up on the farm with Dad.
A few sweet moments that almost make me feel like life was worth it.
And then the last few years…
They’ve been the toughest.
‘You better be proud of me, you bastard!’
I snap back to the moment—it burns into my mind as one of the scariest things I’ve ever faced.
A massive, resplendent golden beast is charging toward me, steam rising off its fur. Jagged teeth I can almost see my reflection in. Eyes dark with hunger and absolute superiority.
The sound of its metal claws tearing the ground apart. Its heavy breath rumbling like a growl.
I can feel its breath now. It’s close.
And then—
A chicken.
My chicken.
The bear could probably swallow her in one gulp.
But instead—
“*SKRAAAAAAAAWWWWK-K-K!!!*”
*THUD!*
Cluckers—out of nowhere—slams into the side of the beast’s face, black talons exploding with a silver glow as they tear into its flesh!
The impact is so unexpectedly heavy it knocks out a tooth and sends the beast staggering sideways—narrowly missing me in the process.
“—AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHhhhh-h-h!!”
… I realize I’ve been screaming the entire time, my voice hoarse.
But now’s not the time for that!
“C-Cluckers! Stare it down! Don’t let it look away!” I croak.
Not that I need to worry. The bear is just as shocked as I am that Cluckers can hit like that!
Taking in the surroundings, I realize it’s not completely dark—but the only real light source is at the far end of the prison, blocked by the half-collapsed vault door.
The bear itself glows faintly, like a torch at dusk. And Cluckers—her dark silhouette is oozing out a silvery glow—
‘That’s gotta be Moon Aura!’
Gods, I can see why it’s an S-grade ability if she can topple a bear ten times her size! And this isn’t even complete darkness—supposedly that makes it even stronger!
Triumphant Claw. Moon Aura. Intimidating Gaze.
She just used all three to save my butt.
Triumphant Claw causes mental distress. Combine that with the shock of a tiny chicken knocking over a golden sun bear, plus her crazy eyes locking on right now… Yeah, this thing’s shaken.
“Cluckers! Go for the eyes! Before it gets up!” I stagger backward, giving them space.
“SKRAAAAWWW!”
Faster than I’ve ever seen her move, the silver blur lands on top of the beast’s head just as it starts to rise.
Her black talon barely misses its gaping maw—grabbing onto the bridge of its nose—while the other strikes its left eye!
“B’kauk!”
“GRRAAAAAAAAAWW!!”
The beast recoils, thrashing in pain as a bright flash burns through the darkness—
“Ahh!! — Krzht!”
Cluckers and I both wince, my eyes stinging as I instinctively close them.
“GGGRRRR!!”
*Whoooosh!*
Forcing my eyes open, I see the one-eyed bear sitting up, a blurry claw already mid-swing—on a direct collision course with Cluckers.
‘Her eyes are shut!’
“Dodge it!!”
At the sound of my voice, she hops into the air, the claw swiping underneath, missing her by a feather’s width.
She plants her talons on its arm, launching herself upward while its other claw barrels forward.
The bear sways right with the momentum of the missed strike, avoiding her counter aimed at its remaining eye.
The pace of the fight is insane. It’s been maybe ten seconds since it started, but they both already look exhausted.
“GRRR!
GRRAAAAAAAAAWW!!”
“Dodge back!” I shout, my throat raw, as another flash blinds us.
I brace myself, waiting for the whistle of claws—but instead, I hear heavy, pounding thuds.
*THU-THUD!*
*Thu-thud!*
*Thu-thud!*
*SMASH!*
…
When I open my eyes, the massive sun bear is running for the exit—having brute-forced its way through the battle barrier.
“Battle end! Victory!”
A robotic voice chimes as the shimmering, bluish walls dissolve.
…
…
“SKRAAAWWWWK-K-K-KKKRRZZZHHT!”
Cluckers cries out in triumph.
I’m about to check on her—when I notice the idiot is *swallowing the bear’s tooth she just knocked loose.* Like some kind of deranged cannibal trying to absorb her enemy’s power.
Shaking my head, I reach for my pocket to grab another recovery pod.
… Huh?
It’s wet?
Oh—
…
My face goes bright red with embarrassment.
During the chaos, somehow, I, uh, *cough* … seem to have soiled myself.
“B’cauk!!”
Cluckers stares at my red face, then at my wet and brown crotch, before immediately pointing and squawking.
“Laugh it up, egghead! Next time I’ll let the thing eat you!”
*Ding!*
Emergency Task complete:
Rewards:
Double Gacha Wheel Roll!
10 BeastPoints.
*Ding!*
Task complete: Raise your beast’s friendliness stat!
Reward:
20 Smiley Cat discount coupons
“Huh? No EXP? Wait, I’m still level 125 after all that?! Whose stingy brain designed this stupid game?!”
[][][]——[][][]
“He’s entered the prison! Should I advance?” Marv muttered, losing sight of the subjects.
The old, taped-up walkie-talkie crackled. The static reply sounded like a negative—“no, interceptor team is in motion.”
“Interceptor!? Who?!” Marv sputtered. “It’s a sun bear?!”
“Dale and Duchess!!” Lark’s voice practically squealed with excitement. “I can’t wait to see the live recording!”
Then—a cacophony of snorts and grunts rushed past Marv’s camera feed, warping like a runaway train.
Duchess stormed into the prison, running like a gorilla—mostly on her arms, her back trotters kicking off the ground like pistons.
Inside, instead of a raging sun bear and a screaming farmhand, she found—
“…Snort?”
A blue oval barrier shimmered.
Dale strolled in behind her, bottle in hand, like a guy looking for a barstool.
“Sorry, girl. Looks like Stevie’s claimed this one.”
*SQIIIIIII!!* *Slap slap slap!*
Duchess angrily pounded the ground with her hands.
*SMASH!*
The blue dome shattered.
An infant sun bear, covered in wounds, one eye pouring golden spores, panted as it staggered toward them.
“GRRAAAAAAW!!”
“SQUIIIIIII!!”
Duchess did a push-up and launched herself into the air, mouth wide—
*PFFFFFFF!*
A jet of flame cooked the ground as the bear twisted aside, dodging the fire!
“GGRAAWW!!”
Duchess landed with a thud, hot, oily liquid dripping from her snout. She spat it out and stood upright, flexing.
The embers smoked between them. Duchess on one side—ready to throw down.
The wounded bear on the other—panting heavily.
“GGRRAAAAAAWW!!”
Another flash of weak light.
The bear was running low on energy.
Duchess ignored the glare, lunging forward like she could fight blindfolded. She blocked a claw strike with her forearm, grabbed its wrist, twisted her waist, and executed a perfect overhead throw!
The beast—twice her size—slammed into the dirt.
Again.
Furious, humiliated—
Twice today, it had been bested by inferior opponents.
Instead of fighting, it turned to flee.
Or so it thought—
“Ahh, found one,” Dale muttered, grabbing its neck with one hand and slamming it to the ground again.
The bear gasped. Not again!
Dale sat casually on its chest, holding its jaw shut with one arm.
“Grrrrrr!!”
The bear thrashed uselessly.
Dale, on the other hand, calmly finished his drink. He was about to toss the bottle—
Then remembered he wasn’t at home.
He set it down carefully.
And watched as, across the way, Steven—red-faced—yelled at a chicken triumphantly choking on a tooth.
‘They might have a chance…
Change of plans’ he smiled menacingly.
[][][]——[][][]
“Woah!! Did you see that throw, Tess?!
She’s not Emperor Porky’s daughter for nothing!!” She sat cross legged in the forest outside the farm.
“Uh-huh…” Tess muttered, barely looking up as she typed on her phone, preparing the next rewards to further manipulate Steven.
“Tell the scout team to retreat—mission accomplished. We’ve been here long enough. Time to head back to base.” She tossed the walkie-talkie to Lark.
“You mean the B&B? Alright, it’s lunchtime anyway, and that cute waitress should still be there!” Lark’s face flushed pink.
Tess sighed. “Keep your head in the game, Lark. We’re at work for the next few weeks.”
“Yeah, but Stevie’s device connected to HQ’s servers. My job’s done! I’ve got nothing to study right now!”
Lark double clicked the walkie-talkie to signal a retreat.
Tess side eyes lark “You still have to review the footage and write your report, Lark.”
“I’ll do it on the way! Come on, all this talk of pork and chicken has me starving!”
They left their hiding place and strolled toward the van, where a visibly shaken Grant was recuperating.
Tess awkwardly probed, “What happened with that other girl—the news reporter?”
“She was fun, but y’know, gotta keep it moving.” Lark twirled her hair absentmindedly.
“Maybe if you stayed more than one night, you might actually like one of them,” Tess smiled and teased.
“Says you! When’s the last time you went on a date? Not to pry, but the rumors around HQ say you’re dating Marv!”
“…Touché,” Tess said with a grin, putting her phone away.
They climbed into the van and greeted their “boss.”
“Feeling better, boss?” Lark asked.
“I-I’ll be much happier when I’m back in the lab. Conducting research from the field is a wildly different experience than I’m used to!!” Grant adjusted his collar nervously and glanced at Tess. “I don’t like to admit it, but I’ve had to delegate much of my responsibilities on this mission to you, Tess.
I’ve been thinking—and if I’m honest with myself—while I’m an experienced team lead in the lab, you’re far more qualified to lead this mission. I’ve requested permission from HQ to promote you to team leader. You have my trust—and the trust of the team.”
Tess’s jaw dropped as she completely short-circuited.
“Hahaha! The unflappable Tess has been thoroughly flapped!!” Lark cackled, pushing Tess’s jaw shut.
*Ahem.* “Admitting when you’re unsuited for the job is part of being a leader,” Grant said. “Congratulations on your promotion in advance, Field Leader Tessa!!” He smiled weakly, offering a handshake, which Tess quickly took.
If she was honest with herself, she hadn’t thought him capable of such a competent decision. But it made her see her former boss in a new light.
She slightly—possibly, maybe—had underestimated him and been wrong about her judgments.
Shaking his hand, she silently vowed to treat him with proper respect from now on. She’d never seen him working in his preferred lab position, but as the new boss, she would definitely give him the chance to shine.
“Thank you, sir! Vouching for me really means a lot. It’s not every day that someone like me would be presented with an opportunity like this. I’m truly grateful.”
She pulled her hand away and straightened up.
“That being said, as your new boss, your conduct today has left me far from impressed. That won’t do!”
Grant’s face fell.
“Your task from now on is to shadow me and learn how to properly lead in the field—while maintaining your responsibility of researching the bird from the remote lab I’ll set up at base.”
His face fell further. He was about to protest, but maybe it was for the best. He might actually learn a thing or two from his junior in this situation.
Marv opened the passenger-side door and climbed in, laptop and drone in hand.
“Right, we heading back, boss?” Marv looked at Grant.
“Well… are we, boss?” Grant said, looking at Tess, who nodded.
“Huh? What’s going on?” Marv blinked, confused.
---
I got back to the prison after changing my clothes and finishing my chores for the day, the meat cows are almost ready to be shipped off.
Meanwhile, Dale had repaired the door and revived the chickens. He seemed to have experience with the gadgets, so I left it to him.
Inside was a beat-up, sleeping sun bear surrounded by spike pits that would barely fit one of its paws.
“You should take the bounty, Dale. You caught it.”
“Whatcha sayin’, boy?! You’re the one who went toe-to-toe with the thing! And I think ya did a pretty decent job too! You ever thought about competing?”
“Competing in what? The tamer leagues? Yeah, right!! As if a nobody like me could turn up to the pro circuit with an agoraphobic cow and a nocturnal chicken!!”
I laughed it off. The image of that bear running at me is NOT something I ever want to experience again! Besides, Cluckers wouldn’t be interested in flaunting for cameras and signing merch, right?
…Right?
“True. If ya signed up for the pro circuit now, you’d be laughed outta the arena. But ya start small first!
I heard there was a farmer from around here who once won the pro league with a farm beast. Who’s t’say you can’t too, my boy?”
“Hahaha, thanks for the advice, but I’ll stick to just getting my butt kicked by Cluckers for now.”
Dale’s jokes always cheer me up. A farm beast beating battle-bred monsters and legacy tamers? In your dreams!
I sat on the bear next to Dale and patted it.
“So, what are we doing? Split the profit 50/50? I could use the money, but I really don’t deserve all the credit.”
Dale didn’t respond this time. He looked at me, then at the bear, and said:
“Let it go, it’s an angry critter so it’ll keep coming back for sure. It’s good training for her. And when the time comes you could tame it.”
“What? Why the hell am I gonna do that?! And anyway It’s not a farm beast, Dale. I’ve known these gals their entire lives and they still don’t respect me. How could I get a goddamn bear to do it?”
“But you already did, Stevie, my boy! It ran from you, so it sees you as a threat! You can use that to your advantage!
And wouldn’t it be great to have a huge guard bear around? And once you tame it you could even earn a bit of cash takin’ it to fights!”
…
Huh. It would be good having someone around to guard the field from iron-jaw foxes and packs of vine wolves. But the money…
“Ouch!”
Cluckers was suddenly at my head pecking me.
Again! Every time I think of expenses she’s there…
“I couldn’t afford the food, let alone the license fee for a rare wild beast. Dale, the light variants can cost a ton depending on the research value, right?
Plus they tie you down with required checks and tests to study its progress.”
“Ou-ouch”
“That’s in the future boy! And don’t ya gotta do that already with this killing machine?”
Dale pointed at Cluckers, who was staring into the back of my head like she could see my thoughts, only with that one eye though, the other was staring at Dale.
*Sigh.* I was trying to put it all out of my mind. Even if this game is just making stuff up, I can’t deny what I saw Cluckers do, so she really is a variant. The ERC would be having a field day with her, I’m sure.
“Dale… I’m not my dad. That was his dream.”
Dale saw the pure evil poultry suddenly looking sad, was it crying?
“I know, boy, but don’t let that get in the way of your potential. You’re really something. You’ve got the basics down already! Plus not even the legacy clans could boast defeating a Greater Solar Bear with just a chicken and their bare hands! Hahaaa!!”
“But—”
“No buts, kid! You’ve got talent. Don’t worry ’bout the costs. I’ll pay for the bear’s and its license fee. Just promise me you’ll pay your bills and make your dad proud!”
Dale stroked his long black beard and smiled. I think, in his head, that was supposed to look comforting—but in this dark prison, sitting on a wild beast, it just looked menacing.
“You’re insane, you know that? Paying for a wails bear, my license fee, I—…”
…
I glanced at Cluckers, she’d set her beak to peck mode.
I wanted to shift the subject but Dale’s wide grin was the kind of grin that meant you either said yes or got strangled.
…
I hate that their pincer attack was working on me.
‘God damn it…’
“Thanks, Uncle Dale. I mean it.”
‘Guess I’m a beast tamer now, and not just the farm kind.’
“Ouch! What was that one for?”
Cluckers scurried away back to her little peckers.
“Title unlocked: The Heart of a Tamer!”
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