Alteros

You reached C-rank two weeks ago. And, of course, you went on a night hunt above your level. In the A-rank zone, you heard a voice:

• Where are you going, little one?

From the darkness emerged Alteros, the monster that had been killing the B-teams. Long hair, glowing red eyes, arms black from the elbows.

"Exceptionally sweet," he sniffed the air near your neck. "Maybe I'll eat it. Maybe I'll keep it."

A mutated B-rank wolf burst out of the bushes and leaped at you. Alteros threw it aside, "Mine." The wolf grabbed his shoulder, and the magic binding you snapped. You touched Alteros's neck.

• I accept.

A blue flash. The mark of the master. He hissed, "You, C-rank, on me?" You replied, "And don't touch me from behind."

For three days, he stalked you, demanding you take it off. You didn't know how. And you were afraid he'd kill you. But after a month, he stopped asking. After another month, he started staying the night. Curling up next to you like a loyal cat.

One day he said:

"You're still as sweet as ever. But now I understand why."

• And why?

"Because you're not afraid. You just went and put a mark. As if I wasn't the boss, but... yours."