Chapter 2:
Taming His First Fluffy Creature
VISITING A CAT café was the only reprieve Taichi ever had in his life as a corporate slave. Being sent to another world where he could establish his own was a dream come true.
Things, however, weren’t quite going to plan.
In his panic—and without really thinking—Taichi had used his taming skill on the fluffy, six-foot-tall wolf with silver-gold fur.
“Woof?!”
The moment Taichi employed his skill, a blinding light enveloped the wolf. He assumed this was an indication of his success in taming it.
Tame was one of the Tamer skills the cat god had bestowed upon Taichi. It allowed him to command whatever monster he cast it on. One’s taming success rate was proportional to the level of their skill.
Taichi held his breath. I used it on instinct, but...did it work? He swallowed hard as he drank in the enormous wolf in front of him. Come to think of it, I have a skill to communicate with my tamed monsters, don’t I? Surely he could talk to it then, right?
“So, um...” Taichi hesitated.
The wolf glowered at him.
Eep! It’s certainly fluffy, but it’s also intimidating!
“You,” the creature snarled. “How dare you tame me!”
“Oh, uh...I’m sorry.”
“How could I, a proud Fenrir, be forced to serve a Tamer?!”
Uh-oh! I’m in hot water. He’s super pissed! It was clear to Taichi that this Fenrir already despised him. But, uh, I guess it’s good we can communicate.
Speak with Monsters was a Tamer skill the cat god had bestowed upon Taichi. It allowed him to speak with any monster he tamed.
While Taichi sagged with relief that the two of them could speak, the wolf—Fenrir, the monster called itself—continued to speak.
“I was excited after taking down that delicious-looking dragon, but you have soured my mood completely. I am to serve a human? Hah, what a joke!”
“Aha...ha...” Taichi let out a strangled laugh. He was sweating bullets, wondering when the creature would change its mind and come for his throat.
Although Taichi had tamed this monster, he had no intention of binding it to his will. They could part ways here if needed...right? Or would that not work? While he internally debated his options, something caught his eye. Huh, wait. What? He’s wagging his tail! And he’s super fluffy!
The Fenrir had a prickly, unfriendly way of speaking, but his body language bespoke his hidden joy. Maybe he was secretly excited about this whole taming thing. Taichi wasn’t really sure. But then he remembered his title: Fluff Master. Maybe that was the reason for the monster’s affinity. For all of Fenrir’s harsh words, perhaps he secretly liked Taichi already. Taichi felt bad for second-guessing the cat god earlier for giving him what he’d assumed was the wrong job. This was absolutely perfect. He wanted to say a prayer of gratitude to the god. In fact, he’d do just that.
“Cat god, thank you for blessing me with this fateful encounter.” He felt much safer now that he had a companion and wouldn’t have to face the dangers of the forest by himself. “So, um,” Taichi hedged, turning back to the Fenrir, “will you be my companion? I know that’s probably not something I should be asking after I already tamed you, but just the same.”